Information Everyone Should Know About Dog Breeders

Dogs are rightly considered man’s best friend and have been by people’s side for thousands of years. In that time, people have successfully been able to breed dogs for any number of climates and uses, whether for guarding, herding, hunting, or just companionship. Thousands of breeders have been established worldwide because of the hundreds of breeds developed. If you’re looking for a new dog, you’ll likely come across breeders that have a lot of different dogs with them. Before you make a decision, there are some things you should know about dog breeders.

1. Breeding practices

If you’ve found a breeder you’re interested in getting a puppy from, you should first learn about their breeding practices and whether or not they’re ethical. Ethical breeders take a lot of things into account, including genetics, existing diseases of the parent dogs, and their temperament. This ensures that any potential offspring will be healthy, happy, and won’t suffer from genetic diseases. The puppies should also conform to the breed standards, which larger groups like the American Kennel Club dictate. Many breeders abide by these guidelines, producing adorable and healthy puppies of all breeds. You can get any breed from these stores, including ones that were previously considered rare. You can even find European Doberman puppies at low prices.

2. Health screenings

Health screening is another vital part of the breeding process, and any ethical breeder uses these screenings and will be ready to share them with you if they ask. Health screenings provide a comprehensive overview of the health and condition of the parent dogs and their offspring to check for genetic conditions or other diseases. If the parent dogs are afflicted with anything, they should be taken out of consideration for breeding. This way, purer puppies with low chances of health issues in the long term will be bred. You can ask for the puppies’ health screenings, too, before you make a purchase.

3. Socialization

Dogs stay in the confines of their breeder’s premises for long periods. In these cases, the dogs should be let out in open areas, where they can socialize, interact, and play with the other dogs owned by the breeder. This is especially vital for puppies, whose development can be affected if they don’t get enough socialization. Check your breeder’s website for information about this practice, or ask them directly. Puppies that never got enough interaction with both other dogs and humans will not be able to adjust to life as a pet properly.

4. Overbreeding

Overbreeding is breeding your dogs around the clock, never letting them get enough rest. Some breeders do this with their “prize dogs” or purest breeds. Overbreeding is a good way to maximize profit because there are always more puppies for sale, but it has horrible effects on the parent dogs and the puppies who haven’t been bought since they won’t get enough attention or resources to grow properly. If you’re considering getting a dog, ensure the breeder avoids this practice. A good sign is if they don’t have many puppies of the same breed in stock.

5. Puppy mills

Another, more efficient version of overbreeding is the existence of puppy mills. Puppy mills, as the name suggests, treat the animals they’re making not as living creatures but as products from a factory. In these mills, every dog is overbred to maximize profit, mass-producing puppies. These puppies live in horrible conditions without interaction, health checkups, or any care from the workers. The goal for puppy mill owners is to sell the puppies to breeders or animal stores, who act as middlemen for consumers. Puppy mills may also be directly associated with breeders, as the breeders can run these mills. If your breeder is associated with a puppy mill in any way, this is a clear sign that they have unethical business practices.

Conclusion

Countless people are considering getting a dog, and if you’re one of them, there are many things you should research first. The breed of your desired dog, age, and condition are all important factors, but just as important is the breeder you’re getting your dog from. Ethical breeders are great and should be rewarded and celebrated for caring for dogs. However, many breeders are unethical and mistreat their dogs, whom they treat like stock on a store shelf. If you use the information in this article, you can make a better-informed purchase, helping the business of those who deserve it.

Also, Read – Is Getting A Dog A Good Idea If You Have A Baby At Home?