Need tips on buying a dog from a breeder

[Warwitch]

My wife and I are wanting to add a dog to the family. We already have a breed selected (bull terrier). Im ready to start looking for a breeder and Im wondering what kind of questions I should be asking. Any tips on what to keep an eye out for would be great. Ive found a couple that are on the AKC breeder referral list which I would assume should be pretty reputable. I just dont want to end up with a sick puppy.

Thanks in advance.

[Hexis]

One thing my in-laws learned the hard way: if they let you take the pup home before it is 8 weeks old, don't walk away, run. Also the pups should be with their mother till you take them home.

[Fred]

AKC means squat, as they have no real authority, and anyone can get a cert.

If you're insisting on that breed, make sure you meet other people who have dogs from the same breeder, same breeding pair if you can.

I doubt I'd EVER buy a dog from a breeder when there are so many in rescues or Humane Society shelters, but to each his own.

[Sumthinwicked]

i got my full bred pit puppy for 50 $ he came with a free cert for cutting the jewels off and a bag of food and a toy for free
at my local pound its worth looking you might find some real winners if you need papers thats another story all together

[MANN]

my .02 as both a breeder & buyer

history of the parrents is good. I can track my male & female back ~ 5 generations. Any AKC breeder can show at least 3 generations. I know as a breeder I always gave a one year "warranty" for any pup I sold that protected the buyer from any hereditary issues. I always provided a letter from my vet that stated that both the parents & puppies are in good health (something you should try to get also.) Good luck with your decision. It is hard to find good breeders.

Dont be afraid to travel. My female is from ~ 45 min from me, and my male is ~ 3hrs away. Also if buying from other states be aware of the shipping associated with purchasing puppies. You cannot ship/recieve if the average temperature for the plane for the last 30 days is above 80* (or something like that). There are a few other things also that are specific with the carrier.

[DevilMan]

I don't care for the breeders stuff. I go to the pound or find someone who got a pup and has to move and such....

But that's me.

DM

[MANN]

AKC means squat, as they have no real authority, and anyone can get a cert.

If you're insisting on that breed, make sure you meet other people who have dogs from the same breeder, same breeding pair if you can.

I doubt I'd EVER buy a dog from a breeder when there are so many in rescues or Humane Society shelters, but to each his own.

AKC breeders have to have records. If you want a specific dog for a specific purpose then it is nice to know that the pup you get is not a mut/mix breed. There is nothing wrong with muts. I have owned, own many, but there temperament is always a roll of the dice.

[Warwitch]

We have done lots of research on breeds. We find the bull terrier to be the best suited in size, temperment and maintenance. Id like to clarify that we are not looking for a pit bull. People seem to get them confused. Ive done the rescue thing several times in the past and they were great! But as our first family pet we really want to get it during the best time for imprinting.

And Im not worried about driving to find a good breeder. In our home our pets are family. So I will travel as far as I have to. Hopefully within the state but anywhere in the southeast if necessary.


Edit: this is what we are looking for. Sorry pit fans.

[Spider-TW]

While pure breds have typical behaviors, they can be just as defective as any other dog, more so in some ways. Try to know the behavior of the parents before you trust the pup if possible. My family has had some very defective pure bred Dobermans and a weimeraner [?] that was impossibly hound dog (like he was supposed to be) even though he had been raised in a back yard for his first year. The point is that akc pure bred doesn't guarantee a good dog, but it will give you a clue what to expect.

[Warwitch]

While pure breds have typical behaviors, they can be just as defective as any other dog, more so in some ways. Try to know the behavior of the parents before you trust the pup if possible. My family has had some very defective pure bred Dobermans and a weimeraner [?] that was impossibly hound dog (like he was supposed to be) even though he had been raised in a back yard for his first year. The point is that akc pure bred doesn't guarantee a good dog, but it will give you a clue what to expect.

Yeah, nautral defects are a lot more common in all of the breeds you mentioned than bt's. Thats one of the reasons we like them. They arent prone nasal/ear issues or hip dysplasia.

Ive only gotten pets from a litter a couple of times. And each time I chose the one that was most adventurous and willing to explore.

[Hexis]

You may also want to check to see if there are any rescue organizations dedicated to that breed. My wife has been a lab person her whole life, so finding a lab to rescue was a pretty easy. We got a great 10m old yellow lab. Rescue is a really good way to get a pup.

My wife had a couple of general suggestions:

The best breeders will want to get to know the environment the pup is going into, and pick the pup from litter that best fits your home. There should also be something about the breeder getting the pup back if you can't keep it for some reason.

[NU_METAL]

You may also want to check to see if there are any rescue organizations dedicated to that breed. My wife has been a lab person her whole life, so finding a lab to rescue was a pretty easy. We got a great 10m old yellow lab. Rescue is a really good way to get a pup.

My wife had a couple of general suggestions:

The best breeders will want to get to know the environment the pup is going into, and pick the pup from litter that best fits your home. There should also be something about the breeder getting the pup back if you can't keep it for some reason.

ok thats wierd because i was going to say all of this just in different wording .this is absolutely correct ,you can tell allot about a dog from the breeder / then the parents ,if breeders arent flexible w/question's,.move on down the road ,
go play w/ the parents first ,if thier not their ,dont listen to excuse's cuz thats all they are ,
after that handle the pups and watch the sire & dam's reaction (parents)
remember go w/ the gut ,..its never wrong ,....and if the Miss's gets a bad feeling also she's probably picking something up that your not .i know you 2 are sensible enough to find the perfect pup ,and alot of it is all in how you raise em' anyway
<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/3774/aug200003ew5.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/></a><br/>
mine even like paintball

[Miltonyz]

Cool choice. I always think the bull terriers are so ugly that they are cute. I know you said you have already done your research but I figured I'd throw in a couple of points.

Bull terriers like most bully breeds are insanely strong for their size and tend to be dog agressive. Early socialization is a must and getting it fixed never hurts.

Also they tend to have a large prey drive with all the complications that brings with it.


Cute Pic nu-metal heres mine

[Storminnorman]

We have done lots of research on breeds. We find the bull terrier to be the best suited in size, temperment and maintenance. Id like to clarify that we are not looking for a pit bull. People seem to get them confused. Ive done the rescue thing several times in the past and they were great! But as our first family pet we really want to get it during the best time for imprinting.

And Im not worried about driving to find a good breeder. In our home our pets are family. So I will travel as far as I have to. Hopefully within the state but anywhere in the southeast if necessary.


Edit: this is what we are looking for. Sorry pit fans.

There the same breed.

[Miltonyz]

Whats the same breed Pits and bull terriers? If thats what you are saying you are wrong. They are similar breeds that share common ancestors but are distinct. A bull terrier is no more a pitbull then a labrador is a golden.