What questions should i ask the breeder before getting my new sheltie puppy?

I know you have to ask the hip score but to be honest i dont know what a good or bad score is, could someone help?
I also know that they have to be screened for CEA which the breeder says is done at 5/6 weeks
I also figure i have to ask what food they give the pup as to not bring it home and completely change its diet.
And ask about any other problems in its line.
Also if it has been socialised, their site says they socialise the pups with their family / children and other dogs
And ask about vaccines

What else should i ask the breeder?

And what will the breeder ask me, i see no reason why we should be refused by a breeder but i would like to be prepared for the questions we may be asked.

I guess they will ask about the house, work committments, previous dogs etc

But what questions have you been asked or ask new owners?

So far in answer to the questions i can think our details would be:

We live in a smallish house with a garden (not too large but enough room for a small dog)
A large park across the road for walks 2 or 3 times a day
I am at uni, so at home half the week and long holidays and my partner works from home so would be at home with the dog all the time.
Ive never had a puppy before but had dogs all my life, i just dont remember them as puppies and my partner has experience with the specific breed.
I already know the vet we would register the puppy with, we used them for our other dogs and they were great, and ive checked out what they have for new puppies..... A vaccination program, free puppy pack, free puppy parties and a free months insurance with 24/7 emergency callout.

We both have families with experience of the breed and dogs in general, including an aunt who is a puppy walker and so always has a puppy around and so will give advice if needed.

We have friends / family of all ages, with other dogs to help socialise the puppy

I am also looking into puppy training classes in the area, but the vets have a list of training classes etc we can take the puppy too.

And lastly we have no illusions of having a perfect little angel, we expect chewing, messing in the house, crying when lonely etc and have lots of patience to deal with the puppy.

Anything else i am missing????

it sounds like you are a good and caring potentail owner i see no reason why a breeder should refuse to give you a puppy, you seem to have done your research well if a breeder does refuse you walk away there are plenty more, thier loss not yours. im sure you will be fine though

I won't answer the questions you have posed about asking the breeder questions because I know nothing about Shelties, but as a prospective new owner, you seem to have done your research and seem to prepared for the best parts of being a puppy owner and the worst parts too ie the chewing, mess, etc etc ;-).  It sounds like you've given a lot of consideration to the situation and I think many breeders will be impressed by your planning and forethought.  I wish you all the best in finding the dog of your dreams! :-)

You need to ask what worming  treatment is being used,when they were last wormed and when they will need doing again.
Archer

If I was selling you a puppy I would be very pleased you had done your research, as you obviously have.

Be yourselves, you already have all the important questions to ask.  I am afraid I can't help you with the hipscore for Shelties, but you could ring your vet, they usually have a list of the average scores.

Good Luck, I hope you find the puppy you are looking for. 

Sandra

Sheltie hipscore average is 18.  They should be eye tested too.

Claire (who is not an expert on shelties, just has a copy of "dogs today" within reaching distance - oh and a bottle of wine within reaching distance of the other hand ;) )

have a look at this site:
http://www.essc.org.uk
which should give you all the info you need, also at this:
http://www.essc.org.uk/forms/eyeproblems.htm
The lower the hip score the better the breeder should e able to show you the certificate which will express the score as, eg: 9/9 or 10/8 which is the individual score for each hip.
Good luck with your puppy.

Thanks for the advice guys :)