What to ask the breeder

[Kaity]

Hi guys, sorry if this is already posted elsewhere if it is please direct me to the thread - I couldn't find any.

Anyway, I didn't get that in depth with Vida's breeder and now that I'm more experienced I don't want to skip out on anything from temperaments to health. I really need to know what more advanced things to ask, things that more experienced owners would know and questions that will make a difference in my decision. I'm mainly worried about health now, because I can already see that the breeder produces very nice looking puppies but for me that's not even the half of it! First and foremost I'm worried about my potential puppies health and personality. Any help is appreciated!

[GSD Fan]

I think you are on the right track and thinking of questions to ask the breeder is already something an experienced owner would do.

I wouldn't worry so much about asking advanced questions, rather I would ask what I am concerned about. You are concerned about health and temperament, so ask about health and temperament. Just sit down and think of some questions to ask the breeder, write them down, and talk to the breeder when he or she has time to answer your questions.

[Emoore]

Originally Posted by GSD Fan

I wouldn't worry so much about asking advanced questions, rather I would ask what I am concerned about. You are concerned about health and temperament, so ask about health and temperament. )

But don't take their word for it. What are they doing to ensure that their dogs have good health and good temperament. "We only breed healthy dogs with good temperament" isn't enough. There are health tests available for hips, elbows, and DM along with other illnesses and problems. I don't expect every breeder to test every single dog for every conceivable issue, but I do want to know what kind of health testing they do. I don't necessarily expect every breeding dog to be a SchHIII, but I do want to hear how they get their dogs off the property and in front of an impartial judge to have their temperaments evaluated.

Ask them what made them decide to breed these two dogs together specifically. Ask for strengths and weaknesses of each dog and what they're expecting to get out of the breeding.

[Kaity]

Thank you both. In general, I sort of forget to think about the parents specifically and think of the breeding stock as a whole.