Questions to Ask Breeders

It's so easy to fall in love at first sight with your new puppy, especially if you've long loved they belong to. Unfortunately, looks can be deceiving when it comes to health and genetic difficulties so it is especially important that you ask the right questions of breeders from whom you may be purchasing your new dog from. And make sure you ask the questions before you lay eyes on the puppy.

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Asking questions about the dog's breed as well as the dog's parents and personal DNA are important. So, too, are questions about the breeder's practices. Some questions include:

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Every breed is plagued by some genetic disease or another. What congenital defects or genetic diseases are an issue for this breed?

What are some other health problems (non-disease related) that may be an issue for this breed and for this dog in particular?

What tests have been performed on the parents of the dog and the dog itself? What tests remain to be performed? Will they be completed by the time you pick up the dog?

What measures have been taken to decrease the chances of this dog developing any of these diseases, defects, or health issues?

Are the parents of the puppy owned by the breeder? Ask to see them, especially the mother. Her temperament will be indicative of the puppy's future temperament when she is visited without her puppies nearby.

What are the pros and cons of each of the parent dogs? Have either of them won titles?

How have the puppies been raised and socialized thus far? Does this fit with the style that you've chosen for your home?

What will be the breeder's responsibility to the puppy after you purchase it and take it home? What if you and the puppy are incompatible or the puppy develops a disease or serious health issue within the first year? Refunds, replacement puppy, return? Are these guarantees in place for a specific period or for the life of the dog?

Is show quality guaranteed for the dog in question? If the dog fails to become show quality, what guarantees are in place for you in terms of replacement, refund, or return?

Is the breeder a member of organizations like CHIC, Breed Parent Club? Other breed clubs or organizations?

How many different breeds of dog does the breeder specialize in? How many litters does he produce each year in each breed? How old are the dogs when he begins to breed them? How many litters or bitches has the breeder bred in the past?

When choosing breeder dogs, what are some of the criteria the breeder uses to determine which are a good choice and which are not? For example, are there specific tests or accomplishments that he demand that his breeding dogs possess?

For the parents of the dog in question, are there test results that are available for your to look over?

What are the requirements for the buyer that the breeder demands? Is there a certain amount of experience or environment requirements that you should meet to purchase a puppy from a given breeder?

Does the breeder require a contract? If so, what are the specifications of that contract? How do those specifications protect you, the breeder, and the dog?

How old will the dog be when you are allowed to take it home? Will it have been fully vaccinated by then? Will it be spayed or neutered?

Expect that the breeder will (or should) have a number of questions for you as well. A good relationship between you and your dog starts with open and thorough communication between you and its breeder.

Questions to Ask Breeders

Melissa Steele is a freelance writer for PawDigs.com. This site features Pet Essentials with Style including luxury dog beds of all sizes and styles.

BREEDERS

Shitzu Puppy Breeders - Questions You Should Be Asking

Upon getting in contact with a Shitzu breeder on the phone, they're a litany of questions that you can ask, which will reveal a lot of information that you'd need to make a decision on choosing the right breeder. I know you probably already have a few questions of your own, but here are a few other questions you should ask that would tell you a lot about the quality of the breeder. Before you visit the breeder ask him or her questions such as:

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How much time elapses before you breed another litter?

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The best hobby breeders rarely breed more than a litter every year. For-profit breeders and commercial breeders will have Shitzu puppies available all of the time. This is because they'll regularly breed 6, 7, 8, or more litters per year.

Have you been breeding Shitzu's long?

Although new Shitzu breeders could be great, there is no comparison to a well-seasoned breeder that has experience and knowledge on their side. Due to the breeders experience and knowledge, the puppies may be healthier and a lot better pets.

Do you belong to a national or local dog club?

This is a trick question in a way because it lets you know how committed the breeder is to learning about the Shitzu and breeding them in an organized and ethical way.

Do you show your dogs in dog shows? If yes, how many of them have won awards or are champions?

It's no secret that breeders whose dogs win awards in dog shows are producing top notch pets. If you choose a Shitzu puppy whose parents are champions, there is no doubt that you're getting a puppy from breeders that really understands the breed and knows how a Shitzu should look and act.

Where are the puppies raised?

Contrary to what people believe, Shitzu's are not kennel dogs. Good breeders raise they're Shitzu's inside of the home. This is crucial because it allows the dogs to be part of the family from the very start.

