Responsible breeders...

and how they produce something very different than a random breeding. ​

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• They do not sell multiple breeds of dogs, they specialize in only one or two breeds.

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• They do not sell their pups to or through pet stores.

    

• They do personally screen and select homes for their puppies.

• They do advise people on caring for the breed.

• They do turn away people whose lifestyle, commitment or home situation does not fit the breed. 

• They do test for and guarantee the health and temperament of their puppies.  

• They do have detailed documentation of their pups' lineage.

• They do demonstrate knowledge about canine health, genetics, socialization and development. 

• They do take back their animals at any time and age if the buyers cannot keep them.​

• They do demonstrate extensive knowledge of the breed's history, traits, temperament, and conformation.

• They do have years of experience with the breed.

• They do keep their dogs as house pets, so they know that the offspring will be good pets as well.

• They are involved in the showing of purebred dogs.

  • This can take the form of respected dog shows, locally and nationally, and competitions involving obedience trials, sport and athletics.

  • Show and performance events enable responsible breeders to ensure that their dogs display the desired physical and behavioral traits desired for the particular breed.

  • Every litter of show puppies has some dogs that will never compete in the show ring, often because they have physical traits that do not totally conform to exacting breed standards. However, these pups have been raised with as much planning, medical attention and socialization as their show-quality littermates and make wonderful pets.

  • While ranked dogs are a plus, rank itself is not a sole indicator of quality. It is desirable for the parent dogs to have earned titles on both ends of the dogs' names (Ch. and CGC/TT/TDI at the other end).

    • Note: AKC registry alone does not guarantee a healthy dog or even one that conforms to breed standards. AKC staff do not visit breeders to view the pups; registration is typically done through mail and involves the honor system.​

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• They do not sell pups as a for-profit business.​

       

• They do value their reputation for seeking to improve the breed.  

  • Indeed, many reputable breeders lose money, since breeding and caring for puppies in a responsible, quality-focused manner is typically expensive. They breed only dogs that are themselves good pets and fine representatives of their breed.

• They do evaluate the health of their pups.

• They do evaluate the health of their dogs (breeding and non-breeding).

  • Tests include OFA (hip x-ray certification), CERF (Canine Eye Registry Foundation), Penn-Hip (hip joint laxity), SAS (subaortic stenosis, a heart defect common to some popular breeds), thyroid and other measures.

  • They also test dogs for sexually transmitted diseases, like Brucellosis, prior to breeding a litter. Thorough genetic screening enables responsible breeders to minimize their chances of producing a health-compromised puppy.

• They do provide full 2-year written guarantees covering genetic disease.

• They do place all pet-quality animals with a contract requiring the purchaser to spay/neuter the pup.

• They do provide advice and guidance to purchasers.

  • Through multiple interview and interactions with prospective puppy purchasers. 

• They do place pups only with people who demonstrate they can provide safe, responsible homes.

• They do have at least the mother dog on premises and let prospective purchasers observe the dog and her health and behavior.

  • Responsible breeders breed their female dog to the best male, not the most convenient one.

• They do breed only dogs over 2 years old, and breeds the dog only a limited number of times.

• They do line up qualified buyers in advance of birth of a litter.

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• They do not separate a pup from the mother and litter before 8 weeks of age. Also deworm and vaccinate their puppies.

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• They can provide references for happy puppy buyers.​