While this is by no means an exhaustive list, here are some things to look for when choosing a breeder for a new puppy.
OR just buy a puppy from us and you don’t need to worry – the below is more than covered 😉
First and foremost – choose a genuine ethical breeder. If all breeders were genuinely ethical, there would be no dogs in shelters so whether adopting or shopping for a new puppy we all have a critical role to play!
This can be tricky because all breeders will tell you they are ethical. However, there are certain things you can look for to verify for yourself; no one of these things or the absence of these things will necessarily indicate one way or another for sure but looking for some of these items below will start to build a picture:
- Check out their website or social media for pictures of their dogs. Are there pictures of the parents? Are these dogs doing normal doggy things? Going for walks, in the house, with the family etc. Note you can be an ethical breeder and keep dogs in a facility/breeding area, but it’s up to you what you want to support.
- Does the breeder have a sales contract that includes a no questions asked return policy and health guarantee? If they don’t they don’t stand by their program and this in itself will speak to the ethics and quality of their program.
- Do they have independent registrations such as RightPaw, the Responsible Pet Breeders Association (RPBA) or the Australian Association of Pet Dog Breeders (AAPDB) (or an equivalent pedigree breeding association). Check what the requirements are for membership, you’re looking for things like regular independent and in person vet audits and any other verifications to back up their operations.
- Are they registered with their breed association (if one exists).
- Do they conduct a curriculum and temperament testing for their puppies? Do they actually or do they jus say they do? They should be able to provide evidence of this, such as curriculum records, aptitude testing videos and reports. Many breeders say they do this without actually providing evidence. Ask for it
- Health testing – at a minimum, an ethical breeder will conduct DNA testing and hip and elbow scoring for all breeding dogs. Don’t just take their word for it; ask to see the reports for both parents. Hip dysplasia and other congenital issues are avoidable, heartbreaking and often very expensive (hip dysplasia can cost upwards of $10k if surgery is required). Please don’t support breeders who can’t outlay a few hundred dollars and their time to have their dogs screened, as they won’t be there for you if there is an issue. Many breed associations that insist on hip-scoring breeding parents for registration are seeing massive drops in hip dysplasia cases for the breed (like to zero!)….t is not worth the risk on an unscreened dog. I see daily posts from heartbroken owners who have bought from breeders who do not conduct testing and have now got a puppy with massive issues.
- DNA testing will not pick up hip or elbow dysplasia, screening requires x-rays conducted by a qualified vet and these x-rays are reviewed and scored by an independent also qualified vet.
- When you do get your puppy make sure you get a good pet insurance policy -check the limits and condition coverage for things like cruciate ligaments and hip and elbow dysplasia and other congenital issues. You may not keep it forever but at least have it for the first few years of the pup’s life to be sure congenital issues do not arise.
- Be aware scammers are everywhere! This is rife all over the world with people getting caught out every day; please, please be careful there would be nothing more heartbreaking than spending all of that money and having nothing at the end of the process. Check out this link for more information about spotting scammers: https://www.puppyscamawarenessaustralia.com.au/how-to-spot-a-fake-website
- Visit or at the very least get on a video call with the breeder before outlaying any money. This is so important!! Scammers rely on our lack of diligence here. While a lot of breeders do not allow visits, and many this has to do with legitimate security and biosecurity risks, at a minimum you should conduct 1-2 video calls (facetime / zoom etc – not a pre-recorded video) of the puppies. Genuine breeders will not mind doing this at all, so don’t be afraid to ask.
- If you are getting the puppy sent to you via a transportation company, be aware air freight in Australia is usually a maximum of $5-600. Make sure you go with a reputable air freight provider, some are better than others.
- Check out the breeder’s social media, or even better a website that includes ABN, contact details, breeder registrations and accreditations.
- I would be very reluctant to go with a breeder without this presence, there is no transparency or accountability, history or ongoing communication. Though having one is not the be all and end all either.
- Check if their website address matches the website registration details here https://www.whois.com/whois/
- Look a their social media presence – when was the page created, how many followers etc.
- Do they have customer testimonials and are they willing to provide you with a contact to verify these testimonials?
- Does the deal sound too good to be true? In terms of range of breeds, available puppies, price etc. If so it usually is. Reputable breeders may fluctuate their prices slightly in line with the market but they won’t be the cheapest puppies out there, you get what you pay for.
- Don’t be impatient, puppies should never be purchased on a whim or be an instant gratification purchase.
- Reputable breeders usually have wait lists. It is worth waiting for the right puppy to be available than buying a lifetime worth of problems. It will give you a chance to be 100% sure a puppy is right for your family and circumstances. If you wait 6-12 months after putting your name down and you don’t change your mind, you can be more sure you are 100% ready.
Yes, there’s a lot to think about before purchasing your puppy, but a bit of time spent upfront will save a lot of heartache and money down the track.
