Before going to a puppy breeder, it is important to decide which breed of dog is the best match. A dog breeder at a kennel will ask you questions, so a good idea would be to research some of the breeds that you are interested in. One option may be the smaller dogs such as the Pomeranians, Shih Tzu, Cairn Terriers, Poodles, West Highland White or “Westies”, Tibetan Terriers, Pekingese, Papillion, Japanese Chin, or the Lhasa Apso.

If you are interested in a larger dog consider the Great Dane or a Mastiff, or a medium-sized dog such as an American Cocker Spaniel or a Border Collie. Research different breeds according to their size and personality so you get the right match. Many large dogs are at shelters and pounds, unwanted and neglected by their previous owners. About 25% that are abandoned are purebreds, with the remaining as mixed breeds either of known or unknown backgrounds. You may be able to adopt a large or small breed from a shelter rather than purchasing one through a dog breeder or a kennel.

You Have Decided – Now What?

Local dog breeder clubs usually have a list of the different puppy breeders in your area and the breed of dogs that they raise. Phone numbers are generally listed with the clubs as well as information their kennel, including their location. Now that you have decided on the breed you want, it would be a good idea to check them out with breeders and owners of that breed. You need to make sure this is the breed you want.

Another good ideas is to check with veterinarians in the area. They can refer excellent breeders and kennels who raise that particular breed, as compared to you checking out unknown breeders through the want ads or magazines, with no experience about that breed. Many perspective puppy buyers get information from pet shops, newspapers, national dog magazines, and websites. Sometimes this is not a good thing, especially if you lack knowledge about the breed you want. If you can, find someone close by who has a puppy or an adult dog of the breed you want. Visit with them, watch the dog, and learn about the dog’s personality and who he actually is. Do not be afraid to ask questions; make a list before you visit. You may find there are traits about the dog you don’t like but didn’t know about, traits that may change your mind about that breed.

One example is the American Eskimo. Everybody wants one of those cute little white fluffy puppies; they cannot keep their hands off them. But once they grow up, they like to play in the water, splashing in their water dishes until the water is out of the bowls and onto the floor – and them, digging holes if they get too hot on a daily basis, and defend their owners to a fault. They shed twice a year, blowing their coats and look awful during this time. They need lots of brushing and care, and are very affectionate and want to be with people. Many owners eventually may change their mind down the road, wanting either to return the dog around one year of age, or give it away. It is best to check this out before purchasing the puppy, as it is a hardship on the dog and the family, when the dog is removed from a family he has learned to love and care for. A responsible dog breeder that runs a good kennel will always share the good and more challenging points of the breed.

Visiting The Kennel And Puppy Breeder

There are many types of dog breeders who raise puppies to sell. Some sell because of money, some sell because they love the breed, and some sell to supply pre-orders of their line. Either way, you should choose approximately three puppy breeders to visit with, in order to get a good comparison of the breed you want. Any hesitation or avoidance of your questions on the part of the breeder needs to be looked at carefully. Maybe that is the breeder you do not want to do business with. But generally, between the three breeders most of your questions should be answered.

The breeder of choice should be the one who has the most knowledge about the breed you want, does not hesitate but is open and honest with you, supplies a health guarantee, and really seems to like his animals. If you are at the breeders’ establishment, the puppies should look healthy and have lots of energy. Make sure you view the parents of the puppy, as that is what it will eventually resemble.

Finding good dog breeders and puppy breeders does take time and effort, but a well run kennel is more likely to produce healthy, happy and well socialized puppies, which is what you really want.

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What sets breeders apart is the quality of health guarantee they provide with the sale of their puppies. Every dog breeder and kennel is unique, and each one thinks their method is the best. But after awhile, each one develops their own way of doing things that fits for them – it does not mean another kennel is wrong for doing it different. Far from it. It just means they are different. And so far, that hasn’t been proved as wrong. But what should be honored by all, is the fact they will back the health of their puppies and dogs. How they back their guarantee , is what separates good puppy breeders from bad. 

Health Of The Puppy At Sale

When the puppy is sold, a bill of contract or sale is given to the buyer, with a health guarantee and a medical chart with all the shots, worming, and medical work that has been done from birth to the day they leave.

