So you've finally made your decision to bring a new puppy into your home!  It's an exciting time, full of questions and learning.  You understand and have committed yourself to the amount of work that will be involved with your puppy - feeding, exercising, training, and loving your dog everyday for the next 10 to 20 years.

You've done your research and have picked out the perfect breed to compliment your lifestyle.  Now it's time to pick out a breeder and bring home your new pup!  Sounds easy right?  Not so fast...

With so many breeders to choose from, finding a reputable one can be very difficult and time consuming.  Jumping on board with the first breeder you find highly increases the risks involved.  Poor breeders can deliver dogs that are unhealthy, too young, overly bred or bred incorrectly.  This not only supports the wrong breeders by giving your business to them, but also can lead to costly medical bills, an unhealthy dog, or worse.

By conducting your own research and educating yourself on the process, you can all but eliminate these risks by finding the perfect breeder to meet your needs.  

Here is a list of things you should consider when choosing a reputable breeder:

• Get a referral - The breeder should be more than happy to provide this.  If not, there may be a problem.

• Visit the breeder - A reputable breeder will encourage you to see where the puppies live and play, as well as insist on seeing where they will eventually live in your home.  Reputable breeders care deeply about the ongoing health and safety of their dogs.

• Meet the parents - Again, a good breeder will insist on showing off their pedigree.  They may have parents and/or siblings to show.  Be sure to not only check the overall health and appearance of the dogs, but also their demeanor and social interaction habits.

• Ask questions - Be prepared with a list of questions to ask the breeder.  A quality breeder will already answer most of them without prompting.  Here's a few examples:

• What health tests have been done on BOTH parents of the litter?
• What temperament testing and socialization has been done?
• What goals does the breeder have and how are they achieving them?
• Can I see the pedigrees of the sire and dam?
• What type of contract must be signed? (If there is not one, BEWARE)
• What type of food do the puppies eat?
• Where are the dogs kept and can you see the environment?

Being prepared and conducting research can save you time, money, and headache, not to mention helping the cause to eliminate unethical breeding.  Contribute to the cause even more by rating any breeders you come across during your search!

To rate a breeder now, click here!