When you shop for a new car or are house hunting, do you research car dealers and real estate brokers? Of course you do. These are large purchases and you want to be sure you are working with someone who cares about giving you the best product available.  Wouldn’t you want to do the same when adding a puppy to your home?

As with all industries, there are those who do a really good job of caring for what they sell and those who don’t.  Purchasing a puppy from a breeder is not bad, but we want to help ensure your experience is a good one for a lifetime of joy with your new family member.

Here are some things to consider when searching for your new best friend:

Responsible puppy breeders:

• Do not sell their puppies to pet stores or to pet brokers.
• Do not sell their puppies over the Internet.
• Provide appropriate food, water, shelter, and veterinary care for their animals, as well as sanitary conditions.
• Carefully screen potential buyers and take care to place their puppies in loving homes.
• Take proper care of breeding dogs. Mothers are only bred a limited amount of times and receive appropriate veterinary care.
• Typically specialize in one or two breeds and care about the breed. They are knowledgeable about their breeds’ genetic and health issues. They test and screen their breeding dogs to try to improve the breed and ensure healthy puppies.
• Maintain only a small number of dogs. Responsible breeders are typically hobby breeders and are almost always too small to require USDA-licensure.
• Operate with transparency. Responsible breeders allow potential purchasers to tour the property to see the living conditions of the dogs and meet the breeding mother/parents.
• Properly socialize their puppies and ensure that puppies are with their mothers for an adequate amount of time.
• Maintain membership in national and local breed clubs. Breed clubs strongly discourage consumers from purchasing puppies from pet stores and their ethical guidelines often do not allow for breeders to sell to pet stores.