What is a responsible dog breeder?

Every summer, dog shelters and rescues are spread to their thinnest.  Whether it is the increase in stray population or Christmas puppies hitting the hardest age, the resources for homeless pets are spread thin.  One way to prevent this is to only support responsible breeders. Rescuing a pet isn't for everyone, but you want to make sure that you are not contributing to the pet overpopulation problem, and that you are protecting your investment into your new family member!

#1 - It is in the purchase contract that the breeder will take the puppy back if it doesn’t work out.  AND they have the ability to do so. (have the space and resources for multiple dogs)

When searching for a breeder, the responsible ones are making sure that their pups never end up in shelters.  If the breeder does not consider the puppies life after the sale, they are not responsible.  Also, intention is not enough.  They must have the ability to take in 5 to 10 extra dogs if they come back.  This is no easy feat, and it will be obvious if they cannot deliver.  

#2 - The parents of the puppies have been extensively health tested to be sure that not genetic diseases or structural problems are being passed down. 

Later in life, your dog’s genetics will shine through.  Living with these conditions is not only costly for the owners, but extremely painful for the pups.  The worst part is that these things can all be prevented with health testing.  There is a difference between actual health testing and a health certificate from the vet for the puppy.  The official health testing should be done on the parents of the litter, and includes multiple tests and scans at different developmental stages.  The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals compiles the information so that you can search multiple generations into your new puppies health history.  A veterinarian can only get so much from looking at a young puppy.  You want to make sure that the breeder has a health history deep into the lineage.

#3 - You want to steer clear of off types and colors.

There is not an inherent issue with a dog that does not meet the breed standards, but there is most definitely an issue with breeders breeding for off types because they bring more money.  Each breed has a standard set by organizations like AKC or breed specific ones as well.  These organizations set standards for breeding stock so that the health and functionality of the breed stay intact.  Off types may seem harmless, like merle coloring in a dog that isn’t normally merle or long fur on a normally short coated dog, but the reasoning behind it can be dangerous.  Irresponsible breeders ignore these standards to chase a higher price for their pups.  This is unethical and leads to declining health of the dogs being sold.  

#4 - You want to be sure that your breeder is working, showing, or doing sports with their dogs.

It may seem “above and beyond” because you are just looking for a pet and not a dog to work or do sports with, but just like the physicality of the breed we want to keep the behavioral characteristics intact as well.  Using labels like “pet line” or “companion bred” give the illusion that these dogs are more like stuffed animals that could sit next to you on the couch everyday, which is not the case.  Yes, we can breed for varied levels of drive, but the majority of dogs were bred to do some type of job, which is still engrained in them mentally.  Instead of looking for a dog with no drive to do work, we should instead look at if that drive is manageable.  Showing, sporting, and working dogs are also subjected to many different experiences and situations.  This allows for opportunities to evaluate the dog's sociability, stress resilience, and overall personality.  These factors then help the breeder place the puppies in appropriate homes.

Finding a reputable breeder will take time, but this is not a decision that anyone should take lightly.  There are many other factors involved, but these four checks will point you in the right direction of responsibly finding your new best friend.