Questions to Ask Breeders

It\'s so easy to fall in love at first sight with your new puppy, especially if you\'ve long loved they belong to. Unfortunately, looks can be deceiving when it comes to health and genetic difficulties so it is especially important that you ask the right questions of breeders from whom you may be purchasing your new dog from. And make sure you ask the questions before you lay eyes on the puppy.

Asking questions about the dog\'s breed as well as the dog\'s parents and personal DNA are important. So, too, are questions about the breeder\'s practices. Some questions include:

Every breed is plagued by some genetic disease or another. What congenital defects or genetic diseases are an issue for this breed?

What are some other health problems (non-disease related) that may be an issue for this breed and for this dog in particular?

What tests have been performed on the parents of the dog and the dog itself? What tests remain to be performed? Will they be completed by the time you pick up the dog?

What measures have been taken to decrease the chances of this dog developing any of these diseases, defects, or health issues?

Are the parents of the puppy owned by the breeder? Ask to see them, especially the mother. Her temperament will be indicative of the puppy\'s future temperament when she is visited without her puppies nearby.

What are the pros and cons of each of the parent dogs? Have either of them won titles?

How have the puppies been raised and socialized thus far? Does this fit with the style that you\'ve chosen for your home?

What will be the breeder\'s responsibility to the puppy after you purchase it and take it home? What if you and the puppy are incompatible or the puppy develops a disease or serious health issue within the first year? Refunds, replacement puppy, return? Are these guarantees in place for a specific period or for the life of the dog?

Is show quality guaranteed for the dog in question? If the dog fails to become show quality, what guarantees are in place for you in terms of replacement, refund, or return?

Is the breeder a member of organizations like CHIC, Breed Parent Club? Other breed clubs or organizations?

How many different breeds of dog does the breeder specialize in? How many litters does he produce each year in each breed? How old are the dogs when he begins to breed them? How many litters or bitches has the breeder bred in the past?

When choosing breeder dogs, what are some of the criteria the breeder uses to determine which are a good choice and which are not? For example, are there specific tests or accomplishments that he demand that his breeding dogs possess?

For the parents of the dog in question, are there test results that are available for your to look over?

What are the requirements for the buyer that the breeder demands? Is there a certain amount of experience or environment requirements that you should meet to purchase a puppy from a given breeder?

Does the breeder require a contract? If so, what are the specifications of that contract? How do those specifications protect you, the breeder, and the dog?

How old will the dog be when you are allowed to take it home? Will it have been fully vaccinated by then? Will it be spayed or neutered?

Expect that the breeder will (or should) have a number of questions for you as well. A good relationship between you and your dog starts with open and thorough communication between you and its breeder.

Melissa Steele is a freelance writer for PawDigs.com. This site features Pet Essentials with Style including luxury dog beds of all sizes and styles.

The Ins and Outs of Boxer Dog Sales
Youve set our heart on buying a Boxer puppy and youve seen classified and Internet ads promoting a Boxer dog sale. But how c...

Large German Shepherds
Through breeding experiments, breeders have been able to create variations of the German Shepherd. Such experiments gave way ...

How To Register Your New Puppy With The American Kennel Club
When buying a new puppy from a breeder, people must be aware that their pet is neither already registered with nor individual...

Facts On Blue Pitbulls
The rise in popularity of blue pitbulls has been on the rise the past decade with the ever-increasing interest in the dogs th...

Breeding and Selling Dogs
WHAT IS INVOLVED IN BREEDING?Breeding dogs involve thorough evaluation of the animals health prior to breeding. Medium and la...

Pocket Puggle Myth
One of the most common questions regarding Puggles is Where can I get a miniature or Pocket Puggle? The Answer is that there ...

Description & List of Popular Designer Dog Breeds
If you have been following the latest trends and changes in dog breeding you may have come across the term designer dogs. The...

When People Talk Non-Stop
Many business people get stuck in the networking situation of being cornered by people who talk and talk and talk about thems...

Networking While Traveling
Networking is more than just putting your business name out there for people to find you, but it is also a part of getting to...

Questions You Need To Answer As A Forex Trader
Here are some questions you should ask yourself that will help you become a better forex trader.What are my skills?Find out w...

Make Money on eBay - How to Keep Descriptions Current
To make money on eBay requires that prospective buyers quickly and easily receive the information that they need to make thei...

Training Your German Shepherd
One of the best ways to keep your German Shepherd healthy is by training them. This breed is well-known for its intelligence ...

Visiting With the Pediatrician - What to Expect
In the first year of your babys life, you will be visiting your pediatrician about every other month, for well check ups and ...

The Art of Starting a Conversation
Meeting new people and feeling comfortable is a learned skill. Ive found that the more people you meet the easier it becomes ...

Make Money on eBay - Market and Product Questions
Sure it is easy for anyone to say that all a new eBay seller needs to do is to locate the right market niche and they will so...

Top 5 Networking Questions
Networking is such an amazing tool for business individuals who are trying to advance in their professional endeavors. It is...

Cruise and Stay Guide - Part 1 How to Choose a Cruise
There are many things to look out for when you are planning a Cruise and Stay holiday to ensure you get the best deal out th...

Female German Shepherds
German Shepherds are one of the most popular pet dogs in the world. In fact, they rank among the top three of America's most ...

Make Money on eBay - How to Make it Easy for Your Buyers
Make money on eBay by making it extremely easy for you customers. It all starts with excellent communication. Next comes bein...

5 Principles Recommended To Help Breed Hip Dysplasia Out Of Your Dog
CHD was first reported in 1935, but because it is a complex hereditary deformity caused by the interaction of many genes, it ...