| Great Lakes Boxer Club UKC Licensed Conformation Club #MI-110 |
If you are looking for a dog and want one from an ethical breeder, the first step is to decide what qualities make a breeder "ethical".
Ultimately this is something only you can decide, but it helps to know what the possibilities are. And let us make this very clear: Just
because someone has a reputation for winning lots of shows, and having beautiful winning dogs does not make them a responsible
breeder.
Look at some samples from the codes of ethics of various breed clubs. Having decided to own a purebred dog, you should try to find
the best available specimen of the breed. Many sources offer purebred puppies and dogs for sale, but locating the best source
requires time and research.
Local pet stores will often carry several popular breeds. These dogs often come from backyard breeders or puppy mills, and are not in
the best state of health, nor are they from the best possible breeding lines. Your local newspaper will also run advertisements for
purebred puppies. Careful research may prove a few of these to be well bred, healthy animals which will make good pets. The majority,
however, are likely the result of backyard breeding by neighbors looking to make a small profit. Hobby breeders are usually the best
source of good, purebred dogs, but they are also the most difficult to locate. Hobby breeders do not often advertise to find homes for
their puppies, because they usually make such arrangements before the actual breeding occurs. Nor will the hobby breeder's dogs be
found in pet stores, because such breeders often personally screen each potential buyer to ensure that the puppies end up in the best
possible homes.
Breeder Referrals:
Here are some tips on how to locate responsible breeders and what to expect when you contact them to purchase one of their animals:
Ask an acquaintance who owns an admirable dog of the breed you wish to own where they obtained their dog. If they purchased their
dog from a breeder, ask about their experiences with that breeder.
Also, ask if there were any unexpected health or temperament problems with the dog they received. Finally, ask their candid opinion of
whether or not they recommend you visit this breeder as the source for your new pet. If you do not know anyone who owns your desired
dog breed, consult your veterinarian. Ask your vet's opinion of the general health and temperament of the breed you have chosen. If
you are still confident about your breed preference, ask your vet to recommend local breeders and, more importantly, to identify which
breeders to avoid. If your vet is not aware of any local breeders, ask to speak with one or more of his or her clients who own a dog of
that breed.
From there, proceed as discussed above. Local dog clubs are another good source of information. Check the local telephone directory
for breed-specific, all-breed, or obedience training clubs. They should be happy to put you in contact with a responsible member
breeder. If their is no breed-specific club in your area, the all- breed or obedience training clubs may have members who can refer you
to a local breeder. If you can not locate any local clubs, try to contact the national club for the breed you are interested in. The national
breed clubs can tell you the names and numbers of member breeders nearest to you.
You can also contact the national purebred dog registries for breeder referrals. However, the national registries generally do not
guarantee the quality, nor give endorsements, of the breeders to which they refer. You can reach the American Kennel Club (AKC) at
(919)233-9767 to obtain information on purchasing a puppy, and for a geographical list of dog clubs. The AKC also operates a Breeder
Referral Representative Program. The number to call for this service is 1-900-407-PUPS. The call will cost 99 cents per minute. The
United Kennel Club (UKC) can be reached for breeder referrals at (269)343-9020. If your preferred dog breed is not recognized by
either of these registries, you can contact the American Rare Breed Association (ARBA) at (202)722-1232 for breeder referrals.
Contacting Breeders:
Now it is time to contact the breeders to whom you have been referred. Do not expect to get a puppy or dog right away. A responsible
breeder will want to meet you and your family. They will also want to ask questions about your lifestyle and living arrangements. The
responsible breeder will want to know about your past experiences with dogs and other pets. Most importantly, the breeder will want to
know why you have chosen this particular breed. They should ask if you have been informed of any inherited health or temperament
problems known to this breed. They will also want to know if you are aware of the commitment of time and care required to keep this
breed in good health. You should be prepared to answer all of these questions and more, and you should have a list of your own
questions to ask the breeder.
