How can I find a reputable and ethical dog breeder?

Finding a reputable and ethical dog breeder takes patience and research, but it’s the best way to ensure you get a healthy, well-socialized puppy while avoiding puppy mills or backyard breeders.

• Ask for referrals from trusted professionals, such as your veterinarian, local breed-specific rescue groups, or national breed clubs.
• Check official registries and club directories, like the AKC Marketplace or the parent club for the specific breed you are interested in.
• Look for health testing transparency; ethical breeders screen their breeding dogs for genetic conditions common to the breed and register the results with databases like the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
• Visit the breeder's facility in person if possible; a reputable breeder will be proud to show you where the puppies and mother are raised, emphasizing cleanliness and socialization.
• Expect an application and an interview; ethical breeders care deeply about where their puppies go and will ask you detailed questions about your lifestyle, home, and experience.
• Review the contract and health guarantee carefully; a good breeder will require you to return the dog to them at any point in its life if you can no longer keep it.

Would you like help finding the official national breed club for a specific breed, or do you want a checklist of specific health tests to ask the breeder about?

Finding a reputable breeder is less about finding a puppy quickly and more about finding someone who breeds for health, stable temperament, and the long-term welfare of their dogs.

A good process

1. Start with the breed’s national parent club. For a purebred dog, the AKC recommends contacting the breed’s recognized parent club for breeder referrals. Parent clubs can also tell you which health tests are appropriate for that breed.
2. Learn the breed-specific health problems first. Don't settle for "the parents are vet checked." Responsible breeders should perform the recommended breed-specific screenings on both parents. These might include hip/elbow evaluations, cardiac or eye exams, and DNA testing, depending on the breed. American Kennel Club You can check health-testing requirements through akc.org.
3. Verify the results yourself. Ask for the registered names of the sire and dam and the actual health-certification results—not just screenshots or claims on a website. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) maintains searchable records of many canine health evaluations. Look at the parents and, ideally, their relatives and previous offspring.
4. Visit the breeder—or have a thorough video visit. You should be able to see where the puppies are raised, meet the mother, and observe the dogs' behavior and condition. The environment should be clean, and the dogs should appear healthy, well cared for, and comfortable around people.
5. Expect the breeder to interview you. A good breeder will ask about your lifestyle, household, experience with dogs, work schedule, children, exercise plans, and what you're looking for. Someone primarily interested in getting your deposit quickly is a major warning sign.
6. Ask about socialization and how puppies are raised. Find out what experiences the puppies receive with people, handling, household sounds, grooming, crates, surfaces, and age-appropriate environments. Ask what temperament evaluations, if any, are performed.
7. Expect a contract and a lifetime safety net. A good contract should explain health guarantees, your responsibilities, and what happens if you can no longer keep the dog. Particularly important: reputable breeders commonly require that dogs they bred be returned to them rather than surrendered elsewhere.
8. Be willing to wait. A waitlist is not inherently a bad thing. In fact, responsible breeders may have relatively few litters and plan breedings carefully. You generally shouldn't expect to choose a puppy and take it home immediately.

Red flags I'd take seriously

• "Teacup," "micro," "rare color," or other marketing centered on novelty rather than health.
• Lots of puppies or many different breeds available at once.
• Refusal to let you see where the dogs are raised.
• Won't let you meet the mother.
• Can't produce verifiable health-testing records.
• Claims that a generic DNA panel means the parents are "100% healthy."
• Puppies routinely available extremely young.
• Pressure to send a deposit immediately.
• Little interest in your suitability as an owner.
• No contract or no willingness to take the dog back.
• Dogs that appear fearful, unhealthy, poorly socialized, or in poor living conditions.

One particularly important point: AKC registration by itself does not make a breeder reputable. Health testing, breeding practices, puppy raising, transparency, and lifetime responsibility matter much more. Even AKC itself says its programs shouldn't be the only factor you consider.

