The Dachshund Network - Responsible Breeder Checklist

Responsible Breeder Checklist

by Jeannie Fazio

Searching for a new puppy? One that will share your home and your heart for the next 10 to 15 years? Please take the time to learn where to find pups that have been bred with only their physical and behavioral well-being in mind. These dogs have been born to only the healthiest of dogs, with the breeder wanting nothing more than to better their cherished breed. With all of the carefully prepared steps in ensuring that pups are well nurtured and ready to go to new homes, the profit margin of the responsible breeder is so small that it is not uncommon for them to lose money, in the process.

Please print out this checklist, and bring it with you while researching good quality puppies.

To shop for a good breeder, ask your vet, or check to see if the particular breed that you're interested in has a well-known club or organization. They usually have a list of members (who must follow the strict standards of the club) who have pups due to whelp. These are the people who have pups sold before the litters' even born! No need for newspaper ads. Now, take notice of the difference between a pet shop puppy clerk and a responsible breeder when you ask the following questions. Indifference, impatience or anger to any of these questions should raise a red flag; enough for you to move onto researching a more responsible breeder. And, wherever possible, try to visit the breeder so as to see what kind of conditions the dogs are living in.

Footnote:
After all is said and done, you will not only have learned quite a bit about the breed you're interested in, but you will have done everything humanely possible in buying a quality puppy. You will have sent a clear message to those not acting responsibly in their breeding practices that there is no place for them if they cannot do all in their power to bring those little lives into the world in the healthiest and most caring way possible.

List of Questions to ask Breeder

Health certificates of parents -

Names of the parents of puppy -

Would it be possible to see the parents (don't be surprised if the sire is not present. He normally lives elsewhere.) -

Known health problems inherent of the particular breed of interest -

Certificates of health (hips, eyes, heart ) -

Is the health of the puppy guaranteed for any length of time after the purchase, and if so, how long -

Any right of refusal (they will take the dog back), for lifetime of dog, should something happen to you -

Spay/Neuter contract (without the spay/neuter certificate from vet, your pet cannot be AKC'd) -

When can puppy go home (8 weeks should be the minimum. Needs to be with mother and littermates up until that time) -

What type of after - care help (ie support, advice) is provided (only a responsible breeder will be there to help and guide LONG after you've brought the puppy home. I'm talking forever!). -

Type of return guarantee (again, a responsible breeder allows you to return the dog anytime within his/her lifetime.) -

Are they members of the particular Breed Club that you are researching -

A good breeder will require:

A fenced in yard, or will ensure that your dog is safe while outdoors unattended in new environment -

A spay/neuter contract (see above) -

A "right of refusal" contract, which states that the dog be returned at any age of his/her lifetime, if owner is unable or unwilling to provide further care -

That the dog is to live indoors, and not in some old dog house in the yard. Dogs are pack animals and thrive on the company of their people (which, to them, IS their pack). If left outside, they tend to become destructive. Destruction is one of the major reasons that so many dogs end up in shelters, or worse -

A good breeder will want to know:

If you have children (so as to ensure that dog and child will be compatible)

About your family life in general (ie good marriage, who gets the dog, should theypart).

A good breeder will want you to know:

The particulars of that type of breed, pro AND con (genetic problems, health, temperment, growth, diet, shedding, etc.) -

In addition to the list of requirements above, the following is what came with Sunni, my first pup. Although some of it would be considered extreme by even the most responsible of breeders, I respect this type of person, whose only concern and motivation are for her/his puppies. I would categorize Deirdre as the FBI of breeders!

Reading a book on training puppy ("The Art of Raising a Puppy," by The Monks of New Skete) was a pre-requisite.

Puppy was carefully picked out by breeder, not me, only after having litter temperment tested, so as to better match my lifestyle with pup's personality.

Price included crate (for training purposes), good quality, highly nutritional food for one month, food/water dishes, grooming aides (comb, brush, nail clippers, small bottle of shampoo), a toy that was used by the entire litter so as to make the transition to new home more comfortable (pup smells littermates and feels more at ease), folder containing pictures, show and health certificates of both parents, pedigree certificate, book on puppy care, and last but not least, pictures of every week of puppy's first eight weeks of life.

Evaluating the Breeder

Do the outdoor kennels lead to a climate-controlled indoor area for each adult dog -

Are the kennels clean -

Are puppies clean -

Do the dogs appear healthy and happy -

How many litters are visible (more than four allows for less attention given to each) -

Are the puppies living area close to human living space, where they can be socialized properly -

How many past puppy buyers is the breeder still in contact with -

How long after is the breeder still in touch -

Remember that a good breeder will ask YOU a lot of questions before even considering placing a puppy -

You Want a Dog

Please consider a Rescue . They usually make wonderful pets. If a puppy is a must, please do your homework in ensuring that the puppy has been bred from a responsible breeder. The Dachshund Club of America has a Breeder Referral Service that lists only those members who adhere to their very strict breeding standards. Best wishes in your search!

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Disclaimer

The opinions on this page are those of the webmaster, and are designed to give the novice pet buyer a general background of information to assist them in the purchase of a quality puppy. Potential puppy buyers are welcome to print out this page to use as a reference, but it is not to be reproduced in any way without written permission of the author, J. Fazio.