How to find a responsible dog breeder (2024)

FAQs

How to find a responsible dog breeder? ›

We recommend looking for a breeder on the American Kennel Club or AKC. The AKC has an extensive website that is well organized and structured to help you find both responsible breeders as well as other important resources you'll need during your quest and journey to getting a new pup.

Responsible breeders only sell puppies to people they have met in person—never through pet stores or online to people they haven't met. Responsible breeders encourage you to visit and see where the puppy was born and raised. Responsible breeders will not keep dogs in crowded spaces or cages.

Most reliable breeders earn their reputation by providing healthy pups to good homes resulting in “word of mouth” references. Meet breeders at local dog shows or look online for local breed clubs and review the AKC Breeder Referral page on their website www.akc.org.

Unethical breeders give little to no concern about the welfare of animals. They breed dogs without considering the genetic traits they pass on to their offspring. They do not provide proper medical care or adequate, clean, and safe housing.

An irresponsible breeder will likely display ignorance or denial of any genetic defects in their puppies. This can be a sign of irresponsible breeding, and exhausting a breed's gene pool due to potential inbreeding. In the Age if Information, there's a good chance you'll come across your breeder by searching online.

Reputable breeders will have good reviews, referrals, and presence on registries like the American Kennel Club (AKC) or regulation organizations like the Better Business Bureau (BBB). A reputable breeder can provide you with the dog's entire pedigree, including health history and anything else you may want to know.

An Ethical Dog Breeder:

Is a member in good standing with the official parent club for the breed. Follows the highest standards of ethical dog breeding practices. Provides complete, accurate health records for the puppies. Provides results from genetic medical testing of the parents.

Does he seem interested in play? Does he sniff or nudge your hand when you hold it out and welcome your touch? Is he comfortable around people or does he cower when you approach? See if the puppy will roll over on his back for a belly rub.

How to not get scammed by dog breeders? ›

Legitimate breeders are usually fine with using secure, traceable ways to pay. Be careful if a breeder doesn't want to use these kinds of payment methods or seems to avoid meeting in person at all costs. Scammers might use excuses like COVID-19 or other reasons to not meet you.

Good breeders want to make sure their animals are placed in loving, responsible homes. They will go to great lengths to ensure this. Be concerned about the animal for a lifetime. They may ask you to sign a contract, specifying your responsibility in taking good care of your new dog.

Potential red flags in breeder contracts include a lack of clear health guarantees, vague or non-existent return policies, unusual financial penalties, and a lack of transparency about the breeder's responsibilities or the puppy's lineage and health history.

Puppy mills are commercial breeding facilities that mass-produce dogs (and cats in cat mills) for sale through pet stores, or directly to consumers through classified ads or the Internet. Roughly 90 percent of puppies in pet stores come from puppy mills.

Puppy mill breeders will rarely meet prospective buyers at their homes. Meeting a seller in a parking lot is always a huge red flag and should be avoided. Mills are notoriously filthy and unhealthy. Letting buyers see their place of business could potentially put them out of business.

Backyard breeders are people who don't do any research on the breed and just have a litter of puppies. They often buy breeding stock from other backyard breeders to keep up with the demand for their animals. In contrast to responsible breeders, these people have little experience or knowledge with breeding dogs.

Good breeders will be focused on providing ample time with the dam (mother) and litter, as well as providing early socialization, before puppies go to new homes. You'll receive full veterinary records and be able to contact their veterinarian if needed.