Choosing the right breeder for you should take time and consideration. You will be a part of each others lives for the next 10-15 years (hopefully longer!) so being compatible is a must. Take time to get to know your breeder. Ask as many questions as you need to make sure that you are 100% comfortable with where you are getting your puppy. They will be a big part of your support system throughout the years to come.
What can you do to make sure you are making the right choice?
- Meet the breeder first. Whether it is in person or video calls, nothing can beat a real conversation. Breeders love to talk about the dogs they love and brag about their accomplishments.
- Ask to visit the puppies and mom. This won't be until puppies are older for safety reasons, but you should be able to once they are 6 or so weeks old. If the breeder says no, make sure you find out why.
- Ask about the health and medical history of the parents and other puppies that the breeder has produced. If they say they have never had a health issue as long as they've been breeding, red flag! Things pop up despite our best efforts and regardless of how selective we are with our breeding.
- Meet the puppy's parents if you can. This might not always be possible as some sires live out of province or country, and the mom may have been leased for a litter and has since gone back home. If you can't, ask why.
What should you expect of your breeder?
- They should be committed to supporting their puppy families for the lifetime of the dog.
- They should be doing all recommended health testing on the dogs they breed. These should all be public record so make sure you ask to see the results.
- They should be microchipping the puppies before they go home, and having them cleared by their vet.
- A waiting list is normal so make sure your breeder is being transparent about their timeframe.
- If your breeder is selling a dog as Purebred, by Canadian law it MUST be registered with the CKC.