Most of us take a trip down to the pet store or local animal shelter when we want to add a puppy to our family.  However, some people choose to go to a professional breeder usually when they want to buy a pure bred dog.  While most breeders are trustworthy, there are plenty of dog breeders out there that are not.  Some breeders mistreat their animals, keep them in unhealthy surroundings, and focus on only one aspect of dog breeding: making money.  If you’ve decided that you want to go to a breeder for a new puppy, there are some precautions you should take to make sure that your dog comes from a good breeder and has been cared for properly.

First of all, ask your breeder specific questions about the breed and dogs in general.  They should have lots of information about a variety of topics including health factors that affect that breed, genetic conditions, grooming considerations and more.  If you speak to a breeder and he or she seems to be ignorant about the breed, this is your first warning sign.  Next, you want to visit the facilities where your dog was born and make sure that the environment is stable and supportive.  A trustworthy breeder will show you where the puppy was born and where it lives.  Reputable breeders will also let you meet the mother and other offspring.  You should ensure that the environment is clean and that the animals have sufficient space and are receiving proper care.  Finally, it is important to ensure that your breeder is registered with the local human society or other breeding organization like the CKC or CFA.

Generally speaking, reputable breeders want to showcase their animals at professional competitions so these are a great place to find good breeders.  Most importantly, speak to friends who have gone to a breeder and try to get recommendations from the breeders as well.