How do I find a reliable dog breeder?
February 21, 2010 - 11:13 pm
I live in Pennsylvania and unfortunately, a lot of the dog breeders around us are puppy mills. I’m looking for a Yorkieshire Terrier and Maltese mix, female, and a few months old.
Alright than how do I find a reliable dog breeder breeding either a yorkie or a maltese?
Reputable breeder and mixed breed do not belong in the same sentence.
Do your research, and pick ONE of those two breeds. Only then can you go about finding a reputable breeder.
ADD: Ahh, now there is a question I can answer.
Yorkie: http://www.ytca.org/frame_index2.html
Maltese: http://www.americanmaltese.org/ama_breeder_list.htm
Those are breeder lists from both breeds parent clubs. You are going to find the healthiest and best bred dogs here.
February 22nd, 2010 at 4:54 am
you wont find a reliable breeder of mutts.
no reliable/ reputable breeder will breed mutts.
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February 22nd, 2010 at 5:22 am
Reputable breeder and mixed breed do not belong in the same sentence.
Do your research, and pick ONE of those two breeds. Only then can you go about finding a reputable breeder.
ADD: Ahh, now there is a question I can answer.
Yorkie: http://www.ytca.org/frame_index2.html
Maltese: http://www.americanmaltese.org/ama_breeder_list.htm
Those are breeder lists from both breeds parent clubs. You are going to find the healthiest and best bred dogs here.
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February 22nd, 2010 at 5:37 am
Here is a great article from the Humane Society on how to weed out bad breeders:
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_adoption_information/how_to_find_a_good_dog_breeder/
Edit: I just reread your question, and the others are right. Reputable breeders don’t mix, if you want a mixed breed I would suggest a rescue.
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February 22nd, 2010 at 6:02 am
well since that’s a mutt breed unfortunately you are going to find mostly puppy mills producing them. go to http://www.petfinder.org. There are lots of good dogs who need loving homes. adoption is the best option!
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February 22nd, 2010 at 6:46 am
Then you’re in just the right place————CROOKS make MUTTS & SUCKERS buy them.
Hit any of the puppymills right down the road & buy a dozen fugly mongrels.,right out of the back of the truck.
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February 22nd, 2010 at 7:16 am
No reputable breeder is going to breed mixes. If you want a mixed-breed dog, check local shelters, or go to http://petfinder.com and see if you can find what you’re looking for.
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February 22nd, 2010 at 7:27 am
I’ve got to echo what the others have said, those considered reliable breeders are not those who would breed mixes. If thats what you want go to a shelther and adopt a dog who is in need to a good home.
Better yet why not do a little more research and find which of the two breeds better fits your lifestyle. Once you have chosen go to their parent club websites and go to the breeder referral section. They will give you e-mails and phone numbers of reputible and registered breedrs for the breed. Thats how I found my puppy and hes the best.
Yorkie breeders in PA http://www.ytca.org/breeder3a.html#PA
Maltese Breeders
http://www.americanmaltese.org/2009_AMA_Breeders_List.pdf
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February 22nd, 2010 at 7:49 am
Basically it is common sense.
You want a healthy, long lived puppy.
– check the parents are tested clear of *all* the associated genetic conditions – ask at breed society websites for advice and check this website out http://www.handicappedpets.com/www/pet-health-articles/4-special-conditions-pets/78-canine-inherited-disorders-database.html
– check the amount of inbreeding. Health checks might ensure quality of life but the higher the inbreeding, the shorter the lifespan.
You want to ensure the welfare of the parents.
– meet the mum and the dad (might be at another location).
– consider the physical condition and personality of the parents.
– where will the puppies be born and raised? Is it safe and clean?
– how often do they breed the mum? Shouldn’t be more than once per year.
– How old is the mum? Should be over 2 and under 7.
You want to make sure the puppies are being bred for the right reasons.
– The puppies should be KC/AKC registered.
– What is their breeding ethos? Health and temperament must be mentioned.
– Do they show/work their dogs? They should.
– Do they have a waiting list for pups? They should.
They should offer to take the puppies back if you aren’t happy and should appear knowledgeable and put the welfare of the dogs above EVERYTHING.
They should encourage you to stay in touch and inform them how the puppy is progressing.
