Questions to ask a breeder before you make your choice
Health Certifications
Are the breeder's dogs screened for genetic health defects like hip dysplasia, eye disorders, hypothyroidism, Von Willebrand's disease, epilepsy, cardiac conditions, and anything else that is common in the breed? Can they provide you with proof, e.g., CERF and OFA certification and other relevant veterinary documentation? A good breeder will welcome your concern and be glad to offer the requested information - beware of anyone who is defensive! An excellent breeder will candidly discuss the health of their line of dogs, including the problems that have cropped up. Even good breeders can produce unhealthy dogs on occasion.
How many breeds is this person breeding
Ideally, someone will have a special interest in only one breed (perhaps two). A Jack-of-all-Breeds truly is a master of none. How many litters does the breeder have in any given year? More is never better.
Are the breeder's dogs kennel dogs or house pets
While it is sanitary to keep large numbers of dogs outside in a kennel, you want a breeder who keeps their dogs in the house with the family. Breeders who keep their dogs in kennels may have temperament defects (like excessive dominance) of which they are not even aware. Puppies should be raised inside an active home to begin socializing them to a household environment.
How knowledgeable is the breeder about this particular breed
Are they familiar with its historical origins? Can they educate you about the breed's disadvantages - especially genetic predisposition to health problems and characteristics like shedding, slobber, dominance, etc. that may make owning the breed a challenge? Beware of anyone who sounds like a salesman.
Does the breeder show their dogs
Does the breeder show their dogs in conformation, obedience, agility, carting, etc. to prove their dogs' quality as breeding stock? Can they demonstrate their dogs’ abilities to you? It may not be a requirement for one to be a good pet dog breeder, but those who actively compete in dog events tend to have an overall higher commitment to the breed.
Ask about the dogs’ weaknesses (they all have some)
Is the breeder "kennel blind" (believing that their dogs are perfect) or can they tell you the strengths and weaknesses of their particular dogs? What is their goal in breeding? Is their goal consistent with your vision of an ideal pet? If they are breeding for "health and temperament," have them explain exactly what they mean. Their idea of ideal temperament and yours may differ dramatically. If their goal is to produce their next show dog, have them explain how that will translate into a good pet for you. Ear-set and tail carriage mean nothing if the dog they produces bites your children or dies of cancer before his fifth birthday.
How did the breeder select the stud dog
Did the breeders simply use a male that they owned for convenience and for financial savings? While it is nice to have both parents on site for you to meet and appraise, it is not necessarily the best match for the female. Any female will have some weakness, whether in health, bone structure, temperament, etc. A good breeder will do extensive research to find a stud dog that will compensate those weaknesses and build on the existing strengths.
Does the breeder want to keep the pick of the litter
A good breeder will constantly work on improving the quality of his breeding stock. If the breeder wants to keep the pick of the litter, you can be sure that they are very optimistic about the quality of the litter. Beware of a breeder that just wants to sell all the puppies off quickly.
What kind of guarantees does the breeder offer
Most will offer a replacement puppy or refund of purchase price if your puppy manifests a serious genetic defect. Any responsible breeder will want to keep in touch with you and be informed if your dog develops health problems. Truly caring breeders will insist that you return your puppy to them if you are unable to keep it for any reason during its entire life.
What requirements are stipulated in the contract
Does the breeder expect to sell you a puppy with strings attached? Concerned, responsible breeders will insist that you neuter your pet puppy as soon as it is old enough. They may have you sign a contract to this effect, or they may sell the puppy with limited registration (which means that if you do breed it, you cannot register the offspring).
At what age does the breeder send puppies to their new homes
Avoid any breeder who wants to send home a puppy younger than seven weeks. Many good breeders will release puppies at 8 weeks, but as long as the puppy is being actively socialized, it is arguably better to wait until 9 or 10 weeks.
What does the breeder do to socialize their puppies
Ask them for specifics. Good breeders will have lots of toys and activities to which to expose their puppies. Mild stress is excellent for making puppies resilient later in life. A breeder who allows their puppies to experience different sounds, surfaces, etc. and meet different people is trying hard. A breeder who keeps their puppies in some sort of ultra-sanitary, almost sterile vacuum is doing the puppies a great disservice. Puppies raised in a kennel should be avoided.
Is the breeder asking YOU a lot of questions
A good breeder will be very interested in who you are and somewhat choosy about whether you are able to provide an adequate home for one of their cherished pups. A breeder who wants to see your home, your kids, your spouse, your other pets, or talk to your veterinarian is simply trying to make sure that you will take good care of their pup. Do not resent this. Good breeders want to keep in touch with you after you've purchased a puppy and will be there for you with support and advice later on. Avoid breeders who take credit card orders over the internet and ship puppies to anyone who wants them. NO responsible breeder will sell a puppy to a pet store or other broker for resale.
Is there a waiting list
Good breeders think ahead and make reservations in advance for the puppies they will produce. You may have to wait for a puppy, but that's not a bad thing. Beware of someone who first creates puppies and then worries about how to disperse them.
