Hello

We hear alot about reputable breeders, what exactly are these? who would decide who is? a breed club / Kennel club etc
Is there some sort of guidelines that breeders should follow?, who makes up the rules etc.

What should people refer too? Is there for example a breeders bible?

thanx

I would say for a start they would be those breeders who breed to the breed standard, health test their breeding stock, and abide by their breeds code of ethics.  the kennel club asked breed clubs years ago to drae up such codes as obviously different things appled to diferent breeds, such as age of first litters, how many litters and waht health tests.

I would always send someon to a breed club as anyone with a serious interest in their breed will belong to one or more of these clubs in order to stay abreast with issues concerning their breed, to share knowledge between members etc.

The Kennel club is really like the DVLC, deals with registraion matters, it is the manufacturers (Breed Clubs) that are the experts on their field.

I would also expect a breeder to be thorough in choosing the homes their puppies go to very carefully, its not just a matter of the owner vetting breeders, they should 'vet' potential new owners too. And who offer a lifetime 'back up' service ie are always on hand with advice and who are either willing to take the pup/adult back if the owners' circumstances change or help in finding a suitable new home.
Just to add, I think its upto the owner to decide who is and who isn't reputable which is why it is so important to research, research and research your chosen breed, that way you find out as much as possible before 'committing' to a particualr breeder.
Knowledge is power, and off course if you have gained this knowledge thats better than if its 'second' hand :D If that makes any sense!!!
Emily

I think you will find that those requirements are part of most breed clubs codes of ethics, and go without saying  :D

The breed clubs are far more knowledgable about their individual breeds than the KC, which is a governing body. The breed club members also know what individual breeders are genuinely like - whether or not they can be trusted. That's where the true information lies.
:)

Whislt what Jenagenie and Brainless say is perfectly true,  the breed clubs should be  the first port of cazll to find a reputable breeder, one must bear in kind that you some breed club contacts  may have a personal agenda one way or another!   Whilst they should give your the club line on ethics etc, their recomenadation may be coloured by personalopinion.  For instance going back years to when one of my bosy was about 18 months old he got a lot of publicity after some big wins, and one or two people wanted to find out about booking a pup by hime.    One of them called a club sec. to ask if they could be put  in touch with his owners,  and was told that they should not consider buying a up by the dog in question, "as he had not produced anything which had done any winning"  Of course, this wa true as he was only 18 months or so, and his first litters were not old enough to go in the ring, but this was not the way it sounded!  It may be best to call several breed clubs and sift through the advice given.  Hopefully, in time, the KC accredited breeder scheme will give people the reassurance they need, but at the moment it seems to be relying completley on  the breeder giving their word they comply will all good practice.
bye
Gwen