There are a number of questions that you should ask a breeder to help you make the right decision for your new puppy.
How long have you been involved with the breed?
Why do you love this breed?
Why do you breed dogs?
How often do you breed? When do you expect your next litter?
May I see the dam (Mum) and photos of the sire (dad) and other relatives?
May I see where you raise the pups?
What is the lifespan and what health issues occur in this breed? Have you produced any of these? If so, how many?
What are the mandatory health testing required for the breed?
ie: some breeds do have recognised health conditions like " PRA" - blindness. There are a number of breeds which can be affected with different forms of this condition. Most breeds have DNA testing available to eradicate the condition. Australia doesn't mandate testing for all breeds, but responsible breeders should be doing basic health testing like this to improve the health of their breed.
Are you a member of a State Controlling Body as a Registered Breeder ie: Dogs Queensland; Dogs New South Wales; Dogs Victoria, etc. ?
Each State in Australia has a controlling body where registered breeders must be registered and this is where they apply and register their "Prefix" (their Kennel name). See the Registered Breeders page for more information.
Do you belong to any clubs? (Clubs often have codes of ethics.)
May I see the pedigree?
This is what a pedigree of a registered dog looks like. It must show details of the State Controlling Body and also 3 generations of the Sire and Dam's (the Dog's Family Tree).
Do you pick the puppy or do I?
What is the medical history of the pups?
Do you have a health guarantee and if so, what does it cover?
Other information you may wish to expand on from your research on the breed:
Temperament of the dog to suit your family;
Will you provide ongoing support during the life of the puppy if I need it?
ie: Feeding advice; any behavioural concerns; toilet training, etc.
How long have you been involved with the breed?
Why do you love this breed?
Why do you breed dogs?
How often do you breed? When do you expect your next litter?
May I see the dam (Mum) and photos of the sire (dad) and other relatives?
May I see where you raise the pups?
What is the lifespan and what health issues occur in this breed? Have you produced any of these? If so, how many?
What are the mandatory health testing required for the breed?
ie: some breeds do have recognised health conditions like " PRA" - blindness. There are a number of breeds which can be affected with different forms of this condition. Most breeds have DNA testing available to eradicate the condition. Australia doesn't mandate testing for all breeds, but responsible breeders should be doing basic health testing like this to improve the health of their breed.
Are you a member of a State Controlling Body as a Registered Breeder ie: Dogs Queensland; Dogs New South Wales; Dogs Victoria, etc. ?
Each State in Australia has a controlling body where registered breeders must be registered and this is where they apply and register their "Prefix" (their Kennel name). See the Registered Breeders page for more information.
Do you belong to any clubs? (Clubs often have codes of ethics.)
May I see the pedigree?
This is what a pedigree of a registered dog looks like. It must show details of the State Controlling Body and also 3 generations of the Sire and Dam's (the Dog's Family Tree).
Do you pick the puppy or do I?
What is the medical history of the pups?
Do you have a health guarantee and if so, what does it cover?
Other information you may wish to expand on from your research on the breed:
Temperament of the dog to suit your family;
Will you provide ongoing support during the life of the puppy if I need it?
ie: Feeding advice; any behavioural concerns; toilet training, etc.