comparebreeders

FINDING YOUR PUPPY

Puppies are cute. They are wonderful, snuggly and did we say cute. That little puppy didn't have much to say about the care taken to bring him or her into the world. By being taken in by a 'cute' puppy and not asking the questions that are important to that cute puppies health and survival you may be taking home a genetic disaster. It could cost you a lot of money and heartbreak when it dies, as it very well could, from something that it would not have had if the person who bred the litter, had done some pedigree research. A 'reputable' breeder knows this and will do their best to make sure that the parents of the litter(s) they've bred have been tested to the fullest extent possible AND will guarantee that puppy for a lifetime.

A reputable breeder will:

1 - Demonstrates the quality of their animals by participating in Dog Shows, Obedience Trials, Lure Coursing and other activities that are natural to the breed.

2 - Make a lifetime commitment to the study of the breed. Genetics, ongoing health study.

3 - Since much of what can be a health issue with any breed of dog is genetic. Dogs will have extensive health testing in their pedigree by Board Certified Opthamologits, Hip X-Rays on file with OFA in addition to basic shots and routine vet visits.

4 - Health information provided includes: hip dysplasia, IPSID, Fanconi, Entropian,Progressive Retinal Atropy, Hemolytic Anemia and temperament. Guarantees can include some or all of these items.

5 - Researches pedigrees for correct type and freedom from genetic defects. Working to improve the breed.

6 - Will interview you and your family, ask you a lot of questions, provide you lots of information. Answer your questions and continue to be a resource for the life of your companion. Will keep you updated on any changes in health testing, new findings about commonly used medications. In short, a lifetime lifeline for your family.

7 - Will give you an extensive pedigree AND be able to tell you something about almost every animal on it. What they were like, funny stories, what health issues they had how long they lived, special awards they won.

A Backyard breeder or puppy mill:

1 - Will tell you that it is sissy stuff and who wants one of those inbred dogs anyway. What they don't tell you is that their dogs are even more inbred as they are limited to the animals that they have already.

2 - Little or no genetic research into what can kill or cripple a dog.

3 - The vet check means just that - a vet has looked them over for basic health. Most genetic abnormalities will not be detected in this kind of exam.

4 - You will get the basic Minnesota Puppy Lemon Law guarantee for one year and they will probably tell you that "their line doesn't get that stuff."

5 - Uses whatever female and male they happen to have regardlless of health or temperment.

6 - Will answer questions usually with "my line doesn't have that." Contact with you ends when you take your puppy and the check clears.

7 - May show you a pedigree but may not give it to you. Will have little information about the dogs in the pedigree to share because, when they were done breeding them they may have died or were sold to the puppy mill in the next state at auction.

Warning Signs that you may not be dealing with a reputable breeder:

Are they listed with any of the Basenji Organizations. BCOA, BCOSW. Go to the websites provided and look them up or email the club to ask. The websites are on the home page of this site.

If they say they show their dogs. Ask to see show pictures or get a couple of AKC numbers and go to the AKC page and check the numbers out. You can get a show record of any dog.

There is one 'breeder' in Minnesota that regularly provides a list of champions that she has bred or owned - and that list is from an entirely different kennel in another state and she does not nor did she ever own or show those dogs. (legal action is anticipated)

The vet they use is far away. They should be willing to give you the phone number and name of their vet.

Ask if they are USDA inspected or Licensed. Only commercial breeders/puppy mills and people who sell to pet stores are licensed by the USDA.

If they charge more for a certain color or gender they are most likely not a reputable breeder.

Puppies advertised as 'champion lines' but you see only 1 or 2 champions in the pedigree.

REMEMBER - BACK YARD BREEDERS, COMMERCIAL KENNELS AND PUPPY MILLS DO NOT CALL THEMSELVES THAT.....THEY WILL ALL SAY THEY ARE BREEDERS. IT IS UP TO YOU TO SEE PAST THE CUTE PUPPY AND ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS!

YOU DESERVE THE BEST COMPANION! WE CAN HELP YOU FIND JUST THE RIGHT ONE.