Choosing A Good Dog Breeder

Are you planning on getting a dog? If you are, then you really need to read this. There are things you need to consider before getting a dog. Of course, you don't want a sickly and ill-tempered dog, right? You want one that you will enjoy and will enjoy your company in return. You want a loving, loyal and happy pet. A healthy dog is a happy dog, don't forget that. That is why it is very important to find a dog breeder who has good breeding ethics and produces a kennel of healthy dogs.
There are so many dog breeders these days and they fall into different categories. Breeders in the first category are responsible and careful. They work hard to maintain the breed standards and make sure that their dogs are in excellent condition. These breeders make it a point to know the common genetic diseases of the breed and make sure that the dogs in their kennel are safe from such diseases. They strive to breed a new line of champions that will entail that the dogs in the kennel are nothing less than the best. The puppies from these breeders may be expensive, but you will be comforted to know that proper care has been given to the puppies to make sure that you will be given a great pet and companion.
The next category is the backyard breeders. These breeders very rarely show dogs, or not at all. They are not usually inclined to make money from breeding. Of course they earn from breeding their dogs, but they are not die-hard breeders. Usually they breed their dogs to be able to give to other people who would like to have a dog just like theirs. However, backyard breeders rarely take the time out to check their puppies for diseases and maintain the breed standard. However, some of their puppies can be healthy and are quite nice, too.
The final category of dog breeders is called puppy mill breeders. They are just in it for the money. They don't care about the well-being of the dogs at all. Most of the dogs in their kennel may not be properly cared for or not even been checked by a veterinarian at all! Puppies from this kind of breeders usually have poor health that may be genetic or acquired. The most common health problem of puppies from such mills is called Kennel Cough.
Now that you are aware of what kinds of dog breeders there are, it is time for you to find a good one and look for a dog to keep you company. Good breeders are not very easy to locate. The easiest way to find a good dog breeder is to attend dog shows, from there you can ask around and get suggestions on where to locate a dog breeder.
However there are still other ways to tell if a breeder is a good one.
First, you should take a look at how the breeder advertises his kennel. Breeders who advertise in newspapers are not exactly unethical. But be careful if the advertisement consists of several different breeds in their kennel. They just might be puppy mills.
Once you have contacted a breeder, ask if you can stop by their kennel to have a look at the puppies. Sometimes, breeders may not allow visits to their kennels for security reasons. But keep in mind that it may also be because the kennel is unhygienic and the dogs are in a miserable state.
Ask the breeder if the puppies have been checked by a veterinarian or if they have already been given vaccines. Ask if the breeder gives health guarantees.
Another thing you can do to ensure that you are buying from a good dog breeder is to ask for references. You can contact their previous clients and ask for information on how their puppies have turned out. If their responses are satisfactory, call the breeder's veterinarian and verify if the puppies have really been given primary health care.
If you are satisfied with your research on the dog breeder, you are prepared to bring home your beautiful little fluffy bundle of joy! ( by Luke Cameron )