The BackYard Breeder Web site Claims:
Please be aware that when you are browsing breeder websites on the internet, that there are a lot of not so responsible breeders out
there that will make some pretty terrific sounding claims about their breeding programs. Such claims can be......"we breed champion
blood lines", when in fact there are only one or two champions in the whole pedigree. The same goes for touting famous dogs in the
pedigree, and listing those famous dogs names. Another thing that a lot of BYB's (BackYard Breeder's) do is either post a picture of the
AKC or UKC logo on their site, or say something like we are a member of the AKC or UKC, when in fact you can not be a member, it is
not a Club but a dog Registry. There is a difference!! Don't fall for the breeder that has pictures on their site of white stud dogs or white
breeding females, and claim.... it's o.k. to breed white boxers. When in fact it is not, the American Boxer
Club (ABC) does not sanction the breeding of white boxers. Oh and one more thing..... Breeders that say they don't need to test their
dogs for heart problems, because "I've never had any problems with that in my line" are not only fooling you, the potential puppy buyer,
but they are fooling themselves too. Heart problems also known as BCM (Boxer Cardiomyopathy) is very prevalent in this breed. Along
with cancer. Heart and Hip problems should be tested for in the breeding stock. So make sure the breeder can provide testing
certificates from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
Also, there are a lot of BYB websites that claim to be show breeders, or breed show prospect puppies, when in fact they never have any
of their own dogs shown! (but these people have a million and one reasons why their dogs are not shown) The whole point of showing
is to have your breeding stock evaluated. We've seen a lot of websites out there where the breeding stock doesn't even resemble a
BOXER!
What to ask a potential breeder:
Your questions should be offered to determine whether this is the best person from whom to purchase your new pet. Here are several
questions that we recommend:
Ask to see the breeder's grounds. A responsible breeder takes extremely good care of his or her animals and grounds, and should not
hesitate to show both to a visitor. The grounds should appear clean and the animals should look active and healthy.
Ask to see the parents of the puppy. Sometimes the sire is not owned by the same person as the
bitch, so the sire may not be on the premises when you come to visit. However, you should always see at least the mother.
Ask to see other offspring from the same parents, if any are on the premises. Seeing the dogs of previous litters will give you a good
picture of what your puppy will become.
Ask the breeder how many litters they produce a year. Some breeders mass produce puppies.
Ask the breeder to provide heart, hip, and thyroid health certificates of the parents from the OFA. Often a breeder will say that the
parents were "cleared" (usually by their own vet). A certificate from the OFA will ensure you that the tests are valid.
Things to get from your chosen breeder:
After meeting with as many breeders as possible, decide which one will provide you with the best possible puppy. If that breeder does
not currently have any puppies available, ask to be placed on the breeder's waiting list for the next available puppy. When the time
comes to get your new puppy, you should request as many of the following items as possible:
A signed agreement that guarantees the health of the puppy. The agreement should require the breeder to give a refund or replace
the puppy if any serious problems arise. It should also require the breeder to take back the original puppy or to find it a new home.
To make your puppy feel more secure away from its mother and littermates, you may also wish to ask to take with you some article such
as a piece of cloth or a toy that has been in the nesting box with your puppy. The breeder may also request a contract stating that the
puppy will be spayed or neutered when it reaches the appropriate age. REMEMBER, the responsible breeder only wants the best
possible specimens of the breed to contribute to future generations, so you should be willing to accept this agreement if it applies to
your puppy. Spaying or neutering your dog also decreases the risk of some future health problems. By following this process, you
should be able to locate a responsible breeder from which to buy your new purebred puppy. Through careful planning and patience,
you should end up with a puppy that will live a long and healthy life as a member of your family.
Acceptable Registries: and only these
Registries, that Backyard Breeders and Puppy Mill Breeders use all the time.
Click HERE to view how The Reputable Breeder vs. The Back Yard Breeder
Ultimately this is something only you can decide, but it helps to know what the possibilities are. And let us make this very clear: Just
because someone has a reputation for winning lots of shows, and having beautiful winning dogs does not make them a responsible
breeder.