Questions I'd actually send a breeder

You could ask:

What health testing do you perform on the sire and dam, and can I see the results? What health problems are you specifically breeding to reduce in this line? Can I have the registered names of both parents so I can verify their health records? Can I meet the mother and see where the puppies are raised? How are the puppies socialized? How do you evaluate temperament and match puppies to families? How many litters do you typically produce each year? What happens if my dog develops a genetic health problem? What happens if I can no longer keep the dog? Can I speak with several families who have dogs you've bred? Who is your breed mentor/parent club, and what do you participate in with your dogs? A breeder who enthusiastically answers these questions—and asks plenty of questions about you—is much more encouraging than one who simply sends you a price list.

If you tell me what breed you're considering and roughly where you live, I can also help you identify the breed's specific health tests and show you how to vet breeders in your area.

A reputable, ethical breeder should feel more like a careful matchmaker and guardian of the breed than someone trying to sell you a puppy. The best approach is to investigate the breeder as carefully as they investigate you.

1. Start with the breed, not the puppy

First decide which breed genuinely fits your lifestyle—energy level, size, grooming, temperament, typical health issues, and how much time you can devote to training.

Then find the breed's national breed club. Breed clubs are often one of the best sources for referrals to breeders who are actively involved in preserving and improving the breed. The Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) specifically recommends contacting national breed clubs and also maintains a searchable ckc.ca.

2. Look for these characteristics

A good breeder will generally:

• Health-test the parents for conditions relevant to that particular breed and willingly show you the actual results—not just say "they're healthy."
• Know the breed's inherited diseases, temperament issues and structural concerns, and be candid about them.
• Let you meet the mother and, where practical, the father.
• Raise puppies in an environment where they receive appropriate human interaction and socialization.
• Ask you lots of questions about your lifestyle, experience and home. A breeder who will sell a puppy to virtually anyone is a warning sign.
• Provide a written contract, health information, veterinary records and identification such as a microchip.
• Have a clear policy requiring that the dog be returned to them or otherwise responsibly rehomed if you can no longer keep it.
• Remain available for advice and support throughout the dog's life.
• Be willing to tell you why this particular litter was bred, rather than simply "because there was demand."

Being a CKC member is a useful positive signal in Canada: CKC member breeders are subject to its Code of Ethics and Code of Practice. But membership alone isn't proof that a particular breeder is right for you—you should still verify their practices and health testing.

3. Verify health testing yourself

This is one of the most important steps.

Ask:

"What health tests have been performed on both parents, and can I have the registered names and copies of the results?" Don't settle for "they were checked by our vet." A routine veterinary exam isn't equivalent to the breed-specific screening recommended for breeding dogs.

The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) provides a searchable database where you can independently verify many health certifications. Its guidance recommends researching the parents and their relatives, not just accepting certificates supplied by the breeder.

The exact tests depend heavily on the breed. For one breed, hips and elbows might be particularly important; another may require eye, cardiac, thyroid or specific DNA testing.

4. Visit before putting down a deposit

Ideally, visit the breeder's home or kennel before committing to a puppy.

Look at:

• The condition of the adult dogs.
• Whether the dogs seem relaxed, healthy and appropriately socialized.
• Where puppies are actually raised.
• Cleanliness and general animal care.
• How the breeder interacts with the dogs.
• Whether the breeder is comfortable showing you around.

A responsible breeder should generally welcome this scrutiny. CKC and OFA both specifically recommend visiting and observing the dogs and their environment.

If distance makes an in-person visit impossible, at minimum arrange a live video call where the breeder shows you the dogs and their environment—not merely a collection of prerecorded puppy videos.

5. Watch for red flags

I'd be very cautious if a breeder:

• Has many breeds or constantly has puppies available.
• Always has puppies advertised as "ready now."
• Won't let you see where the dogs live.
• Won't let you meet the mother.
• Can't produce verifiable health-test results.
• Says "the vet says they're healthy" instead of discussing breed-specific testing.
• Pressures you to send a deposit immediately.
• Wants to sell you a puppy without asking anything about you.
• Offers unusual "designer" colours, extreme miniature sizes, or other traits that compromise health.
• Wants puppies to leave unusually young.
• Doesn't provide a contract or won't take a dog back if circumstances change.
• Is evasive about previous litters or health problems.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency also advises treating vague or unclear answers from dog sellers as a red flag.

