Choosing Dog Breeders - 10 Points For Choosing The Best!

Finding the best dog breeders in your area, or for the breed of dog you have chosen, can be a difficult task. This check list should help you to find those most suited to your needs...

1. Choose the right breed for you - a leopard will not change its spots so your puppy is extremely unlikely to change its nature! Research them thoroughly and choose one on the basis that you will be happy living with it for fifteen years because "cute" does not last this long!

2. Do your research! Always make sure that you have thoroughly looked into the backgrounds of the breeders you are considering before you contact them for visits. If there are nasty surprises hidden in the closet they are best discovered sooner rather than later!

3. Contact the breeder by phone before visiting. Arrange an appointment to make sure that he or she has time to show you around and answer any and all questions that you have. You will find out far more the first visit if it is arranged. However, before taking your puppy home, drop in unannounced to check out how they work when they are not exposed to the public! The second visit, when compared with the first, should tell you all that you need to know!

4. ALWAYS visit a dog breeder to view them in their native environment. If they genuinely look after their dogs then they will most likely provide you with a healthy dog with high quality breeding and a temperament to match!

5. Never take the copy in an advertisement as the absolute truth. It more than likely will not be and can actually lead to you being the victim of a conman. Remember, if you have not seen it with your own eyes then it is not fact!

6. Ask questions, and lots of them. A dog is not only an investment, but also he or she is a friend. You choose your friends wisely so do the same with your dog. Never ever buy from a breeder that avoids answering your questions or does not know the answers. Always go for a knowledgeable breeder who is willing to answer all of your questions and honestly seems to care about his or her animals.

7. Never trust a breeder that talks about price before anything else. Although a breeder has to make a living out of finding homes for his or her puppies, price should still be one of the last things discussed before you take your puppy home.

8. Never take a breeder's registration as a given. Check it out to make sure that it is legitimate. Ask the breeder questions about it and then research it yourself. Always double check everything to be on the safe side.

9. Make sure that your puppy is vaccinated and healthy before taking him or her from the breeder. A responsible breeder will have records of every individual dog, and that should include vaccinations.

10. Finally, make sure that you are 100% happy with your decision before declaring it final. A dog is for life...so make sure that you are fully prepared to make that commitment to the love of your life!

If you have any tips for choosing dog breeders please add them below...