What does the breeder do for a living
Dog breeding should be an avocation. Avoid anyone who makes their living through breeding dogs! The corners they cut financially may be at your expense.
Are the premises clean and orderly
Are the breeder's dogs healthy in appearance? It can be a messy proposition to raise a litter of puppies, but puppies should not be wallowing in waste, covered with fleas, or otherwise appear neglected. Keep in mind that many longhaired bitches will shed their coats heavily during this time, so if the puppies’ mother appears a little ratty it is not necessarily inappropriate or unusual.
Do you like the temperaments of the puppies' parents
Remember, temperament is genetic! Avoid puppies from bitches that demonstrate any aggression or shyness. Specifically inquire about possessiveness (food and object guarding), inter-dog aggression, defensiveness about being handled, etc. Accept no excuses for undesirable behavior. Don't be afraid to ask the breeder to demonstrate the bitch's good temperament to you.
Has the breeder or will the breeder allow you to temperament test the litter
While puppy-testing is not entirely predictive of adult temperament, it's an attempt to gauge a puppy's personality so that it can be best matched with a new owner. Ask the breeder's permission before doing anything to a puppy. No potential buyer has the right to do anything to a puppy which a breeder perceives as potentially harmful.
Beware of breeders who are hostile towards other professionals
Does your breeder respect veterinarians, trainers, groomers, breeders, and other peer professionals in the dog world? One cannot operate competently in a vacuum, and in general, good breeders are socially well-networked. They are liked, like others, and respect competent professionals in their field. A good breeder should make the effort to know other good breeders (especially of their own breed). It is important for a breeder to strive to improve their knowledge and understanding of their breed and submit to peer critique, even if it is not necessarily formalized (as in the show ring).
Last but not least - do you like the breeder
Will you feel comfortable relying on this person as a resource to help you if you ever run into problems with your pup? If you feel that the breeder is abrasive, rude, ignorant, or otherwise disagreeable, look elsewhere to buy your puppy. One of the greatest advantages of buying from a breeder is the support and assistance they can offer you throughout your dog's life.
Hopefully this will be a helpful checklist for you to work with as you contact different breeders. We would love to hear from you and answer all your questions. Our goal is to provide healthy, happy and beautiful berners and we take this task seriously. The questions above all represent the breeding philosopy that we follow. Our only "weakness" is that we do not have years and years of experience. On the other hand, we still carry the “beginer’s excitement” about Berners. Not a day goes by that we don’t learn something new, meet another Berner lover, or that we simply take our Mika for granted… We couldn’t imagine our life without her.
Are the breeder's dogs screened for genetic health defects like hip dysplasia, eye disorders, hypothyroidism, Von Willebrand's disease, epilepsy, cardiac conditions, and anything else that is common in the breed? Can they provide you with proof, e.g., CERF and OFA certification and other relevant veterinary documentation? A good breeder will welcome your concern and be glad to offer the requested information - beware of anyone who is defensive! An excellent breeder will candidly discuss the health of their line of dogs, including the problems that have cropped up. Even good breeders can produce unhealthy dogs on occasion.
How many breeds is this person breeding
Ideally, someone will have a special interest in only one breed (perhaps two). A Jack-of-all-Breeds truly is a master of none. How many litters does the breeder have in any given year? More is never better.
Are the breeder's dogs kennel dogs or house pets
While it is sanitary to keep large numbers of dogs outside in a kennel, you want a breeder who keeps their dogs in the house with the family. Breeders who keep their dogs in kennels may have temperament defects (like excessive dominance) of which they are not even aware. Puppies should be raised inside an active home to begin socializing them to a household environment.
How knowledgeable is the breeder about this particular breed
Are they familiar with its historical origins? Can they educate you about the breed's disadvantages - especially genetic predisposition to health problems and characteristics like shedding, slobber, dominance, etc. that may make owning the breed a challenge? Beware of anyone who sounds like a salesman.
Does the breeder show their dogs
Does the breeder show their dogs in conformation, obedience, agility, carting, etc. to prove their dogs' quality as breeding stock? Can they demonstrate their dogs’ abilities to you? It may not be a requirement for one to be a good pet dog breeder, but those who actively compete in dog events tend to have an overall higher commitment to the breed.
Ask about the dogs’ weaknesses (they all have some)
Is the breeder "kennel blind" (believing that their dogs are perfect) or can they tell you the strengths and weaknesses of their particular dogs? What is their goal in breeding? Is their goal consistent with your vision of an ideal pet? If they are breeding for "health and temperament," have them explain exactly what they mean. Their idea of ideal temperament and yours may differ dramatically. If their goal is to produce their next show dog, have them explain how that will translate into a good pet for you. Ear-set and tail carriage mean nothing if the dog they produces bites your children or dies of cancer before his fifth birthday.
How did the breeder select the stud dog
Did the breeders simply use a male that they owned for convenience and for financial savings? While it is nice to have both parents on site for you to meet and appraise, it is not necessarily the best match for the female. Any female will have some weakness, whether in health, bone structure, temperament, etc. A good breeder will do extensive research to find a stud dog that will compensate those weaknesses and build on the existing strengths.