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February 22nd, 2010 at 7:58 am
Start with the AKC. you can go on their website and look for breeders. I have done this many times. To start your search, you can click on yorkie and maltese, then pick how far from your home you are willing to travel. After that, they will give you a list of AKC breeders, or breeders from subgroups of the AKC (like a local yorkie club). While looking at the breeders, in my opinion, there are a few very important things to look for or to ask a breeder. How long have you been breeding THIS particular breed, i look for people with at least 10-20 years experience, so they know the health/lifespan of their breeders. Also, have they preformed the neccessary health checks on their breeders? I have a 15 1/2 year old yorkie, and they are prone to quite a few health problems. Make sure the breeder does health screenings. Also, is the breeder willing to take the puppy back should you be unable to keep it? If yes, this is a sign of a good breeder. Are they AKC registered? Do they compete in AKC events? all of these things are questions to ask a potential breeder. Talk to the breeders and ask them LOADS of questions before you even look at the puppies and fall in love with one. When you meet the right breeder, you will know. Good breeders will want to be updated on your puppy, and will be willing to help you and answer questions at any point in your dog’s life. Go to AKC.org and look into the breeder classifieds section. AKC also gives tips on finding a reputable breeder.
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owned dogs my whole life, currently looking into getting another dog.
February 22nd, 2010 at 8:43 am
i find the most reliable in my local paper that don’t breed by kennel club breed standards they are the healthiest…
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pom breeder
February 22nd, 2010 at 8:49 am
http://www.greenfieldpuppies.com/content/default.asp
this is an advertising website for breeders in pennsylvania. in their about us section it says that they do not support puppy mills, so these should be good breeders. there are a bunch of dogs listed on this website from a bunch of different breeders. when you find puppies you like, call the breeder (the number will be next to the puppy). ask them questions about how many dogs they have to see if they are a puppy mill and to see if they seem reputable. ask them for sources of people who have bought from them and ask for their vet’s number. call all of these to make sure other people ended up with good, healthy dogs and that her vet knows that she breeds healthy dogs. make sure the breeder has a good health guarantee. make sure the dogs and puppies all live in her house with her. make sure she starts crate and potty training. if everything seems good, visit the breeder’s home. make sure the environment the puppies and dogs are raised in is clean and generally nice looking, and also make sure there aren’t too many dogs. if things are bad, just leave. say this is not suitable for what you’re looking for. you may need to do this process with many breeders before you find a good one, but it’s worth it when the puppy you get grows up to be healthy. by the way, this is how you find a good breeder of purebreeds!
also, try http://www.petfinder.com for mixes that you can rescue. they have puppies too!
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February 22nd, 2010 at 9:30 am
You could go on this website called http://www.puppyfind.com
I got my dog from a neighbor, he’s a Yorkshire Terrier, Pomeranian, Maltese mix. And he’s super reliable.
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au contraire, je t’aime
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:08 am
Like most others, I will say that you should choose one breed.
Once you have chosen do some intensive research – especially regarding potential health problems. Next, contact the breed club to get a list of breeders. Not all breeders are good, so you then need to weed through your list to find the best one. Ask a lot of questions and demand proof if necessary.
1) Pups should be registered with a proper kennel club.
2) How many breeds do they breed? One is best, not more than two.
3) How many dogs do they own? Too many = puppy farmer or BYB.
4) Are ALL their dogs pets first – ie do they all live in the home with the family? Pups should be home reared (not in a kennel) but the adults should also be family pets, not breeding machines locked in a shed.
5) They should have tested for ALL relevent health problems with good results, and be able to show you the certificates to prove it. (Don’t fall for the "one year genetic health garuantee" as most genetic disorders don’t show this early!)
6) Do they have any "proof" of temperaments – eg canine good citizen awards or temperament testing? It is preferable if they do, although it is less likely in either of these breeds.
7) A good breeder does not breed siblings or parent to offspring. Females should not be bred under the age of 2 or over 8 – never on consecutive seasons and no more than 4 times in total.
9) Do they have a contract with endorsements and a neutering clause? (They should)
When you think you have found a good breeder go and visit them. You MUST be able to meet the mother and any other dogs, in their usual home. If pups are already born see them with their mother and littermates.
The breeders home should be clean, ALL the dogs and pups must appear healthy, well cared for and behaving normally.
The breeder should ask you lots of questions too – about why you want this breed, your experience, lifestyle etc. If they don’t then they don’t care about the future of the pups.
The best breeders often have waiting lists so be prepared to wait for the perfect pup.
Better yet – contact the breed club and ask for details of the breed rescue!
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