ruthcatrin
Well-Known Member
Ask about health testing. For Neo's the basic requirements aren't much (and IMO should include a longer required list), and are fairly simple. Both parents should have had a CERF eye exam, a thyroid test run, and an OFA heart exam. My personal preference would be to ALSO have hips done via either Pennhip or OFA, and elbows via OFA, however it appears that the breed club doesn't require that. OFA results can be checked here: http://www.offa.org/ at no charge to you.
WHY did they pick these two dogs to breed together? The answer should be more than "they make pretty puppies". The goal of a good breeder should be the betterment of the breed, there should be specific reasons why THIS male was picked to mate to THIS female, conformation, temperment, working ability, etc. And be very very wary of repeat litters using the same sire and dam as a previous litter, there should be a REALLY good reason for a repeat (and I'm hard-pressed to come up with one off the top of my head, but ask, the variations are always interesting).
Conformation titles are frankly over-rated, but I want to see that at least one of the parents has done SOMETHING to make his or her genes worth passing on. If not a conformation title, then a working title, or proof of working ability. Under the right circumstances I'd accept a proven therapy dog. But give me something besides "he's handsome and my baby and I think he's gorgeous!!!".
Ask about puppy contracts, what is expected of you ask a puppy buyer, and what is expected of the breeder after you take the puppy home. What everyone wants to see out of a contract varies, but if you're paying good money for this puppy you should at bare minimum expect the breeder to be willing to support you and help you with any problems you may have with the pup down the road.
Explain to the breeder exactly what you want out of this dog. A good breeder should be able to tell you if thats a realistic expectation of a pup from this litter or not.
WHY did they pick these two dogs to breed together? The answer should be more than "they make pretty puppies". The goal of a good breeder should be the betterment of the breed, there should be specific reasons why THIS male was picked to mate to THIS female, conformation, temperment, working ability, etc. And be very very wary of repeat litters using the same sire and dam as a previous litter, there should be a REALLY good reason for a repeat (and I'm hard-pressed to come up with one off the top of my head, but ask, the variations are always interesting).
Conformation titles are frankly over-rated, but I want to see that at least one of the parents has done SOMETHING to make his or her genes worth passing on. If not a conformation title, then a working title, or proof of working ability. Under the right circumstances I'd accept a proven therapy dog. But give me something besides "he's handsome and my baby and I think he's gorgeous!!!".
Ask about puppy contracts, what is expected of you ask a puppy buyer, and what is expected of the breeder after you take the puppy home. What everyone wants to see out of a contract varies, but if you're paying good money for this puppy you should at bare minimum expect the breeder to be willing to support you and help you with any problems you may have with the pup down the road.
Explain to the breeder exactly what you want out of this dog. A good breeder should be able to tell you if thats a realistic expectation of a pup from this litter or not.