Buying from a KC registered breeder

[happyvalley74]

Firstly, I have looked at rescue but I have three primary aged children and so many of the dogs can't be rehomed with children.

Secondly so many of them need specialist training which I am not equipped to provide. I have had a dog before but am no expert.

So the next option, in order to avoid backyard breeders seems to be to go for a KC registered breed and breeder. I have started off looking at the shih tzu breeders although any smaller breed who is good with children would be considered.

Is there anything I need to be wary of if I buy from a registered breeder? Once we've decided on a definite breed I suppose the next thing to do is research health problems and health scores?

I'm not really sure what some on MN would have me do.

The doghouse is supposed to be for dog lovers but if you can't get your dog from a KC registered breeder (as no better than backyards), or a backyard breeder, or abroad, and a rescue won't rehome to you because of your (perfectly well behaved, older) children then..... what are you supposed to do?

It sounds as if you'd rather no one ever kept dogs ever!

It sounds as if you'd rather no one ever kept dogs ever!

Nope. It sounds like there as many different opinions as there are dog owners. It be almost too unreal that a whole bunch of strangers on the internet would agree enough to give a 'single voice' answer.

It is not unique to dog ownership.

The same is true to cats, golf, feminism, raising children and cooking a good roast dinner.

As with everything in life... read up on the variety of opinions and use that and further research to form your own. It's pretty much all any of can do.

OP research the breed and make sure you are happy that the breed fits your family and lifestyle. Then look at the health problems associated with the breed and what health tests (for example genetic testing or hip scores of parents etc). Also look at some of the tricks that puppy farms do to fool you and also what to expect from a good breeder.

Armed with all that information you should be able to navigate youself to a puppy. Good luck.

“if you can't get your dog from a KC registered breeder (as no better than backyards),“

It’s not that, it’s that backyard breeders and even puppy farms can and do breed KC registered litters.

It’s similar to a used car having DVLA registration... it tells you it exists and it is the car it says it is, but no more than that.

If you were buying a car you’d walk away immediately if the car wasn’t registered, but you wouldn’t automatically assume it’s an honest seller and that’s it’s clear of finance with a full service history and warranty based just on it being registered either.

KC registration is the starting point of looking for a good breeder, not the end point.

If you know the breed you want, or a shortlist of breeds you are interested in, go through the breed clubs. You can get the contact details of the secretaries of all UK breed clubs on the KC website.
I’ve never yet come across a puppy farmer that belongs to a breed club or even most of the people who just want their bitch to have one litter because “ it will do her good” or they want the money.
Most members are show people who have the welfare of the breed at heart. I agree that going to a breeder who shows is a good idea. Have to confess here that I am biased as I showed for many, many years. Still follow the show results but now only have three of my old breed as pets as I’m much older than most MN members & since my husband retired we like to occasionally take a holiday which we never did when I had more dogs & was attending shows, the dogs were my priority. Now we holiday with the dogs in the UK.
The breed club secretaries will be able to put you in touch with any members who are planning a litter & even if the one you contact can’t help you’ll be on the breed grape vine & will usually get passed on to another member who does have puppies or is planning a litter.
Expect to most likely have to go on a waiting list & definitely be prepared to be interviewed far worse than any job interview
.

Sorry for all the questions but this is throwing up something else for me - isn't it the showing which makes for the odd conformations and associated health issues? So for example if the show standard is a short snout but a short snout causes difficulties, would I not be better off going with a mixed breed or one with a longer snout that isn't show - worthy?

Yes OP, yes it is. I'm still baffled that so many people think that a breeder who puts KC breed standards and the potential to breed a champion at the fore of their decision to breed are any more reputable/responsible/ethical. I'm sure many care brilliantly for their dogs, but so do many non competitive breeders. Both of my dogs came from breeders who bred to produce their next pet. As long as you meet the breeder, do all the necessary checks, ask (and answer) all the right questions (there's lots of helpful advice online) then it is perfectly possible to get find a good breeder. I wanted to know that my pups had been well cared for, received all the correct vaccinations, nutrition etc they had required, were well socialised for coming to a family with young children and that the mum was equally as well cared for and
not being used to churn out litters for profit. I would just as happily taken a pup that was a cross, KC registration really means nothing in terms of an assurance of welfare . As it happens we nearly didn't get our second dog. She had been reserved by the mums original breeder who wanted a bitch to show and breed from (she was in the breed club). She even helped select the sire. Only when it came to it, the pups hair on its nose sat in the wrong direction, sticking slightly up the way, so she backed out as it didn't meet breed standard, so we got her. Welfare hardly seemed her first priority. Luckily both our breeders have been great and still keep in touch.

Good luck in your dog hunt x

Hopefully this link will work and is relevant whether by a KC registered puppy or mixed breed.

www.facebook.com/chriscartervets/posts/10156014180150516

Thanks Oops that's so helpful.

The Korean dogs are coming in at circa $1000 so I'm coming a full circle at the moment and thinking a family breeder will be great with the usual caveats.

All good food for thought, thank you