A new puppy is a wonderful addition to any family. But before you buy a puppy, it's important to find responsible and reputable dog breeders. In this article, we'll show you the most important points when looking for a dog breeder, such as choosing dog breeders online, the importance of breeding clubs, and the important aspects of visiting the dog breeder at home.
Does it really matter where a puppy comes from?
The search for a puppy usually begins online. There are many websites and platforms where puppies are offered for sale. However, not all offers are reputable. It is estimated that around 200,000 puppies were illegally imported into Germany in 2023. Puppies bred and raised under poor conditions are often offered at relatively low prices. But the big bill comes later in the form of (hereditary) diseases and behavioral problems, resulting in not only financial issues but also a more or less significant reduction in the owners' quality of life. Since it's often difficult for laypeople to distinguish which offers are trustworthy and which aren't, we'll provide you with detailed information in this article about what you can look for to get a great dog.
Searching for puppies online: Which cute puppy picture actually represents a reputable dog breeder?
Let's start with the online platforms. First, you can look at the conditions under which a platform accepts breeders: Is nothing required other than registration with an email address? Did the breeder at least have to provide identification? Or do breeders have to complete a comprehensive admissions process, like on HonestDog? Using these criteria, you can then continue your search on the platform you like. Remember that every review a platform does less is one you have to take on.
The next step is finding a breeder. Reputable dog breeders will show you a lot about themselves and their dogs, and have detailed profiles and websites.
Criteria for Selecting Reputable Dog Breeders Online
To make a shortlist of reputable dog breeders online, you shouldn't be blinded by cute puppy pictures, even if it's difficult. You should pay attention to the following things:
- Transparency: A good breeder provides extensive information about their breeding. This includes pictures of both parents, information about the dog type, and details about the puppy's rearing, as well as health tests of the parents and puppies. For example, in the profile or on their own page.
- Contact options: Reputable dog breeders offer various contact options, such as telephone, email, and on-site visits.
- Reviews and references: Search for reviews and testimonials from other puppy buyers. Positive feedback is a good sign.
- Club membership: This can be a good sign, especially if the breeding club regularly inspects its breeders on site.
What is a breeding club, and should my breeder belong to one?
A breeding club is an association of breeders who breed a particular type of dog and who adhere to the jointly established rules and guidelines. This can vary greatly depending on the breeding club. Many breeding clubs, but not all, regularly monitor the breeders who belong to them and check each of the breeder's litters.
The best-known breeding club in Germany is the VDH. Strictly speaking, it is an umbrella organization under which many breed clubs are organized. These clubs must adhere to the VDH's regulations and can further tighten them to suit their dog type. This includes, for example, how often a bitch is allowed to have puppies or which health tests are necessary for the respective dog type. However, there are also many clubs that are not organized within the VDH, some with stricter, some with less strict regulations. Therefore, it also makes sense to check which breeding association a breeder belongs to and what the regulations are that this association stipulates. Breeding associations play an important role in ensuring the quality and integrity of dog breeders, provided they have the appropriate regulations and enforce them.
You can also find a list of all breeders who are members on the websites of reputable associations. This allows you to verify whether the breeder's statement about which association they belong to is true. Last but not least, the breeder also receives a pedigree from the breeding association. Here, in addition to test results, you can see the dog's ancestors. This helps, among other things, to trace hereditary diseases and avoid inbreeding.
Negative Consequences of Lack of Membership
A breeder who is not a member of a recognized breeding association is often not subject to strict controls. This can lead to poor breeding practices, such as inbreeding, lack of health checks, and inadequate socialization of the puppies.
Contacting a Reputable Breeder
You've finally found a breeder with whom the first impression is good and whose dogs you like. During this step, it's also important to check whether the first good impression online continues. Pay attention to the following important points:
- Buyer's Interest: Is the breeder very interested in you and asks you a lot of questions? A reputable breeder is selective and pays close attention to where their puppies will later live.