At the expense of the buyer, once they receive the puppy in hand, the new owners have 48 hours to have the puppy examined to validate the health of the puppy. If the puppy is found ill and it is found to be the breeder’s fault, the puppy may be returned to the seller at full refund or another dog of equal value. The choice is determined by the breeder or the seller of the puppy. This is usually put into the contract on the purchase date.

Contract Amendments And Add-ons

In some of the contracts, proof of spaying/neutering is required before the registration papers will be given to the buyer and before 8 months of age. The dog breeder will usually guarantee the puppy is a purebred, especially if the registration papers are not given until 8 months of age.

If a down payment is made by the buyer, usually it is non-refundable or forfeited if the buyer changes his or her mind. Due to the time the puppy has been off the market, money has been lost due to lost sale time. Shipping fees usually are paid before shipping, or the puppy may be sent COD by some puppy breeders.

Buyer Releases Seller

When the puppy leaves the breeder's home or kennel, the seller is not liable for any damages or destruction to property including physical damages to any person that are done by the puppy. All contracts that indicate this are made out in duplicates for both parties to have a copy.

Always ask questions with anything on the contract that doesn't make sense to you. Good puppy breeders will take the time to explain everything to your satisfaction. Knowing a bit about what a standard breeder's contract may contain can help buyers when picking up their new pet from the dog breeder.

If you do not know the difference between a healthy puppy and a sick one, you have a 50% chance of getting a sick one. Before you go to a kennel home or puppy breeders homes, make a list of the things you need to check or ask about in regard to the puppy’ health. Otherwise, we have a tendency of being caught up in conversation, and forget the important questions we need to ask.

Important Areas To Be Physically Checked

HAIR
The hair of the puppy should feel clean, not dry and brittle. It also should be free of dried skin, dandruff, and without excess oil. On an 8-week puppy, its hair will still be considered “puppy hair.” It will be shorter, thinner, and slightly fuzzy – nothing close to the quality of the parent’s hair, other than maybe the color. Things to look for are thin hair, bumps on the skin with white flecks. Open sores or dried scaly flakes around the eyes may be mange. Regardless, do not take the puppy home. Some skin conditions are contagious to other animals, taking several week of dipping or medical care to clear it up. A puppy with a skin condition looks “down in the eyes” or hangs in the back of the pen. They have a sick look about them, and will not interact with their sisters and brothers. Do not mistake this type of puppy for a shy puppy. Puppy breeders who sell this kind of puppy are not a good breeders.

EYES

The eyes should not be dull, but clear and bright. The whites of the eyes should be white, not tinted with yellow, blue or red. Some breeds do have slightly water eyes, as this is who they are. But if the puppy has a greenish discharge from the eyes, it is a sign of an infection somewhere. Mites in the ears should be looked at, or possibly worms in the system. Find out when the last worming was done, and with what. It should have been recently at 8 weeks or 6 weeks.

EARS

Check the ears for drainage that is black specks, or waxy looking with a bad odor. Shaking or digging at the ears means either mites or ear infection. The canals are deep, so the ears will need to be held back in order to see inside. Mites will fill the ear canals with lots of black flecks from deep within to the outside. When you rub your fingers under the outside round ball of the ear canal, either the puppy will pull away due to pain, or push into your hand because of excess itching.

NOSE

The nose of the puppy should be cool and moist, or warm and dry. This depends on the activity, temperature, humidity, and state of hydration. A warm, dry nose does not always mean he has a fever. When the dog has clear, watery discharge – this is typical of present allergies. When a green mucous discharge occurs – bacterial or fungus infection has occurred.

TEETH

Open the puppy’s mouth and check his teeth. The gums should be a healthy pink and the teeth should be white. The breath should be clean smelling, like “sweet puppy’s breath”.

BITES

Be sure to check the puppy’s bite – or how the teeth match-up together. They can have three types of bites: (1) scissor bite – the top and the bottom fit together smoothly and evenly; (2) over bite – the top teeth extend over the bottom teeth; and (3) the under bite – the bottom teeth extend beyond the top teeth. Some bites are not severe, and will not be a problem for your puppy. If severe, many die at birth.

RECTAL AREA
This area should be smooth with no loss of hair in the area, the color should be either pink or black (depending on the breed), and no parasites moving around in the rectum area. If you see worms moving around this area, inform the breeder. This type of worm requires three days of continuous worming to remove them. They are associated with fleas and will hatch out in another two weeks.