Finding an Accountable Breeder
Adding a new puppy to your family can be very exciting but deciding on what breed best suits you and your family is only part of the process. Just as much time should be spent on selecting your breeder.
Get to Know Your Breeder
A breeder is not just the person who will bring your puppy into this world, providing first-rate care for the first several months of your puppy’s life. They are also someone who will be part of your puppy-raising support team for many years to come.
It’s essential in the puppy buying process that you not only get to know your preferred breed, but also your breeder. This can be done through phone calls, meet and greets, the application process, and a little bit of homework checking your sources. Ask to visit the breeder’s home, the puppies’ parents, and/or the puppies before you bring your dog home. If you can’t visit them, ask if the parents and/or puppies born in Canada? If not, why not?
Many accountable breeders use sires and dams from outside of Canada to help strengthen and improve the genetic diversity in their breed – especially if it is a rare or less common breed. If your breeder used a dam or sire from outside of Canada, or if the puppies are being imported to Canada prior to sale, ask the breeder for more information why. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the breeder’s breeding and puppy rearing practices, and about the breed as a whole!
Adding a new member to your family can be an exciting and patience-trying experience. Don’t let your anticipation of your new arrival let you forget that not all individuals selling dogs or puppies are accountable, reputable breeders. Our information below can help you choose an accountable breeder who will be a good fit for you and your family.
Make an Informed Choice
To start your search for a breeder that fits your family’s needs, contact the
National Breed Club for your selected breed for breeder referrals in your area. Breed-specific social media groups are also a great place to meet and chat with other people who have welcomed home puppies from your potential breeder, or other breeders in your area.
The
CKC Puppy List also lists CKC Member Breeders by breed and province. Using the tips below, reach out to a few breeders near you to start a conversation and get to know the breeder better. Now is the perfect time to ask them any questions you might have about the breed, discuss exercise and grooming needs, confirm what health tests the breeder has performed with their dogs, and more.
The process of choosing an accountable breeder who will be a good fit for you and your family can seem challenging. We’ve compiled
a list of key tips to help you find the right breeder.