A reputable breeder is one that...

1. Does not breed for pure profit, but for the betterment of the breed, and will have bred the litter for a reason. The goal should always be to improve the breed. Period!! "So my children could experience the miracle of birth" or "I wanted to create another Skippy" is not a good reason for breeding nor does it make someone a breeder. Those who make their sole income on the breeding of animals or call themselves professional breeders are known as a "puppymill".

2. Will give the intended puppy buyers a full review of the breed, including drawbacks of the perspective breed first, such as potential health problems. Will give historical information of how the breed was originally developed and especially indicating the breed temperament and if that temperament is suitable for the prospective family or lifestyle.

3. Never sells animals to a pet store. Breeders caring nothing about the health or temperament of an animal often breed pet store livestock. For the most part, their only goal is to make a profit. These animals and their parents often live in substandard conditions with little or no human contact until the animals are shipped to pet shops. They are usually shipped in large numbers and most times, only a few of the poor creatures make it alive to their destination. Unsuspecting buyers purchase these animals at inflated prices, well above what ethical (who hand raise their puppies) breeders charge. It is hard to look at these animals in the pet store without feeling sorry for them. That is the pet store's intention. Make no mistake every time a pet store sells an animal, another animal will replace it, at great cost to its own well-being. Purchasing livestock this way only perpetuates this type of unethical breeding, which results in the suffering of the animals and the unsuspecting human who purchase them.

4. Never sells puppies via the Internet, where puppies are mass marketed on one web sight. (Same reasons as listed in number three.)

5. Breeds for sound temperament and health. Actually, does health testing.

6. Puts the puppy's well being as the number one goal. Will know puppy's capabilities and match puppy to potential buyer. All puppies have different personalities just like people. A good breeder will ask you about your lifestyle and know if a puppy's personality and energy level is right for your lifestyle. The breeder will do you and the puppy a favor if they tell you that a certain puppy is not the best puppy for you.

7. Will have a contract between the buyer of the puppy and the breeder. This document will outline what is exactly expected of you as purchaser of the dog and what you can expect of the breeder as seller of the dog. This contract should protect you and the breeder of any hidden agendas.

8. Will explain average yearly cost of care for that particular breed. Proper amount of exercise, reasonable confinement, amount of food to feed, etc. ... before you purchase the dog.

9. Always be willing to answer questions long after you have paid for the dog and have taken it home. They should welcome and expect updates on the progress of the puppy's life.

10. Will be your best Veterinarian. The breeder should be well read in medical problems of the breed they are selling/placing. Should see more of your particular breed than your veterinarian. The breeder shares experiences with other breeders that are tried and true for their breed. Veterinarians have a general knowledge of most pets, however, a breeder specializes in his/her own breed. The breeder has extensive knowledge of health issues of their chosen breed, and may be able to guide you in areas where your veterinarian cannot.