That leaves relatively small percentages of puppies being raised by experienced people who are dedicated to one or two breeds and raising puppies for reasons
other than maximum profit. Not all of these breeders are knowledgeable and conscientious.
How Do You Identify An Experienced and Conscientious Breeder?
1. When you inquire about a puppy, the breeder will interview you. You know they will not sell you a puppy simply
because you want one and have the money to pay for one. They want to know that you can house and raise their puppy appropriately and that their puppy will have
one permanent home for his entire lifetime.
2. You will talk to and buy the puppy from the breeder who raised the litter and owns or co-owns the mother (dam). Conscientious breeders don't trust other people
to screen puppy buyers for them and would never offer a puppy
as a prize or for an auction. Their puppies don't cost any more because there is no "middleman". All puppies will have had at least one DHLP and parvo vaccination
and a worm test or a worming.
3. The breeder will know the ancestry of the puppies, not just parents, but grandparents and beyond. Not just titled and colors, but strong points and weak points of
personality and structure. A dedicated breeder will breed only with the intention of improving the breed, planning each litter with this goal in mind,
using parents of appropriate qualities in relation to the official standard and description of the breed,
physical soundness, and temperament. Before producing a litter, breeders will consider proper
placement of puppies they cannot keep.
4. The breeder will tell you what genetic screening (such as OFA Hip x-rays CERF) is necessary for that breed, will be willing to discuss problems and show proof of genetic
screening. The breeder should provide proof of both parents OFA hip results. Make sure the OFA results they give you are for Hips. There are other forms of OFA testing, and not all
certificates are proof against HD.
5. You won't see multiple litters of multiple breeds. Most curly breeders breed one litter a year. If they are breeding in excess of that, I would question their motives. Most respectable curly breeders need time to
evaluate the puppies they produce in one litter before breeding another litter. They should have a goal in mind for every litter they produce. You will see evidence (photos,
books, possibly awards) of long term interest and activity in the breed. The puppies environment will be clean with ample room for exercise. Puppies confined to a
small area can't grow normally and are difficult to housetrain.
6. The puppies will not have been separated from their mother and littermates at less than 7 weeks of age. Many breeders consider 7-8 weeks ideal, some later. But
if you look at puppies over 12 weeks of age, be certain they have had enough individual attention and separation from one another, that they are more bonded to
people than to other dogs.
7. All things discussed and implied will be written down in a contract. The breeder will be there to help and advise you
throughout the life of the puppy. Many breeders will ask you to bring the puppy (or dog) back to them at any age, if for any reason you can't keep him.
8. Unless you are very serious about becoming a student of your breed and a conscientious breeder, you will be encouraged to spay/neuter the pup. The breeding of
a dog is a responsibility that shouldn't be entered into lightly.
9. The breeder will insist that you prepare an appropriate place at home for your puppy before you take your puppy home. They will give you thorough personal
instructions on puppy feeding and care and a record of vaccinations and
worming.
10. If AKC registration application is not yet available, the breeder will furnish you with the registered names and numbers of sire and dam, birth date of litter and
name, address and phone number of breeder as the AKC requires.
Be aware that AKC registration does not mean quality. It only means that your dog is a purebred. "Pet quality" puppies should be considered as just that! Even
litters from very well bred parents usually contain only a few "show or breeding" quality pups. The rest of the litter sold as pets can well supply the pet-buying public,
providing that the buyers realize that, while pure-bred, these puppies are not breeding stock.