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  • Red Flags When It Comes to Finding a Puppy

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    I recently wrote an article about using ethical breeders. If you are trying to figure out why you would want to go this route, you can read my article about it right here.

    If you have already decided to go this route, and you are looking for an ethical breeder, you should read my article about finding an ethical breeder.

    That being said, it can be challenging to distinguish between an ethical breeder and one that is merely breeding for profit. For this reason, you need to look for red flags. Just like you would end a relationship over a red flag, you should do the same with a breeder.

    Here are some red flags to avoid.

    Breeders who don’t do any health testing. 

    Good breeders want to ensure that their puppies are of the highest quality, and they aren’t afraid to spend the money to prove that! They do as much health testing as required for the breed, so that you know that you are getting high-quality puppies.

    They are also unlikely to register their dogs. 

    Whether you are looking for registered dogs, choosing parents who are registered helps you feel better about the puppies you are selecting. You will know that they come from good stock.

    Puppies that end up in pet stores are often from backyard breeders. 

    No reputable breeder would sell their puppies to pet stores to get into the hands of anyone who wants a puppy! They will want to take the time to ensure that they put their puppies into the right hands.

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    Fancy websites should also be avoided. 

    Many websites are full of puppies for sale, many of which are bred without any thought other than making some money!

    The same goes for breeders who sell puppies before they are eight weeks old. 

    Puppies need time with their mom and other puppies before being sold. In fact, some smaller dogs are kept with their parents until they are twelve weeks old.

    They won’t allow you to visit them in their environment. 

    You can learn a great deal about puppies by observing their parents. If you aren’t able to at least see the mom, you might want to be wary of the puppies.

    You should be able to meet the mother of the puppies, at the very least, before choosing one. Getting to know and meet the mom is a great way to learn more about your puppies. If you can’t see her, you might want to avoid them.

    Don’t trust those who breed for smaller sizes. 

    Many fad breeders breed “teacups,” which actively promote runts. These smaller dogs may not be as healthy as their standard relatives. They may struggle to keep their blood sugar levels stable, which can lead to seizures and other health issues.

    The same can be said for those who breed for special colors. 

    If the breed that you are looking at doesn’t have specific colors, you should avoid getting those puppies. These breeders attempt to breed “flashy” and “rare” colors solely because they can earn more money doing so.

    You may also want to avoid mixed-breed puppies. 

    True and ethical breeders will not want to breed two different breeds together.

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    Though you may be looking for something in particular when it comes to your next dog, the truth is that you have to be careful when buying puppies. There are many red flags that you should avoid. You should avoid buying puppies from dogs that are not registered or those that haven’t undergone any health testing. It is a good idea to stay away from pet stores, as well as fancy websites. You should also avoid some of the fads that are popular, such as different colors, smaller sizes, and mixed-breed dogs that are sold as purebreds!

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    Please note, the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Although I am a veterinary professional, this blog should not be used as a substitute for professional veterinary advice. 

    If your pet is experiencing a medical problem or concern, please contact a veterinary health professional immediately. 

  • How to Find an Ethical Breeder

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    I recently wrote an article about why you should look for ethical breeders instead of just backyard breeders. If you haven’t had a chance to read it, you can check it out right here.

    Once you decide to use an ethical breeder, it is time to find one. Here are some tips to help you find the puppy you want from an ethical breeder.

    These breeders will want to ask YOU questions about your background and may even request veterinarian references. 

    Backyard breeders, on the other hand, are likely to be willing to sell a puppy to anyone who wants it. If you show up with cash, you could be going home with your new puppy.

    If you find an ethical breeder, they will be more likely to help match you up with the right dog. 

    To them, it is more essential to pick a puppy that matches your lifestyle than to meet your preferences for sex and color. They will help you with that, but if they find a puppy that would work well for you and your family, they may recommend that you consider this opportunity.

    They may even ask for references because they want to ensure that their puppies are going to the right homes.

    Many breeders want to show off their litters to potential buyers. 

    If you are looking for an ethical breeder, you will want to be able to stop by and see how the puppies are doing. Although puppies can be messy, they should look clean and healthy when you visit. You should also ensure that the mother appears healthy.

    They are proud of the dogs and puppies they have and will work to ensure that the puppies they sell are ready to go! 

    Many breeders spend a significant amount of time with their puppies, gaining extensive knowledge about them. They often start training and socializing them, so that they are not fearful in the future. They quickly learn which ones are suited for pets and which ones work well in other types of homes.

