• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Dog Care 101
    • Choosing A Dog
    • Dog Breed Selector
    • First Days At Home
    • Good Dog Names
    • Potty Training Dogs
    • Puppyproofing & Dog Safety 101
    • Invisible Fence Reviews
    • Dog Ages/Growth Stages
    • Senior Dog Tips
    • Raising Two Dogs
  • Food & Treats
    • Dog Food Kibble
    • Human Foods For Dogs
    • Changing Food & Feeding Tips
    • Homemade Dog Treats
    • Kong Recipes
  • Dog Health
    • Diarrhea Remedy
    • Human Meds For Dogs
    • Dog Skin Issues
    • Flea & Tick Control
    • Vet Tips For Sick Dogs
    • Emergencies & Vet Bills
    • Dog Surgery & Recovery
    • Dog Died …Or Is Dying
  • Tricks & Training
    • Cool Dog Tricks
    • Dog Communication 101
    • DIY Dog Training Tips
    • Behavior Problems
    • Puppy Biting & Chewing
    • Stop Dog Barking
    • Crate Training & Sleeping Advice
  • Dog Cleaning & Grooming
    • Dog Odors & Stains
    • Dog Shedding & Fur
    • Clean & Treat Dog Ears
    • Dog Baths & Deodorizing
    • Dog Nails & Paw Care
    • Teeth & Mouth Issues
    • How To Care For Dog Eyes
  • Toys & Activities
    • Dog Toys, Games & Enrichment
    • DIY Dog Items
    • Places To Go With Dogs
    • Dog Walking Tips & Accessories
    • Car Rides With Your Dog
    • Free And Fun Stuff For Dog Lovers
  • More
    • Electronics & Gadgets
    • Health & Beauty
    • Hobbies & Crafts
    • Home & Garden
    • Jobs & Money
    • Outdoor Fun
    • Travel

Dog Guide

Real People. Real Experiences. Real Helpful.

a Fun Times Guide site

Shop Our Favorite Items
  • New? START HERE!
  • DIY Grooming Tutorials
  • Dog Home Remedies
  • DIY Training Tips
  • Dog Food/Treats
  • Out & About w/Dogs
Home » Home & Garden » First Time Dog Owner Tips » What To Look For When Choosing A Dog Breeder… 3 Questions To Ask

What To Look For When Choosing A Dog Breeder… 3 Questions To Ask


This page may contain affiliate links. In addition to sharing our personal experiences, we often write about products and services that we use ourselves or that we believe would be a helpful resource for you. To support our work, and remain a free website, we receive a commission from some of the links we share.

2-tiny-puppies.jpg Telling the difference between a good dog breeder and a bad one is very important, especially if you want to purchase a puppy that is healthy, happy and designed to live the maximum amount of years for its breed.

Most people who want to purchase a puppy don’t think much of going to a pet shop, or even just looking in the newspaper for people who might be selling puppies. While both of these options can work for someone wanting to buy a puppy, there are also problems that can occur with both.

Ultimately, the best choice for someone wanting to purchase a healthy, happy, puppy is to choose a good dog breeder who knows what they are doing.

My grandmother raised and bred Pomeranians for years and I’ve heard some real horror stories about wannabe dog breeders who didn’t know what they were doing. This resulted in puppies that developed health problems later, or animals that were kept in such poor conditions that they never really got completely healthy because they had such a bad start to begin with.

Here are 3 questions to ask when you’re visiting dog breeders…

#1  How many animals does the breeder have?
While this might seem like it is not important, it really is. Some dog breeders run what are commonly known as “puppy mills” and the goal is not to produce healthy, well adjusted puppies, but rather to make a profit by keeping their female dogs pregnant as much as possible. This does not allow the female dogs a chance to recuperate from the previous pregnancy, thus possibly causing health problems for the female dog down the road. It can also produce less than healthy puppies.

#2  Are the animals kept in kennels that allow them run and move about freely, or do they run freely in a yard or other large area?
It is not a healthy situation for any animal (particularly the larger breeds) to be kept cramped in small or even medium cages for long periods of time. This can cause not only physical health problems for the dog, but emotional issues, as well. Ideally, a good dog breeder will have a large space for the dogs to run and move about most of the time. If you see that a breeder has many dogs in small to medium cages and they aren’t allowed out to run and interact or play, then the dog breeder is probably not going to have very healthy puppies to offer you.


