Choosing A Breeder

Anyone can put two dogs together and have a litter. It is up to the puppy buyer to educate themselves on how to find a reputable/responsible/preservation breeder who produces well-bred dogs and to obtain proof of health testing results by asking for DNA testing and OFA Certificates.

 

Buyer beware, AKC Registration and OFA certificates can be forged, which is very evident with breeds that are suddenly appearing with colors that have never been seen until now (this is not a genetic mutation - other breeds have been crossed into purebreds to introduce dilute "silver" in labs, merle in poodles, frenchies, and bulldogs among other breeds). A cross between two breeds such as a "labradoodle", "aussiedoodle", "bernedoodle", etc. is not a breed, is not designer, and is a mongrel. People breeding these dogs have no organized breeding practices, required health testing, or organized National Breed Club. Individuals have capitalized on the uneducated and charge thousands for these mutts that are bred in poor conditions and sold to pet stores and sight-unseen online. 

 

If you have children living at home with you, I encourage you to be absolutely concerned about the temperament of the puppy you are bringing home. The puppy that you bring home at 8 weeks will not be the dog you have as an adult. If one or both of the parent dogs do not have solid temperaments, it is unlikely that the puppies will. A puppy's true temperament will not be revealed until the puppy is around 2 years of age. Temperament is mostly inherited/genetically passed onto offspring.

The dog's environment only partially affects the final temperament of a dog. 

 

A preservation breeder is someone who proves their dogs. "Proving" a dog means that breeders are placing an emphasis on either conformation (structure) or performance or both. The qualities that make a dog worthy of being bred vary among breeders who compete in performance and conformation. Both performance and conformation breeders will agree that clear/normal health testing results and a solid correct temperament are paramount for a dog that will develop correctly and live a long life.  

 

I will not repeat the mass of information available to help you find a reputable breeder, but I would encourage you to stop looking for a puppy and start looking for a breeder that you feel comfortable with and who has the dog's best interest (health, temperament, quality) at the forefront of their breeding program.