Finding a prospective breeder
You want to ensure that you are buying a quality puppy from a reputable breeder. A good breeder should be able and willing to answer any questions that you may have. Each person will have different priorities and aspitations for their puppy. Pick and choose the questions that are most important to you to create a questionnaire of your own that gives you the information you need to make an informed decision. Chances are that you will end up with two questionnaires. One with just a few general questions to help you narrow your choice of breeders, and a second more in depth questionnaire to help you get to know a few breeders better to finalize your choice.
Some possible questions
- Full contact information
- How long have you been breeding dogs? breeding Havanese?
- Do you breed other types of dogs as well? If so, which breeds?
- How many litters of Havanese (and other dogs) do you breed each year?
- Which traits do you breed for in Havanese?
- Are you a registered breeder or member of a canine Club(s)?
- Do you show your Havanese in conformation and /or performance or participate in other canine activities/events?
- Do you train / work the dogs yourself or use a professional handler?
- How many Havanese do you currently own? Are they all living on your premises?
- Do your dogs live primarily in the house with you or in a kennel?
- Do you have other animals as well?
- Do your retired show/breeding dogs continue to live with you or are they retired to pet homes?
- Are your dogs housetrained (outside),litter trained, paper trained, combination ?
- What sort of socialization program do you follow for your puppies?
- Do you do temperament testing on your puppies?
- At what age do your puppies go to their new homes?
- Do you ship your puppies? at what age? what precautions do your follow to ensure their safety and comfort?
- Would you be willing to send me a copy of the pedigrees of the sire and dam? and discuss it with me?
- Do you test your breeding dogs for hereditary disorders? Which tests and how often?
- Are you willing to send me copies of these results and examinations, and discuss issues with me?
- Do your breeding dogs get a veterinary examination and certificate prior to each breeding?
- What Age are the Sire and Dam?
- How often is the dam bred? How many litters has she had?
- What are the physical details of the Sire and Dam (build, dentition, coat, colour etc)
- What size are your litters on average?
- Would I be able to see the sire and dam? If a visit is impossible, would you send me photos or a video?
- Would you be willing to speak to me by telephone? If so, What are the most convenient days/ times for you?
- Would you be willing to provide references?
- Are the puppies registered? With which organisation ? Is there a charge for papers?
- Do your puppies come with a health guarantee? How long? What does it cover? Do you have a return policy?
- Are your puppies mcirochipped/tattoed when they go to their new homes?
- Would you be willing to send me a preliminary copy of your contract and health guarantee
- What do puppies cost ? Male? Female? Companion? Show/breeding?
- Do you require a deposit to hold a puppy? If so, how much and when? Is the deposit refundable?
- Could I purchase a puppy outright or do you have a co-ownership agreement? If so, what does this entail?
- Will you be available to me for any questions I might have as my puppy matures? For how long ?
- Will you provide me with information on rearing and training methods for my Havanese puppy?
- When is your next litter(s) due?
- How long is your waiting list?
- How do you select the homes for your puppies ?
- What do you need to know about me and my family ?