STEPS TO FINDING THE RIGHT BREEDER & PERFECT PUPPY

While the internet is an amazing tool, it's actually made the process of finding the perfect puppy incredibly challenging. A decade ago, most of us would open the local classifieds and search in the animal section for a puppy that interested us. Today, and virtually overnight, anyone can put up a website and look like a reputable breeder. The introduction of DNA tests, shipping with flight nannies and designer dogs makes picking a puppy often feel overwhelming. There are simply too many options. So, how do you make the right choice? Here are our suggestions: 

1. START EARLY - Most bad puppy decisions are made because the buyer has a sudden desire for a puppy and grabs what they can find. If you're even thinking about a puppy, start your research early. Much like adding another child to the family, this is a serious decision and one that requires preparation. Many reputable breeders have long wait lists so know that starting a search in November for a Christmas puppy is often going to leave you with last pick or a breeder with questionable puppies. 
2. PICK YOUR BREED - Narrow in on the right breed. Don't rely on what one or two people on a forum have to say - read up on the breed from reputable websites. And remember, just like kids, a dog is part nature and part nurture. The person who says their Cavachon is out of control is probably the same person who didn't spend the time to train the dog! As for breeds, it's fine to have a first and second choice in breeds but shopping for multiple breeds is too much work. If you are debating between a Cavachon or Cavapoo, start here. 
3. KNOW HOW TO AVOID SCAMS - Please read our several posts updated often on how to identify and avoid puppy scams! Click PUPPY SCAMS for more information!
   
