Breeders are invaluable resources. They are a bridge between you and your dog-to-be. Finding a trustworthy and responsible breeder is the first and the most crucial step toward finding your new best friend. But with multiple breeders in the market, it is essential to do your homework before committing to one. 

You could have a bazillion queries, but bombarding the breeder with all of them would not really serve a purpose. You must refine them and be a little methodical in observing the breeder; only then will you be completely certain of making the right choice. 

Here are the five most important questions to ask a breeder to understand if they are responsible and suitable for you. 

1.Enquire about the parents.

Enquiring about the pup's parents can help you understand your puppy's temperament, size, and appearance. It will help you know how the puppy will behave later in life as an adult. If the mother is not kept well and in poor health, the puppies may not get enough milk, which may affect their health and immunity. It is crucial that the puppies' parents are certified, healthy, and bred well. It may be a red flag if the breeder shies away from letting you meet the parents. The breeder must have the puppy and its parents' health certificates ready. 

2.Ask for certification and accreditation. 

One of the most critical tasks is to ensure that the breeder's litter is registered with the American Kennel Club or AKC. Registering the puppies creates a record of their place in the breeding program's history and the breed's development. It would also open the doors for you to a wide array of services, information, and events provided or sponsored by the AKC.

3.Are the dogs microchipped? 

Every responsible dog owner wants to know their pet is safe. Microchipping not only reunites dog owners with their lost or stolen pets but also helps tackle the growing problem of strays roaming the streets. Microchipping pets also helps relieve the burden placed on animal charities and local authorities. 

4.Are the puppies provided veterinary care, and are they fully vaccinated? 

It is crucial to ensure that not only your puppy and its parents but all the other dogs in the kennel are provided with the proper veterinary care and are fully vaccinated. This would ensure that your puppy has not contracted any disease from the rest of the pack and is bred in a nurturing, safe space. 

5.Request to meet the breeder with their kennel. 

Technically, this isn’t a question, but important all the same. Seeing the dogs with the breeder in an in-person meeting will help you understand if the breeder shows a genuine passion for dogs. Keep an eye on the premises, ensure they are clean and odor-free, and the dogs are well fed. And do not forget to look out for how the dogs interact with the breeder and strangers; a dog's instincts about humans are strong, after all. Both puppies and adult dogs should be outgoing with strangers and not shy away from the breeder. Observing the dogs' body language can be the most efficient way of recognizing whether or not a responsible breeder breeds them. Ask open-ended questions about their love for dogs, how they train them, how they care for sick dogs, and so on before moving to more serious questions. 

Once you have an answer to all of these questions, you won’t need anyone to tell you if the breeder is responsible or not, you’ll be able to do that yourself and go home with your new companion without any worry. If you still have any more questions or queries, feel free to contact us at (844) 844-3323.