Good and Bad Dog Breeders
There are hundreds of different dog breeders today. It is sometimes difficult to determine which breeders are responsible ones and which are not, however there are some things that all good and reliable breeders have in common.
One sign of a good breeder is that they place the welfare of their dogs first and foremost. They understand that things can go wrong during a dog's pregnancy and delivery. Sometimes an emergency Caesarian section is necessary. Sometimes the mother dog cannot nurse or care for the pups after delivery. A responsible breeder is aware of any potential problems and has plans already in place for any problems or emergencies.
A good breeder realises that they may not make a profit from breeding their dogs. They understand that sometimes medical treatments and complications will eat away at their profit from selling their puppies. Even though they realise this they will still do what is necessary to make sure their dogs are taken care of. They also have funds set aside or have an agreement with their vet in case any treatments are needed.
A good breeder will guarantee and stand behind their puppies. They will guarantee that their puppies are free of congenital problems and disease. The best and most responsible breeders are in the business to improve the breed of dog they are raising. These breeders choose the best breeding stock and do not breed inferior animals.
The points listed above are there to help you find a breeder that takes good care of their dogs and can be classed as a proper and responsible breeder, but as an ethical pet insurance company we must state that there are breeders out there who do have the best of intentions, and truly love their animals, but may not have all the contingencies in place - perhaps through lack of experience or funds. This should not necessarily deter you from buying a puppy which needs a loving home. Likewise, just because a breeder looks good on paper does not necessarily mean that they have the love for their animals which of course is vital to the happiness of the pups.
In my opinion, if you are looking for a dog or puppy you should really pay a visit first and foremost to your local rescue centre and look at adopting an animal in need of a good loving home. If you are in or near London, why not pay a visit to the Mayhew Animal Home - as one of AFI's beneficiary charities we know just how many unwanted and abused animals are in desperate need of your help.
Once everyone in your household including your newest member has settled down into a routine and you know that this is the right pup for your family, you should seriously consider getting pet insurance on your puppy in case of unforeseen medical expenses in the years to come. You have health insurance on the rest of your family and for peace of mind you might also want to get dog insurance on the newest member of your home.
