Choosing the right breeder:
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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 ensure 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 help you choose a puppy from
the litter. They know their dogs, and after interviewing you, can help you
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 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 ensuring
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 ensure that their
puppies lead happy lives. They should be willing to supply support to you
for the entire life of your dog.
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 ensure 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 help you choose a puppy from
the litter. They know their dogs, and after interviewing you, can help you
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 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 ensuring
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 ensure 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 219-898-5248 or e-mail us at:
serapicfarms@yahoo.com
serapicfarms@yahoo.com
"Choosing a reputable
breeder is a must when
looking for a Labrador; after
all, a healthy dog leads a
happy life."
breeder is a must when
looking for a Labrador; after
all, a healthy dog leads a
happy life."