10 Questions To Ask Your Potential Dog Breeder

When bringing a new dog into your home, there are several decisions to undertake. From researching the best breed for your life and circumstances, to deciding whether to adopt from a shelter or purchase from a breeder, it seems that the list of things to ponder is ever-growing. This is the consequence and responsibility of bringing a dog into your life that will be an integral part of your family for the next decade.

If you do decide to purchase from a breeder, there are several questions you should ask to increase the likelihood of a positive outcome. In this situation, a positive outcome is a well-bred, healthy dog who is matched to your requirements. Preparing your list of questions beforehand can help you when evaluating one breeder against another. It should also help you to avoid dangerous puppy mills that perpetuate the problem of poorly-bred dogs ending up in shelters.

In this article, we’re going to outline some questions you should ask a potential breeder, and how you can use this information to weigh up your decision to move forward with them.

What if my potential breeder doesn’t want to answer questions?

If your potential breeder is hesitant about answering your questions, then this is the biggest and reddest of the big red flags. You are likely to be better off walking away and speaking with a breeder who will take the time to answer your questions.

Most reputable breeders want to make sure that the puppy is a good fit for your family – and vice versa. They should be happy to address any concerns that you have. Reputationally, it is in their interest to ensure that the puppy succeeds in its new environment. In fact, many breeders would likely be alarmed if you didn’t have questions for them.

Questions to ask your breeder

1) Do you think your puppy will be a good fit for my needs?

There is probably a very good reason why you are acquiring this puppy. Perhaps you’re looking for a family pet from conformation lines, or maybe you may be looking for a dog from working lines to pursue a specific working discipline.

Regardless of what those needs are, it is important for you to communicate them clearly to the breeder very early in your conversations. If you’re looking for a dog for a specific purpose, make it clear what you are looking for. Your potential breeder will be able to advise if their puppies are likely to have the traits you are looking for.

2) What is the family’s history?

This question helps to validate the information regarding whether or not the puppy would meet your requirements – for example, if you’re looking for a dog that can excel in agility, and you can see that the puppy’s parents and grandparents have all titled in agility, that’s a good indicator that the puppy could be a good candidate.

You can also use this information to look at potential health issues that could be passed genetically, and overall life expectancy for the line.

3) How long have you been breeding this line?

This is a good qualifying question if you have doubts about gaps in the family line, or whether the breeder is telling you the whole truth. Most breeders will be happy to walk you through the history of this line, spanning over several generations. They are proud to talk about the accomplishments of the dogs they have bred.

A breeder’s experience can also be invaluable once the puppy is in your home. They may be able to help troubleshoot any issues that arise, purely based on their prior experience.

4) What health testing do you perform?

It should go without saying that a responsible breeder will perform health tests on both parents. Health tests can help to detect any genetic abnormalities or diseases that may be common to the breed. Be sure to research common ailments that affect the particular breed you are looking for, and ask your potential breeder if these have occurred and how they have been mitigated.

5) What paperwork and guarantees do you have in place?

Even with the best of intentions and thorough preparation, sometimes things don’t go to plan. It is vital to understand what contingencies are in place should a serious health defect be identified early in the puppy’s life.

You should have an open discussion about how long the breeder’s guarantee lasts, and what it covers. While nobody wants to think about this outcome, discussing this beforehand ensures everyone knows where they stand.

6) Will you help select the right puppy from the litter?

In a litter of several puppies, there will always be differences in the traits and drive levels present. If you’re intent on getting a dog for a specific purpose – let’s say you need a tireless work ethic for a budding detection K9 – your breeder should help to select the most appropriate puppy for your needs. You should also ask if they will undertake any puppy testing (such as the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test) to help with this decision-making process.

7) How old will the puppy be when I bring them home?

It is most common for puppies to be brought home between 8 and 12 weeks of age. Any sooner than this is not recommended, as it removes vital bonding and socialization time with the puppy’s mother. Knowing the age of your puppy will help you to plan accordingly, from veterinary visits for vaccinations, to planning appropriate socialization and training activities.

8) What foundational work will you do with the puppy?

Some breeders are more involved with building behavioral foundations than others. It is useful to know what foundational work the breeder intends to do with the puppy, and if they will take the puppy on any socialization outings.

9) Do you have any references?

Many breeders are happy to share the contact details of the owners of their puppies. Speaking with current owners of previous pups from the same lines can help you to prepare for bringing the puppy into your home, and they can offer advice on what you can expect. Some breeders even set up Facebook groups where owners can share updates on dogs received from the breeder. These mini-communities allow you to share updates and see how the littermates are doing.

10) What questions do you have for me?

As part of the puppy acquisition process, you should expect most reputable dog breeders to ask you some questions. These puppies are typically the result of years of cultivating the lines, and many breeders are invested in making sure that their reputation remains intact and that there is a high probability of success if a puppy is placed with you.

Breeders may ask you about your history with the breed (and with dogs in general); what your home setup is like; details of any existing dogs in the household; and any activities you intend to participate in with the puppy. Don’t think of this as an unnecessary intrusion! The breeder is simply trying to ensure that their puppy goes to a good home. In addition, answering these questions and sharing this knowledge can help to build a strong relationship between you and the breeder.

In conclusion

You should feel comfortable when you’re working with a breeder to bring a new puppy into your home. The best way to feel at ease is to make sure that all of your questions – no matter how trivial they may seem – are answered to your satisfaction.

Once you’ve set a date to pick up your puppy from the breeder, you can start planning for introducing them into your home! For example, you’ll want to make sure your home is puppy-proofed, and have a plan for potty training.