| Breeding dogs can be both a very exciting and | | | | Professional breeders always ensure that both |
| fulfilling experience, but prospective breeders should | | | | prospective parents are healthy and ready to |
| be well informed about the entire process, from the | | | | produce healthy and strong offspring. They avoid |
| selection of an appropriate mate to labor and right | | | | over-breeding and also the more routine breeding of |
| through to placing puppies in a good home. Finding a | | | | dogs with any genetic defects or substantial health |
| dog breeder is easy - it's finding a great breeder | | | | problems. Both prospective parent dogs should be |
| that's the hard part. Keep reading to learn why | | | | tested for possible diseases and have available as |
| choosing a good breeder is important and how to | | | | much information about their ancestry and health |
| spot one. Why is a Good Dog Breeder Important? A | | | | records as possible. Ideally, the further back the |
| quality, reputable dog breeder breeds with a dog's | | | | health histories go, the better. What Types of |
| health, temperament, and breed characteristics in | | | | Breeders Should You Avoid? Stay away from puppy |
| mind. This means they watch out for common | | | | mills, pet shops, and "backyard breeders." A backyard |
| genetic diseases and health problems while | | | | breeder is an unregistered breeder with limited |
| simultaneously keeping good breeding records. A | | | | knowledge about their animals and is breeding more |
| good breeder will also provide a lot of hands-on | | | | for monetary purposes than the love of the animals. |
| assistance to a new owner. Quality breeders are | | | | A puppy mill is a slang term that refers to large scale |
| invested in their animals, so this means they want to | | | | businesses designed to produce a lot of dogs - like a |
| see them go to good homes and are sincerely | | | | dog factory. Disease can spread rapidly in these |
| interested in their long-term well-being. How Do You | | | | conditions, poor health conditions are rampant and |
| Find a Good Breeder? Looking for a quality breeder | | | | serious emotional problems are often overlooked. |
| should go beyond the newspaper or the yellow | | | | Because puppy mills frequently adhere merely to |
| pages. Ask your friends or a local veterinarian for | | | | absolute minimum requirements, they usually sell only |
| their referrals on trusted, quality breeders in your | | | | to pet stores and dog brokers who have much lower |
| area. Next, make sure you visit the breeder. Their | | | | standards than the individual buyer. Finding a quality, |
| kennel or home should be very clean and obviously | | | | reputable breeder could mean a longer, healthier and |
| well-maintained. Note how they care for the animals. | | | | happier life for your pet. Choose wisely and select a |
| If the breeding conditions are poor or dirty, then | | | | breeder who stands behind his product, is really |
| your dog could be at risk for disease. While there, | | | | invested in the animal, and sincerely cares about each |
| ask to see all the dogs. The animals should be | | | | dog's long-term health and well-being. |
| well-nourished and healthy looking, with no obviously | | | | For information on practical dog necessities, please |
| runny noses or eyes. Ask your breeder if he or she | | | | visit a popular site providing great insights concerning |
| belongs to any registered breed associations, | | | | issues that help you with dog care, such as dog |
| organizations, or clubs. A good breeder will stand | | | | training products, dog medical supplies, an electronic |
| behind their animals with a solid guarantee. | | | | dog fence and much more. |