Hello

I will be contacting a breeder shortly to hopefully buy a puppy. Can anyone tell me what I should expect from the breeder and what essential questions I should ask?

Thank you.

I would click on search and put in words like Good breeders, and see the topics where this has been raised. After that perhaps you could be a bit more specific.

You should expect a good breeder to interogate you, and not seem too willing to let you have one of their pups. Many may not even let you see a pup until you have passed the coping weith all the adults greeting and climibing over you test :D

They should be first and foremost interested in whether you will provide a good lifelong home. You should find that they have several generations of the pups family, including old non breeding animals (unless they are new to breeding).

Expect things to be perhaps a little untidy, but generally sanitary, though puppies can makle one hell of a mess!

Hi Brainless,

Yes you're right - when I went to see the breeder of my pup which is due here soon, she spent about 45mins with us before we saw any pups. We were sitting in the lounge and could hear what sounded like 5 'hound of the baskervilles' trying to get in the room! Such lovely dogs when they eventually came in though (Munsters). Even met the 'Grandmother'!! :)

Zoe P

Hi,I would want to check that the pupppy will be KC reg. Will there any endorsements on the reg? Will it matter to you if there are? Also that the breeder gives free insurance with the puppy, there is no excuse not to as its free for the breeder and for you. The breeder should interrogate you thoroughly about your intentions for the dog and your suitability as an owner.
You should expect as much help and advice as you want prior to picking up the puppy and afterwards, good books on the breed/general management should be recomended and addresses of breed club supplied if asked for. The pup should be on 4/5 meals a day at 8 weeks and have been wormed at least twice. You should expect to be able to inspect any health related papers like the hip score/eye test etc of the dam/parents, not just be told what the results are. The puppies should be bouncing,friendly,cheeky and bold, clean and with trimmed nails. You should receive quite a bit of paperwork: Pedigree, Reg papers, detailed diet sheet, insurance papers, contract; and dont forget to get a receipt. Pay by Credit Card cheque if possible, as you get more protection that way. I would only want to buy from a breeder that had a detailed knowledge of the breed and how to rear puppies, they shouldn't be stumped by any of your questions!!

HI

As a breeder, I always ask the same questions

1. Why my breed - I like to know why people have chosen a Cavalier

2. Why me and where did you find me - It is always nice to know how people have found you i.e. K.C. the web or best of personal recommendation/

3. Why do you want a dog - Quite surprisingly people do sometimes feel that they simply need a dog to complete their set - House, Wife/Husband, Children, Car, DOG

And I expect to be asked the following

1. How many litters has this bitch had - I never breed from a bitch until she is 18 months old and only ever have 3 litters from any bitch - very often less.

2. How many litters have you bred - In 20 years we have have only 10 litters

3. How often do you breed from a bitch - After a litter I like to have two complete free seasons

4. What happens to the dogs you no longer show/breed from - I have one aged 15 and two aged 13 and one aged 9, Brantwood girls (and boys) are never rehomed.

5. Do you heart and eye check and can I see certificates - Hearts are check every year of breeding bitches and our only Stud dog has clear heart and eye certificates from the BVA

6. How old are your puppies when they leave you - No less than 10 weeks, all puppies are weaned, vaccinated, registered and insured and have lifetime guarantees from us.

7. What is included in the price - See above but in addition they come complete and ready to love and be loved, if you can't satisfy us that you can truthfully give your love and time to a puppy, you are not the right people to have one of our babies.

Hope this helps

Alice

Also a question to ask the breeder : WHY did you do this particular mating ? He should be able to tell you the bitche's strong and weak points, the improvements he was seeking in choosing the stud, how the pedigrees compliment. If the litter was produced just to make money, because he had a ready bitch and a willing stud at home, the breeder will not like your question !!

This page and its links may have some useful information for you. It relates to Dobes specifically but could be useful for any breed.

HTH

Christine

Thank you for all your advice, missed a few of the questions when talking to breeders. Must say, at this point in time I feel so interrogated by the breeders I've spoken to I'm not confident I'll even get a dog even though I'm told I'm on their list.

Thank you again for your advice and links.
Hectorbear

Beleive me if you have been interogated and found unsuitable then you will be tolld. If they don't want to hurt your feelings you will be told " I don't thin xxxx breed is right for you" or if there are puppies born, they will sudden;y be all gone, whenonly yestereday there were several left :D

If someone puts ypu on their list they are usually satisfied with you, and assuming they don't find out your an axe murderer or something similatr witll try their best to get you sorted with a pup, from their or a fellow breeders litter. Least that is what happens in my breed!

Hi Brainless,

can you tell me more about being on the list? Ive read, found a breeder had my interview! and am on the LIST! the pups will be born in a few weeks, how will they be allocated, first come first served?, best home gets first pick? Just wondering!! I am in contact with my breeder and am dying to ask but just cant seem to phrase it inoffesivly!(sp?) How should I ask without it seemingly to pushy? I dont want to be put at the bottom of the list!!!! i think I am second at the moment, my breed should have at least 3 colours to choose from.
Thanks
p.s. I am keeping quiet as to what breed as i dont want the list to go up!!

Well I allocate pups in the order that the original enquiries for that sex came in, unless someone specifically would like to have a go at showing, thenI wouold try and pick the one I thought most promising from a show point of view.

When people come to see the pups, I have hopefully got to know what sort of family they are and would endeavour to steer them into choosing the most suitable pup.

This has usually worked out quite well, as I will tell them what sort of characteristics the pup has, and usually they will agree with me.

I have only twice found the lazy seemingly placid pup actually turned out to be the independant do as it pleases one, that in one case was too much for the owners, and in the other case being a second dog, they found her hard work compared to her half brother, but got there in the end.