What questions should a novice (potential) pet owner ask a dog breeder?

[Earlybird]

DD would like a dog, and it is definitely not an impulsive desire. I've done some research, and have a good idea what breeds appeal to us, and what sort of dog might best suit our lifestyle.

I have a list of a breeders, and want to contact several to chat about their animals and when (if) dd and I might go for an in-person and on-site visit to further explore whether dog ownership is the right thing for our family, whether the breeds I've selected are right for us, and whether we are the right family for the dog breeds that appeal to us.

What should I ask the breeders about their dogs?

What should I look for if we go for a visit?

Gosh, lots of things, but do expect to be grilled by the breeder as much as you grill them Run a mile from anyone who doesn't ask you lots of questions!

Ask them:

what do they breed for ?(temperament/looks/health)

what health screening do they do?

what are the sire and dam's screening results? (and you should already have swotted up to know how those results compare to the average or what they mean)

how old is the bitch?

how many litters has she had?

where and how will the pups be raised?

will they be offering a sales contract and the option to return the pup?

When you visit, you should be able to meet the dam (sire too if possible, but often breeders use someone else's dog) and you must have no reservations about her temperament. This is a significant factor in determining the pup's temperament.

Beware any breeder offering multiple breeds of dogs - these are often puppy farms.

HTH

Bella - thanks for those suggestions. There are several things on your list that i wouldn't have thought to ask.

Anyone else?

Ask about the 5 generation pedigree- make sure the same dogs names do not keep coming up as there is a far higher risk of genetic problems when the dogs are too closely related.

Maybe add a trip to your local breed rescue to the list of visits? They'll be very frank about the pros/cons of owning that particular breed, and will know all about the commonest reasons that dogs are given up (underestimating exercise, for instance). Have you considered going down the rehoming route? Puppies are gorgeous, but they're a LOT of hard work, especially since, realistically, you'll be the one training it.

I'd second what Bella said about not taking it personally if the breeders ask you as many questions as you ask them. The more they ask, the better, really - it shows they care about their dogs. We're now friends with our dogs' breeders, and they're happy to look after our two when we go on holiday, instead of putting them in kennels, which is much less stress for the dogs, and a bit of a bargain for us.

My mother breeds whippets.

She is very selective about who she sells to so I would echo everyone who says expect to be grilled by a breeder before they will be happy to sell you a pup! My mother also has a clause in her sales contract to say that if you can't keep the dog for any reason, the dog comes back to her... obviously she is flexible about this but she won't have her dogs passed from pillar to post. You may find a lot of breeders have 'rules' like this.

With regards to pedigrees, I agree with brigitBigKnickers that too many same dog names coming up is a bad thing but you might find certain 'lines' coming up (stud names rather than individual dog names) and this can be considered a good thing as often stud lines will breed for characteristics which you may want.

Check if the pups have been exposed to young children/cats etc as this sort of thing is best done at a very young age.

Don't be put off by puppies living outside though as long as they have a clean, warm, dry place to sleep where mum has easy access to them. Lots of responsible breeders don't want puppies in their house as they make one hell of a mess. Our pups stay in the house til they are about 3 weeks then go out to the puppy house with a pig lamp - they have access to the garden during the day and are brought into the house to be spoiled by my sister socialised.

What breeds of dog are you considering?

Thanks for thoughts and suggestions. It helps very much to think this through, so that hopefully a good decision can be made.

southwestwhippet - the dogs we're considering are the Lakeland Terrier, Wire Fox Terrier and Welsh Terrier. They are not 'common' dogs around here, so will have to travel about 4 hours to the nearest breeder to even see/spend time with one of the dogs.

I have managed to 'ambush' two people in town here who have the dogs, and have had conversations with them about their experiences. Both were very positive, and would definitely recommend. Both bought their dogs elsewhere (and further than 4 hours away) so going to their breeders is out of the question.

