Purchasing A Puppy

So you’ve made the important decision to add a furry member to your family. You’ve already done the research on the specific breed that you want, now its time to find a breeder. In this post I will give you some helpful information on how to pick the right breeder for you and your family. Questions to ask a potential breeder:

1. How long have you been breeding? The length of time doesn’t matter, it can be a new kennel with their first liter. What you are looking for is how much knowledge and experience they have.
2. Why do you breed? The answer to this should be to better the breed. This is the only reason a person should be breeding. Wither its to breed better working line or show line dogs, the bottom line should be to better the breed genetically.
3. What kind of health tests were performed on mother and father? This is extremely important to know the genetics of the puppy you are getting. If you are getting a boxer puppy you want the following health tests: DM, Hips(OFA, PENN Hip, or BK), Elbows(OFA), Patella(OFA), Heart (Holter, Echocardiogram), Spondylolysis(BK). These tests are breed specific to genetic deformities. You need to ask for proof of these tests. You yourself can look up the results of these test on OFA website. Orthopedic Foundation For Animals (OFA) . All you will need is the dogs registered name.
4. Always ask to see where the dogs are kept on the property, especially the whelping mother. Both dogs don’t have to be on site. I know a lot of people that use stud dogs from a different kennel.
5. Always ask for two references, if applicable. If this is their first litter, of course, there might not be references that can attest to their breeding abilities but they can attest to them as a person in the dog world.
6. Does a health guarantee come with the puppy? Most reputable breeders will offer a health guarantee for at least 1 year on a pup.
7. What’s your return policy? Most reputable breeders will take the puppy back if you are unable to care for it.
8. Most reputable breeders will have you sign a purchasing contract. Read this a couple times before signing it.
9. Do you start crate training with your puppies? Most reputable breeders will start crate training their pups around 4 weeks of age.
10. At what age do you let puppies go home with their new family? The answer to this should be 6-8 weeks. Any time that is less than that you need to question why so early.
11. Do you title your dogs? If their breeding dogs are titleless they fail the temperament test for the Boxer breed. By titles I mean in Conformation and Working titles. The Boxer is a working breed and we as breeders strive to better the breed by showing this through titles wither it be through AKC, IPO, Mondio, they need to have titles.

Our story of researching a breeder. In the beginning, we were totally clueless on what to ask a breeder before purchasing our first boxer puppy. Luckily we found a half decent person to sell us three of our first dogs Laila, Heidi, and Presco. However, as time goes on you learn and grow. These questions can actually be asked of the breeder through email when you find one you are interested in. If they do not answer the questions you ask of them, I would move on to another breeder. Good Luck finding your furry companion! Next Post will be about preparing to bring a puppy and realistic expectations

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