Here are a few questions to ask when you are looking for a breeder. This is only a guideline to help in your search for that perfect companion for you and your family.

Ø Are the dogs registered with the Canadian or American Kennel Club? If they are not, why?

Ø Can I enquire on the breeders status with the above clubs as a form of reference?

Ø How long before I will get my registration papers on my puppy?

Ø Do you do health testing on your breeding stock? (for example-hips/eyes/vWD/thyroid/heart)

Ø Can I see documentation of the results of these health tests?

Ø How young do you breed your dogs?

Ø Will I have to wait on a list for a puppy?

Ø Do you keep a puppy from each litter? in no why?

Ø Why are you breeding?

Ø How early do you let your puppies go to their new homes?

Ø Do I need to have my puppy cropped? If so, why?

Ø Do I need to provide references for you?

Ø Can you provide references of your breeding program and buyers?

Ø Do you show your dogs in Conformation shows? If not….why?

Ø Do you have a written guarantee and if so, may I read it before I must purchase or put a deposit on the puppy?

Ø Do you refund if for some reason placement does not work out?

Ø May I visit your home to see your facilities and visit the puppies and parents?

There are breeders that can not or will not answere these questions. Do your homework and research before purchasing your puppy. Don’t take a breeders word for it. Breeders should be able to back up health clearances and pedigrees with documentation. Be careful because there are some that are simply in breeding for a profit.

Many breeders are willing to ship accross North America and it’s not hard on the puppies. Do not by from your own backyard simply because it’s convenient. Often the cheaper puppy cost more in the long run in both vet bills and heartache.

If a breeder doesn’t ask you any questions as to your lifestyle or family situation, be aware they maybe only interested in the sale of the puppy and not the best interests of that puppy.

There are people that will not do even the most basic of health testing. To ensure the longetivity of your family companinon ask to see Cerf and vWD status of both parents. Ethical breeders will gladly produce all these and many more, showing their dedication to the breed.

Think twice before you buy a dog from anyone that demands the puppy to be cropped or requires the puppy to be picked up before the age of 8 weeks. Puppies generally leave their breeders home between 8-12weeks. By 8 weeks a puppy is usually ready to leave their littermates, ready for house training and are ready for individual attention. Many breeders choose to keep puppies longer then 8weeks for various reasons including, keeping as possible show potential, keep for temperament testing, keep to crop their ears, keep longer for shipping, keep to have them altered, or genetic testing. There are many good reasons for a breeder to keep a puppy longer then 8weeks, and no good ones to send the pup out at a earlier age.

Check with the Canadian Kennel Club or the American Kennel Club to ensure that the person selling you a puppy is able to register that puppy as a purebred. A computer generated pedigree or certificate is not proof of a purebred.

Check out www.ckc.ca for more information on this breed (416)675-5511