So, you have decided to finally get a Doodle as a new family member in your house. While every dog on this planet is adorable, you still need to do the proper research when choosing a doodle breeder. Doodles are designer dogs, hence more expensive than pure breed dogs. Also, various breeding techniques between different dog generations can affect the outcome.
The difficulty in getting a doodle puppy is most of the time. You will not be able to figure out how will they appear when they grow up. This is why choosing a reliable breeder is essential so that you truly get the right designer dog that will fit into your home. This is also essential because you are discouraging puppy mills by choosing an authentic breeder, which is a very responsible thing to do. We are going to help you do the same here.
1. Do Extensive Breed Research:
When you decide you need to get a doodle, you need to decide which Doodle breed will make the right family member in your home. For that, you need to check the traits of the parent dog breed and see if it suits what you need in your dog. You can seek the help of a doodle dog website to do the same. Ensure to look into the main health issues of the parent breeds so that you will be aware of the health issues your pup can develop.
2. Check the Place Where the Dogs are Kept:
It is a huge red flag if the breeder does not let you see where they keep the parents and the puppies. You should visit the kennel and check the condition where the dogs are kept. Is it clean and safe? Are the dogs provided with quality food and clean water? Are the dogs healthy and adequately taken care of? Does the breeder offer attention and care for the dogs or use them just to do business? Are the dogs happy?
You should be really careful while looking through the kennel, as you do not want to support another puppy mill by choosing the wrong breeder.
3. Ask the Breeder Lot of Questions:
This is a crucial step in getting to know more details about the dog breeder. Do not refrain from asking enough questions. Here, we have listed some of the most important questions you should add to your list of questions.
- Why are you into this business?
- Do you have enough experience and knowledge?
- Do you line breed?
- Where are the dogs and puppies raised?
- How many litters will the female produce till she retires?
- Were the parents bred within AKC standards?
- Do you have the needed permits?
- Can I have references for your previous clients?
- What is this breed’s health problem?
- Do you have the parent’s health test?
- What health tests will you get done for the puppies?
- Do you train the puppies while they are with you?
- Do you socialize with the dogs with adults and children?
- What is the expected size of this puppy?
4. Test the Parents and Puppy:
A healthy puppy guarantees you are starting off at the right place. A responsible breeder will have no issues if you get the pup and its parents tested. The result will ensure that you are getting a healthy puppy home. You should look out for common hereditary issues like hip dysplasia. Also, get other tests done for eye disorders, thyroid, and heart health. If you have chosen a doodle dog breed because they shed less, ensure you get a dog that really sheds less. If one parent breeds sheds more, then your puppy can also get that genetically from the parent. Do a shedding test to understand if the puppy sheds more or less.
5. Check for AKC Standards:
Though doodles are not accepted as members of the American Kennel Club, Poodles are. You should seek a breeder who selects both the parents that follow the AKC standard for the parent breed.
6. Avoid Line Breeders:
Line-breeding is nothing but inbreeding where closely related dogs are bred to get a specific genetic make-up. Prefer not to choose a breeder who follows this practice.
7. Avoid Breeders that Overbreed the Females:
We should not just think about the puppies but also the well-being of parents, especially the mother. Stay clear of breeders who tend to over-breed their females for extra money. This clearly shows they do not care for dogs and are just in the business to make money. Look for breeders who care for the dogs genuinely.
8. Encourage Transperancy:
The communication with the breeders needs to be transparent from day one. They should communicate with you without any apprehensions. They need to share all the details and videos of the parents for the buyers to see. They should let you meet the parents to understand their temperaments. Sharing pictures of previous litters is also helpful. They should also offer communication details of previous buyers so that you can verify the details and be sure of the breeder.
9. Opt for Full-Time Breeders:
It is better to opt for full-time breeders who are more knowledgeable and experienced in this field than breeders who do it as a side business.
10. Get Health Warranty from Breeder:
The breeder should give at least 2 years of health warranty for your new puppy as you would not be able to detect any genetic disorder before that. Ensure to read the contract properly as be aware of breeders who add reasons to void the warranty.
The Bottom Line:
If you are responsible for doing enough research, you will find the right and responsible breeder. Be very careful throughout the process and keep your eyes and ears open. Do not be fooled by false promises and read all the paperwork thoroughly before committing to anything. If you are lucky, you are getting a companion for another 10-15 years, and being vigilant will ensure that those will be many good years with your buddy.
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