We get asked a lot at Soggy Acres Retrievers how to go about picking a good dog breeder.  While a lot of factors play into the equation, the good news is that one, the criteria are the same whether your favorite breed is a Pekinese or a Pyrenees, and two, the process does rely heavily on empirical data, not just on “gut feeling” or opinion.

At the top of the list of importance, is whether or not the breeder in question is registered or certified with the state where they conduct business.  In the State of Wisconsin, breeders are required to register, pay a fee, and submit to semi-annual onsite audits of their procedures and facilities.  This helps to ensure that the breeder is conducting a quality operation and not a “puppy mill,” and that the animals in their care are being properly cared for.  State licensing is very important- but keep in mind it does not guaranty the client that the breeder is producing an excellent animal, with a quality pedigree, and a proper health guaranty.  Let’s look at these criteria next.

So how do you go about making sure you are getting a puppy with good genetics, a great pedigree, and a solid health guaranty?  Ask questions!  At Soggy Acres, we have developed a Breeder Comparison matrix to help compare breeder practices and procedures, in an apples-to-apples format.  Print the chart out and start asking questions!

Find out what the breeder “breeds” for: Are they breeder for a particular look or color only, or are they paying attention to genetics and health certifications of the dam and sire?  Are they aiming to produce animals with an overdose of drive, or animals with drive and a personality suitable for homelife?  Are they actively seeking out good genetics for a breeding, or just using whatever two animals they have in their kennel?

Ask about the pedigree! Just because you are getting an “AKC registered animal,” does NOT mean the animal comes from a line of champions.  How many of the males and/or females in the bloodlines have Master hunt titles?

What are the terms and conditions of the breeder’s health guaranty?  Any breeder that requires you to return the animal to them is not really offering a health guaranty: they know that you aren’t going to give up your beloved pet!  What conditions does the health guaranty cover? Does the health guaranty promise to cover things that no one can truly warrant?

Take a look at our Breeder Comparison chart and start asking questions.  Do it by phone or email before you schedule any in-person visits.  Once you see those cute puppy faces, it’s going to be almost impossible to say no – and you don’t want to contribute to the cycle of bad breeding!

Click here to download this article in PDF format.