When can I come to see the litter or the parents of the litter?

The answer to this question will definitely be yes, because the good breeders always want to meet you and interview you. If for some reason a breeder does not want to show you the parents, I suggest you start looking for another breeder. This behavior is considered a red flag; there is no reason why a breeder should not want you to see the parents of the litter. The breeder may be trying to hide the fact that the dog does not look or act like a Shitzu would. However, the father of the litter may not be available for you to see on the breeder's property, but the mother would. However, the breeder should have pictures of the father as well as his pedigree.

In addition, many breeders will ship Shitzu puppies to you; however, unless you're talking about shipping an older dog, this is not a good idea. The younger puppies are more heat intolerant and sensitive, and could go through a lot of stress on a long plane trip. The experience could cause your new Shitzu puppy to develop future behavioral problems such as separation anxiety as well as fearfulness.

When will you have Shitzu puppies available?

Good hobby breeders usually do not have puppies readily available due their lack of constant breeding. Therefore, if you find a good breeder, chances are you'll have to go on a waiting list. However, because hobby breeders are not in it for profit, they'll be glad to give you a referral to someone else that may have puppies at the time. Be careful, you do not want to look impatient. Most people that are impatient and want a Shitzu right now are usually impulse buyers, you do not want to come off as an impulse buyer to a breeder. If you seem like you're in the market for a Shitzu just for the hell of it, the breeder may not refer you to anybody. Good hobby breeders are all about placing their Shitzu's into homes that would care and love the dogs; however, impulse buyers may want the dogs now and regret them later and most likely will end up in a shelter.

Another important question that you should ask is how much is the Shitzu puppy going to cost. However, do not ask this question until you visit the breeder. You do not want the breeder to think that you're only interested in a good deal and not a good dog.

Shitzu Puppy Breeders - Questions You Should Be Asking

Shitzu puppies

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Questions For Potential Labrador Retriever Breeders

Take a list of questions for a Labrador Retriever breeder written ahead of time when you visit them. This list will also be handy if you are going to be meeting a lot of Labrador retriever breeders at a dog show. If you meet a breeder online, you are still going to want to ask a lot of questions. You will be overwhelmed by all of the cute furry faces in order to trust your memory to recall the questions you need to ask.

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The questions that will tell you the most about any Labrador Retriever breeder will be what kind of contract do you require, when can I visit the kennels and are there any health warranties. If your potential breeder refuses to let you visit the kennel, say goodbye and move on. They may have something to hide. If your breeder doesn't do contracts, also move on, because they definitely have something to hide.

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You can tell a lot by what a Labrador Retriever breeder is like when you visit their home and kennel. Are they messy? Did they even remember you were coming? And does the place stink of dog poop? The place should be reasonably clean, smell okay and the dogs should appear clean, happy and friendly. It is normal to see some living outside most of the time in covered kennels. If you don't like what you see and smell, move on.

You also need to ask what the breeder considers a good home for one of his or her puppies. If they don't seem to care, then they certainly do not care about dogs. They are just after your money. A good Labrador Retriever breeder will go on and on about they kind of owner he or she wishes all Lab puppies could go to. They will also quiz you about your store of Labrador information to see if you are anywhere close to being their idea of a good Lab owner.

Although there are no certainties in the dog world, you can greatly reduce your chances of getting a raw deal and a sickly puppy by obtaining certain paperwork from the Labrador Retriever breeders. You need to see the health certificates of both of the puppy's parents, especially their hip dysplesia scores. If the breeder doesn't know what you are talking about, say goodbye. Hip dysplesia is the most common ailment among Labs and is carried by genes.

A contract also can help eliminate a lot of future headaches. It should list what the breed is responsible to provide and what they are not. They might even have clauses such as you having to go to them first if you are no longer able to keep the adult dog. You won't get your money back, but at least your dog will have a good home. Assume nothing. Great Labrador Retriever breeders will bring all of this up if you forget to ask.

Questions For Potential Labrador Retriever Breeders

Brooke Sunderland has experience dealing with canines and understands how important learning about a breed's history really is. Not only is the Labrador an attractive, statuesque dog but they also have a very long and complex history. The Internet is one of the best available resources when it comes to finding out further Labrador information regarding the history of Labradors.

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