Look at some samples from the codes of ethics of various breed clubs. Having decided to own a purebred dog, you should try to find
the best available specimen of the breed. Many sources offer purebred puppies and dogs for sale, but locating the best source
requires time and research.
Local pet stores will often carry several popular breeds. These dogs often come from backyard breeders or puppy mills, and are not in
the best state of health, nor are they from the best possible breeding lines. Your local newspaper will also run advertisements for
purebred puppies. Careful research may prove a few of these to be well bred, healthy animals which will make good pets. The majority,
however, are likely the result of backyard breeding by neighbors looking to make a small profit. Hobby breeders are usually the best
source of good, purebred dogs, but they are also the most difficult to locate. Hobby breeders do not often advertise to find homes for
their puppies, because they usually make such arrangements before the actual breeding occurs. Nor will the hobby breeder's dogs be
found in pet stores, because such breeders often personally screen each potential buyer to ensure that the puppies end up in the best
possible homes.
Breeder Referrals:
Here are some tips on how to locate responsible breeders and what to expect when you contact them to purchase one of their animals:
Ask an acquaintance who owns an admirable dog of the breed you wish to own where they obtained their dog. If they purchased their
dog from a breeder, ask about their experiences with that breeder.
Also, ask if there were any unexpected health or temperament problems with the dog they received. Finally, ask their candid opinion of
whether or not they recommend you visit this breeder as the source for your new pet. If you do not know anyone who owns your desired
dog breed, consult your veterinarian. Ask your vet's opinion of the general health and temperament of the breed you have chosen. If
you are still confident about your breed preference, ask your vet to recommend local breeders and, more importantly, to identify which
breeders to avoid. If your vet is not aware of any local breeders, ask to speak with one or more of his or her clients who own a dog of
that breed.
From there, proceed as discussed above. Local dog clubs are another good source of information. Check the local telephone directory
for breed-specific, all-breed, or obedience training clubs. They should be happy to put you in contact with a responsible member
breeder. If their is no breed-specific club in your area, the all- breed or obedience training clubs may have members who can refer you
to a local breeder. If you can not locate any local clubs, try to contact the national club for the breed you are interested in. The national
breed clubs can tell you the names and numbers of member breeders nearest to you.
You can also contact the national purebred dog registries for breeder referrals. However, the national registries generally do not
guarantee the quality, nor give endorsements, of the breeders to which they refer. You can reach the American Kennel Club (AKC) at
(919)233-9767 to obtain information on purchasing a puppy, and for a geographical list of dog clubs. The AKC also operates a Breeder
Referral Representative Program. The number to call for this service is 1-900-407-PUPS. The call will cost 99 cents per minute. The
United Kennel Club (UKC) can be reached for breeder referrals at (269)343-9020. If your preferred dog breed is not recognized by
either of these registries, you can contact the American Rare Breed Association (ARBA) at (202)722-1232 for breeder referrals.
Contacting Breeders:
Now it is time to contact the breeders to whom you have been referred. Do not expect to get a puppy or dog right away. A responsible
breeder will want to meet you and your family. They will also want to ask questions about your lifestyle and living arrangements. The
responsible breeder will want to know about your past experiences with dogs and other pets. Most importantly, the breeder will want to
know why you have chosen this particular breed. They should ask if you have been informed of any inherited health or temperament
problems known to this breed. They will also want to know if you are aware of the commitment of time and care required to keep this
breed in good health. You should be prepared to answer all of these questions and more, and you should have a list of your own
questions to ask the breeder.
