Choosing and Communicating With a Breeder

Questions to Answer

Just as you have a long list of questions to ask breeders, you can expect each breeder you contact to have just as many questions for you. After all, you are asking the breeder to entrust you with a puppy that this breeder has spent a great deal of time and care breeding and raising, in a way bringing you into the "extended family." So, you should plan on answering questions when you contact breeders. Many will even have applications that they will ask you to fill out. Remember that this level of care and concern is a good thing!

Some questions to expect from breeders:

Have you ever had a dog before? Tell about your previous dog(s)
This is a way for the breeder to get to know your experience in caring for a dog, as well as to understand the breeds you are familiar with

Have you ever had a dog of this breed before?
Every breed is unique, and many have special needs with regard to health, climate, training, etc. Knowing that you have had this particular breed in your family before definitely informs the breeder of your personal knowledge of the breed. If you haven't had this breed before, that lets the breeder know to spend more time talking to you about the breed's uniqueness and special requirements.

How much have you learned about this breed? What types of research have you done?
The breeder will likely want to know about your research. Knowing that you have put time into researching the breed lets the breeder know you are serious and will be prepared to take proper care of a puppy/dog. Additionally, there are misconceptions about many breeds, and understanding what you have read or heard will be a good starting point for the breeder to give you more first-hand information.

Have you visited any breeders yet?
Even if you are looking all over the country for a puppy, it's helpful to visit a breeder within driving distance. That way you get to see several adults, and possibly puppies, and this too will allow each breeder you contact to have a starting point for discussion.

Describe your home... are you in a house? apartment? do you have a fenced yard?
These questions are obviously important to determine the environment the puppy will be raised in. Some breeds are suited for apartment living, while others need large spaces to run. The breeder will want to make sure your home environment is compatible with the breed.

Describe your daily life and activity level. How often is someone home during each day?
All breeds need care and attention, but some do need near constant human interaction and companionship. Knowing how much time someone is home (and therefore how much time a puppy would be alone) is important. Also, some breeds are perfect for active, on-the-go families, while others prefer a more sedentary lifestyle. Your happiness and your future dog's happiness depend a great deal on finding the right "match," and breeders have the first-hand knowledge of their breed to help out!

How many adults and how many kids are in your family? What are their ages?
Some breeds are wonderful with kids; others, less so. And some breeds do very well with older children, but may not react well to toddlers. Again, breeders have the experience and feedback from other families, so they can counsel you on the appropriateness of the breed to your family.

Do you currently have other pets? What are they, and their ages, and temperaments?
Some dog breeds love to be part of a multi-dog family, others need to be the lone "star" of the household. Some are notorious for chasing cats, rabbits, etc. Again, your breeder will want to understand your other pets if you have them.

Are you considering showing your dog in conformation, agility, field trials, etc?
Breeders love to have their pups exhibited and trialed. Knowing what you are planning/hoping to do will often help the breeder choose a puppy that is best for you. If you already have show plans, you will obviously want the breeder to help you choose a puppy that has the most show potential.

Are you considering breeding in the future?
If you answer "yes" to this question, expect PLENTY of follow-up questions. Every breeder feels a strong responsibility for the puppies they produce, and if any of those pups is ultimately bred, then the sense of responsibility extends into that generation as well. Typically, you should expect breeders to require a spay/neuter agreement and limited registration unless you are able to demonstrate the strictest breeding ethics. Often this will mean receiving only limited registration on a puppy until you complete certain health screenings, receive certain show/trial titles, etc., only then being able to breed.

What training do you plan to do with your puppy?
Knowing that you plan to take your puppy to "puppy class" or some other training tells the breeder that you are dedicated to the well-being of the puppy and want a well-adjusted family member.

What are you prepared to spend annually on vet care, food, vitamins, etc.?
First, this question lets the breeder know that you are planning on taking good care of your puppy. Second, it actually does make you think about the total annual expense for proper care, so that you can be truly prepared for it.

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