Is there such a thing as a 'responsible' breeder? What to look for in a reputable breeder

These days, the process of getting a dog can be fraught with tension -- and I'm not talking about the fight you and your husband have over deciding between a big dog versus a little dog. I'm referring to the choice you have of getting your new puppy or dog from a shelter or rescue organization, a breeder, or a pet shop.

Just look at the brouhaha that erupted earlier this year over Bo, the First Dog. President Obama decided to accept Bo, a Portuguese Water Dog puppy, as a gift to the First Family from Senator Ted Kennedy, who had gotten the purebred puppy from a breeder in Texas. "You promised to get a rescue dog!" the rescue groups cried. "People shouldn't be forced to adopt dogs from shelters!" Others shot back. "This is America, we have the freedom to get a puppy from anywhere we want!" Still others said. The public discourse was long and heated. Some argued that Bo was a rescue puppy because he had been returned to the breeder after not getting along with another dog in the original owner's home. It wasn't as if the President went directly to a breeder and bought a puppy, some said.

Hopefully, by now, we can all agree that buying a puppy from a pet store would not be a wise choice, nor the responsible thing to do. As is well documented, the puppies being sold in pet stores come from "puppy mills" -- large scale breeding operations that house the breeding dogs and puppies in cruel, inhumane, and abhorrent conditions, offering little or no healthcare or early socialization, and viewing the puppies as a commodity and the business of supplying puppies to pet stores a lucrative one. (Read about the horrors of puppy mills.) One pet store in Greenwich Village in New York City sells Yorkshire Terrier puppies for $2,000 each, claiming that they come from a breeder in Hungary. To which I say, whatever. If you buy a puppy from a pet store, you are contributing to the perpetuation of puppy mills and the dog overpopulation problem.

The heated debate continues when it comes to getting a dog from a rescue or shelter group versus a reputable  breeder. Maybe it's because I'm a middle child, but I can see both sides of the argument. While I chose to adopt my dog from a rescue organization and fervently believe that others should do the same, I hesitate to condemn a reputable breeder -- the key word being reputable -- who is working to preserve the beauty of a purebred dog, and not to profit from it. (If you want to skip to the checklist, scroll below for the very stringent qualities that signify a reputable breeder.)

Why should you adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue organization? There are millions of homeless dogs in city shelters and at rescue groups across the country. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) estimates that 6 to 8 millions dogs and cats enter shelters every year. Each year, 3 to 4 million dogs and cats are euthanized by the shelters, who don't have the room to house all the animals. If you are thinking of getting a dog, doesn't it make sense to adopt a dog from one of these shelters or through a rescue group? Why wouldn't you want to give a homeless dog a good home? Moreover, if you want a purebred dog, the HSUS estimates that 25% of dogs in shelters are purebreds. (Read, "Top 10 Tips for Adopting the Right Dog for You.") There are also many rescue organizations in this country that are breed-specific, that is, there are Maltese rescue groups, Poodle groups, Jack Russell Terrier groups, etc. You can work with one of these rescue groups to find a purebred rescue dog that is right for you. If you're going to get a dog, adopting one through a shelter or rescue group is simply the socially responsible thing to do.

Why would you ever buy a dog from a breeder? I don't know. I suppose the reasons run the gamut. Maybe some people want the experience of raising a puppy. (Though there are many puppies living or being born at shelters.) Maybe they want a family dog that is good around children and are afraid of shelter dogs with unknown histories. (Though animal rescue experts say there are many family-friendly and sociable dogs in shelters.) Maybe people want a purebred dog. (Though, as noted above, a full quarter of dogs in shelters are purebreds.) Maybe some people want one of those fancy "designer" breeds. (The mixed-breed dogs or mutts that you will find in shelters are way cuter and more unique-looking.) Maybe people are in love with a particular breed and really want the finest-looking dog of that breed.

If you insist upon buying a dog from a breeder, please avoid backyard breeders, or those selling puppies via the Internet. Many who breed puppies on their property claim they do it because they love the breed and want others to enjoy the pleasures of owning that breed. While they may be sincere in their beliefs, there are other small-scale breeders who do it because it's very lucrative to produce multiple litters of puppies each year and charge upwards of $1,500 per puppy. Regardless of motive, such breeders are contributing to the dog overpopulation problem in this country. These breeders rarely, if ever, thoroughly investigate the type of homes that their puppies will be sold into and whether the buyer is committed to raising the puppy for the rest of its life, or will get rid of it once the cute little pup becomes a big dog, or starts to become a hassle to walk, or starts chewing up the furniture, etc. These breeders claim to be "responsible breeders," but no truly responsible or reputable breeder would sell a puppy to anyone who merely has the cash.

What are the hallmarks of a reputable breeder? Having said all of the above, if you still want to buy a dog, you should find a reputable breeder. I have met several reputable breeders, and they all share the same stringent qualities. 