- Willingness to provide information: The breeder is willing to provide information about their dogs, the type of dog, as well as their breeding goals and specific health tests they conduct and their results.
- Knowledge and experience: The breeder knows their dogs and the corresponding dog type very well and can advise you whether this dog type and their dogs are a good fit for you.
- Meeting point: The breeder invites you to their home for a meeting. This way you can get to know him, his dogs and the breeding environment.
A visit to a reputable breeder – Finally!
The day has finally arrived and you can go to the breeder you've chosen. Perhaps they already have puppies, and you can meet them right away. Since we all love puppies and often forget what we want to ask when we have the little ones right in front of us, it's a good idea to bring a checklist. You can create your own or use the HonestDog checklist for visiting the breeder.
Get the HonestDog checklist here!
The visit to the breeder is the most important step in selecting a breeder, and therefore here are a few points to consider:
- Cleanliness: The breeder's home and breeding environment give a clean impression and are clean enough. Latent urine odors and excessive air fresheners are warning signs. The puppies' home should also be generally clean and smell good.
- Animal Health: Pay attention to the health of the puppies and both parents. They should be lively and well-nourished. Regular checkups, vaccinations, and deworming, as well as tests for hereditary diseases, should be a matter of course for the breeder, and they should be willing to show the relevant documentation.
- The Parents: The mother of the puppies should be on site and not just happen to be out with someone the entire time you are there. Often the father does not live with the breeder. Both should be open and friendly towards strangers and visitors.
- The Puppies: They should be well-socialized and show no signs of fear or aggression. They should also not be too overexcited.
- Socialization: The breeder makes sure that the puppies are well socialized and is happy to tell you what he does to achieve this.
- The breeder: He is always willing to tell you everything and show you everything. You can check the dogs' health tests and the breeder is just as interested in you and your living conditions as you are in his breeding.
- Papers: You will receive a purchase contract, a blue EU pet passport, and a pedigree. If the puppies have already been tested for hereditary diseases, you will also receive these.
- Return: A reputable breeder will also take back their puppies in an emergency.
- Contact: The breeder will be available to provide you with advice and support even after the puppy has been handed over. Many organize a meeting with the puppies and their owners once a year.
Conclusion
The search for a Finding a reputable dog breeder requires time and care. It's important to do thorough research to find a good dog breeder. By considering the criteria above and taking your time to select, you can avoid negative experiences and ensure that your new four-legged friend is healthy and happy. If you're unsure or don't have a good feeling, keep looking. If you rescue a puppy from a bad breeder out of pity, you won't be the only one who bears the consequences of this decision. The easier it is for bad breeders to sell puppies, the more they will produce. We'll summarize the most important points below:
1. Health:
- Regular veterinary examinations
- Specific genetic testing of the parents
- Regular deworming and vaccination
- Avoidance of inbreeding
2. Behavior and socialization
- The parents are friendly and open-minded, not fearful or aggressive
- The breeder ensures that the puppies are well socialized
3. The breeder
- He has in-depth knowledge of this type of dog and dog breeding
- He willingly provides information about his dogs and his breeding
- He insists on at least one visit to his home
- He is a member of a good breeding association
- He is constantly continuing his education
- He is selective about the buyers of his puppies
- He is also available to contact after the purchase
4. The breeding environment
- The breeding environment should be clean
- The dogs live with people
- The dogs have enough space available
5. The handover
- The puppies are microchipped, dewormed, and vaccinated.
- The puppies receive the blue EU pet passport and a pedigree.
- There is a purchase contract.
HonestDog Tips
If you are not yet sure whether you want to get a dog from a dog breeder, you are welcome to read the articles: Buy a dog or adopt it? and Buying a dog: What to look for.
Every breeder on HonestDog goes through our acceptance process, which includes, among other things, a video interview in which we get to know the breeder and their dogs better, so you can find your dream puppy without worry!