6. Ask one particularly revealing question

I'd ask:

"If, five years from now, I can no longer keep this dog, what would you want me to do?"

A genuinely responsible breeder will have thought about this already. Their answer should involve helping you keep the dog safe and, if necessary, taking responsibility for finding or providing a suitable home.

7. Don't confuse "ethical" with "expensive"

A high price doesn't make a breeder responsible, and a low price doesn't automatically make one irresponsible.

What matters is the breeding program: health testing, temperament, soundness, appropriate socialization, responsible placement, transparency and lifelong accountability.

Also, don't be discouraged if the breeder has a waiting list. Responsible breeders may produce relatively few litters and carefully select homes rather than trying to maximize the number of puppies sold.

A simple rule of thumb

Before sending money, you should be able to answer yes to most of these:

• Can I verify the parents' health testing?
• Have I met the breeder and seen where the dogs are raised?
• Have I met the mother?
• Does the breeder know the breed exceptionally well?
• Are they interested in me, not just my money?
• Is there a clear written contract?
• Will they take responsibility for the dog if I can't keep it?
• Are they transparent about health problems in their lines?
• Do the adult dogs appear happy, healthy and well cared for?

If you'd like, tell me what breed you're considering and what province you're in, and I can help you identify the appropriate breed club, health tests to look for, and reputable breeder directories to start your search.

"If, five years from now, I can no longer keep this dog, what would you want me to do?"

A genuinely responsible breeder will have thought about this already. Their answer should involve helping you keep the dog safe and, if necessary, taking responsibility for finding or providing a suitable home.

7. Don't confuse "ethical" with "expensive"

A high price doesn't make a breeder responsible, and a low price doesn't automatically make one irresponsible.

What matters is the breeding program: health testing, temperament, soundness, appropriate socialization, responsible placement, transparency and lifelong accountability.

Also, don't be discouraged if the breeder has a waiting list. Responsible breeders may produce relatively few litters and carefully select homes rather than trying to maximize the number of puppies sold.

A simple rule of thumb

Before sending money, you should be able to answer yes to most of these:

Finding a reputable and ethical dog breeder takes patience and research, but it’s the best way to ensure you get a healthy, well-socialized puppy while supporting responsible practices.

Here is a step-by-step guide to finding and vetting an ethical breeder:

1. Search through official breed clubs and registries. Start with the AKC Marketplace or the national parent club for the specific breed you are looking for, which often maintains a referral list of breeders who sign a code of ethics.
2. Attend local dog shows or events. Going to an American Kennel Club (AKC) conformation show, agility trial, or specialty club event lets you meet breeders in person, see their dogs, and build genuine connections within the breed community.
3. Look for health testing transparency. A reputable breeder will perform and provide proof of breed-specific health clearances (such as OFA or PennHIP for hips, eyes, and cardiac health). You can independently verify these on the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) database.
4. Ask the hard questions about their practices. Ethical breeders breed to improve the standard, not for profit or volume. Expect them to ask you just as many questions to ensure their puppy is going to a suitable home.
5. Visit the property if possible. You should be allowed to see where the puppies are raised (usually inside the home as part of the family, not in an outdoor shed or kennel) and meet the mother dog.
6. Review the contract and health guarantee. A responsible breeder requires a signed contract that includes a health guarantee, a requirement to spay/neuter (if not kept for breeding), and a strict clause stating the dog must be returned to them at any point in its life if you can no longer keep it.
7. Beware of red flags. Walk away immediately if the breeder has multiple litters of different breeds available at once, refuses to let you see where the dogs live, ships puppies sight-unseen via cargo, or doesn't ask about your lifestyle and experience.

Would you like help finding the national breed club for a specific dog breed, or do you want a checklist of specific questions to ask a breeder during your first phone call?

Finding a reputable and ethical dog breeder takes time, patience, and a bit of detective work, but it is the best way to ensure you get a healthy, well-socialized puppy while supporting responsible practices.

