When the time arrives to add a new dog to the family contacting a good dog breeder can save a great deal of time, money and heartache, but to find a good dog breeder requires a little bit of investigation and effort. Not all dog breeders are the same and the quality of the dogs that they sell cover the entire spectrum ranging from a healthy dog that will be a great companion for many years to sickly dogs that can die quickly after being adopted. The best advice to find a good dog breeder is to follow your intuition concerning a particular breeder – if you have any reservations whatsoever about a specific dog breeder don’t overlook them, we dog lovers can spot a non-dog lover a mile away.
The first step to find a good dog breeder is to ask around your local community starting with the local humane society, veterinarians and kennel clubs. Good dog breeders have reputations that are built on years of experience serving satisfied customers, and they stand out from the pack as being outstanding at what they do. Get a consensus opinion as to who these individuals are and then contact them to ask a few questions and arrange a visit to their facility. Not all dog breeders raise 20 different breeds of dogs – many only stick to one or two breeds and a few telephone calls can save a ton of legwork.
When you go to visit a particular dog breeder, there are many signs that can distinguish a good dog breeder from a poor one. Good dogs breeders will give you an in-depth tour of their property and encourage you to visit with and spend time around the dogs that are for sale. The dogs that you view should be clean and well cared for, friendly and appear to be playful and happy. A good dog breeder will engage in play with the dogs as well, and upon close observation it should become evident that the dogs enjoy the company of the breeder. Good dog breeders love animals and the feeling is returned by the animals that they care for. This interaction in itself may be the single most important factor to find a good dog breeder because it demonstrates that the breeder is not only tending to the dog’s need for food and shelter, but is taking the time to tend to the animal’s emotional and socialization needs as well.
Finally, a good dog breeder will take the time to educate you as to any special needs a particular breed may have and will be helpful both before and after the sale. A good dog breeder will not sell their dogs to the first person that comes through the door with cash in hand, and odds are they will check you out in a number of ways to make certain you will provide and care for a dog in the same manner of quality as they have.
