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Malamute Club UK code of ethics
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Home / Breeder tips
Top Tips to Help You Select the Right Breeder & Puppy
- The breeder should be able to help you find the right puppy. The breeder should know each pup intimately and should have socialized the pup from the very start. The puppies should be directly in the home where they can become accustomed and exposed to the clattering of pots and pans, Hoovers, TV, Stereo, washing machine etc. a lovingly home reared pup has a better start in life than one who has spent 6or 8 weeks in a shed or dark kennel somewhere outside. The breeder should know the pups well enough to advise on which pup may suit you best. a shy reserved pup that runs off and hides in the corner may not take to living in a noisy hectic type of family and a confident pup that is quite bossy may need careful rearing and handling as he is used to being in control and getting what he wants so you would need to train the pup correctly else he may grow to think he can control you. the breeder should advise you and help you pick your pup with care even though all the pups are from the same litter they will all have their own personalities and individual temperaments.
- Please make sure you see the mom with the pups and where possible meet the father. Not all breeders have the father on hand but you can get a picture and maybe, if it is not too much trouble, go pay a visit see what the father is like in the flesh.
- Make several visits to the breeder with your family. Get to know your pup and let the pup get used to your smell and touch so pup will be less stressed when he leaves his mom and siblings.
- The breeder should love the breed and be fully committed to producing healthy, happy pups with sound and secure temperaments. Make sure the breeder has carried out all the relevant health tests, hip scoring and eye tests and don’t be afraid to ask to see the documentation (if they have nothing to hide this shouldn’t offend them anyway). If they don’t screen for health problems more likely than not the breeder is more interested in your money than the dogs physical and mental well being.
- Make sure the facilities are clean. Ask to see where the dogs are housed; if at a kennels ask to see the rest of the dogs and view how the set up works. Make sure the other dogs are in good clean condition and groomed and cared for properly. Make sure the mother of any pups looks in good condition. If she is feed properly and helped every step of the way she shouldn’t look to worse for wear. in fact with the right amount of love and help she should look in pretty fair shape, so if mom looks skinny and tired, sad and worn out she 's probably just been left to get on with it.
- If dogs look over weight and out of shape this is probably due to lack of exercise rather than good food.
- Check out if there are any older dogs on the premises - say 6 to 7 years old; especially females, as bad breeders seem to re-home dogs when they are past their ‘breed by’ date. Never, never ever buy from someone who excepts credit and debit card payments and PayPal this is a dog for goddess sake not a pair of trainers anyone with this type of service must be making good money so please don’t line their pockets with you hard earned cash the only one who will gain from this transaction is the breeder.
- Reputable breeders don’t need to advertise using classified free ad papers but you are just as likely to come across backyard breeders and puppy farmers on the net or through any form of advertising. Even the kennel club cant guarantee the breeder of each litter of pups but there are several things you can look out for when meeting a breeder to determine if they may be puppy farmers.
- Anyone who is frequently advertising pups for sale
- Anyone frequently advertising more than one litter of pups at a time (having several litters within days or weeks of each other)
- Anyone who makes a living from selling dogs (please don’t be fooled into thinking someone should do it). There are plenty of occasional breeders to keep the dog population alive and plenty of pure breeds in the rescue centers for there ever to be a shortage of any breed. At the very worst you may have to wait a little longer to get your pup. If you want a good pup you should anticipate a wait anyway, especially if you want a potential show dog or particular line.
- A bad breeder doesn’t ask many question and doesn’t answer many either but they like to talk about the cost of the pup which usually crops up quite early in the conversation like first.
- Reputable breeders don’t have to secure puppy sales with non refundable deposits
- And lastly trust your gut instinct and how comfortable you feel with the breeder after all you may need ongoing help and advice and the breeder will most probably like to see the pup again in the future so it’s nice to feel at ease and comfortable with your chosen breeder
