Choosing a Pet Breeder

Contributed by QuestionSense Editors

How long have you been breeding this particular breed?
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How many litters have you bred?
How many liters do you have per year?
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Breeders producing more than 1 or 2 litters a year are probably not paying enough attention to the genetics and health of the puppies. If it is a small breeder, even two a year may be too much to be able to make sure that the breeding is going to be successful and produce healthy puppies.
Are the parents on site?
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Can I see them? This is kind of a trick question - most breeders will not own both dogs. They will own the mother (and you should be able to see her), but the best match for that bitch probably belongs to someone else. So, if you can see both parents on site, you should be a little suspicious.
What kind of congenital defects are present in this breed?
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What steps are you taking to decrease these defects?
There are genetic problems present in almost every breed. Do some research here, and make sure you know what kind of answer you should be getting from the breeder.
Why did you choose the parents that you chose for this liter?
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A good litter is the result of careful planning and research by the breeder to ensure the best traits of the breed are passed on to the puppies.
Can you provide me with contact information for three of the families with whom you have placed puppies?
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Ask them if the breeder gave them a puppy that was a good match for them and their family. Were there any unexpected problems with their puppy?
How do you approach socialization of you puppies?
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Puppies require daily interaction and should be exposed to everyday household conditions and sounds. They should be exposed to different people and varying situations.
When can I take the puppy home?
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Puppies usually go home between 8 and 12 weeks. Avoid anyone sending tiny puppies home. Puppies sent home too early don't have the chance to develop healthy interactions with other dogs, and can be sickly or have problems eating. Puppies that are five or six weeks old are too young to be separated from their mother.