Searching for a puppy – How do I recognize a good breeder?

I wrote this blog about two years ago, leading up to our fourth litter of Labrador retrievers. We received a huge number of puppy requests at the time, and I noticed that many people were looking for a puppy, but that not everyone is equally well aware of what they should pay attention to during that search. Because I still find this list very topical, I decided to share it with you here as well.
Mind you, I don’t necessarily consider myself a fantastic breeder, but I do try to do everything I can to become that. I do this by continuing to develop myself in the field of breeding knowledge and by continuing to look for new insights and information. Also by keeping myself to the following list of requirements.

The LICG has made a very nice checklist that is certainly worth reading (Dutch). So check out their site if you are looking for a good breeder!

Some very important things to look out for when looking for a suitable breeder for your future dog are:

1. Does the breeder set requirements for future owners? With many working dog breeds (and/or working lines within certain breeds) it is really not a good idea to place puppies with a family that has absolutely no intention of doing much with the dog. Behavioral problems are then a real risk, with all the consequences that entails. A responsible breeder chooses the puppy buyers for his or her puppies carefully. He or she takes into account the requirements of the adult dogs.
2. Have health tests been carried out on the parent animals, and are you allowed to view the results of these tests? By this I mean breed-specific examinations, such as X-rays for hips/elbows in many large breeds, and DNA testing to rule out hereditary disorders. A simple check at the vet is not enough, and you can also have these tests carried out for a cross.
   There are also breeds that require a behavioral test. Find out about this in advance and ask the breeder about it.
3. How many breeds are sold by the breeder? And how many litters does the breeder have? If more than two breeds are bred, you can already seriously question the quality of the breeder in question. Also ask how many litters the bitch will have, and how often she will be bred.
4. Where do the puppies grow up, and what does the breeder do to prepare the puppies for the rest of their lives? Pups in a (dark or not) shed, without enrichment and the like, are an indication of a bad breeder. Pups that grow up in the domestic circle get used to the daily activities of an average household while still at the breeder. They will therefore also get used to their new life more easily.
5. Can you visit several times? Many breeders like to meet their potential puppy buyers before the puppies are born. This way you can chat quietly with each other and ask each other questions without the puppies causing a distraction. During such an introduction you can often meet and view the mother, also very valuable! And when the puppies are born, many breeders like it if you come and see them a few times. This way the puppies get used to different people, and you can already see what the characters of the puppies in the litter are.
6. Are the puppies checked by a vet before they move, titer tested and/or vaccinated, checked for worms/parasites and do the puppies have a passport? And also very important: are the puppies chipped in advance? Especially the latter is required by law in the Netherlands!
7. Is there a contract? Most breed clubs have a sample contract on the website, which many breeders work with. Ask if you can view the contract of the breeder in question well in advance. This way you can check if there are no really crazy things in it. Such a contract protects both of you, breeder and buyer, so it is important that the breeder works with a contract.

Do you think there are still important points missing from this list? Let me know! Are you searching for a puppy yourself and do you want more information after reading this blog? Let me know, I’ll be happy to help!