Choosing the right breeder:
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| By selecting a puppy from a responsible breeder you are insuring memories that will last a lifetime. |
1. Choose a breeder who is interested in "getting to know you." A
breeder who wants to learn about you and your lifestyle is
concerned about where their puppies are going to live. They are
trying to place a puppy in a home that meets the puppies needs
as well as yours.
2. A responsible breeder also requires health clearances on both
the sire and dam. The breeder should be able to supply OFA
numbers proving that their animals have been certified for hips,
elbows, and eyes. Specific breeds or bloodlines may also require
other health checks as well.
3. Be prepared to pay a larger sum of money for a healthy dog.
Health clearances, as well as, showing, training, and veterinary
care can be quite expensive to a breeder since they are trying to
insure healthy breeding practices. Be cautious though, just
because a dog has a high price tag does not mean it comes from
a caring, responsible breeder. Double check the breeders other
breeding practices to make sure.
3. Ask how many litters they have a year. If the breeder has many
litters a year and breeds several different breeds of dogs they are
probably in it more for money than truly bettering the breed and
educating the public. A responsible breeder rarely makes a profit,
but instead invests the money back into their dogs to insure
proper care and breeding.
4. Many responsible breeders also want to choose a puppy from
the litter for you. They know their dogs, and after interviewing you,
can choose which puppy's personality, energy level, and
conformation that best fits your lifestyle.
5. When you go to visit your puppy after it is born, you should be
able to see where your puppy is kept. You should also be able to
see the mother. You want to make sure that the puppies and
dam are kept in a clean environment. Puppies should not be kept
in a barn or hidden away in a back room. Puppies should be
raised with the breeders family for proper socializing. In many
cases the sire may live in another city or state and not be
available to see, but the breeder should be able to provide
pictures, OFA certificates, and contact information on the stud
dog.
6. Find out when the breeder allows the puppy to go home with
you. A responsible breeder does NOT send puppies home at 4-6
weeks of age. Even though many puppies have been started on
eating solid foods by 4-6 weeks of age emotionally and socially
they are not ready to leave their mother or littermates. There are
many key emotional needs and social behaviors that your puppy
learns from its siblings and mother between the 6th and 8th weeks
of age.
7. Make sure the breeding that resulted in the puppy you wish to
purchase was well thought out and planned. A responsible
breeder spends months or even years planning a breeding. A
breeder should be breeding according to the breed standard
which includes correct conformation, temperament, and is the dog
able to do what it was originally bred for (for example: hunting). A
breeder who has an 'accidental breeding' isn't responsible at all.
Males shouldn't be allowed with a female in season, and any dog
not being used in a breeding program should be spayed or
neutered.
8. A responsible breeder should also have you sign a spay/neuter
contract. Pets are being sold as pets to be family dogs. A breeder
has spent years evaluating and learning about their breed's
standards. It is in their wishes that breeding only be done by
professionals who understand the breed and health issues related
to the breed. This is to insure that the breed continues to stay
healthy and be bred toward a standard.
9. The breeder should also have it in their contract that if for any
reason and at any time during the dogs life you cannot keep the
dog it is to be given back to the breeder. They do not want their
puppies to end up in shelters or homes that are not up to their
standards. This is a breeders way of insuring the lifelong
happiness of their dogs.
10. Lastly, ask questions. A good breeder is there to educate.
They should enjoy talking with you about their dogs and their
breed. They should also enjoy helping you. Any responsible
breeder wants to insure that their puppies lead happy lives. They
should be willing to supply support to you for the entire life of your
dog.
breeder who wants to learn about you and your lifestyle is
concerned about where their puppies are going to live. They are
trying to place a puppy in a home that meets the puppies needs
as well as yours.
2. A responsible breeder also requires health clearances on both
the sire and dam. The breeder should be able to supply OFA
numbers proving that their animals have been certified for hips,
elbows, and eyes. Specific breeds or bloodlines may also require
other health checks as well.
3. Be prepared to pay a larger sum of money for a healthy dog.
Health clearances, as well as, showing, training, and veterinary
care can be quite expensive to a breeder since they are trying to
insure healthy breeding practices. Be cautious though, just
because a dog has a high price tag does not mean it comes from
a caring, responsible breeder. Double check the breeders other
breeding practices to make sure.
3. Ask how many litters they have a year. If the breeder has many
litters a year and breeds several different breeds of dogs they are
probably in it more for money than truly bettering the breed and
educating the public. A responsible breeder rarely makes a profit,
but instead invests the money back into their dogs to insure
proper care and breeding.
4. Many responsible breeders also want to choose a puppy from
the litter for you. They know their dogs, and after interviewing you,
can choose which puppy's personality, energy level, and
conformation that best fits your lifestyle.
5. When you go to visit your puppy after it is born, you should be
able to see where your puppy is kept. You should also be able to
see the mother. You want to make sure that the puppies and
dam are kept in a clean environment. Puppies should not be kept
in a barn or hidden away in a back room. Puppies should be
raised with the breeders family for proper socializing. In many
cases the sire may live in another city or state and not be
available to see, but the breeder should be able to provide
pictures, OFA certificates, and contact information on the stud
dog.
6. Find out when the breeder allows the puppy to go home with
you. A responsible breeder does NOT send puppies home at 4-6
weeks of age. Even though many puppies have been started on
eating solid foods by 4-6 weeks of age emotionally and socially
they are not ready to leave their mother or littermates. There are
many key emotional needs and social behaviors that your puppy
learns from its siblings and mother between the 6th and 8th weeks
of age.
7. Make sure the breeding that resulted in the puppy you wish to
purchase was well thought out and planned. A responsible
breeder spends months or even years planning a breeding. A
breeder should be breeding according to the breed standard
which includes correct conformation, temperament, and is the dog
able to do what it was originally bred for (for example: hunting). A
breeder who has an 'accidental breeding' isn't responsible at all.
Males shouldn't be allowed with a female in season, and any dog
not being used in a breeding program should be spayed or
neutered.
8. A responsible breeder should also have you sign a spay/neuter
contract. Pets are being sold as pets to be family dogs. A breeder
has spent years evaluating and learning about their breed's
standards. It is in their wishes that breeding only be done by
professionals who understand the breed and health issues related
to the breed. This is to insure that the breed continues to stay
healthy and be bred toward a standard.
9. The breeder should also have it in their contract that if for any
reason and at any time during the dogs life you cannot keep the
dog it is to be given back to the breeder. They do not want their
puppies to end up in shelters or homes that are not up to their
standards. This is a breeders way of insuring the lifelong
happiness of their dogs.
10. Lastly, ask questions. A good breeder is there to educate.
They should enjoy talking with you about their dogs and their
breed. They should also enjoy helping you. Any responsible
breeder wants to insure that their puppies lead happy lives. They
should be willing to supply support to you for the entire life of your
dog.
| Please let us know how we can help you in your search for a quality Labrador Retriever. |
Call 219-879-4776
or e-mail us at:
serapicfarms@yahoo.com
or e-mail us at:
serapicfarms@yahoo.com