• Breed Clubs and Organizations : Start with the official national or regional breed club (e.g., through the American Kennel Club Parent Clubs or equivalent registries). These clubs often have a code of ethics that members must follow and can point you toward ethical hobby breeders.
• Veterinary Recommendations : Ask local veterinarians, vet techs, or local humane organizations who they trust. They often see which local breeders produce healthy puppies and which ones cut corners.
• Word of Mouth and Breed-Specific Rescues : Talk to owners of the breed you are interested in at dog parks, obedience classes, or local shows. Even reputable breed-specific rescues can be a great source of honest feedback on local breeders.
• Health Testing First : A reputable breeder will perform and provide proof of breed-specific health clearances (such as hip/elbow scoring, eye certifications, or genetic panels for inherited diseases recommended by the parent club) for the puppy's parents.
• Focus on Preservation and Temperament : Ethical breeders breed to improve or preserve the health and temperament of the breed, not for profit, "rare" colors (like silver labs or merle poodles where they don't naturally occur), or extreme physical traits.
• Transparency and Openness : They will gladly let you meet the mother dog (and the father if on-site), show you where the puppies are raised (usually inside the home, not an outdoor kennel or shed), and talk openly about the breed's challenges as well as its joys.
• Contracts and Health Guarantees : They provide a clear contract that includes a comprehensive health guarantee and a mandatory return policy—meaning if you can no longer care for the dog at any point in its life, they require the dog to be returned to them rather than ending up in a shelter.
• Careful Screening : They will ask you lots of questions about your lifestyle, home, experience with dogs, and how you plan to train and exercise the puppy. If they are willing to sell a puppy to anyone with cash in hand, walk away.
• Red Flag: Too Many Litters or Breeds : If they always have puppies available year-round or breed multiple unrelated breeds, they are likely operating a high-volume commercial breeding facility (puppy mill).
• Red Flag: No Access to Parents or Facilities : Refusing to let you see where the puppies live, offering to meet you in a random parking lot, or shipping a puppy cargo-only without an in-person visit are major warning signs.
• Red Flag: Cash-Only / No Paperwork : Avoiding paper trails, not offering AKC or relevant kennel registration papers (if promised), or charging extra for "breeding rights" vs. "pet quality" health documentation manipulation.
• Red Flag: Pushing "Rare" Traits : Advertising "rare micro," "teacup," or off-standard colors as premium features often indicates a disregard for standard health and structural soundness.

If you'd like to narrow this down, tell me:

• What specific breed are you looking for?
• What state or region are you located in?

I can help point you toward specific breed club resources or local groups to check out.

Yes. The safest approach is to treat finding a breeder like hiring someone to raise a dog for you, not like shopping for a puppy.

1. Start with the breed's national parent club

For a purebred dog, find the breed's official national club and look at its breeder-referral resources. The AKC specifically recommends starting there, and its referral contacts can connect prospective owners with breeders—but club membership alone isn't proof that a breeder is ethical.

2. Verify health testing yourself

Don't settle for "the parents are healthy" or "they're vet checked." Find out which health problems are important in that breed and verify that the parents were tested for them.

The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) maintains searchable health records. Its CHIC program identifies breed-specific recommended screenings. Importantly, a CHIC number means the required tests were performed and made public—it doesn't necessarily mean every result was normal.

Ask the breeder for the registered names of both parents, then look them up yourself in OFA.

3. Visit where the puppies are raised

A good breeder should let you see the dogs and their living environment, either in person or sometimes by video. Look for:

• Clean, safe surroundings
• Dogs that appear healthy, comfortable and well socialized
• Puppies interacting appropriately with their mother and littermates
• The breeder having a genuine relationship with the dogs
• At least the mother being available to see, when circumstances permit

A breeder who insists on meeting in a parking lot or delivering the puppy without letting you see where it was raised is a major warning sign.

4. Notice whether the breeder interviews you

This is one of the best signals.

A conscientious breeder will want to know about your lifestyle, household, experience with dogs, work schedule, plans for training, and what you're looking for. They may even turn you down if they think the breed or puppy isn't appropriate for you.

