How can I find a reputable dog breeder?

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   Ari Lamsteinposted 11 years ago

   How can I find a reputable dog breeder?
   
   My friend recently asked me if I could help him find a reputable breeder for miniature goldendoodles (golden retreiver + poodle mixes).  I recommended that he search for a rescue puppy on petfinder.com, but he couldn't find one there.  The conversation then turned to how to how to find a reputable breeder (as opposed to a puppy mill!) online.  Can anyone help with this?
   
   

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   teyeger82posted 11 years ago

   Search the internet. Reputable breeders make it clear on their sites that they will evaluate your fitness as a pet parent before providing you with an animal. Their animals will have already had regular veterinary care. Stay away from puppy and cat mills. Those breeders do not care a thing about the animals, it is all about making money for such operations. Try just searching "goldendoodle" rather than going through a specific site.

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   agilitymachposted 11 years ago

   What a loaded question!!!
   
   A reputable breeder is hard to come by.  You really can NOT look on line and know if the breeder is reputable or not.  When I'm researching breeders, I look for years (literally) to choose the right breeder.
   
   First, let me say that I know of NO reputable breeder of any "doodle."  They are a mixed breed - not a breed - and as such shouldn't be sold for more than say, $75.  When you purchase a purebred from a breeder, you are paying for stable genetics.  A cross such as a poodle/golden is NOT a stable gene pool, regardless of what the "breeder" may tell you.  Research genetics, and you'll get the "drift." (And yes, there's a pun in there. )
   
   But onto a reputable breeder, the best place to start is a dog show.  Head out to a local dog show and start talking to the people showing the breed(s) you are interested in.  Start asking about health questions, temperament, the difference between pet quality/show quality, the breed's pros and cons, etc.  Start asking about breeders - who they recommend and who they don't.
   
   Then with that information, you go from there, doing on-line research and speaking with owners of puppies from the breeder.
   
   A reputable breeder will do health testing on ALL pups - pet and show quality.  They will have done research into the ancestors of their breeding stock.  They will know the breed's genetic health issues and will know if any of those issues showed up in the ancestors of their breeding stock.  They will have done DNA research.  They will have done all the usual testing (hips, eyes, etc.).  They will have a spay/neuter contract on pet quality dogs.  Their contract will have a clause that requires you to return the pup to them if something happens to you or you have to give the dog up.  This keeps their progeny out of shelters.  They will be a low volume breeder - ie. only breeding a few litters a year.  Breeding too many litters means the pups don't get the socialization they need early.  They won't let the pups go home till 9 or 10 weeks old.  Pups need this time in the litter to "learn" doggie language.  They will do puppy testing (ie. Volhard testing). 
   
   And the list goes on.
   
   I have very good friends who breed who I do not consider to be reputable breeders.  A reputable breeder will focus first on temperament and secondly on form (ie conformation).  These are hard to come by.  Much research has to be done to find a great breeder.

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      agilitymachposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      For anyone wishing to rescue a breed, don't forget breed rescue groups.  These groups specialize in finding homes for their special breed, and they understand the breed's specific needs when looking at a new home.  Doodles may have "breed" rescue gro

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      Ari Lamsteinposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Incredible answer.  Can you elaborate on the difference between "pet quality" and "show quality" dogs?

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      agilitymachposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Pet quality dogs are dogs who based on different criteria would not do well in the conformation (beauty) ring or the performance rings (like obedience, agility, herding, lure coursing, etc.).  These dogs are sold to loving pet homes.

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   zsobigposted 11 years ago

   Loads of people fall into the trap of pet mills and other questionable 'breeders' and sadly, they regret this most of the time.
   In this article I've collected all the important things you have to know on how to find a reputable dog or cat breeder. read more

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      Ari Lamsteinposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Great answer!  Thank you for this Hub!

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      zsobigposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      My pleaseure, Ari I hope if I could help.

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