How to Screen and Interview a Dog Breeder | Expert Tips

The dog breeder you choose will have a major impact on the health, temperament, and future well-being of your dog. It's not just about finding the right puppy—it's about working with someone who prioritizes the welfare of the dogs they breed.

Let us guide you through the steps of screening a breeder and preparing for a productive interview, ensuring that your experience is positive and that you end up with a happy, healthy dog. After all, choosing the perfect breeder is an investment in your dog’s future!

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Researching Breeders

The first step in finding a trustworthy breeder is to conduct thorough research. You want to identify potential breeders with a solid reputation who are known for their ethical breeding practices. A great starting point is breed-specific organizations or clubs.

Many reputable breeders are members of national or regional breed clubs that uphold high standards for breeding. These organizations typically have directories or lists of breeders that you can explore.

Your veterinarian or other dog professionals are also valuable resources for breeder recommendations. They’ve likely worked with various breeders and can provide guidance based on their professional experiences.

Be cautious when using online platforms. While the internet can be helpful, it can also be full of red flags. Look for breeders with a well-maintained website or social media presence where they transparently share their breeding processes, health guarantees, and general care for their dogs. If a breeder is reluctant to provide detailed information or has a sketchy online presence, it’s best to keep looking.

When doing your initial research, there are several things you should be paying attention to:

Breeder's Experience and Expertise

How long have they been breeding this specific breed? An experienced breeder will know their breed inside and out, from temperament to common health concerns.

Breeder’s Reputation 

Are there positive reviews or testimonials from previous buyers? Do they have references from happy customers who have returned for second or third dogs? Be wary if you can’t find any concrete reviews or referrals.

Health Testing and Guarantees

Responsible breeders will perform health testing on their breeding dogs to screen for common genetic conditions. Look for those breeders who are upfront about these tests and offer health guarantees for their puppies.

Transparency and Availability

Are they open and communicative about their practices? If a breeder is unwilling to answer your questions or dodges important topics, that’s a red flag.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

It’s not just about what you find during your research—sometimes, what you don’t find can be just as telling. There are some warning signs you should keep an eye out for:

Overly Low or High Prices

If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. High prices aren’t always a red flag, but exorbitantly high prices for no clear reason might indicate a breeder that’s more focused on profit than on ethical breeding.

Lack of Health Guarantees

Anyone unwilling to provide health records or guarantees is a breeder you should avoid.

Reluctance to Provide Information

If a breeder is vague about their practices, doesn’t answer your questions thoroughly, or seems disinterested in discussing the details of their operation, it’s time to move on.

Preparing to Interview the Breeder

Once you've identified a few breeders who seem reputable, it's time to prepare for the interview. A detailed list of questions will help ensure that you cover all the important topics. Keep in mind that this conversation is an opportunity for both you and the breeder to assess whether you’re a good fit for each other.

They should be happy to answer your questions, and you should feel comfortable asking them.

Take some time to research the breed you're interested in, including its health needs, common behaviors, and any genetic conditions that are prevalent in the breed. This will allow you to ask informed questions during your conversation with the breeder. A responsible breeder will appreciate your knowledge and enthusiasm and will likely have some questions for you as well.

When setting the tone for your conversation, remember to be polite but thorough. You are evaluating the breeder’s practices to ensure that they align with your expectations, but at the same time, the breeder is likely assessing whether you will provide a suitable home for one of their puppies.

A responsible breeder will want to make sure that their puppies are going to loving, capable homes.

Key Questions to Ask in the Interview

The interview itself is a critical part of the screening process. You’ll want to ask a range of questions to get a complete picture of the breeder’s practices and philosophy. Here are some key topics to cover:

The Parent Dogs

One of the first things you should ask about is the parent dogs, also known as the sire and dam. Ask for the health records of the parents and inquire about their temperaments. Meeting the parents, or at least one of them, can give you valuable insight into the personality and potential health of the puppies.

Health and Genetic Testing

Ask the breeder about specific health tests they’ve performed on the parent dogs. Make sure to ask for documentation, such as OFA or CERF certifications, to confirm that the parents have been tested for conditions like hip dysplasia or eye disorders. Additionally, ask if the breeder provides a health guarantee for their puppies, and if so, what it covers.

Puppy Care

How the breeder raises their puppies in the first weeks of life can have a significant impact on their development. Ask how the puppies are socialized from birth. Are they exposed to different environments, sounds, and people to prepare them for family life? What kind of nutrition do they receive? You’ll also want to inquire about early medical care, such as vaccinations and deworming.

Breeding Philosophy

This is where you get a sense of the breeder’s values. Why do they breed this specific breed? What steps do they take to improve the health and temperament of each generation? A responsible breeder should be able to clearly articulate their goals and the measures they take to ensure the well-being of their dogs.

Contracts and Guarantees

Make sure to ask if the breeder has a contract for the purchase of the puppy. A good contract will outline the terms of sale, the breeder’s obligations (such as health guarantees), and your responsibilities as a buyer. Additionally, ask if the breeder has a return policy. Many reputable breeders will stipulate that if you cannot keep the dog, they will take it back to ensure it doesn’t end up in a shelter.

After-Sale Support

A great breeder doesn’t disappear once the puppy is sold. Ask if they offer any post-sale support. Will they be available to answer questions as your puppy grows and develops? Can you reach out to them for advice on training or health concerns? The best breeders will remain a resource for you throughout your dog’s life.

A responsible breeder doesn’t just sell you a dog; they support you and your new companion for life, offering guidance, knowledge, and accountability. This careful approach helps ensure you’re not only bringing home a puppy but a new family member who is set up for a lifetime of love and joy. After all, a healthy, well-bred dog is the best foundation for countless happy memories to come.

Understanding Breeder Credentials

A reputable breeder should be able to provide evidence of their breeding program’s quality and transparency.

This starts with certifications and memberships in recognized organizations. The American Kennel Club (AKC) and other breed-specific clubs set breeding standards that breeders must follow, and a breeder who is a member of these organizations is typically more committed to ethical practices.

Breeders should also work with veterinary professionals and canine geneticists to ensure the health of their dogs. You should ask the breeder about any health testing they’ve performed on the parent dogs, as well as any breed-specific genetic disorders they screen for.

For instance, hip dysplasia is a common concern in large breeds, while progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) might be something you need to inquire about if you're looking at poodle mixes. Breeders should be willing and able to provide evidence that their breeding dogs have been tested for these conditions.

Equally important is a breeder’s in-depth knowledge of the breed. When you speak with them, they should be able to explain the breed’s temperament, health needs, and common behavioral traits. This shows that the breeder is dedicated to maintaining the integrity of the breed and is producing dogs that are not only physically healthy but also mentally and emotionally well-rounded.

A breeder who can’t tell you about the breed’s characteristics or who glosses over potential health issues may not be as experienced or conscientious as they claim. The ideal breeder should be someone who can speak confidently about the dogs they breed and who takes pride in improving the breed with each litter.

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Red Flags to Watch Out For

Let’s flesh out these red flags that we mentioned earlier.

One of the most significant issues you might encounter is a puppy mill. Puppy mills are breeding operations that prioritize profit over the well-being of the dogs, often producing puppies in poor conditions with little concern for health or temperament.

Signs that you might be dealing with a puppy mill include breeders who have numerous litters available at all times, who refuse to show you the living conditions of the dogs.

Another major red flag is poor facility conditions. If you visit a breeder, pay attention to the environment where the dogs and puppies are kept. A responsible breeder will maintain a clean, safe, and spacious living environment for their dogs.

If the facilities seem cramped, dirty, or neglected, that’s a clear sign that the breeder may not be providing the dogs with the care they need. Dogs should not be living in small cages or isolated from human interaction.

Additionally, if a breeder cannot provide you with detailed health records for the puppies and their parents, that’s another warning sign. Every reputable breeder should have thorough health records available and should be happy to share them with you. Without these records, there’s no way to confirm that the breeder has taken the necessary steps to ensure the health of their dogs.

Finally, be cautious of breeders who don’t offer a contract or purchase agreement. A good breeder will have a legal contract in place that outlines health guarantees, return policies, and possibly spay/neuter agreements.

This shows that they are serious about the well-being of their dogs and are committed to ensuring the best outcomes for both the puppies and the buyers.

Jenna and the JLDD Team