HOW TO FIND A REPUTABLE PET BREEDER

Structurally sound, healthy and well-adjusted animals are not "just" born. They are bred. Such breeding takes time, money, research, care and commitment. Whether or not you ever intend to show an animal, you should search for the very best.

Good breeders breed animals in an effort to create progeny that is as close to the breed "standard" as possible.  Breed "standards" set out, in writing, a description of what the ideal animal of a particular breed would look like.  Why is this important?  Because, if one does not breed "to the standard," all one is doing is haphazardly mating two animals that could turn out progeny that does not look like them at all.  For example, if one continually bred only the largest Shelties to other large Shelties, pretty soon it would be hard to tell a Sheltie from a Collie.  People often want animals with specific traits.  Breeding to a standard, and getting an animal bred to a standard, helps to insure that you will get what you want.

Good breeders breed to improve their breed as a whole. They only breed animals after review of the parent animals’ genetic histories and personalities. They often breed only when they plan to keep an animal to show in conformation or obedience.

Physical soundness is not, however, the only concern. An animal's personality lasts its lifetime. The more attention, touching, holding and caressing a young animal receives from birth onward, the better socialized and people-oriented it will be. Request to see both parents. Scared, nervous and/or aggressive behavior may be inherited. In any event, it is questionable whether animals with real behavioral problems can provide progeny with a good behavioral role model.

Many good breeders guarantee animals, show quality or not. If they do, they may agree to either replace an animal at no cost ,when proper veterinary documentation is provided that an animal they bred has a genetic defect, or refund the cost of the animal. Good breeders frequently provide new owners with a health certificate from a licensed veterinarian.

All animals can have hereditary defects but some breedings result in animals so impaired that viability is questionable. Good breeders know the problems that run in their breed and select and breed animals that are clear of such problems. The further back a breeder can go in the pedigree of their animals with a record clean of hereditary problems, the better chance they have of producing sound animals.

Inbreeding is a way to establish genetic traits. Good breeders, knowledgeable about genetics and that know their stock, may be able to produce exceptional quality animals by inbreeding. Indiscriminate breeders, with no understanding of genetics, can create genetic nightmares.  If inbreeding is obvious in an animal you are considering, take some extra time to find out if the breeder truly knows what he or she is doing.

More on different "types" of breeders: http://www.canismajor.com/dog/sources.html#Intro

HOW DO YOU FIND A REPUTABLE BREEDER? Research the breed you want to become familiar with its standard, behavior and care. Talk to a veterinarian about the breed in terms of health, temperament, and lifespan, BUT DON’T STOP THERE. Contact breeders, breed clubs, breed rescue organizations, kennel/cat clubs and/or owners for ADDITIONAL information on the BEHAVIOR, health, HISTORY, temperament, lifespan, and hereditary problems of the breed you are considering.

Reputable breeders will be as curious about you as you are about them. Be prepared to ask questions and have questions asked of you. Good breeders will tell you what they expect of you if you purchase one of their animals. Their expectations may include, but are not necessarily limited to, a purchase contract and/or a spay/neuter contract, fenced yards, showing, training, grooming, and regular veterinarian care.

Good breeders keep animals in a clean and safe environment, so check out where your potential pet's is living now.

REPUTABLE BREEDERS FREQUENTLY SELL PET QUALITY ANIMALS UNDER SPAY/NEUTER CONTRACTS. Such animals have to be spayed or neutered by a specific age and cannot be used for breeding. This is because good breeders often take responsibility for the animals they produce, not just while they have the animal but for the animal's entire lifetime. They may even take animals back that they have bred if, at any time and for any reason, the person they sold the animal to cannot keep it. This does not mean that they will necessarily refund any or all of the purchase price, nor that they should be expected to do so.

Good breeders want you to make an informed decision. They tell you about the strengths and the weaknesses of their breed. No one animal or breed is perfect. Any breeder who suggests an animal is perfect is either uninformed or dishonest.

Investigate each individual breeder personally. Ask for references (some breeders may even ask for yours). Good breeders are often involved in local and/or national breed clubs. Such clubs usually have ethical standards to which members must adhere or face discipline or expulsion. Irresponsible breeders rarely associate with such groups and are frequently shunned by their peers.

Showing is an integral part of a reputable breeder's world; however, just because someone shows an animal does not mean that they are capable, knowledgeable or reputable. The time and research you spend before a purchase will more than compensate you after the purchase in savings of time, effort, money.

CAVEAT EMPTOR! YOU are responsible for determining a particular breeder's credibility and quality of breeding. Armed with knowledge, you should be able to make a good choice. R.A.O.T., Inc. maintains a list of breeders, breed clubs and rescue organizations to assist you in obtaining information. But, ultimately, you are the one responsible for making the decision to purchase or not to purchase a particular animal.

Never "act in haste" because you feel sorry for an animal, think a particular animal is cute, or because you feel "pressured" by a breeder, you may end up "repenting at leisure."  You are particularly susceptible if you visit a pet store. There it is way to easy to make a quick decision at such places and wind up spending thousands of dollars trying to resolve health problems, or repairing, replacing or fixing damage done by an emotionally disturbed animal, or in trying to resolve the many other problems such a animal may have or cause. Further, normally, responsible breeders do not sell to pet stores.  Another questionable source for pets is your local paper in which many "backyard breeders" probably list pets for sale.  Backyard breeders normally are not familiar with, or knowledgeable about,  the breed standard, do not understand the importance of "critical socialization periods," and/or do not know enough, if anything, about the genetics of their lines.

Irresponsible breeders do not care about socialization, hereditary screening, vet checks, shots, worm checks, guarantees, or anything else that might cut into their profits. They will sell unweaned animals to keep from having to feed them. Animals from irresponsible breeders may be "dysfunctional." They may react negatively around new people or surroundings and/or may have genetic problems and/or be more prone to disease or illness.

Registration is not a guarantee of quality in an animal. When you buy an animal represented as eligible for registration, you should receive an application form at the time you acquire the animal, properly filled out by the seller. When completed and submitted to the appropriate registry, along with the proper fee, if all is in order, your animal should be registered and you should receive a registration certificate. Warning: The only way you can be ASSURED of getting the proper registration papers for your pet is to get the papers at the time of the sale. Should no registration application be available at the time of sale, the seller should provide you with a written bill of sale containing the following information:

1) Breed, Sex and color of the animal; 2) Date of birth of the animal; 3) registered name and registration number for the animal's sire and dam and the name of the registry that recognizes the animal; 4) name, address and telephone number of the breeders; 5) the date you can expect to actually receive proper kennel club registration papers, and 6) such other information as your feel will insure your ability to get proper registration on the animal. IF THE SELLER IS UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO PROVIDE EITHER PROPER REGISTRATION PAPERS OR A SIGNED BILL OF SALE WITH COMPLETE IDENTIFYING INFORMATION, DO NOT BUY THE ANIMAL!

REGISTRIES FOR DOGS: There are only two major registries in the United States - The American Kennel Club (A.K.C.) and the United Kennel Club (U.K.C.) There are other, usually lesser known, registries; however, the value of a registration certificate from any such registry may be questionable.

REGISTRIES FOR CATS: At present there are several registries for cats in the United States. One major registry is Cat Fanciers of America. There are other, usually lesser known, registries; however, the value of a registration certificate from any such registry may be questionable

WHAT ABOUT PUPPY/CAT MILLS, "BACKYARD" BREEDERS, AND PET STORES? While technically it may be possible to obtain a quality animal from these sources, we believe these businesses/breeders do not represent the best possible source. The importance of responsible breeding and early socialization cannot be stressed enough and we believe that breeding and selling animal(s) solely for profit is inconsistent with both. In addition, we believe that anyone breeding or selling pet(s) has a duty to do the best they can to insure the placement of their animals with responsible owners. Puppy/Cat Mills, pet stores and many "backyard" breeders, of necessity, sell to whomever is willing to purchase their animal(s).

How to prepare for a new puppy!  Humorous but true!

Things to Consider Before You Obtain a Pet (12 Rules)