If the conversation is basically "Here's the price—send the deposit today", walk away.

5. Ask these questions

I'd specifically ask:

1. What health tests were performed on both parents? Can I see the actual results?
2. What health problems are common in this breed, and what are you doing to reduce them?
3. Why did you choose this particular breeding?
4. Can I meet the mother?
5. Where are the puppies raised?
6. How are the puppies socialized and exposed to people, sounds and normal household life?
7. When do puppies go home?
8. What happens if I can't keep the dog someday?
9. Do you have a written contract and health guarantee?
10. Can I speak with people who have previously gotten dogs from you?

OFA specifically recommends asking about inherited defects, health screening, the reason for the breeding, contracts, guarantees and references.

6. Look for a lifelong commitment

A particularly good sign is a breeder who says, in effect, "If you ever can't keep this dog, call me."

Responsible breeders commonly have a written contract and agree to take back or help rehome dogs they've bred. They generally aren't interested in producing as many puppies as possible—they're invested in the dogs for their entire lives.

🚩 Walk away if you see these

• Multiple breeds or a constant stream of puppies available
• "Rare color," "teacup," or other fad marketing as the primary selling point
• No verifiable health testing
• Refusal to show you where dogs are raised
• Won't let you meet the mother
• Puppies available unusually young
• Pressure to send a deposit immediately
• No questions about you or your home
• Won't take the dog back if you can no longer keep it
• Health records that can't be independently verified
• Selling primarily through pet stores or anonymous online listings

Humane World for Animals recommends personally visiting the breeding facility and avoiding breeders who don't allow you to meet them and thoroughly evaluate the puppy's upbringing.

One important nuance: don't automatically equate "AKC registered" with "responsible breeder." Registration establishes pedigree/registration information; it doesn't by itself guarantee ethical breeding practices or good health. Even AKC notes that parent-club membership shouldn't be the only consideration.

If you tell me what breed you're considering, I can look up the breed's recommended health tests, national parent club, breeder-referral resources, and specific red flags to watch for.

A reputable, ethical breeder is usually harder to find than a puppy—and that’s a good sign. The best breeders often have waiting lists and are just as interested in interviewing you as you are in interviewing them.

What to look for

1. Start with the breed’s parent club.
   For a specific purebred, the national breed club is often the best place to get breeder referrals. The AKC breeder-referral directory can help you locate the appropriate parent club. The AKC itself doesn't endorse individual breeders.

2. Verify health testing independently.
   Ask for the registered names of the puppy's parents and look them up in the OFA database. Don't settle for a breeder saying "our dogs are health tested." The tests should be appropriate to that particular breed. OFA's CHIC program lists breed-specific recommended screenings.

   Also, a CHIC number isn't itself a guarantee that every result was normal—it means the required tests were performed and the results made publicly available.

3. Meet the breeder and the dogs.
   Ideally visit the home or kennel, meet the mother, and see where the puppies are raised. Look for healthy, clean, well-socialized dogs and a breeder who genuinely knows and cares about them. A video visit is preferable to buying sight-unseen if an in-person visit isn't practical.

4. Expect the breeder to interview you.
   A good breeder will ask about your lifestyle, experience with dogs, household, schedule, and plans for the puppy. Someone primarily interested in getting your deposit quickly is a warning sign.

5. Ask about what happens after you take the puppy home.
   Look for:

   • A written contract
   • A health guarantee with understandable terms
   • Vaccination/deworming and veterinary records
   • Identification and pedigree documentation
   • A clear policy requiring the dog to be returned to the breeder if you can no longer keep it
   • Ongoing support from the breeder

Red flags 🚩

Be especially cautious if a breeder:

• Has puppies constantly available or breeds many different breeds
• Won't let you see where the dogs are raised
• Won't identify the parents or provide verifiable health records
• Says "vet checked" instead of performing breed-specific health testing
• Won't let you meet the mother
• Pressures you to send money immediately
• Wants to meet in a parking lot or ship the puppy without allowing you to visit
• Advertises unusual "teacup," "micro," "merle," or other fad traits as the primary selling point
• Places puppies unusually young
• Doesn't ask you any questions
• Has no plan for taking a dog back if circumstances change

AKC specifically cautions against breeders who place puppies before eight weeks, while noting that some slow-maturing breeds may keep puppies longer.

