The BEST Questions To Ask Breeder Before Picking Up Puppy
Your first major decision has been made: you’re getting a new puppy. Congratulations! Your subsequent decisions are equally crucial: what breed of dog will you bring home, and will you visit a reputable breeder, a shelter, or a rescue organization? For a prospective buyer, picking the right puppy is a big decision! Research is essential, and knowing the precise inquiries and questions to ask and make of a dog breeder throughout your search is beneficial.
Why would I speak with a professional breeder if I’m considering adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue, you might be asking. There are a ton of excellent reasons, in fact! Even if you decide to adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue organization, speaking with responsible dog breeders can provide you insider knowledge about the breed and even direct you to organizations that specialize in breeding solely or in rescuing particular breeds other dogs, not just purebred dogs.
How can you be certain you’re getting a dog from a moral, accountable and responsible breeder if you do decide you’d like to acquire one? Research is the solution once more. In order to find the newest member of your family, we met with members from two major dog breed clubs to learn some of the most crucial things to ask a dog breeder.
What To Ask Breeder When Picking Up Puppy
Ask The Breeder
Prepare yourself with the essential questions to pose to a dog breeder before making a purchase before going to meet your new animal companion. For future puppy owners, knowledge is power. While it could be tempting to bring your pet home right away, it’s vital to first, ask a dog breeder a lot of questions. Your puppy will be safe, sound, and prepared to embark on its adventure with you if you do this. By being thorough in your inquiries, you can be sure that the right breeder you choose to support is a responsible breeding respectable one that strives to produce healthy puppies, of the highest caliber while also advancing the breed.
Before buying a dog from a breeder, there are numerous questions to ask. These inquiries can range from requesting a meeting with the sire and dam to inquiring about the breeder’s objectives for their particular litter. Interested in learning more? Ready to find out more? Read on with us!
Questions To Ask A Dog Breeder
Can I Meet The Puppy’s Parents?
A trustworthy breeder will let you meet the parents of your dog. This gives you a chance to assess their personalities, learn about their general health, their genetic diseases, and compare them to the breed standard for yourself. Meeting the puppy’s parents can tell you a lot about your potential puppy. These factors are crucial since your potential puppy*’s genetic composition will be influenced in part by the temperament and health of its parents. However, there are several circumstances in which it might not be possible to meet the puppy’s parents in person.
Remember that a responsible breeder seeks the ideal match for pedigree dog and their dam. They may or may not have a stud dog that resides with them for this mating. Most breeders who use male dogs from all across the nation do so despite the probable additional expense to schedule breeding that satisfies their objectives. Therefore, the stud dog might not be present in this instance. But the breeder need to be able to provide you with images of him, reveal the findings and medical records of his medical examinations, and explain why they decided to use him for their buck.
How Old Are The Puppies?
Never purchase a puppy that is younger than 7 weeks old. A good breeder will not let one of their puppies leave the litter before this age. Although it used to be common practice to remove a puppy as early as 6 weeks old, more recent study has shown that it is crucial that your dog remain with its mother and other puppies until they are 7 weeks old. Your puppy should be completely weaned by this time, and they should have gained vital experience from growing up and playing with their litter mates. Because of this, a puppy that is 7-8 weeks old is better equipped than a younger puppy to go into a new home on both a physical and mental level.
How Many Litters Has The Dam Had?
Each breeder will have a different set of responses. However, in general, most breeders concur that it is appropriate for the majority of breeds for a dam to have two to three litters. The number of litters should mostly depend on the health and breed of the dam; if she is still healthy and a wonderful representative of her breed, having a third litter is not out of the question. A third litter is not a smart idea if she is starting to experience health problems and has had troubles with her prior litters.
Additionally, breeding a bitch for the first time while she is under a year old is generally not advised. The safest minimum age for the majority of dog breeds is two years old. Even though some breeds, like the Chihuahua, go into heat rather early, it is not suggested to breed them during their first cycle because they are too emotionally and physically immature.
Can I See And Handle The Full Litter?
If the entire litter is still living there, the breeder of your puppy should let you visit. It’s wise to keep your distance the first time you visit the litter and observe the animals quietly. By doing this, you may see the puppies’ typical behavior. Do they get along? Do any of them act aggressively in a peculiar way? Are their sizes, health, and temperaments comparable? Watch how the mother and puppies are behaving. Some puppy mills will pose as responsible breeders by using homes as “storefronts” for their operations. In this situation, the “dam” might not even show any interest in the puppies.
Where Were They Bred?
Responsible breeders keep their pets in sanitary, secure, and roomy facilities. Does the breeder make sure that the environment the dogs are living in is appropriate? Or do you see indicators of neglect? Make sure to only provide your support to good breeders who uphold strict hygienic standards for their dogs and puppies! Additionally, they must always provide clean, fresh water for their dogs.
Have The Parents Undergone Health Tests?
Health testing for both parents are essential when looking to get a healthy puppy. Testing for the health issues that typically affect their breed should be done by your professional breeder. According to the AKC, German Shorthaired Pointers, for instance, should have the following examinations: hip, elbow, cardiac, ophthalmologist, and DNA test for cone degeneration. Both parents should be subject to these exams.
How Long Have You Been Breeding Dogs?
Experienced breeders can be among the best. A seasoned responsible breeder ought to be well-versed in their particular breed. An experienced breeder, as opposed to an inexperienced one, ought to have a solid reputation within the breed and a ton of evaluations for you to read. A newer breeder might be ideal for you if you’re looking for a family pet, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be just as reputable. But if you want a champion dog, you might be better off working with an established breeder. If the breeder is new to dog breeding, ask them who they credit as their mentors in creating a successful breeding program.
What Are Some Ways You Socialize Your Puppies?
The breeder is in charge of your puppy for the first 7-8 weeks of its existence. This is an important first part of a puppy’s life! Making ensuring the puppies have a strong foundation in socializing is a part of the breeder’s duty. Despite this, there are a lot of restrictions at this young age. It is extremely dangerous to take your puppy outside before they have received their initial set of vaccinations. Your breeder ought to expose the puppies to a variety of sounds and environmental stimuli. They should also introduce the puppies to reliable individuals. When you take the puppy home, he should be well on the way to being socialized.
Are The Puppies’ Vaccinations Updated?
Before they leave for their new homes, some breeders get their puppies vaccinated. However, not all do, and whether you want to get a pre-vaccinated puppy may depend on your personal preferences. Healthy puppies should be a priority for any responsible breeder. For their puppy’s initial immunizations, some pet parents prefer to visit their own veterinarian. This is so that different veterinarians can use various brands; some may request that the course be restarted if the breeder’s veterinarian has used a different brand. The record and health certificates should show how many shots the puppy has had, and what type. This will be helpful for his first vet visits. The breeder should at the very least have the entire litter examined by a veterinarian before they are delivered to their new owners if your dog has not received vaccinations from the breeder.
Has The Puppy Received Treatments Like Deworming?
It’s crucial to find out if your puppy has received a deworming. Given that pups are particularly vulnerable to worm infestations, your puppy’s breeder must take important de-worming precautions. At the ages of 2, 5, 6, 8, 12, and 16 weeks, as well as every three months after that, your puppy needs to be dewormed. It is beneficial to enquire about the puppy brand the breeder uses.
Can You Provide a Health Guarantee And Contract?
An example of a contract is a puppy health assurance. Another example is health certificates. Reputable breeders frequently offer it to give both parties protection and assurance regarding the health of the puppies. But before you sign the contract, carefully study it to be aware of any difficult language. Many dishonest breeders are aware that, in the event that something goes wrong, you are unlikely to want to send your new puppy back to them. How can they ensure that if they provide a replacement puppy, it won’t have the same inherited health problems as the original dog? Before signing anything, make sure to ask the following questions.
When Can I Take The Puppy Home?
A responsible dog breeder won’t let you take your puppy home until they’re 7 to 8 weeks old. Any breeder who permits you to pick up a puppy prior to this has to be seriously investigated. A pup’s behavior may be affected for a long time if it is removed before it is emotionally, cognitively, and physically ready. Make sure that you are ready to take the puppy home. There is no reason to take the puppy before they are 7 to 8 weeks old unless you are proposing to hand-raise an orphan puppy or other unusual circumstances arise.
Can We Contact You After Picking Up The Puppy?
A trustworthy breeder will be happy to provide you with their contact details. Before departing with your puppy, make sure that their contact information is accurate and up to date. You might need to contact the breeder at certain points, such if your new puppy develops a sudden illness. Get a phone number, an email address, and any other contact information you might require.
What Requirements Do You Need From Interested Buyers?
A trustworthy dog breeder will ask you several questions. As a breeder, they have a responsibility to ensure that their puppies are going to loving, safe homes with responsible parents. A trustworthy breeder should also be able to match you with the ideal puppy based on your requirements and way of life. If a breeder doesn’t inquire about your wants, lifestyle, or capacity to care for one of their puppies, do not put your trust in them.
What Should I Feed My Puppy?
The breeder of your puppy should at the very least give you recommendations on what to feed your puppy, if not send you home with a supply of the food they are currently eating. Many breeders will advise you to continue feeding your puppy the same food that you do. Be sure to modify your puppy’s food gradually if you decide to. Your puppy’s digestive system may become irritated due to a rapid change.
What Is Your Policy On Pet-Quality Puppies?
There are instances when breeders produce puppies that are “lower quality” than initially anticipated, which is something to keep in mind if you’re seeking for a high-grade working or show dog. These puppies may have genetic flaws or other characteristics that make the breeder feel they shouldn’t be utilized for breeding or conformation showing. AKC limited registration allows a puppy of pet-quality that was sold by a breeder to participate in all AKC events other than conformation. In addition, it prevents the puppy’s future descendants from being AKC registered. Your breeder can want you to sign a contract committing you to not breeding from puppies of pet quality because they cannot improve the breed.
Do You Have References?
Requesting references from previous puppy buyers may first seem excessive, but doing so is a terrific method to make sure that you are only helping the greatest breeders. Inquire with the breeder if there are any references you can contact regarding prior puppy purchasers. If the breeder is unable to do so, they may point you toward online testimonials or correspondence with other previous puppy buyers as proof. They might even recommend reputable breeders who can back them up, so be sure to check out these breeders as well.
How Many Dogs Do You Own?
There may be a limit on how many dogs a breeder may own in various states. Verify again that the breeder complies with the legislation in your area. Your breeder shouldn’t have so many dogs that any one of them is ignored, and they should be able to tell you specific information about each one of them. Do not disregard any indications of neglect, especially when more canines are involved.
Do You Engage In Other Dog-Related Activities?
Reputable dog breeders usually have other dogs, and are widespread and active in their breed. Some will participate directly in the breed by competing in dog sports, working trials, and shows. For working breeds like the Black Mouth Cur, this is crucial. Many people looking to buy Black Mouth Curs want working dogs with natural aptitude; the breeder should be able to provide proof that their dogs are excellent at what they do.
Are You a Member Of a Kennel Club?
It is wise to look for a breeder who is a member of the American Kennel Club, Kennel Club, United Kennel Club, or Fédération Cynologique Internationale. A kennel club membership, however, does not imply superiority. Kennel groups often don’t go out and check on every breeder to make sure they are abiding by their guidelines. It is reasonable to assume that the kennel club has merely collected the litter’s registration and fee unless there have been grievances filed against the breeder. There are lots of benefits from a membership, for all other dogs! Additionally, some breeders will try to fake AKC registration documents to pass the litter off as legitimate, even though it is rare and simple to check for legality. Look for further AKC certifications, such as the Breeder of Merit program, among others.
What Is This Breed’s Temperament And Energy Like?
The breeder of your pet ought to be knowledgeable about that specific breed! Ask them as many questions as you can about the breed, and be sure to explain your interest in it. A backyard breeder or someone who is only producing for financial benefit is less likely to be able to provide you with significant information about the breed. A trustworthy breeder will also be upfront with you if they believe that your lifestyle and demands are not a suitable fit for their breed. A reputable breeder wants their puppies to go to decent homes rather than the first person who shows up with cash.
What Were Your Goals For This Litter?
When choosing the dam and sire, a reputable breeder with the desire to advance their breed will have specific objectives. They may choose high-drive dogs with a track record of working success if their goal is to breed exceptional working dogs. They ought to be able to explain how they went about selecting dogs with the finest temperaments if their aim is to breed mellow companion dogs. The breeder should be able to explain how their dogs are chosen in a knowledgeable manner.
Conclusion
Ask A Dog Breeder
Wow! That is a number questions to ask a legitimate breeder, but considering getting a new dog is important, so it is worthwhile to do so. While you might think it is the responsibility breeder’s responsibility to provide you a quality puppy, it is worth the time to research and ask questions to a dog breeder. New puppy owners have to learn a lot. When you finally bring home a healthy, happy pup that is ideal for you, you’ll be glad you did.
Ask The Breeder
Be sure to prepare yourself with lots of information and inquiries before bringing your new puppy home. It is worth the time to research and ask questions to a potential breeder, and visit the breeder’s home to visit the puppies and (other dogs) if possible. Always support trustworthy breeders who can demonstrate the steps they take to create high-quality puppies. And as always, there are lots of dogs in shelters seeking for a loving home just like yours if you can’t find the appropriate breeder for you!