The BackYard Breeder Web site Claims:
Please be aware that when you are browsing breeder websites on the internet, that there are a lot of not so responsible breeders out
there that will make some pretty terrific sounding claims about their breeding programs. Such claims can be......"we breed champion
blood lines", when in fact there are only one or two champions in the whole pedigree. The same goes for touting famous dogs in the
pedigree, and listing those famous dogs names. Another thing that a lot of BYB's (BackYard Breeder's) do is either post a picture of the
AKC or UKC logo on their site, or say something like we are a member of the AKC or UKC, when in fact you can not be a member, it is
not a Club but a dog Registry. There is a difference!! Don't fall for the breeder that has pictures on their site of white stud dogs or white
breeding females, and claim.... it's o.k. to breed white boxers. When in fact it is not, the American Boxer
Club (ABC) does not sanction the breeding of white boxers. Oh and one more thing..... Breeders that say they don't need to test their
dogs for heart problems, because "I've never had any problems with that in my line" are not only fooling you, the potential puppy buyer,
but they are fooling themselves too. Heart problems also known as BCM (Boxer Cardiomyopathy) is very prevalent in this breed. Along
with cancer. Heart and Hip problems should be tested for in the breeding stock. So make sure the breeder can provide testing
certificates from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
Also, there are a lot of BYB websites that claim to be show breeders, or breed show prospect puppies, when in fact they never have any
of their own dogs shown! (but these people have a million and one reasons why their dogs are not shown) The whole point of showing
is to have your breeding stock evaluated. We've seen a lot of websites out there where the breeding stock doesn't even resemble a
BOXER!
What to ask a potential breeder:
Your questions should be offered to determine whether this is the best person from whom to purchase your new pet. Here are several
questions that we recommend:
Ask to see the breeder's grounds. A responsible breeder takes extremely good care of his or her animals and grounds, and should not
hesitate to show both to a visitor. The grounds should appear clean and the animals should look active and healthy.
Ask to see the parents of the puppy. Sometimes the sire is not owned by the same person as the
bitch, so the sire may not be on the premises when you come to visit. However, you should always see at least the mother.
Ask to see other offspring from the same parents, if any are on the premises. Seeing the dogs of previous litters will give you a good
picture of what your puppy will become.
Ask the breeder how many litters they produce a year. Some breeders mass produce puppies.
Ask the breeder to provide heart, hip, and thyroid health certificates of the parents from the OFA. Often a breeder will say that the
parents were "cleared" (usually by their own vet). A certificate from the OFA will ensure you that the tests are valid.
Things to get from your chosen breeder:
After meeting with as many breeders as possible, decide which one will provide you with the best possible puppy. If that breeder does
not currently have any puppies available, ask to be placed on the breeder's waiting list for the next available puppy. When the time
comes to get your new puppy, you should request as many of the following items as possible:
- Signed receipt
- Signed pedigree
- A diet sheet detailing what food, when, and how much the puppy eats
- A health record detailing all inoculations, and when they should be given, worming, and the puppy's growth
- Hints on grooming for this breed
- Other notes on the specific care of this breed
- A Kennel Club registration card
A signed agreement that guarantees the health of the puppy. The agreement should require the breeder to give a refund or replace
the puppy if any serious problems arise. It should also require the breeder to take back the original puppy or to find it a new home.
To make your puppy feel more secure away from its mother and littermates, you may also wish to ask to take with you some article such
as a piece of cloth or a toy that has been in the nesting box with your puppy. The breeder may also request a contract stating that the
puppy will be spayed or neutered when it reaches the appropriate age. REMEMBER, the responsible breeder only wants the best
possible specimens of the breed to contribute to future generations, so you should be willing to accept this agreement if it applies to
your puppy. Spaying or neutering your dog also decreases the risk of some future health problems. By following this process, you
should be able to locate a responsible breeder from which to buy your new purebred puppy. Through careful planning and patience,
you should end up with a puppy that will live a long and healthy life as a member of your family.
Acceptable Registries: and only these
- AKC- American Kennel Club
- UKC- United Kennel Club
- CKC- Canadian Kennel Club
- FCI- Foreign dog registry
Registries, that Backyard Breeders and Puppy Mill Breeders use all the time.
- A.C.A.- American Canine Association
- A.P.R.- American Pet Registry
- C.K.C.- Continental Kennel Club
- U.K.C.I.- Universal Kennel Cub International
- U.A.B.R. - United All Breed Registry
Click HERE to view how The Reputable Breeder vs. The Back Yard Breeder
| Tips on locating a Reputable Breeder |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |