WHY BUY FROM A BREEDER?

Many people think that buying a dog is similar to buying other consumer products - go to a store that specializes in that product and get it - now. In the case of puppies, it is often the first thought; go to a pet store. It takes absolutely no effort and there are certainly no questions asked. Unfortunately, this is not the best choice for several reasons:

1) A dog will be a member of your family for 8 to 15 years. It is important to be able to see how he started his life as this may very well affect his future with you.

2) For many hours of the day pet store puppies are isolated from human contact by being housed in small, glass enclosures.

3) Pet stores have little or no information about the puppy's parents. You cannot see either parent and observe their temperaments.

4) Puppies who are sold in pet stores, generally, come from puppy mills; places that breed dogs as livestock, often in very unclean, crowded conditions. There is NO time given to individual puppies to make sure that they are well socialized. Pet store staff will tell you that their puppies come from reputable breeders. This is not true; "reputable breeders" do not wholesale or consign their puppies to pet stores.

5) Pet stores, generally, charge more for a purebred puppy than a breeder and offer you far less in experience with a specific breed or the help that a good breeder will. Pet stores do not give you comprehensive guarantees; breeders do.

6) Pet stores depend on "spur-of-the-moment" purchases. Breeders will not allow this type of 'shopping'.

7) Pet stores don't care what kind of home you will provide for a puppy. Breeders do.

With all the problems a dog has adapting in our society, shouldn't we choose ones that have had, at the very least, a good start in life? A good start is puppies that a breeder has carefully planned; where he has chosen well-tempered, sound parents, and spent hours playing with and socializing the puppies. A dog is an investment in money, time and love and he is an important member of your family. A puppy will be better for starting his life in the warm and caring atmosphere that a good breeder will provide.

Find out as much as you can about puppies and dogs. Talk with breeders and owners. Visit your local library.


WHAT YOU SHOULD EXPECTExpect breeders to question your reasons for buying a puppy and to ask you what your expectations are for the puppy.

Ask to see the puppy's dam and sire (if he is from the same kennel). Expect the dam to be, perhaps, somewhat wary of you at first. Remember, you are a stranger to her and she has new puppies ... she'll soon settle down, and if she doesn't, think about it.

Get a written bill of sale. Avoid buying from a breeder who charges extra for papers. This practice is against Canadian federal law. The price you pay for a puppy/dog includes the cost of Canadian Kennel Club registration. Make sure that guarantees are in writing.

Don't be afraid to sign a non-breeding agreement. The non-breeding agreement is the serious dog-breeding community's method of protecting their breeds and ensuring that only quality dogs are used for breeding.

Responsible breeders routinely screen for hereditary problems. Breeders will willingly show you the certificates/results of those screenings. Avoid buying a puppy (no matter how cute!) from a breeder (or anyone else) who cannot produce these reports or is not sure what you are talking about.

Don't settle for less than you've hoped for because of time or money. Your puppy will be a part of your family for many years and compromises now could affect all of you for a long time.

If you can't find what you want immediately, be patient for a few months. Once you've chosen a breeder, you may have to wait for a puppy because puppies are often sold by reservation prior to being born. You will be rewarded with exactly what you want and the wait will be worth it!



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