Dog breeders - what to look out for

[tiredofthisshit21]

Going to see a large family run breeder next weekend, has been recommended to us by a friend. We're looking to get a Cavachon puppy. First time dog owners and a bit clueless. Thought I'd ask you experts on here what we should be looking out for? We've been thinking about this for months and it's not a snap decision. Fully aware of the commitment etc. But any advice would be appreciated.

@Wolfiefan

Why a cross? Out of interest? I can understand where crosses are bred for a particular job like a sprocker or lurcher. But what would you get? KC does only mean pedigree. Not good breeder though.

Because I feel like a lot of pedigrees are over bred.

You’re right. Lots are! Certain breeds more than others though. But crossing two random breeds won’t necessarily create a healthy dog. And there are no controls at all. At least with a pedigree you can research the breed and go through the breed club. There is zero reason to breed crosses deliberately except for cash. That doesn’t attract good breeders who care about her dogs.

I do get that @Wolfiefan, and I've been back and forth between all of the options thanks to advice on this thread. Nothing is a guarantee of good health, not even KC registered breeders. Everyone has their own opinions on the matter. After lots of deliberation, I still think a cross breed is the best option for us.

Even knowing you’ll likely end up with a puppy farmed pup without health tests done on parents? Putting together two random breeds doesn’t make for healthy dogs. So sad.

How often do they breed from a female? Should be no more than 1 time per year. And should be bred no more than 4 years in a lifetime. Breed specific health tests and possibly dna. See with mother dog. Do they breed indoor or outside house? Ideally inside. Do they have have clear eyes and nose.

@Wolfiefan

Even knowing you’ll likely end up with a puppy farmed pup without health tests done on parents? Putting together two random breeds doesn’t make for healthy dogs. So sad.

I don't know if you've read the whole thread. I've had lots of advice on how to avoid a puppy farmed pup. I'm going to take it. Please don't try and guilt me into something i don't want.

Don't feel guilty OP. I find it silly that breeding lurchers is seen as fine, but then people get silly about specific cross breeds.

You're clearly doing the research to be vigilant which is great.

You still won’t find anyone breeding for anything other than profit. And random breeds crossed together without health tests could spell very Ill health. I understand completely wanting to avoid certain breeds etc but no pedigree would suit your needs?
With a cross you could get the best or worst from each breed. And some breeds really shouldn’t be crossed for confirmation or health reasons.
Having a litter a year is too much. I wouldn’t expect four litters per bitch either.

Inbreeding, as was pointed out several times upthread, causes health issues - not just genetic disease due to recessive genes, but also immune-mediated illnesses, reduced fertility, reduced litter size, possibly a poor immune system, more ill-health and a shortened life expectancy. I'm not an expert, but given the close line-breeding, use of popular sires and genetic bottlenecks that have afflicted almost all breeds, I'd be very surprised if many breeds have dodged all of those bullets.

It's bloody obvious, in fact, that some of them haven't. Flatcoats, for example, are cancer bombs. There's no health test you can run on sire and dam to mitigate that. Dobermans are going down a hole with cardiomyopathy. Wolfhounds - very prone to cancer and various other nasties, many of which can't be tested for (likelihood of bloat, for example). These three breeds have high rates of inbreeding. Some breeds buck the trend, but most don't.

If I wasn't so picky about the traits I want in my dogs, or if I was able to find responsibly-bred crosses of similar breeds, I'd quite possibly be in the market for a cross-bred too. If inbreeding is OP's concern, I can 100% see where she is coming from.