Unfortunately, there are a lot of people out there claiming to be reputable breeders when they are in fact not. So how do you find the right kind of breeder?
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I went to a breeder to pick out a Shih Tzu; she is 8 weeks old, and I really adored her, but I was a bit concerned because she had a very unpleasant wet dog smell. The breeder also had cats and a big German Shepherd who continuously licked the pups. I am just wandering if the smell was from that or if these puppies weren't being properly taking care of.
I would love to rescue this little puppy, but I am afraid once I have her washed and groomed she'll still have that strong odor. Please help me. I will be a first time dog owner, so I am really unsure of what to do. Thank you.
By La Shonda from Detroit, MI
How about adopting a rescue dog? Even in the small city that I live in, the animal shelter kills 1,200 lbs. of dogs and cats a month because people go to breeders instead of adopting one from rescue.
It sounds like you have gone to a backyard breeder. A quality breeder shows their dogs and will only breed to promote the best qualities in a breed and breed out the bad ones. You can still get a loving pet from these places, but there is often a compromise in the health and build of the dog. Hence the much lower price.
This puppy may have an odor for a while, but if that is your only concern go ahead and get her. It won't last forever!
Adopting from a breeder can be tricky to make sure they are a good breeder. It seems like you have already been to the breeders. Is the pets area kept clean? Are the pets caged or are they able to get exercise? Is she breeding multiple dogs or just the one?
You are never really "rescuing" from a breeder. A good breeder will have a vet check on the dogs and puppies before they go to a new home. You should be able to get vet records. They should already have their first and maybe even second shots. The puppy should also come with a warranty (if a genetic death happens, you will get first pick of another liter for example).
It seems to me that the place is not kept clean, which is why the dog smells.
Buying from a breeder isn't bad, as long as they are taking good care of their dogs. Many shelters have purebred dogs, check out petfinder.com! If the puppy is in poor health, the worst thing you could do is buy from them. If people keep buying, they keep breeding!
If you do get the puppy, first place you should go (with a shelter dog or from a breeder) is the vet for a full checkup!
Get the puppy! The smell is from being licked by the "surrogate mother shepherd" dog. Groomers use special doggie shampoo which should get rid of the smell.
Please either take the puppy, or go to your local shelter and adopt a puppy from there. Puppies at the shelter will be put to sleep if they do not find a home.
I am looking for a miniature American Cocker puppy, preferably buff color and male. I've had Cockers all of my life and haven't replaced the last one because my husband was deathly ill for 2 years. As he is on the road to recovery at last, I would love to find a puppy, but it has to be a mini as we live in a condo now.
By Sharyn
I am glad you are looking for a reputable breeder instead of supporting the puppy mills. Even though you are in Canada, I would start with www.akc.com. On the left side you will find a link for breeders. On the next page scroll down almost all the way to the bottom and on the also on the left you will find a link for breeder referrals.
Cockers are a great breed, but mini-Cockers aren't AKC recognized. I did a bit of Googling, and you may want to as well before considering any Mini-Cocker breeder.
A lot of what I'm finding states that people will take the "runts" of regular Cocker litters and mate the undersized dogs in order to present a mini. What you're getting, in essence, is a dog that can carry a heightened risk of any diseases or health conditions that a Cocker can be prone to.
There's a big question as to whether this type of backyard breeding is ethical--both to prospective owners who have higher rates of vet bills or early death of their dogs and to the dogs: the dams that shouldn't be bred and the puppies who can suffer or die much earlier than the standard breed life.
Agree that you should check the AKC's list of reputable Cocker breeders in your area, though.
I am so happy your dear hubby is on the road to recovery!
I am sorry I don't have an answer about reputable breeders but may I suggest checking out your local shelters and places like pet finders first? There are so many great dogs (including cockers) out there who desperately need homes and, unless they are in a no kill shelter, will not be alive for long. :-(
www.petfinder.com/
Dont forget they have Purebred Cocker rescues. Please try petfinder.com Or if you cant find what you're looking for, try a reputable breeder.
A reputable breeder will tell you everything about the breed, parents should be present, and show paperwork.
I am looking for local breeders for a Rhodesian Ridgeback.
By Carol from Norwich
Go to this AKC link for trusted reputable breeder information:
www.akc.org/
Pretty please consider adopting a Rhodesian Ridgeback in need of a home first though. You can search for one through your local animal shelters and/or go to this link to search for one up for adoption at this link:
www.petfinder.com/
PS - I just checked out the PetFinder link more thoroughly and there are currently 515 Rhodesian Ridgebacks awaiting a home. Go to this direct link, scroll down and then click on Rhodesian Ridgeback:
I have a 10 month old Pure Bred Chocolate Point Himalayan and am really in need of some help finding a reputable Himalayan Cat Breeder near my Home of Elmira, NY. I've tried EVERY website imaginable and am unable to find anyone. The breeder has to have breeding papers.
Here is a page with Himalayan Breeders. I didn't see any in New York but there is one in Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Some of these breed show cats so hopefully they are reputable.
Here is a list of breeders in New York state:
www.himalayan.org/
And more in New York and New Jersey
www.breedlist.com/
Susan from ThriftyFun
