Finding
an Ethical Breeder
Recognizing
a Good Breeder
If you pick a good breeder,
the dog you choose will have a leg up on life from the start.
After all, it's in the breeder's own best interests to make sure
the dogs he breeds are healthy, well-socialized and the best of
their type.
The breeder's role is an ancient one. It began when an early
human and a wolf or wild pariah dog struck up a friendship. Over
time, humans continued to favor intelligent dogs that enjoyed
learning and being around people.
Without understanding the far-reaching results of what they were
doing, our prehistoric ancestors became the first breeders. They
selected out agreeable dogs that could perform work to help the
family by gathering food, pulling a sleigh or guarding and
leading other domesticated animals. When these dogs mated, they
perpetuated their abilities; thus, we domesticated the dog, just
as we did cattle, goats and sheep. We also differentiated dogs,
according to their roles in human society.
Today, some 10,000 to 14,000 years after the first dog happily
licked a human hand, there are as many as 850 dog breeds
worldwide. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes over 150 of
them in its registry.
What
the Breeder Does
Breeders strive to achieve
physical conformation in their dogs. That means a dog must meet
the standards that make his breed unique, size, body shape, the
way the ears and tail are set, the angle of the stance. Above
all, the dogs must be healthy, with each generation further
minimizing the chance of genetic flaws.
In order to evaluate and choose a breeder, you must understand
the characteristics that would make him top-notch. The majority
of responsible breeders pursue their calling as a hobby; they
are just enamored with a particular type of dog. They know
everything there is to know about a breed's behaviors and
potential health problems. Some also might make a living as
professional trainers; they might show dogs. But they always
make a lifetime commitment to each dog that they breed. They
don't tally their rewards in purely financial gain.
A breeder must know the ancestry of a pup and his parents for at
least several generations back. He needs this information to
understand each pup's personality and health tendencies, as well
as to maintain good standing among fellow breeders and to meet
AKC requirements. A good breeder also looks to the future: He
usually requires buyers to keep him informed about a dog's
health throughout his life; if tragedy strikes, he may even
require a cause of death report.
Breeders
Choose Buyers Carefully
Many breeders choose each dog's
buyer as carefully as a buyer would choose a breeder.
They'll ask for a history of your relationship with dogs and
other pets; quiz you on your knowledge of the breed; even probe
into your family's habits and schedule. Many breeders require
you to sign a contract, stipulating how you will care for your
dog.
A responsible breeder raises a limited number of dogs. He does
not over-breed; he breeds a dam only when he is certain he has
enough responsible people to buy the pups she will produce. And
he breeds when the parents are two or older, after the most
egregious genetic flaws would be evident.
A dedicated breeder also belongs to a local, state or national
(or all) breed clubs. This allows the breeder to keep abreast of
current information regarding their breed and to produce the
best puppies possible.
A breeder goes to great lengths to find a mate for his sire or
dam. That means that both dogs are of age; proven to be healthy,
intelligent, easily socialized; and capable of filling the roles
they're bred for, be it hunter, herder, protector or companion.
Even if the resulting pups won't be raised for showing, some
breeders travel great distances with their dogs to make the
right match.
Once a female is impregnated, the breeder provides her with a
healthy, calm environment; supports her through birthing and her
puppy's early days. He socializes each puppy so they're used to
humans and provides a stimulating environment for them. He
interviews buyers and educates those he chooses to sell to.
The fees you'll pay a breeder, beginning with a down payment,
reflect the expenses incurred at every stage of the process,
from mating through follow-up. Fees vary, depending upon a
breed's rarity, geographic location and special requirements,
such as cesarean birthing for certain breeds.
But beware of breeders who overcharge because a breed is popular
at the moment. In the true spirit of responsible breeding, it
costs the same to breed a St. Bernard whether or not he
resembles the pet movie star of the month.
Responsible breeders know about their breed. Responsible
breeders screen for genetic diseases and maintain good
veterinary and breeding records. Responsible breeders offer a
written health guarantee with each puppy they sell. Responsible
breeders are always available to offer help and advice to their
new puppy owners. Responsible breeders always breed their dogs
with the thought of improving their line.
How To
Recognize a Ethical Breeder
- A good breeder will only
sell a dog under contract, which will set forth that
breeder's policy regarding health guarantee, refund/return
policy and other rights/responsibilities between buyer and
seller.
- A good breeder will be
knowledgeable about the breed and the common genetic
diseases in that breed.
- A good breeder will offer
you support with your new puppy, and always help you place
the dog (or take it back) if for some reason you cannot keep
the dog.
- A good breeder will be
able to show you both parents, and in the case of a male
that lives off the premises, will have a photograph and
history available.
- A good breeder will
carefully screen potential buyers to ensure that the dogs
will be placed in an appropriate home.
- A good breeder's kennel or
home will appear clean and well maintained.
- A good breeder will be
willing to answer your questions about the breed and the
appropriate care for your dog.
- A good breeder will be
willing to let you see the environment in which the dogs are
bred and raised.
- A good breeder will allow
you to see the pups but may not allow you to handle all of
them. Exposure to many different people can increase the
risk of illness in the pups. Only serious buyers should be
allowed to handle the pups to limit exposure.
Choose a Healthy
Puppy
When choosing your puppy,
try to make sure he is healthy and well cared for. At eight
weeks of age, the pup should have had at least one
vaccination for distemper, parvo, hepatitis and
parainfluenza and received at least one dose of dewormer.
Also, look for the following traits:
- Active, playful and
well-socialized; puppy should not appear fearful
- Bright eyes, with no
discharge of any sort
- No nasal discharge
- Clean ears and skin
- Pink gums and correctly
aligned teeth
- Well-proportioned body
- Shiny coat
- Good eyesight and hearing
check this by jingling your keys and seeing if the dog
responds.
Always have your new puppy examined by your veterinarian as
soon as possible. If there is a medical problem, you should
be able to return the pup to the breeder.
A Breeder IS......
A breeder is one
who thirsts for knowledge, never really knows it all,
one who wrestles with decisions of conscience, convenience,
and commitment.
One who sacrifices personal interests, finances, time,
friendships, fancy furniture, and carpeting.
He gives of the dream of a long vacation in favor of that
all important dog show to take it's place.
He goes with out sleep-never with out coffee in hours spent
planning breedings or watching over the birth process, and
afterwards, over every little sneeze, wiggle and cry.
He skips dinner parties because the litter is due or babies
need to be fed at 8pm.
He ignores birthing fluid to give mouth to mouth to save a
gasping newborn, blowing life into a tiny, helpless creature
that may be the culmination of a lifetime of dreams.
A breeder's lap is a wonderful place where generations of
noble and proud champions once snoozed. His hands are strong
,firm, and often soiled, but ever gentle.
His back and knees are usually arthritic from stooping,
bending and sitting in the birthing box but strong enough to
show in the ring her next hopeful to it's championship.
A breeder's shoulders are often weak from abuse from
competitors but strong enough to handle her defeats and
frustrations.
A breeder's arms are always able to mop, support an armful
of puppies, or lend a hand to a newcomer.
His ears are wonderful things, sometimes red from being
talked about or strangely shaped from the phone receiver.
His eyes are blurred from the research of pedigrees,
sometimes blind to his own dog's faults.
The breeder's heart is often broken from buried failures but
beats strong with hope. It's always in the right place!
There are breeders and then there are BREEDERS!!
|
Home