A reputable breeder:

• only breeds one or two different breeds;
• breeds dogs solely for the purpose of improving the breed standards, according to animal rescue expert Andrea Arden. According to the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America (PWDCA), the "ultimate goal of responsible breeders is to preserve and improve the breed";
• conducts extensive genetic and health testing on their dogs, which are often very expensive, leading the breeder to actually lose money from breeding dogs, or barely break even;
• only breeds dogs who are 2 years old or older and have health certifications;
• is extremely knowledgeable about the dog's breed characteristics: what the dog was originally bred to do, its temperament, traits, size, color, etc.;
• "is actively involved with local, state, and national clubs that specialize in the specific breed; good breeders may also compete the dogs in conformation trials (which judge how closely dogs match their “breed standard”), obedience trials (which judge how well dogs perform specific sets of tasks on command), or tracking and agility trials," according to the HSUS;
• "should be willing to have you visit their premises. You should see a clean environment, well-socialized pups, and a dam with a good temperament. Puppies should be happy and self-assured. It is desirable to have the puppies living somewhere in the house rather than in a separate building or kennel. This allows the puppies to become socialized to the ordinary sights, sounds, smells and activities of a household," according to the PWDCA;
• is honest about the shortcomings of the dog's breed, whether it's the amount of daily exercise needed, grooming requirements, or stating that their breed may not be right for everyone;
• "explains in detail the potential genetic problems inherent in the breed (every breed has specific genetic predispositions) and provides documentation---through organizations such as the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)---that the puppy’s parents and grandparents have been tested to ensure that they are free of these genetic problems," according to the HSUS;
• breeds no more than one litter a year and allows a breeding dog to sufficiently recover between giving birth to litters. (One reputable breeder I met only bred 7 litters of puppies in 20 years of breeding Belgian Malinois dogs and repeatedly turned buyers away when the breed became popular);
• often has a waiting list of buyers since so few pups are available;
• will provide a written contract for you to sign agreeing to spay/neuter your puppy;
• maintains a lifelong responsiblity for all the puppies they bring into this world and willl require you, in writing, to promise to return the dog to the breeder if you are ever unable or unwilling to care for it any longer;
• will thorougly investigate your suitability as a dog owner, including inquiring into, or visiting, your home and meeting all family members, requiring you to submit proof that your landlord or home association allows dogs, and that you have a veterinarian, and will turn you away if their requirements aren't met. (As one breeder said, "I get to know the potential buyer as I'm raising the puppies and pick the puppy for the buyer");
• keeps the dogs they breed as house pets and evaluates the health and temperament of their puppies;
• "should give you written instructions on feeding, training, care and grooming. Breeders should also supply you with basic information about the breed, either as a gift, or to purchase at a nominal cost. You should also receive the pup's health and vaccination records. Breeders should provide a contract or some written, signed conditions of sale. You should also get a copy of your puppy's pedigree and you should be able to see a copy of the AKC Registration Application Form," according to the PWDCA. (One reputable breeder told me she spends the first eight weeks of a puppy's life house breaking it, teaching it to walk on a leash, and providing crate training);
• is able to provide you with references from veterinarians and other buyers;
• will provide you with information on caring for you puppy's health and vaccinations that are required;
• remain available to answer any questions you may have after taking the puppy home;
• rarely, if ever, advertise;
• often do not charge top dollar for their puppies as they do not want their breed to become profitable to puppy mill operators;
• actually become dismayed when their breed gains in popularity as that may encourage people to start breeding them irresponsibly;
• will never, under any circumstances, sell a puppy to a pet store or pet broker.

Where can you find a reputable breeder? Through National Breed Clubs and word of mouth, says the PWDCA. Reputable breeders also show their dogs at competitions. For this reason, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is one way to meet reputable breeders. Westminster is one of the few remaining "benched" dog shows in the country, meaning members of the public are allowed backstage to meet all the dogs and breeders showing at the event. It's a great opportunity to learn about different dogs and meet the country's top notch breeders of any particular breed. Many breeders consider it a personal responsiblity to remain in the benched area --- even after their particular dog has already been shown and eliminated from the competition -- to educate the public about their breed and how to buy a purebred dog.

The PWDA also cautions that a "USDA-inspected" breeder is not automatically equivalent to a reputable breeder. "The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) enforces the federal law called the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), which regulates commercial breeding operations. But the act doesn't require all commercial breeders to be licensed, and the USDA establishes only minimum-care standards in enforcing this law. Breeders are required to provide food, water, and shelter -- but not love, socialization, or freedom from confining cages," the PWDCA states on its website.

Finally, question why you want a purebred dog. While I admire a beautiful purebred dog, I don't feel the need to possess one. I choose to admire them from afar or at the the dog park. But that is me. If you -- for whatever reason -- want a purebred dog, remember that there are many of them, of all breeds and ages, and including puppies, at purebred rescue groups across the country. 

As Sue Sternberg, renowned dog trainer and author of the popular book, "Successful Dog Adoption," says, "Adopting a shelter dog is not just the right thing to do, there's something about the bond that's created between the dog that was once unwanted and you. There is something that you as a human feel grateful for, and the dog somehow, I think, feels grateful too."

Sure, you may not be able to find the right rescue dog for you right away, but once you meet the dog that is meant to be with you, you'll see that it was worth the wait.