Who and What |
Good Breeders |
Other Breeders |
Pet Stores |
Have puppies |
Sometimes |
Sometimes |
Usually always |
Have waiting
lists |
Usually always |
Sometimes |
Probably not |
Vaccinate
puppies |
Yes |
Perhaps |
Perhaps |
Health
Information |
Yes - comprehensive |
Perhaps |
Rarely |
Health Stats |
Yes - will be honest with the problems in their breed |
Perhaps - many will tell you their dogs have no health
problems, because they either don't know, don't care, or
want to hide the truth from you |
No - they do not collect this information, many preferring
to let you think that there are no health problems (when you
know that every breed has health issues and that you should
know the statistics) |
Have health
tested the parents |
Yes of course, and will provide you with copies of the
health certificates |
Probably not. More likely to tell you that their dogs have
no health problems (and of course, you know that all dogs
are at risk of problems) |
They wouldn't know. Some will tell you "yes" even though
they don't know. Others will tell you health testing is not
necessary |
Will have health
tested puppies |
Yes, of course, and then tell you what health testing needs
to be done over the course of the puppy's life
|
Usually no. Many will tell you that the pups are "vet
checked", but at best, if this is actually true, it usually
indicates that no really apparent health problems are
present at that moment, on that day
|
Usually no. Many will tell you that the pups are "vet
checked", but at best, if this is actually true, it usually
indicates that no really apparent health problems are
present at that moment, on that day
|
Will tell you
what health testing needs to happen |
Of course! - many will insist that you get the health
testing done |
Probably not |
No - would have absolutely no idea why this would be
important |
Will give
you info on diet |
Will have comprehensive information available for you. Some
will even require that you agree to feed a specific diet
before you even get on the waiting list
(Hint: this is usually a very good sign that this breeder
really cares about the health of their dogs |
Probably not |
Perhaps will try and sell you something from the store, but
will not have an individual plan for your dog |
Price |
Will be a reasonable price. Breeder lucky if they break even |
Usually charge more than registered breeders |
Usually charge significantly more than registered breeders |
Advertise |
Sometimes - best way to hear is by word of mouth, so you
need to do some research usually to find these guys |
Usually |
Usually |
Will provide a
health guarantee |
Yes 1-2 years |
Probably not |
Will probably offer 1-14 day guarantee |
Will provide
on-going support |
Yes - usually comprehensive |
Usually not |
No - well unless you are buying more products from their
store. |
Will take back
your puppy or dog if you cannot keep it |
Yes. Some breeders will demand that you can only return the
puppy/dog to them.
(Hint: this is a sign of a good breeder) |
No |
No |
Will require you
spay/neuter your pup |
Usually. Those pups left "intact" are those that present the
absolute best of the breed, that are worth producing more
pups from. The breeder stays in very close contact with
these. |
No |
No |
Has registered
puppies |
Yes - all their puppies will be registered with the Canine
Control body |
Usually not |
No |
Will provide
training advice |
Yes - and provide on-going support |
Perhaps, may also suggest unsuitable training methods |
Rarely |
Can prove the
"worth" of their dogs |
Yes - will be able to show you full pedigrees, comprehensive
health reports, and show ribbons and trophies |
No - at best perhaps one distant relative may be a champion;
unlikely to have any health testing |
No |
Understand
temperament |
Yes - comprehensive, and will carefully select which pup
goes to which home |
Perhaps |
Rarely - more interested in the pup as a "commodity" rather
than a special being that needs to go to the right home |
Will tell you
about the faults in their dogs. All dogs have good points
and bad points. A good breeder knows this. |
Yes - will be open and honest about the faults in their dogs |
More than likely would not have a clue |
No - some will tell you the dogs are "perfect" |
