1) A REPUTABLE BREEDER IS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE BREEDS NATIONAL CLUB (THE AMERICAN LHASA APSO CLUB)

2)THEY ONLY BREED ONE BREED NOT MANY DIFFERENT BREEDS

3)THEY DO NOT TAKE PAYPAL,VISA, MASTERCARD OR SHIP 8 WEEK OLD PUPPIES ACROSS THE USA OR WORLD,

4)THEY NEVER REPEAT NEVER SELL THEIR PUPPIES TO PET STORES, BROKERS,PUPPYMILLS OR BACKYARD BREEDERS.

5)THEY DO NOT DO PUBLIC STUD SERVICE TO PET LHASA'S,PUPPYMILLS OR BACKYARD BREEDERS.

6)THEY ARE NOT USDA LICENSED. ONLY BIG BREEDING OPERATIONS LIKE PUPPYMILL KENNELS ARE REQUIRED TO BE USDA LICENSED LIKE A CATTLE BREEDER WOULD BE.

7) THEY DO NOT CROSS BREED THEIR PUREBRED AKC LHASA APSO'S WITH OTHER BREEDS TO PRODUCE MIXED BREED MUTTS. WHAT PUPPYMILLS AND BACK YARD BREEDERS LIKE TO REFER TO AS "DESIGNER DOGS" TO MAKE MONEY OFF THE PUBLIC. MIXED BREEDS CAN BE FOUND AT YOUR LOCAL AREA SHELTERS WHERE YOU WILL BE SAVING A LIFE AND THEIR ADOPTION FEE WILL GO TOWARD THEIR SHOTS,SPAY OR NEUTER AND HELP OUT THE OTHER HOMELESS DOGS IN THE SHELTER.

8) REPUTABLE BREEDERS HAVE A SMALL BREEDING PROGRAM WITH A FEW GOOD DOGS THAT LIVE IN THEIR HOMES AS THEIR COMPANIONS.

9) THEY BREED A LITTER ONCE OR TWICE A YEAR IF THAT TO IMPROVE THE BREED THEY LOVE SO MUCH AND TO PRODUCE A PUPPY THEY ARE GOING TO KEEP, SHOW AND GO ON WITH IN THEIR BREEDING PROGRAM.

AFTER PICKING THE SHOW PUPPIES THEY MAY HAVE A FEW(3-7 PER YEAR) THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO GOOD SCREENED PET HOMES ON LIMITED AKC REGISTRATIONS AND SPAY/NEUTER CONTRACTS.

10) REPUTABLE BREEDERS SHOW THEIR LHASA'S TO THEIR AKC CHAMPIONSHIPS TO PROVE THEIR QUALITY AND THAT THEY ARE BREEDING TO THE AKC STANDARD OF THE BREED AT GREAT PERSONAL EXPENSE (GAS,HOTEL BILLS,ENTRY FEES,GROOMING PRODUCTS AND EQUIPMENT,AIRLINE FEES,AND SOME TIMES HANDLER FEES IF THEY ARE UNABLE TO SHOW THEIR DOGS THEMSELVES,ETC ETC). YOU SEE ALL THEY WIN IS RIBBONS TOWARD A DOGS CHAMPIONSHIP THEY NEVER WIN MONEY.

11)THEY NEVER MAKE MONEY OFF THEIR DOGS AND ANY PUPPY PROCEEDS GO BACK INTO THE UP KEPT AND SHOWING OF THEIR DOGS.

12) THEY HAVE MANY COATED SHOW PHOTO'S OF THEIR PUPPIES ANCESTORS' OBTAINING THEIR CHAMPIONSHIPS TO SHOW YOU.

13)THEY ONLY SELL THEIR PETS ON LIMITED AKC REGISTRATIONS (WHICH STATES NO AKC BREEDING RIGHTS) AND A SPAY NEUTER CONTRACT WHICH STATES THAT THAT PUPPY WILL BE SPAYED OR NEUTERED BY YOU AT 6 MONTHS OF AGE.THIS KEEPS THEIR CHAMPION LINES OUT OF THE HANDS OF PUPPYMILLS AND BACKYARD BREEDERS

14) AMERICAN LHASA APSO CLUB REGISTER OF MERIT BREEDER'S HAVE TO HAVE PRODUCED 10 AKC CHAMPIONS TO BECOME A "REGISTER OF MERIT BREEDER".

15)THEY TRAVEL TO MANY AKC SHOWS AND THE NATIONAL SPECIALTY EVERY YEAR TO FINISH THEIR LHASA APSO'S AKC CHAMPIONSHIP THEMSELVES AT GREAT PERSONAL EXPENSE.

16)THEY ONLY HAVE ONE OR TWO LITTERS A YEAR IF THAT TO PRODUCE THEIR NEXT SHOW DOG NOT TO MAKE MONEY.

17)THEY GIVE AT LEAST A 4 GENERATION CHAMPION PEDIGREE WITH THEIR PUPPIES SHOWING THEIR CHAMPION ANCIESTORS.AKC ALSO OFFERS PEDIGREES ON LINE IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBT ABOUT A BREEDER YOU CAN CHECK FOR YOURSELF THAT WHAT THEY ARE TELLING YOU IS INDEED CORRECT. CH IN FRONT OF THE DOGS NAME MEANS IT IS A AKC CHAMPION OF RECORD.