One particularly useful test

Ask:

"What health problems are common in this breed, and what testing have you done on both parents to reduce those risks?"

Then independently verify the answer through OFA and the breed's parent club. A genuinely conscientious breeder should be comfortable discussing the weaknesses as well as the strengths of their dogs.

If you tell me what breed you're considering, I can also help you identify the specific health tests that should be required, where to find the breed's parent club, and how to evaluate individual breeders.

Finding a reputable and ethical dog breeder requires patience and careful research. Ethical breeders prioritize the health, temperament, and welfare of their dogs over profit.

Where to Look

• National breed clubs: Check the official parent club for your specific breed (e.g., through the American Kennel Club parent club list) which often maintains a breeder referral directory.
• Local kennel clubs: Attend local all-breed or specialty dog shows to meet breeders in person and see their dogs.
• Veterinarian recommendations: Ask trusted local vets or breed rescues if they know of responsible breeders in your area who produce healthy dogs.

Red Flags to Avoid

• Puppy mills and brokers: Avoid websites that sell multiple different breeds, ship puppies sight-unseen, or act as an online "shopping cart" for pets.
• No health testing: Walk away if the breeder cannot provide proof of OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) or CERF/OFA eye clearances for the parents' hips, eyes, heart, and genetic conditions specific to the breed.
• No questions asked: An ethical breeder will interview you extensively about your lifestyle, home, and experience to ensure their puppy is a good match.
• Refusal of visits: If they won't let you see where the puppies are raised (even if restricted to a clean nursery area for bio-security), it is a major warning sign.

Green Flags to Look For

• Health guarantees: They provide a written health contract and a genetic health guarantee for a reasonable timeframe.
• Lifetime commitment: They require in the contract that if you can no longer keep the dog at any point in its life, the dog must be returned to them.
• Socialization efforts: Puppies are raised inside the home (not a separate shed or barn) and exposed to everyday household noises, people, and early neurological stimulation.
• Transparency: They freely discuss the known health issues or challenges of the breed and introduce you to the puppy's mother (and father, if on-site).

If you'd like, let me know:

• What specific breed you are looking for
• Whether you are open to considering breed-specific rescues as well

I can help you pinpoint the right national breed clubs or specific health tests to look out for.

Finding a reputable and ethical dog breeder takes research, patience, and a bit of detective work, but it is the best way to ensure you get a healthy puppy from a caring environment.

What to Look For (Green Flags)

• Health Testing: Parents are thoroughly health-tested for breed-specific genetic conditions (e.g., hip dysplasia, eye issues, cardiac clearances) through registries like the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) or PennHIP.
• Home Environment: Puppies are raised inside the breeder's home as part of the family, not hidden away in an outdoor kennel, barn, or shed, ensuring proper early socialization.
• Transparency: The breeder readily welcomes questions, invites you to meet at least the mother (dam) of the puppies, and openly shares both the positive aspects and potential health/behavioral challenges of the breed.
• Lifelong Commitment: They require you to sign a contract stating that if you can no longer care for the dog at any point in its life, the dog must be returned to them rather than surrendered to a shelter.
• Questions for You: They thoroughly interview you about your lifestyle, home, schedule, and experience with dogs to ensure their puppy is a good match for your home.
• Veterinary Care: Puppies come with documented proof of age-appropriate vaccinations, deworming, and a veterinarian checkup.

What to Avoid (Red Flags)

• Multiple Breeds: They breed many different popular or "designer" breeds at once, acting more like a puppy broker or volume mill.
• No Access to Parents: They refuse to let you see where the puppies are raised or refuse to let you see at least the mother of the litter.
• Instant Availability: They always have puppies available year-round or on immediate demand.
• Shipping Without Meeting: They ship puppies via cargo without you ever speaking to them, video-calling, or meeting in person.
• No Health Guarantee: They offer no health contract or a suspiciously short window (like 48 hours) for genetic or congenital health issues.
• Cash/Online-Only Focus: They prioritize quick payment over making sure you are a fit owner and sell exclusively through generic classified sites with no vetting.