4. GENERATE A LIST & BUDGET - Start with a list of 4-5 breeders. You can generate this list from local ads, online searches, Facebook or Instagram pages, and recommendations from friends or neighbors. Do not take one recommendation and stop. A single recommendation is not enough as many breeders will be narrowed out by the process or may not have a litter in your time frame. Also remember that many of the best breeders don't sell online, use Facebook forums or have to advertise - ask around, attend dog shows, check AKC pages or stop people on the street with your ideal dog. While generating your breeder list, decide up front what you are willing to pay, whether or not you are willing to have your puppy flown to you or what distance you are willing to drive. 
5. SEND EMAILS TO POTENTIAL BREEDERS (ROUND ONE OF QUESTIONS)- Not all breeders will respond to emails as many of them get tons of inquiries from window shoppers who waste their time. That being said, an introductory email asking a few basic questions can help you quickly weed out potential puppy mills, "backyard breeders" and others to avoid. If you have your heart set on a breeder and they don't respond, schedule a phone call and have this list handy! Your initial contact should ask the following: 
   1. THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION (long before how curly the coat is or the expected size of the dog) . . . Do you have the DNA tests for the parents (or grandparents) and if so are you willing to provide a copy of those DNA results to potential owners? 
      1. If the answer is no, you should immediately mark this breeder off your list. There is no excuse for failure to DNA test dogs and it indicates someone who is cutting corners and is not concerned about genetic issues that impact their breeding stock. Breeding without DNA and health testing is like breeding with blinders on. Ignorance is bliss except for the new puppy owner to whom the buck is passed. Meanwhile, a reputable breeder won't mind being asked and will be proud to share their testing and knowledge about their dogs. 
      2. If the answer is yes, follow through and get the test. They are not difficult to read or understand. Just asking if they do it is not enough as many bad breeders are hoping you lack follow through and have been known to lie! A dog marked "at risk" for a genetic condition should not be bred. A dog who is a "carrier" for a genetic condition can often be safely bred so long as he/she is being bred to another dog who is not a carrier. If you are unsure how to read the results, ask a friend, a vet or email the result to us. 
   2. Do the parents have their OFA testing and certifications? If so, are you willing to provide them? 
      1. OFA is an incredible resource and well known to any reputable breeder. Their testing is primarily for heart, hips, and eyes but they also serve as a DNA registry. If the parents are not OFA tested, you should inquire as to why? If they are tested, you can actually search for them on the OFA website and learn a wealth of information about the parents of your (potential) future pup. Learn more about using the OFA for your puppy search here.  
   3. Are your dogs registered with the AKC? If so, can you provide their pedigrees?
      1. If shopping for a purebred such as a Cavalier, you should only purchase from breeders who register their dogs as this is the only way to confirm they are purebred and from the parents as claimed. 
      2. If shopping for a hybrid or designer dog, this is still really important. This is one area where many buyers get scammed or duped and pay way too much for a dog. A breeder advertising true Cavachons and Cavapoos (F1) should be breeding two purebred dogs. If they are not then it's still possible to get a great puppy, but you should be paying much less for the dog and you should inspect all DNA testing and OFA certifications even more closely.  
      3. Always be suspicious of someone who claims their dogs have pedigrees, DNA testing or OFA Certifications but refuses to share them!
   4. How do you socialize your puppies? 
      1. Again, no correct answer and not every breeder needs to follow the latest trend of how to socialize a puppy but it is important that they've been around plenty of people, other dogs, household noises and even other animals. Lack of socialization often leads to anxious, shy or aggressive dogs. If you are purchasing from a distance and won't view the pups surroundings in person, then you might also ask for a photo and videos of the puppies in their surroundings with the mother. Look for cleanliness, toys, where they are located, where they sleep, etc. 
   5. If for any reason I can no longer take care of the puppy, may I return it to you? 
      1. The correct answer to this question is yes. No exceptions. A responsible breeder will never want their puppy turned over to a rescue or shelter. They will always offer to re-home any puppy they have sold. 
   6. When can I take the puppy home?
      1. The correct answer here is NEVER before 8 weeks. Most breeders who understand the proper socialization of mom and pup will actually recommend you wait closer to 9 or 10 weeks but isn't likely to argue with a family wanting their baby as soon as possible.  
   7. Do you offer any health guarantees? 
      1. A word on health guarantees here. Most of them are not worth the paper they're written on (sorry, that's the lawyer in me speaking) but it's good to know the breeders policy in advance. A breeder who doesn't DNA test their dogs often offers a really great health guarantee to make you feel more comfortable; however, when you review that guarantee carefully (always ask for a copy long before you have met the dog) you will notice they offer to replace the dog. They do this because they count on the fact that no dog lover will give up or "trade" their sick dog for a new one. In the end, a puppy replacement just isn't what most people are wanting! 
   8. Do you have an application process? 
      1. No correct answer. Some breeders like formal applications and others prefer to get to know you by phone. What you should be concerned about here is the breeder that has no interest in you, your family, kids, other animals in the home, etc. and is perfectly willing to just send a puppy off to a stranger. If you're feeling interrogated by the breeder, this is actually a good sign as it indicates a breeder who is doing their best to make sure the puppy is being placed in a loving home with a family who is both prepared and can afford to take proper care of it. 
   9. How often do you breed your females? 
      1. Similar to the human population, breeding frequently really has no negative impacts on the males. In fact, as long as they’re in good health, male dogs can produce high-quality sperm their entire life and even in older age.
      2. Overbreeding of females is a sign of a puppy mill or a breeder who cares more about the bottom line than the health of their dogs. While there are debates about how often a healthy female should be bred, be very wary of a breeder who a) refuses to answer, b) whose answer does not match their own webpage or online postings of puppies or 3) can't answer b/c they don't know. No reputable breeder will breed a female to exhaustion, not track a dogs litters or breed a female of advanced age.  
   10. Do you have any puppies currently available? If not, do you have a waitlist and what are your waitlist policies? 
       1. Reminder: Many of the best breeders have waiting lists. There is no correct answer here, but be suspicious of someone who always has lots of puppies on hand. 
   11. Can you provide me with 3 references of families that have your dogs? 
6. BREEDER FOLLOW UP - The process above will actually narrow your list to only a handful of breeders (sometimes you will be down to one or maybe even starting over). Some will get marked off as the red flags will become evident, others simply won't have puppies in the near future and don't have the type of puppy you are looking for. Either way, now that the homework is done you get to ask the fun questions. These are often the questions that people ask first but you should only ask these of breeders on your short list!
   1. How much are your puppies? 
      1. We will explain in a separate post why a good puppy costs so much but it's important to know what you are paying for which is why this question is not included in the first round. You may learn that you are in fact willing to go over your budget for a puppy with great genetics, great DNA tests and champion parents. 
   2. Will the puppies have been dewormed and received their first vaccinations? 
   3. Am I allowed to visit the puppy in your home? 
      1. ALWAYS ask this even if you know you can't visit in person. Most reputable breeders will allow a visit once you've put down a deposit. Remember that breeders have to balance tons of people just wanting to play with puppies against those that are serious buyers.  Serious buyers should be welcome. Strangers are good for the socialization of puppies so not wanting them exposed to others is not a good excuse. If they won't allow this you should inquire as to why and feel comfortable with that explanation or consider it a major red flag. 
   4. Have you ever had a puppy returned to you? If so, why? 
   5. Do you require a deposit? If so, is it refundable? 
      1. It's okay to place a non-refundable deposit but you need to understand under what conditions, if any, it becomes refundable. What if the breeder doesn't have a puppy that meets your needs in a reasonable time? What if you learn the breeder mislead you on an important topic? 
7. PUPPY SPECIFIC - Congrats, you've found a breeder you can trust and identified a puppy or future litter by wait list. Here are the fun questions: 
   1. What are the sizes of the puppies parents?  
   2. Can you tell me about the temperament of the parents? 
   3. Have any of the puppies in this litter been sick? 
   4. What kind of food will my puppy be eating? 
   5. How do you decide which puppy goes to which family? 
   6. Will I get photos or videos of my puppy before they come home? 
   7. What if I change my mind? 
   8. Will my puppy be started on potty training? 
   9. What type of area will my puppy be living in? It's great to replicate something similar in your home to help the puppy acclimate. 

Puppies, just like people, can come down with health conditions and temperament problems despite the best of breeding but doing your homework upfront not only helps reduce this chance but improves the breeding community as a whole. While this list may seem long and perhaps overwhelming, following this guide will dramatically improve your chances of getting the puppy of your dreams and will certainly help make sure you are getting what you pay for? Once you've found that puppy, make sure to see our NEW PUPPY WISH LIST for items to have on hand and share photos on our Facebook page! 

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