So, you’re excited about welcoming a new furry member into your family. But choosing the right place to find your new puppy is turning out to be harder than you thought. You can adopt, rescue, or purchase a purebred pup. If you decide on the latter, how do you go about finding a breeder who has both the dog’s and your best interest at heart? Here are some tips on finding the right dog breeder.
If you’re already a dog parent, your veterinarian is a good place to start. This is a person who sees a lot of pups and can often give you a reference. It’s also worth asking your friends where they got their dogs. But if you really want to widen your choices, Puppy Hero is your go-to resource. We’ve got the best breeders in your state listed by breed, so you can quickly zero in on what you’re looking for.
It’s a good idea to visit the place your pup was born and raised. A good breeder will not hesitate to show you their home and kennel. A personal visit will help you dig deeper into your pup’s history. For example, do the dogs have space to explore and roam free? If the kennels are located on a farm, do the owners use pesticides in the grass where the dogs play? Ultimately, these things affect the health of your dog long-term, so it’s sensible to do your homework.
The best dog breeders practice purposeful breeding. Meaning, they carefully select the male and female dogs that will have offspring together to enhance particular traits and improve form and function. This type of responsible breeding is highly admired in the dog breeding community. It takes an experienced breeder to understand canine genetics, fertility rates, health history, etc.
Anyone who is churning out puppies by the dozens is not worth considering. A good breeder considers each pup as a family member and treats them with loving care. They also encourage prospective parents to spend time with the pup and the parents on visits to the kennels. Unlike puppy mills, you get the chance to socialize with a pup and observe their demeanor and energy. Also, good breeders give their dams a rest period between litters. This might mean you won’t get a pup immediately and will need to put your name on a waiting list, but it will be well worth the wait.
If a breeder is unfamiliar with a dog’s characteristics, this is a red flag. A good and devoted dog breeder has a wealth of knowledge about a dog’s potential size, exercise requirements, temperament, special needs, common health issues, etc. Your breeder should be able to answer most of your questions about a particular breed (most good breeders deal in only one or two breeds).
The best breeders closely screen the potential families that are thinking about taking their pups home. They never complete transactions over the internet or sell pups to pet shops. So, just like you should do your homework, a good breeder should also be doing their homework.
If you want to find a happy, healthy puppy from highly rated breeders near you, Puppy Hero has done all the ground work for you. Each breeder listed on our website is personally verified by our team. All you have to do is select the breed and your state to find a loving furry companion.
05 March, 2022