Have started another thread asking for specific knowledge of these breeds.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pets/862823-Lakeland-Terrier-Welsh-Terrier-Wire-Fox-Terrier-Anyone-with-persona l?rnd=12584

Also, no idea if it is good or a waste of money - but the chap who is the 'Dog Whisperer' has a new book about how to train/raise a puppy, and I picked that up on special this past Saturday........

No - please don't read Cesar Millan! Please don't! His methods are discredited at best and cruel at worst. Please don't. Same goes for Jan Fennell.

Good puppy books are :

Perfect Puppy by Gwen Bailey
Any book at all by Bruce Fogle

I also noticed a book called How to train your Puppy the Guide Dog way (or something like that ) when I was recently browsing - it looked good.

best of luck

Such a shame you missed discover dogs which was on at the weekend - perfect opportunity to meet lots of different dog breeder and breeders all at once. too late now tho

You could try contacting the breed club for those breeds for soem initial advice - before going to see breeders too?

also 100% agree with bella on cesar millan - would also recommend Gwen bailey's book too!

Bella - thanks for advice on which books to get. Had no idea Cesar Milan was such a controversial figure!

iggypiggy - Discover Dogs show would have been great, but we don't live in the UK, so not possible. Thanks for other suggestions though. I have read about the breeds from the official breed 'club' website, but seems to be alot of information for those who show/compete, or hope to. We won't be in that category.

Just occurred to me to ask: is Cesar Milan the Gina Ford of the dog rearing world!

Welsh terrier? I so much wanted one of those! and yes, they are incredible difficult to find.

The only thing I can add to what have been said here is that if you want a dog as a pet, concentrate in temperament rather than looks.

And, if you are planning on a terrier, it would be a good thing to consider some training classes, either joining a puppy group, etc. if you have no previous experience on handling dogs. The lovely things are adorable but immensively stubborn assertive in getting what they want despite your pleas for respect

EB - no, he's sooooooo much worse!

I personally like Cesars methods! But realise they are not for all. however his general rules seem to work for me and my dogs.

what about ian dunbar and the culture clash (can't remember her name...)

I agee with Bella,

I'd also like to add (although it has been covered) make sure you see the bitch. If you dont see the bitch and just a bunch of pups then that is also a warning bell for a puppy farm and believe me the last thing you want is a puppy farm dog

sophable - Ian Dunbar rocks. As does Bruce Fogle.

Ian Dunbar has some very good, very funny free videos you can watch on t'internet too

i've met the bitch, and have since had lots of photos of her feeding the puppies.

we'll be going up in a couple of weeks to choose...how on earth do you do it?

Yes, I'm interested in the answer to Sophable's question too - once you've done all the research and are satisfied you've found the right breeder - what specifically do you look for in the puppies, and how do you choose?

Assuming you aren't looking for a show dog, is it simply 'gut' reaction?

sophable - what sort of dog have you decided on?

Lots of good info here on choosing pups:

here

Assuming you aren't looking for a show dog or something like that then its all about gut instinct I think.
I know my mum went to buy a dog she went for the runt of the litter cos she felt sorry for her and she turned out to be a great dog! But its all about you.

golden retriever early.

You just want a pup that's confident enough to be curious, to come over and greet you, that seems relatively outgoing and not worried by anything. You don't really want the boldest pup in the litter, and you mustn't ever be fooled into feeling sorry for the little shy guy at the back.

A good breeder will know the pup's characters and be able to tell you what they are like.

Make sure the mother is approachable and doesn't show any signs of being nervous, as the pups will take a lot of their personality from her.

Best of luck.

oh bella, the mum gave me a little growl when i went to see them. i was the very first visitor and they were two days old so i gave the benefit of the doubt...do you think it's a deal breaker? she was very calm, just kept an eye on me...

It's a deal breaker in as much as the breeder shouldn't be allowing visitors in to see the pups yet!

I'd find another breeder tbh - they really shouldn't be letting people visit till 3 or 4 weeks - completely unnecessary stress for the bitch.