What is a Good Breeder?

• Someone who breeds only for the betterment of the breed and from carefully selected stock!
   
• Preferably someone who breeds for themselves, NOT a commercial breeder or someone who only wants to make a quick buck!
   

• Someone who only breeds from healthy, well socialized animals!
   
• Someone who will only sell animals that are fit and healthy at the time of sale!
   
• Someone who has all breeding stock health screened for genetic diseases specific to the breed!
   
• Someone who takes a lifelong interest in all dogs they produce!
   
• Someone who will take back or help to re-home any animals they have bred for whatever reason, at any time during that dog's life!
   

• Someone who is always available to offer advice to anyone who acquires one of their puppies!
   
• Someone who provides ample information to puppy buyers, including diet sheets, health records, book recommendations, etc.!
   

• Someone who provides a signed pedigree form and registration documents when appropriate!
   
• Someone who may also provide a contract of sale!
   
• Someone who provides adequate care and living quarters for dam and puppies, i.e., a warm, safe, clean area of the house!
   
• Someone who has tails docked and ears cropped before selling!
   
• Someone who will keep the puppies till they are at least seven weeks of age!
  (Seven weeks is a Virginia law (Click to go to the government website)).
   How do you know if you are in touch with an experienced and knowledgeable breeder? 
   
• Did the "BREEDER" ask you questions about your family, your lifestyle, your home, etc?
   
• Did the "BREEDER" ask you how much information you have about the kind of dog you are considering?
   
• Did the "BREEDER" discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the breed with you?
   
• Did the "BREEDER" seem willing or able to discuss health matters and breed-related defects?
   
• Did the "BREEDER" invite you over to his/her house to meet the dogs?
   
• Does the "BREEDER" have dogs who are friendly and greet you with happy, wagging tails?
   
• If the "BREEDER" has puppies, are they being raised in a warm, safe, clean area of the house?
   
• Is the "BREEDER" willing to refer you to people who have purchased his/her puppies in the past?
   
• Does the "BREEDER" sell his/her pet puppies on a spay/neuter contract?
   
• Does the "BREEDER" ask you to agree to return the puppy or adult dog to them, at any time in the future, if you are unable to keep it?
   
• Does the "BREEDER" help with rescue or public education in his/her breed? 

IF THE ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS ARE YES,|
THEN YOU HAVE FOUND A GOOD BREEDER!
AND A GOOD BREEDER IS WORTH FINDING!!