Breeders

questions to ask your breeder

Apart from the obvious information request the questions below also serve to establish the breeder credibility

  1. Can I see the 5 generation pedigrees of the sire & the dam? (to verify that the parents etc. are in fact pedigree dogs)
  2. What food do you raise your puppies and juniors on?
  3. What food do you feed your adult dogs?
  4. May I see the puppies’ bite (overshot or undershot bite)
  5. May I see the dams/sires bite?
  6. Can I see the hip and elbow dysplasia and heart evaluation certificates for the dam and sire? (see Health)
  7. Can you please run the dam/sire for me? (movement should be free and easy if there are no conformational problems). If the dam and/or sire are shown it is a good idea to observe them in the ring.
  8. Do you supply a feeding chart and general care guide with the puppy?
  9. What age do you let the puppies go to their new homes? (see below)
  10. Which vaccinations would they have had? (one should expect inoculation against parvo, distemper and a “6 in 1” inoculation, but puppies would not yet have received rabies. Request sight of the inoculation booklet that you should receive if you buy the puppy)
  11. Do you take your dogs out to shows or public places? (this builds up the parent’s immune system that is transmitted to their offspring)
  12. Do you test your puppies for liver-shunt? (the puppy info pack should contain this if it has been done)
  13. What health problems has your kennel experienced? (a good breeder will be frank about past problems so be wary if the answer is “none”)