Let’s look at some of the most vital questions to ask a dog breeder whenever you wanna get a dog from them.

This post has a lot to do with the German Shepherd Dog breed.

But other dog breed owners can make use of these..

1. What certified health testing do you do?(This should be taken seriously if your getting an adult)

Many dogs do not show signs of dysplasia (or other health issues) until they are older, after you’ve spent hundreds or even thousands of naira on training.

Testing doesn’t always prevent health issues from occurring, but it drastically decreases the risk.

2. What do you do with the parents?

3. Are the parents registered with any club?

4. What’s their bloodlines/pedigrees?

Most times, certificate doesn’t necessarily mean quality, just as ‘imported’ doesn’t mean better, and registration is simply proof of pedigree and history.

A pedigree will help tell you a lot about your puppy’s potential genetic predispositions, abilities, temperament and even health.

A good breeder will/should be able to tell you about the parents’ strengths & weakness’s and why this dam/sire was a good combination.

Each litter produced should contribute to or improve on the breed.

5. Can I meet the parents?- Ensure that you have a view of what the parents look like.

Be wary/careful of any breeder avoiding you meeting their dogs, as most of good dog breeders are more than happy to show off their dogs!

6. Tell me about your experience in the breed?

Are they involved in their local breed club? Do they train and handle the dogs themselves?

Breeders should be able to serve as a mentor, a source of information and support for the lifetime of your dog. Too often BYB’s will block you, change their phone numbers and quit answering their emails after a sale.

7. What are you looking for in a puppy buyer?

Good breeders know exactly what types of puppies they hope to produce and what homes will be the best fit.

That’s not to say that every puppy, in every litter will be high drive schutzhund dogs, there’s usually a variety of drives to fit different lifestyles and competitive venues. Breeders spend 24/7 with their puppies, getting to know their personalities, drives and temperaments, and will match the right puppy to the right home.

8. How are the puppies raised?

Puppies go through critical developmental stages before they reach 8 weeks old, and you want a puppy that’s been exposed to a wide range of social and environmental situations; different surfaces to walk on, lots of sounds and distractions, a variety of people to play with, various sites, sounds, and smells, etc. This is crucial to a dog’s confidence and biddability later in life.

Puppies raised in busy family households are confident and outgoing, where many times a puppy that’s raised in a kennel, never quite recovers from being fearful and shy.

9. What vet care has the puppy received?

All pups should have their first vaccinations, multiple rounds of worming, and a vet check before going to a new home. Many breeders opt to microchip puppies before going to their new homes also.

10. What’s included in your contract and do you offer a health guarantee or warrantee?

Ask to see their contract and read it carefully; ask questions to clarify anything. Contracts should protect both you and the breeder, but are you willing to give the dog back if it should develop any issues? Are there any special precautions that you will be required to adhere to? Are there things that will void the warrantee?

11. What are your breed affiliations? Can you provide references?

Ask to watch training days at their club or be a spectator at an upcoming event they’ve entered. Can’t travel to watch? Talk to club members who have seen their dogs work. Talk to other puppy owners to see how their experience was.


Source: http://grothausk9.com/questions-to-ask-a-breeder/

Good points you raised. Welldone.

Still valid