18)MANY REPUTABLE BREEDERS HAVE WEBSITES THAT SHOW PHOTO'S OF THEIR LONG COATED CHAMPIONS OVER THE YEARS AND THE DOGS THEY ARE SHOWING PRESENTLY AND PHOTO'S OF PUPS THEY HAVE PLACED IN PET AND SHOW HOMES THAT IS UPDATED ON A REGULAR BASIS WITH ALL THEIR EXCITING NEWS.

MORE AKC ARTICLES BELOW ON WHAT IS A REPUTABLE BREEDER. ONE BY SARI B. TIETJEN WHO JUDGED THE (2008) AMERICAN LHASA APSO CLUB NATIONAL SPECIALTY!

WHAT IS A REPUTABLE RESPONSIBLE BREEDER:

BELOW IS A REPRINT OF THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB WEBSITE ARTICLE ON WHAT IS A REPUTABLE RESPONSIBLE BREEDER WRITTEN BY NOTED BREED JUDGE SARI B. TIETJEN:

A Responsible Breeder

By Sari B. Tietjen

Just what is a responsible breeder of purebred dogs? Just what is it that sets such a person apart from any other breeder? Why are responsible breeders so special? Why should they be sought out by anyone looking to purchase a puppy?

A responsible breeder is dedicated to the breed - always learning about a breed, recognizing the need to adhere to key breed identifying characteristics and working hard to do everything possible to maintain and preserve a given breed for the enjoyment of future generations. A responsible breeder carefully weighs each mating with an eye on what is best for the breed in terms of appearance, temperament, and health considerations. A responsible breeder NEVER BREEDS JUST TO SELL PUPPIES FOR MONEY, instead a responsible breeder looks upon each puppy as an investment in the future of the breed. All potential puppy buyers are thoroughly screened to determine suitability, responsibility and capability. A responsible breeder is always there to answer questions, give advise and offer guidance to new puppy owners and will remain a ready source of assistance throughout the animal's lifetime.

A responsible breeder does not "wholesale" puppies to "brokers" for resale to a pet shop; responsible breeders DO NOT regard their puppies as "CASH CROP" or "PIN MONEY." Responsible breeders never mate two dogs without being prepared to care for the resulting puppies for the rest of their lives. Responsible breeders have long range plans, definitive thoughts about their breed and are never afraid to speak up and voice an opinion. Responsible breeders are always there - through the joys of life and heartache of death. Responsible breeders are the BACKBONE of their breed and leave a lasting legacy for future generations of dog lovers to enjoy.

The American Kennel Club STRONGLY RECOMMENDS buying from a RESPONSIBLE breeder.

ANOTHER AKC ARTICLE (REPRINT FORM AKC SITE) ON WHAT A GOOD RESPONSIBLE REPUTABLE BREEDER IS:

A Breeder's Formula

This was submitted by one of AKC'S viewers:

A Breeder (with a capital B) is one who thirsts for knowledge and never really knows it all, one who wrestles with decisions of conscience, convenience, and commitment.

A Breeder is one who sacrifices personal interests, finances, time, friendships, fancy furniture, and deep pile carpeting! She gives up the dreams of a long, luxurious cruise in favour of turning that all important Show into this year's "vacation".

The Breeder goes without sleep (but never without coffee!) in hours spent planning a breeding or watching anxiously over the birth process, and afterwards, over every little sneeze, wiggle or cry. The Breeder skips dinner parties because that litter is due or the babies have to be fed at eight. She disregards birth fluids and puts mouth to mouth to save a gasping new-born, literally blowing life into a tiny, helpless creature that may be the culmination of a lifetime of dreams.

A Breeder's lap is a marvellous place where generations of proud and noble champions once snoozed. A Breeder's hands are strong and firm and often soiled, but ever so gentle and sensitive to the thrusts of a puppy's wet nose.

A Breeder's back and knees are usually arthritic from stooping, bending, and sitting in the birthing box, but are strong enough to enable the breeder to Show the next choice pup to a CHAMPIONSHIP.

A Breeder's shoulders are stooped and often heaped with abuse from competitors, but they're wide enough to support the weight of a thousand defeats and frustrations.

A Breeder's arms are always able to wield a mop, support an armful of puppies, or lend a helping hand to a newcomer.

A Breeder's ears are wondrous things, sometimes red (from being talked about) or strangely shaped (from being pressed against a phone receiver), often deaf to criticism, yet always fine-tuned to the whimper of a sick puppy.

A Breeder's eyes are blurred from pedigree research and sometimes blind to her own dog's faults, but they are ever so keen to the competitions faults and are always searching for the perfect specimen.

A Breeder's brain is foggy on faces, but it can recall pedigrees faster than an IBM computer. It's so full of knowledge that sometimes it blows a fuse: it catalogues thousands of good bonings, fine ears, and perfect heads... and buries in the soul the failures and the ones that didn't turn out.

The Breeder's heart is often broken, but it beats strongly with hope everlasting... and it's always in the right place ! Oh, yes, there are breeders, and then, there are BREEDERS!!

-Author unknown

I hope this has helped you to see what a reputable Breeder of any purebred dog is.