Does the breeder want to keep the pick of the litter
A good breeder will constantly work on improving the quality of his breeding stock. If the breeder wants to keep the pick of the litter, you can be sure that they are very optimistic about the quality of the litter. Beware of a breeder that just wants to sell all the puppies off quickly.
What kind of guarantees does the breeder offer
Most will offer a replacement puppy or refund of purchase price if your puppy manifests a serious genetic defect. Any responsible breeder will want to keep in touch with you and be informed if your dog develops health problems. Truly caring breeders will insist that you return your puppy to them if you are unable to keep it for any reason during its entire life.
What requirements are stipulated in the contract
Does the breeder expect to sell you a puppy with strings attached? Concerned, responsible breeders will insist that you neuter your pet puppy as soon as it is old enough. They may have you sign a contract to this effect, or they may sell the puppy with limited registration (which means that if you do breed it, you cannot register the offspring).
At what age does the breeder send puppies to their new homes
Avoid any breeder who wants to send home a puppy younger than seven weeks. Many good breeders will release puppies at 8 weeks, but as long as the puppy is being actively socialized, it is arguably better to wait until 9 or 10 weeks.
What does the breeder do to socialize their puppies
Ask them for specifics. Good breeders will have lots of toys and activities to which to expose their puppies. Mild stress is excellent for making puppies resilient later in life. A breeder who allows their puppies to experience different sounds, surfaces, etc. and meet different people is trying hard. A breeder who keeps their puppies in some sort of ultra-sanitary, almost sterile vacuum is doing the puppies a great disservice. Puppies raised in a kennel should be avoided.
Is the breeder asking YOU a lot of questions
A good breeder will be very interested in who you are and somewhat choosy about whether you are able to provide an adequate home for one of their cherished pups. A breeder who wants to see your home, your kids, your spouse, your other pets, or talk to your veterinarian is simply trying to make sure that you will take good care of their pup. Do not resent this. Good breeders want to keep in touch with you after you've purchased a puppy and will be there for you with support and advice later on. Avoid breeders who take credit card orders over the internet and ship puppies to anyone who wants them. NO responsible breeder will sell a puppy to a pet store or other broker for resale.
Is there a waiting list
Good breeders think ahead and make reservations in advance for the puppies they will produce. You may have to wait for a puppy, but that's not a bad thing. Beware of someone who first creates puppies and then worries about how to disperse them.
What does the breeder do for a living
Dog breeding should be an avocation. Avoid anyone who makes their living through breeding dogs! The corners they cut financially may be at your expense.
Are the premises clean and orderly
Are the breeder's dogs healthy in appearance? It can be a messy proposition to raise a litter of puppies, but puppies should not be wallowing in waste, covered with fleas, or otherwise appear neglected. Keep in mind that many longhaired bitches will shed their coats heavily during this time, so if the puppies’ mother appears a little ratty it is not necessarily inappropriate or unusual.
Do you like the temperaments of the puppies' parents
Remember, temperament is genetic! Avoid puppies from bitches that demonstrate any aggression or shyness. Specifically inquire about possessiveness (food and object guarding), inter-dog aggression, defensiveness about being handled, etc. Accept no excuses for undesirable behavior. Don't be afraid to ask the breeder to demonstrate the bitch's good temperament to you.
Has the breeder or will the breeder allow you to temperament test the litter
While puppy-testing is not entirely predictive of adult temperament, it's an attempt to gauge a puppy's personality so that it can be best matched with a new owner. Ask the breeder's permission before doing anything to a puppy. No potential buyer has the right to do anything to a puppy which a breeder perceives as potentially harmful.
Beware of breeders who are hostile towards other professionals
Does your breeder respect veterinarians, trainers, groomers, breeders, and other peer professionals in the dog world? One cannot operate competently in a vacuum, and in general, good breeders are socially well-networked. They are liked, like others, and respect competent professionals in their field. A good breeder should make the effort to know other good breeders (especially of their own breed). It is important for a breeder to strive to improve their knowledge and understanding of their breed and submit to peer critique, even if it is not necessarily formalized (as in the show ring).
Last but not least - do you like the breeder
Will you feel comfortable relying on this person as a resource to help you if you ever run into problems with your pup? If you feel that the breeder is abrasive, rude, ignorant, or otherwise disagreeable, look elsewhere to buy your puppy. One of the greatest advantages of buying from a breeder is the support and assistance they can offer you throughout your dog's life.
Hopefully this will be a helpful checklist for you to work with as you contact different breeders. We would love to hear from you and answer all your questions. Our goal is to provide healthy, happy and beautiful berners and we take this task seriously. The questions above all represent the breeding philosopy that we follow. Our only "weakness" is that we do not have years and years of experience. On the other hand, we still carry the “beginer’s excitement” about Berners. Not a day goes by that we don’t learn something new, meet another Berner lover, or that we simply take our Mika for granted… We couldn’t imagine our life without her.