#3  How knowledgeable is the dog breeder about the breed(s) he or she is selling?
3-puppies.jpgThis can be a very big tip off to you about whether or not a dog breeder is a good one. Educate yourself about the breed you are going to look at, including any health problems that might be inherent to the breed. Then, ask the dog breeder questions. If it appears that the dog breeder really doesn’t know anything about the breed he is selling, then most likely he is what is a “backyard breeder” —  which is to say that the dog breeder is someone who just decided it would be fun to breed her female dog(s) and get some puppies to sell. This sort of dog breeder probably isn’t going to pay any attention to either the dog’s bloodlines, health, or emotional state anymore than the male dog she breeds her bitch to. This is again a situation that could be a problem waiting to happen — in the form of unhealthy puppies. While the puppies may seem to be happy, well-adjusted and healthy in the beginning, health problems can develop later in the dog’s life, just as with humans.

Those are the 3 most important things you will want to look for when searching for a dog breeder to purchase your new puppy from, although they are by no means the only ones.

Also, be sure to educate yourself about the breed(s) you are interested in. And ask yourself hard questions about whether or not your lifestyle will allow you to raise a happy puppy into a well-adjusted dog.


RELATED:

  • How To Find A Good Dog Breeder …from the Humane Society of the United States
  • Finding The Right Breeder For You …by Dawn Littlefield
  • How To Tell A Good Dog Breeder …according to veterinarian Dr. Debbye Turner
Regina
Regina

My favorite things to write about are topics that have to do with pregnancy, weddings, saving money, living green, and life with dogs. When I’m not writing, I love to spend time with my husband, read, create 3D artwork and Native American beadwork.

Filed Under: First Time Dog Owner Tips, Home & Garden Tagged With: Adoption/Rescue Dogs, Breeders, Dog Breeds, New Dog Owners

MORE LIKE THIS ...

Primary Sidebar

About Me

LynnetteI like to help Dog Parents find unique ways to do things that will save time & money -- so I write about "outside the box" Dog Tips and Dog Hacks that most wouldn't think of. I’m a lifelong dog owner -- currently have 2 mixed breed Golden Aussies that we found abandoned on the side of the road as puppies. I've always trained my own dogs and help friends train theirs, as well. Professionally, I worked at a vet and have several friends who are veterinarians -- whom I consult with regularly. (And just because I love animals so much, I also worked at a Zoo for awhile!) I've been sharing my best ideas with others by blogging full-time since 1998 (the same year that Google started... and before the days of Facebook and YouTube). My daily motivation is to help first-time dog owners be better prepared from the first day your new puppy enters your home. I like to help dog owners understand what's 'normal' and what you can expect in terms of living with and training your dog -- how to get through the ups & downs of potty training, chewing, teaching commands, getting your dog to listen, and everything else that takes place during that hectic first year! When I'm not training, walking, grooming, or making homemade treats for my dogs, you will find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites). To date, I've written over 500 articles for dog owners on this site!

Lynnette: View My Blog Posts

You Might Also Like…

Top Searches

Adoption/Rescue Dogs American Eskimo Dogs Baths Car Rides Celebrity Dog Owners Chewing & Destructive Behavior Christmas Cleaning And Odors Clothing And Accessories Costs And Expenses Diarrhea DIY Dog Stuff Dog Beds And Pillows Dog Breeds Dog Feeding Tips Dog Games And Activities Dog Gear & Necessities Dog Grooming Tips Dog Toys & Dog Chews Dog Tricks And Training Free Stuff Great Pyrenees Holidays Home Remedies And Alternative Medicine Humanizing Dogs Humor About Dogs Injuries And Emergencies Kong Dog Toys Labrador Retrievers Miniature Pinscher New Dog Owners Old Dogs Pet Hair And Shedding Pet Warnings And Dangers Pictures Of Dogs Poop Issues Recipes For Dogs Reviews Summer Fun Travel Dog Tips Treats And Snacks Veterinarians And Experts Videos Of Dogs Vomiting Walking And Leashes

Footer

Fun Times Guide logo

Copyright © 2004-2019 The Fun Times Guide | Privacy Policy | About | Contact | Sitemap