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    So, when you decide that you want a dog, they will ask you what you are looking for so that they can match you up with the right dog for your family and lifestyle. 

    If you are more active and looking for a dog to take on hikes, you will need a different dog than one that will lie beside you while you work and watch television.

    Long-time breeders may have a waiting list. 

    If you find a breeder with a waiting list, they have likely produced a high volume of quality puppies, which brings people back for more. Although you do not need to find a breeder that has been doing it for years, you can feel better knowing that many people have been coming back for more puppies.

    You may also be required to sign a contract when you purchase a puppy. 

    In the contract, they may want to know what you plan to do with your dog, whether it will be a show dog or a pet. The breeder may require you to spay or neuter your pet at a certain age, because they don’t want to support backyard breeders. Most breeders will have a clause where they will want you to return the dog to them, instead of getting rid of him or her.

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    It can be challenging to find a quality and ethical breeder because there are numerous backyard breeders. However, if you find a breeder who is dedicated to his or her breed, as well as his or her dogs and puppies, you have likely found a good breeder.

    These breeders spend a lot of time with their puppies, and they will do whatever they can to ensure that you get the right one for you and your family (as well as your lifestyle). That being said, you may find yourself on a waiting list because a good breeder often has people waiting to find the right puppy!

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    Please note, the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Although I am a veterinary professional, this blog should not be used as a substitute for professional veterinary advice. 

    If your pet is experiencing a medical problem or concern, please contact a veterinary health professional immediately. 

  • Why You Should Use An Ethical Breeder

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    I recently wrote an article entitled Yes, You CAN Get a Puppy If You Want One. If you haven’t had a chance to read it, you can check it out here.

    The comments, especially from other veterinary professionals, weren’t very nice. They ripped me apart, both in terms of the topic and the writing style. I was pretty upset about all the comments I received, since I was just trying to write a piece to help people not feel bad if they genuinely wanted a puppy.

    One of the main concerns about the article was that it didn’t address the issue of ethical breeding versus backyard breeding at all. For this reason, I have decided to write what ethical breeding really is.

    So, what is ethical breeding?

    Ethical breeders are ALL about the breed. 

    They want to preserve the breed so that they will breed only the best representatives of the breed. They will even go above and beyond, conducting health testing to ensure that they are selling the highest quality and healthiest animals possible.

    This may include OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) testing. They have a database of tests that can be run to make sure that puppies will be less likely to have genetic problems (such as hip dysplasia).

    They may also request that you visit their home or kennel before picking a puppy. 

    You will want to ensure that the puppies appear healthy, happy, and clean. Are they active and playing around? Are they a good weight and look solid? Does the mother look delighted to be with them? You can tell a lot about a breeder by looking at their moms and puppies.

    That being said, during COVID, more and more people did visits like this over Zoom. If the breeder isn’t close to you, you can request a visit online so that you can still take a look at the breeder’s setup and how their animals look.

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    They will require a contract to ensure that their puppies get taken care of. 

    They may ask you what you are planning to do with your dog. The breeder may require you to spay or neuter your pet at a certain age. They may also ask that you return the dog to you if anything happens. Regardless of the dog’s age, owners would prefer to take them back rather than have the dog end up in a shelter.

    Ethical breeders want the best for their puppies. 

    This includes ensuring that they receive the socialization they need to raise healthy and confident dogs. They work with their puppies on socialization and training to ensure that they are ready to be homed.

    Because they do so much with their puppies, they have a good idea of what each puppy will need.

    Good, ethical breeders match puppies with families. You don’t get to choose a puppy. You let the breeder know what you are looking for (show, pet, working, etc.) and they will figure out which puppy will best fit your lifestyle. If you are active and prefer the outdoors, they will ensure that you get a puppy that is confident and playful. If you are looking for a companion to sit beside you, they will help you find the right dog for you. If you have little ones, they will choose a puppy that they think will handle your children.

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    Ethical breeders are all ABOUT the breed. They are going to choose the best parents to ensure that their puppies are of high quality and are able to do what they were bred for. They spend a lot of time with their puppies and will do what they can to ensure they are properly socialized. They will also help you choose the right puppy for you, rather than allowing you to choose one that you want. Not only that, but they are happy to match puppies with the right family.

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    Please note, the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Although I am a veterinary professional, this blog should not be used as a substitute for professional veterinary advice. 

    If your pet is experiencing a medical problem or concern, please contact a veterinary health professional immediately.