Where to Search

• Breed Clubs: Search the national or regional breed-specific club (e.g., Golden Retriever Club of America) which often maintains a referral directory of ethical breeders who follow a strict code of ethics.
• Official Registry Directories: Use the AKC Marketplace (for purebreds, keeping in mind you still need to vet individual breeders against the green flags above) or equivalent kennel club registries.
• Local Dog Shows: Attend an American Kennel Club (or local kennel club) conformation or performance event to talk to handlers and breeders face-to-face.
• Trusted Veterinarians: Ask local veterinarians or breed-specific rescue groups if they can recommend ethical, local breeders who prioritize health and temperament.

If you have a specific breed in mind, let me know and I can help you identify key health tests to ask that breeder about!

A good breeder is worth waiting for. The key is to verify the breeder rather than trusting a website, reviews, or a registration badge alone.

1. Start with the breed's parent club

For a purebred dog, start with the breed's national/parent club. These clubs know the breed's health problems and often maintain breeder-referral networks. The AKC breeder-referral directory recommends contacting the breed's Parent Club first.

2. Verify health testing yourself

Don't settle for "our puppies are healthy" or a generic vet check.

Find out exactly which health tests are recommended for the breed, then ask the breeder for the parents' actual results. The AKC maintains breed-specific health-testing recommendations, and the OFA database lets you look up documented results.

Look for:

• Appropriate genetic/DNA testing
• Hip and elbow evaluations where applicable
• Eye examinations where applicable
• Cardiac testing where applicable
• Breed-specific tests recommended by the parent club
• Results for both parents, not merely the puppy

A CHIC number can be useful, but it doesn't mean the dog passed every test; it means the breed's required screenings were performed and publicly recorded.

3. Meet the breeder and the dogs

A reputable breeder should be comfortable having you visit, or at minimum meeting by video if distance makes an in-person visit impractical. You should see where the puppies are raised and, ideally, meet the mother.

Pay attention to:

• Clean, appropriate living conditions
• Dogs that appear healthy and well-socialized
• Dogs that are comfortable interacting with the breeder
• Puppies being raised as individuals rather than in a production-line environment
• The breeder asking you lots of questions about your lifestyle

A responsible breeder is usually selective about buyers rather than simply trying to close a sale.

4. Ask about temperament and lifelong responsibility

Good breeders should be able to explain:

• Why they chose these particular parents
• The strengths and weaknesses of their lines
• Common health problems in the breed
• How puppies are socialized
• What happens if you can't keep the dog later
• Whether they require the dog to be returned to them or help you rehome it

They should also provide a written contract and appropriate health/vaccination records.

5. Look for evidence of ethical breeding—not just credentials

Programs such as AKC Bred with H.E.A.R.T. and AKC Breeder of Merit can be useful starting points, because participating breeders have specific requirements involving health testing and breeder practices. But don't treat program membership as a guarantee; independently evaluate the individual breeder.

🚩 Walk away if you see these

Be especially cautious if a breeder:

• Has puppies constantly available in many breeds
• Won't let you see where the dogs live
• Won't let you meet the mother
• Won't provide verifiable health-test results
• Wants to meet in a parking lot or deliver the puppy without letting you visit
• Pressures you to pay immediately
• Has lots of puppies advertised as "rare," "micro," "teacup," "designer," etc.
• Doesn't ask you any questions
• Has a pattern of unexplained sick puppies or unhappy former buyers
• Won't take the dog back if you can no longer care for it

And don't let a beautifully designed website or lots of social-media followers substitute for documentation.

A simple rule

I'd use this sequence:

Parent club → several breeders → verify OFA/health records → visit → interview breeder → check references → read contract → then consider a puppy.

If you tell me what breed you're considering, I can also look up the breed's specific health tests, parent-club breeder resources, and the questions I'd ask breeders of that particular breed.