How To Find A Good Breeder

Wednesday, October 24th 2007, 9:00 pm

By: News On 6

If you are in the market for a dog, you may be surprised to learn that pet stores, newspaper ads and slick websites are not always the best places to get your new dog. Many times, puppy mill operators sell their dogs using the paper, internet and pet stores.

Puppy mills are facilities that produce puppies in large numbers. Documented problems of puppy mills include over breeding, inbreeding, poor to no veterinary care, poor quality food, lack of shelter and socialization with humans, overcrowded cages and killing of unwanted animals.

Another problem with buying your new dog from an ad or pet store is, most times, there is no health guarantee or breeding records.

Not all newspaper ads, websites and pet stores sell dogs from puppy mills, but if you want to know everything possible about your new dog, your best bet is to buy it from a reputable breeder.

So how do you find a good breeder?

Animal rights advocates say you should thoroughly check breeders before you buy a puppy from them, and they recommend you never buy a puppy from a kennel you have not visited personally.

A resource for finding a good breeder is a dog show. At the show you can see some of the breeder's dogs, and at some shows you can talk to the breeder.

Another source of information is bulletin boards on the internet. You can search the web for breed specific bulletin boards; breeders and the people who know them regularly post to bulletin boards.

The more sources you investigate, the better your chances of finding a reputable breeder.

Once you have found your breeder, ask questions! Someone selling puppies who does not want to answer questions is someone you do not want to do business with, a breeder should be eager to help you learn all you can.

Signs Of An Unethical Breeder