Finding a reputable dog breeder...

[ollyextra05]

My husband and I are looking into getting a dog, probably sometime this summer.
We will be visiting shelters to look at dogs but also want to investigate purebreds. My question is, how do you find a good breeder? The breed we're mainly interested in, for a variety of reasons, are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. I've looked on the web to find a breeder via the akc website and haven't had much luck finding a breeder that is near enough to us that we could drive out on a Saturday or Sunday to meet them.

Anybody have any good resources on finding breeders?

 

[loveysmummy]

Congrats on a new pup! I vote for the shelter route but if you are looking for a purebred, the key to finding a reputable breeder is what you shouldn't see rather than what you should.

Here is a good link that determines the difference between a BYB/UNethical breeder and a Reputable/Ethical/COE breeder.

http://www.cinemaboxers.com/bybvssb.htm

Ie, A good breeder doesn't:
---advertise in the newspaper
---put in their ad "both parents can be seen"
---sell for a profit
---sell to petstores


Its a rewarding long road to determining YOUR breeder, but when you find the right one and you get to take a pup home, you have earned a buddy and dog advisor for life! You MAY have to drive far from home to find the breed you are looking for.

 

[dicknleah]

Another thing, once found, a reputable breeder will always have a waiting list so you may have to wait months or even years to get a pup.

Being in rescue myself I agree that you should start with that route. With rescue it could take months as well so I would start searching now. Petfinder.com has a huge database of adoptables. Good luck in your search.

 

[sharky]

I find word of mouth is good.. Try the local shelter , yes some will not give you that info but others will have some info on local breeders.. I will tell you cavelier prices are varing up to 1000 dollars depending on area( just in my area with two I have heard good things about breeders one sells pup for 500-850 and the other starts at 1200/... Some good breeders starting out may advertise in papers on the web just like cat breeders...

 

[loveysmummy]

Originally Posted by dicknleah

Another thing, once found, a reputable breeder will always have a waiting list so you may have to wait months or even years to get a pup.

Being in rescue myself I agree that you should start with that route. With rescue it could take months as well so I would start searching now. Petfinder.com has a huge database of adoptables. Good luck in your search.

Good point, Dicknleah...A good breeder doesn't have to advertise as they will have waiting lists.

Other links I found to peruse are:

http://www.ackcsc.org/

http://www.jlhweb.net/Boxermap/reputablebreeder.html

And here is the addy of the National Rescue Chair for CKCS's
http://www.barkbytes.com/rescue/cavking.htm

While you are waiting for your puppy, you can fully research the breed, acquire equipment, acquaint yourself with trainers in your area (sit in on classes), etc..

 

[amitya]

if you do decide to go with a breeder make sure that they health test all their dogs-- For Cavs it should be CERF, OFA Patellas/hips, Heart testing (again OFA), leggs-calve-perthes disease (bloodlines should be free of LCP disease) and there may be another one i cant recall at the moment.

Make sure they have a reasonable contract and a LIFETIME guarantee-- 2 year guarantee minimum as many genetic issues will not show up until about 2 years of age.

Good breeders dont have pups available all the time-- and like others said they dont breed for profit.

Good luck! Its a lot of work researching and reading but well worth the payoff when you get your new dog.

 

[ollyextra05]

Thanks for all the info, guys!
We've got lots of research to do! I'm still about 60% positive we'll get a shelter dog, but it seems worth it to research cavaliers since we're so fond of them. I've also found a Cav rescue group in my area, going to email them to get that ball rolling.

 

[sharky]

If you want one I do advice the rescue... I got Gigi by accident the humane society should have turned her over to yorkie rescue I am so glad they didnt