This is a question many people have when they think about acquiring a purebred dog, even if they don't understand much about the subject, the person looking for a purebred dog will find several "breeders", several ads, several prices, and several " lineages”, and after all how should I choose a breeder? Am I just based on price? What features should I look for?

​

       I decided to write this article to help you in this search, remembering that the final decision is always the buyer's, so if you choose the wrong one, you can live with some problems for years, in addition to encouraging clandestine creation.

​

1. Research the breed you intend to acquire, before google kennels and advertisements, google the breed characteristics, see if the size, size, coat, temperament, care needs match your routine and if you have provision for these demands. Ok, you've done a lot of research and decided that you want a Golden Retriever, you already know that it is a large dog (30-45kg), with a semi-long coat, which is very intelligent, but needs to be properly educated as a puppy, which needs regular baths and that he eats an amount compatible with his size of food. You already know that despite his size he adapts in “apartments”, but that it takes discipline with exercises, socialization and proper care of the floor that the dog will exercise.

2. You have already chosen the breed and you know its particularities, and reading about its particularities you have seen that each race has some common genetic diseases, and that some tests are carried out to control the diseases, in the case of the Golden, we are talking about hip dysplasia, a disease that affects large breed dogs with more predisposition and very common in the breed, that although breeders carry out tests on dogs and a polygenic recessive disease that it is still not possible to guarantee that a puppy will not develop the disease throughout its life, but believe me, with proper care, the incidence decreases considerably, so look for a breeder who performs these exams on dogs.

​

     Now that you already know about the breed you are looking for, you already know its type, size, temperament and the main diseases that affect the breed, it is time to look for a reliable kennel to acquire your best friend, and these are the main tips you need know before the final choice.

​

1. You are looking for a purebred dog, so the only document that guarantees this is the “pedigree”, but it alone is not enough to guarantee the purity of the animal, you will need to evaluate more things.

2. In addition to pedigree, you should seek to acquire healthy dogs, remember that you studied about some common diseases in the breed? Look for a kennel that controls diseases and shows you the health reports, after all, you don't want your little friend to get sick all the time, don't you?

3. Standard of the breed, ALWAYS observe the parents of the puppy, genetics works the same way as in humans, your puppy will inherit characteristics from the parents, so you need to like both parents VERY much, because your puppy will look like them, and observe the temperament of the parents, if they are affectionate, secure and if they appear to be psychologically healthy.

4. Did you like a certain kennel, saw the photos, the parents have pedigree and health report and that's it, should I buy this puppy??? Calm down, not yet, you need to evaluate more things before acquiring the puppy. Now begins the evaluation of the “creator”. See if he treats you well and provides you with the necessary information about the breed, pre- and post-sales support, see if he contractually guarantees his responsibilities and if he has any references. Don't just focus your search on kennels near you, look for kennels of excellence, regardless of where they are located.

5. Ask about the breeder's experience with the breed, what motivated him to breed and what are the goals with that mating, only in this aspect you will eliminate 90% of advertisements and clandestine kennels, as clandestine kennels usually breed multi breeds (more than 5 breeds), the goal is just to sell, and the breeder is not familiar with all breeds, he will eliminate the very cheap ads, promotions, as they certainly do not treat dogs properly with health checks for example, but that's not all. enough if you want to acquire your puppy from a “breeder of excellence”, always ask for the contact of a Veterinary Doctor responsible for the kennel if there is any doubt that the breeder has not explained to you.

6. Shall we look at the remaining 10% of ads and kennels? Beware of excess MARKETING, it's not always everything you see on the internet, after all in marketing we only show what we want others to see right? Whenever possible, visit the kennel, see how the dogs are treated, if they are clean, well cared for, if they are fed properly, if they have visible wounds. OK the kennel has a lot of advertising and the dogs are well taken care of, is this one right??? NOT yet, now look at how the breeder behaves with his dogs, does he live with the dogs? (Imagine that to breed with quality the main factor is love right?, is it possible to love your dogs and not want to spend most of your time, of your life, with them?, I really believe not, and that living with the dogs is a key factor in the choice), how many dogs does this kennel have? Is it possible for a kennel with 100 dogs to love and treat them properly? Because in addition to food, care, space, they need LOVE and coexistence, so beware of very crowded kennels, and beware of kennels that put few dogs on the site but have many hidden behind it.

7. How long has the breeder been involved in cynophilia, in the breed? Experience It's not everything, but it's a VERY important factor before choosing a kennel, of course every breeder starts one day, but those who keep breeding for years have a unique experience factor with the breed, and this factor can help you a lot later. . Although they see that this is the 7 questions to be evaluated.

8. And finally, after all that, choose your puppy, ask for guidance from the breeder you chose to help you choose, don't hesitate to contact him in any doubt, follow his guidelines, trust him (after all, you chose him and he went through all these evaluations right?), if he guides you to neuter your pet he will explain why, if he guides you to supplement the puppy he will also explain the reason, if he guides you to care with exercises, or with feeding him is also aware of this and just wants to see you and the puppy happy! Don't be fooled by exaggerated marketing, excess of good deeds, don't confuse breeding with production, ask for references, have you ever stopped to think how other good breeders see themselves? (there are MANY GOOD breeders of a breed, it's not something exclusive to one person, several people can work in order to improve the breed, and apart from some personal fights, these breeders like each other and support each other, because the goal is not sell, but IMPROVE, MAINTAIN, PRESERVE the breed we love so much!) So make sure that if a breeder doesn't have what you're looking for, he'll indicate a colleague he admires so you can evaluate and judge if it's what you're looking for!

9. You are the customer, you who make good kennels prosper, and inhibit the creation of clandestine kennels, don't buy a pig in a poke, save, a good dog costs a lot of work and investment to its breeder and it's worth paying for the quality of this selection.

​

​

   Now I've shared with you a little bit of my experience in cynophilia, I hope it's useful for you! Good luck choosing the “great breeder” for your new friend!

​

Veterinary Doctor and owner of the Calli kennel: Isabella Calli