Top 17 Questions To Ask A Dog Breeder Before Buying Puppy

When it comes to bringing a dog into your life, whether through adoption, rescue, or purchasing from a breeder, finding a reputable breeder is essential. Here’s how to determine if a breeder is reliable and ethical:

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Questions To Ask A Dog Breeder

1. Are the parents certified?

When it comes to breeding, the breeder should make sure that the parents of the breed are certified. If the parents aren’t certified then the pup may get some disease or abnormalities. Some of the breeds are prone to some genetic conditions such as hip, eye, and heart problems. It is the breeders’ responsibility that the dogs are evaluated and certified disease-free before breeding them.

If the dogs are certified then the pup would be healthy and disease free too. You can also study the breeds that you are going to buy, this will give you an idea of the certain genetic disease that a specific breed is prone to.

2. What are the individual sizes of the puppy’s parents?

For some people the size of a dog matters as they have a specific size range in their mind. If you are one of them then you should ask about the individual sizes of the puppy’s parents to get an idea about the size of the puppy. This will certainly help you choose the ideal puppy for yourself.

3. Ask them if you can meet the entire litter?

You would want to know the nature of the puppy before you buy them. There are plenty of ways to do so but the best one would be to know how the pup is with its peers. You should be looking for a playful puppy that is comfortable and approachable. You don’t want to buy a puppy that doesn’t do well with its peers or even with new people. The puppy should not resist you and should be able to play with you when you approach it.

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4. How long have you been breeding? What is your experience with this breed?

You want to know about the breeder and their experience with breeding. This will give you a good sense of how good they are at breeding and how well they know the breeding process as well. The more experienced the breeder is, the better breeds would be.

You can also experience and knowledge about a specific breed. They should know the strengths and weaknesses of a specific breed as well as any genetic disease that they might be prone to. You should also ask if they are part of a breed club, organization, or canine sports.

5. How do you socialize your puppies?

Socializing the puppies is a big task for any breeder. It should be done properly so the dogs can become well-adjusted to their environment. You would want a dog that has been around other people and if they are familiar with the household environment.

A puppy should not be scared of new surroundings, other people, or even other dogs. The puppy should be ready to live life in a new environment after you take them home.

6. Ask about the vaccines the puppies are on and if they ate up to date on vaccinations?

Vaccinations are a must for puppies, and a good breeder should know that. So you want to know all about the vaccination the pup is on and if there are any other vaccinations that the puppy would need in the future. This would help you to know the medical information about the puppy and what shots you need to give to the puppy once you take it home.

7. Can you provide a health guarantee along with a contract?

A health guarantee from a breeder assures you that the puppy doesn’t have any serious health conditions as of now. It may also say that the breeder will assist you if the puppy gets a disease or abnormalities. In some cases, they may write a contract to reclaim the puppy. These things may or may not happen but it will be nice to have some kind of guarantee and assurance from the breeder.

8. When will you be able to take the puppy home?

The ideal time to take a puppy home is between 8 to 12 weeks of its age. This is because the puppies would need some time to spend with their mother so that they are well nourished as well as get some time to get to know the other puppies and socialize with them.

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9. How can we contact you after taking the puppy home?

It is important that you can reach the breeder in the future in case of any emergency or inquiry. A good breeder should stay in touch with you and give you contact details in case you need their help or have any concerns. You may need to keep your contact with the breeder for the whole life of the dog.

10. How can people acquire your puppies and what are the requirements?

Getting a puppy from a breeder may have some requirements or regulations that you need to meet. So it is ideal if you know how to acquire the puppy and if the process is transparent and simple. Some breeders may require to have some necessary arrangements at your home for the puppy.

11. Have the puppies been dewormed?

Puppies are born with worms, all of them. This is why it is necessary for puppies to go through a deworming routine. The deworming routine begins as early as 2 weeks and it is important that puppies have gone through at least one dose of deworming by the age of 6 weeks.

12. Have any puppies in the litter been sick?

Again, this question would help you understand how healthy the puppies are and how often they get sick as well. You want to know whether other puppies have been sick lately and if they have then what did they suffer from and how well the recovery was.

13. Do you have any references?

References are a great way of knowing if the other clients of the breeder are happy with their pups and if are they satisfied with the breeder’s services. A good breeder should give you their previous client’s contacts as references so you can easily make up your mind and know how good the breeder is at their job.

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14. Do you require puppies to be spayed or neutered by a certain age?

Some breeds require a strict diet and routine and also some breeders prefer their puppies to have a certain routine. This is not a big deal but you should know how the puppies are going to be nurtured or spayed and if is there a specific age to nurture and spayed the puppies.

15. What are you currently feeding the puppies?

This again is a diet-related question that you must ask your dog breeder. You need to know the current diet of the puppies and what it’s gonna be like when you take the puppies home.

You need to know the specific details about the current diet and how you can change the diet as the puppy grows and its dietary needs change. You can also ask for 3 to 4 days of food for the puppy as you take it home.

16. Do you have any training tips?

Since puppies are young and still growing and learning, you need to constantly train them to adapt to their surroundings. Training may start at the breeding center so you might want to ask for the training tips that work well for the puppy. This can be helpful in the future as you train the puppy at home.

17. What are you going to provide with the sale of the puppy?

You may be buying a puppy but it’s the breeder’s responsibility to provide everything necessary for the puppy as well as for you to make the puppy comfortable at home. Apart from that, there are many medical and legal contracts or papers that you are going to get along with the puppy. The common things that you should be getting when you buy a puppy from a breeder are;

• Dog’s medical reports that state its vaccinations, deworming medications, and any illnesses and their accompanying treatments
• Copy of certifications
• Information on breed clubs
• Information and certifications of pedigree
• Payment receipt
• A contract
• Contact information
• Care and treatment instructions and tips
• Any medications that the puppy needs or may need in future
• A towel or toy with its mother’s scent or the scent of its litter

You can do your research and see if there is anything you should be getting along with the puppy from the breeder. This will save you from a lot of hassle and you can make things a lot more comfortable for the puppy as well as yourself.

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Conclusion:

Absolutely! Ensuring that you have all the necessary information before bringing a puppy home is crucial for their health and well-being. Asking questions to the dog breeder about the puppy’s background, health history, and care requirements will help you make an informed decision and provide the best possible care for your new furry friend.

Remember to inquire about the parents’ history, health clearances, vaccination records, and any contracts or agreements provided by the breeder. By gathering all the necessary information beforehand, you can ensure a smooth transition for your puppy into their new home and set them up for a happy and healthy life.

Best of luck in your search for the perfect puppy, and may you find a reputable breeder who shares your commitment to the well-being of their dogs.