Are you planning on getting a dog? If you are, then you really need to read this. There are things you need to consider before getting a dog. Of course, you don't want a sickly and ill-tempered dog, right? You want one that you will enjoy and will enjoy your company in return. You want a loving, loyal and happy pet. A healthy dog is a happy dog, don't forget that. That is why it is very important to find a dog breeder who has good breeding ethics and produces a kennel of healthy dogs.
There are so many dog breeders these days and they fall into different categories. Breeders in the first category are responsible and careful. They work hard to maintain the breed standards and make sure that their dogs are in excellent condition. These breeders make it a point to know the common genetic diseases of the breed and make sure that the dogs in their kennel are safe from such diseases. They strive to breed a new line of champions that will entail that the dogs in the kennel are nothing less than the best. The puppies from these breeders may be expensive, but you will be comforted to know that proper care has been given to the puppies to make sure that you will be given a great pet and companion.
The next category is the backyard breeders. These breeders very rarely show dogs, or not at all. They are not usually inclined to make money from breeding. Of course they earn from breeding their dogs, but they are not die-hard breeders. Usually they breed their dogs to be able to give to other people who would like to have a dog just like theirs. However, backyard breeders rarely take the time out to check their puppies for diseases and maintain the breed standard. However, some of their puppies can be healthy and are quite nice, too.
The final category of dog breeders is called puppy mill breeders. They are just in it for the money. They don't care about the well-being of the dogs at all. Most of the dogs in their kennel may not be properly cared for or not even been checked by a veterinarian at all! Puppies from this kind of breeders usually have poor health that may be genetic or acquired. The most common health problem of puppies from such mills is called Kennel Cough.
Now that you are aware of what kinds of dog breeders there are, it is time for you to find a good one and look for a dog to keep you company. Good breeders are not very easy to locate. The easiest way to find a good dog breeder is to attend dog shows, from there you can ask around and get suggestions on where to locate a dog breeder.
However there are still other ways to tell if a breeder is a good one.
First, you should take a look at how the breeder advertises his kennel. Breeders who advertise in newspapers are not exactly unethical. But be careful if the advertisement consists of several different breeds in their kennel. They just might be puppy mills.
Once you have contacted a breeder, ask if you can stop by their kennel to have a look at the puppies. Sometimes, breeders may not allow visits to their kennels for security reasons. But keep in mind that it may also be because the kennel is unhygienic and the dogs are in a miserable state.
Ask the breeder if the puppies have been checked by a veterinarian or if they have already been given vaccines. Ask if the breeder gives health guarantees.
Another thing you can do to ensure that you are buying from a good dog breeder is to ask for references. You can contact their previous clients and ask for information on how their puppies have turned out. If their responses are satisfactory, call the breeder's veterinarian and verify if the puppies have really been given primary health care.
If you are satisfied with your research on the dog breeder, you are prepared to bring home your beautiful little fluffy bundle of joy!
Dogs are one of man's best friends, as the saying goes. There are many families and single owners out there who are extremely happy with their dogs. Dogs can be found in many places from pet stores, dog breeders, animal shelters, and from families who've had puppies they just can't keep. Most often in animal shelters, getting a dog from a friend, and even in pet stores you will find mixed breed dogs and sometimes you may not know exactly what breed you really have. If you are interested in caring for a specific breed of dog, that is all one breed, you have to seek out a dog breeder. A dog breeder is going to work with one maybe two different breeds of dogs in order to supply the populace with those breeds. When you are looking for specific dog breed you are better off heading to a dog breeder; however there are things you should consider before you choose just one dog breeder. Below are a few tips on how to find a dog breeder and what to look for.
Your first resource for finding a dog breeder is going to be the internet. The internet has several thousand legitimate business owners that breed all variety of dogs, but of course there are always those who aren't as legitimate as they seem. While the internet can help you located dog breeders close to you or within your travelling distance budget don't rely solely on the internet as your source. There are several dog lovers around you that can point you towards dog breeders they have used. You will also find pet shops or pet stores can often give you information on dog breeders that they have dealt with.
When you find a list of three to five dog breeders you are interested in. You will need to narrow your choice down by several things. First the price they want for their puppies, the training they may provide, and the care they have supplied for the puppy. To narrow your choices you will need to visit the dog breeders business to check for proper care of the animals. Ask yourself how clean is the space they use, how large, and do they supply proper nutrition and exercise for each dog. You will also want to know how often they breed their dogs. If a dog is used too often there is more potential for damage to the offspring and to the mother. It is important that they take care of the mother just as much as the puppies. You will also want to ask for references. Dog breeders should be able to provide you with at least one reference for a happy dog owner, even if they need to speak with the past customer first.
Once you have visited the dog breeders on your list and narrowed your choices down by what you have seen and how much you can afford with your budget you will be able to choose your dog. You may find you still have two dog breeders on your list. Spend a little time with the puppies they have and narrow down your choice even further to one dog. The dog breeder is going to want to see you interact with the puppy, and they may even ask for references as well as seeing your home to ensure that you will provide the proper care. You will want to talk about care with the dog breeder. Ask questions about how often your dog will need a bath, grooming information, their ideas on proper nutrition, exercise, and the amount of space an adult dog will need.
Both Luke Cameron & Tim Harrison are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Luke Cameron has sinced written about articles on various topics from Acupuncture Chiropractor, Kitchen Home Improvement and Health. Luke Cameron is owner of Animals Booth - an online magazine offering news, tips and articles on pet related topics. His website can be found at: