| Finding a dog breeder doesn't have to be difficult. | | | | both respect and good customer service. If you |
| There are hundreds of trained professionals who | | | | have any questions, the breeder should answer your |
| breed dogs full-time, or devote a lot of time to the | | | | questions quickly, and without being rude or hostile. A |
| process in their spare time. Before looking for a dog | | | | good dog breeder will even bring up answers to |
| breeder, you need to be absolutely certain that a | | | | questions you haven't thought of, or asked. |
| purebred puppy is something that you, and your | | | | A good dog breeder will also offer more information |
| family want, and will be a good fit with your lifestyle. | | | | on that particular breed. If they are new to the world |
| Good dog breeders do not sell mixed breed puppies, | | | | of breeding, this might be a new process for them, |
| also known as mutts. Purebred dogs are meant to be | | | | so be patient. Breeders with a long history of |
| treated in the lap of luxury, and treated like the | | | | breeding can offer more support, help, and even |
| expensive dogs they are. Once you decide that a | | | | education. This is the time to ask all those little |
| purebred puppy is good fit for you, you can start | | | | questions in the back of your mind, no matter how |
| looking for breeders in your area. Search in your local | | | | simple they might seem. |
| classified ads and online directories. There are | | | | Ask About Documentation and Certification |
| websites that include good information for dog | | | | A good breeder will provide you with written |
| breeders that raise and sell puppies. Once you have | | | | documentation of the dog's breeding and lineage, as |
| list of names, it's time to do further research. | | | | well as offering help with registering your purebred |
| Insist on Seeing the Puppies in Their Environment | | | | puppy with a nationwide organization. Most dog |
| You may buy a bottle of water without seeing the | | | | breeders will not register your dog before purchase, |
| factory, but you shouldn't buy a puppy without first | | | | but should help you learn how to do this on your |
| seeing where it came from. This means that you | | | | own. This is also the right time to ask about the |
| should visit the home of the dog breeder, and see | | | | puppy's parents such as their lineage, how many |
| exactly what conditions your future puppy was | | | | puppies they've bred, and if either parent has show |
| raised in. | | | | dog heritage in their family line. Just be aware that |
| A reputable dog breeder will allow you access to | | | | some dog breeders charge more for puppies that |
| their home, tell you about the puppy's mother or | | | | come from a show line. |
| father, and show you around the habitat. A dog | | | | Ask About The Dog's Characteristic |
| breeder who is evasive, and offers to meet you | | | | You can ask about the breed's personality in general, |
| somewhere to exchange money for the puppy, | | | | how much exercise is needed, or any other |
| should be avoided at all costs. Dog breeders who act | | | | requirement such as grooming and training. Also ask |
| like this, are often running a puppy mill, and care | | | | how the breed behaves around children, any medical |
| more about earning as much money as possible, | | | | conditions typically known to the breed, and how the |
| rather than the actual dog. | | | | breed reacts to being alone during the day. The |
| Ask Questions About the Breed | | | | personality of each puppy might be slightly different, |
| The best dog breeders are the ones who care about | | | | for instance, one puppy is more active than the rest; |
| their dog and her puppies, and treat their customers | | | | so you can ask the breeder to pick one that is |
| with respect. You are a customer, and entitled to | | | | suitable for you. |