Anyone know of a list or forum discussing different puppy breeders for various breeds. I'm having difficultly choosing a breeder. Also some of the breeders I have seen seem to have quite many dogs of a certain breed, like they are puppy milling them. They have a big fenced yard, but the sight makes me wonder if I should recieve a pet from someone like so. Also, some of the breeders charge more for "breeding puppies"(wtf?). I don't fully understand myself, also why even have LTD. AKC... Might as well get a fully equipt dog of both sexes. I'm feeling like most breeders out there are doing it for the money :/

So, you have also found that good dog breeders are hard to find? Dog breeders who do it for living do not need to be worse than others. No matter if it is a full time breeder or a hobby breeder, it is a matter of engagement.

If you hae interest in a specific breed visit omepages that deal with this breed. Check out who does what in that ommunity, who is responsible for this and that. And how they cope with it. Be sure that puppy mill owners will not participate in such activities, or even handle them good.

Also visit homepages of breeders of the breeds you're interested in. Visit their albms! You may notice that some breeders only show you pictures of their dogs from dog shows, while others also show you pictures of the dogs daily life. Focus on the latter, thier dogs have a life that they feel OK to show you.

Now you might have narrowed your selection of breeders, how do they react if you ask to pop by and see the dogs? If the are too reluctant, drop them from the list.

If you manage to get an appointment, see where the dogs live. How do they react to visitors, are they shy of humans? A breeder can have many dogs, if he does it fo rliving, the dogs would get just as much atttention as dogs living at a hobby breeder wo has to work 8-9 hours each day. Check the general condition of the dogs, and their social behaviour, towards each other, the breeder and you.
If this seem OK, have some questions ready. Both questions you really want to know, and some adverse questions you alredy know the answer to. This would tell you if the breeder lies to you.

It is a jungle, and a piece of work for you, but it could prove to be the efforts worth.

I should just buy a round trip ticket to see the parents and other pups. I care much about how the puppies will grow up, so I'm pretty sure the return would be good.

Im in the same boat. I'm thinking of using Nextdaypets to locate a puppy. Shipping is $250 from most places. I have to go by there word only and the written health guarantee. People I've talked to state you should get references from them. Get phone numbers of people that have purchased puppies from the breeders.


Can anyone give some advice?

How to find a good breeder? Very difficult over the 'Net.

The first questions to ask are why are they breeding and then about the lineages, how old the dogs are (they should NOT be breed before 2 yrs of age - this is the earliest that the ratings for hip & elbow dysplasia are accepted because the dogs are skeletally adult), how many pups placed (and where, what sorts of homes and any health issues seen in the pups, and contact number or addresses). Parents and as many previous generations of ancestors as they can list as OFA or PennHip Excellent or at least Good for the large breed dogs and no history of seizure, allergy, skin problems, ear infection, or behavior issues. Keep in mind that many of these health issues may not show up until the dog is 5 years old or older.

Briefly the genetics work like this: Genetics is a potential that may or may not happen based on how strong the gene expression is (recessive or dominant), how many genes are involved and environmental factors (nutritional status & nutrient intake, special care or surgical correction) that may make it more or less likley that the genetic trait will be expressed. Do some research and look up the genetic diseases your favorite breed are prone to having.

Lets pretend that hip dysplasia is a simple one gene (X) dominant /recessive (X/x) scenario. (Dysplasia is actually a multi-gene issue)
If you have 2 dogs with normal hip genes (XX), each parent contributes one gene from the pair -you get:
XX+XX = XX, XX, XX, XX as all the gene combinations that may occur in the puppies.
(Everybody has normal hips and no sign of dysplasia.)

If you have one carrier (Xx) and one normal (XX):
Xx+XX = XX, XX, xX, xX
(50% of getting normal and 50% of carriers which may not show signs of dysplasia)

If you have one affected (xx) and one normal (XX):
xx+XX = xX, xX, Xx, Xx
(all carriers)

If you have carriers breed you get:
xX+xX = XX, Xx, xX, xx
(25% chance of one normal, 50% carriers and 25% affected)

So, manifestation of these genetic problems is a game of statistics and the more info you have on litters produced, parents and grandparents, the better you can avoid or understand the risks.

If you go to dog shows you may learn about who good breeders are. Ask around with breed clubs, folks who have good dogs and ask the local vets. DO GO AND LOOK AT THE KENNELS - it tells you alot! If they are just in it for the money, it will be run down, dirty and have many breeds of dogs, or it may just be sterile kennels and runs with automated feeders and waterers and the dogs are lucky to see a human once a week.

Breeders charge more for pet quality vs breeder or show quality because:
1) They want to discourage more breeding - especially reckless "I'm gonna make my money back" breeding.
2) Dogs that don't make it on the breed standard - too big, small, wrong coat, genetic problems - can't be shown and so have less value to breeders and showers. As pets it doesn't matter.
3) Show quality may win big in the competition and become a very valuable dog.
4) Show quality have the best traits and exemplify the breed.
5) The litter was an accident - too young for OFA or other registrations or the wrong pair got together.

Many breeders will also have a Spay/neuter clause - they can take the dog back or only sell it on condition that it will not be used for breeding (and so will not release AKC or CKC papers: beware of pure breds who have papered ancestors but none for them). One work around for males is to look for a vet that has a product called "NEUTERSOL" which does chemical sterilization - but leaves libido and sexual function intact in male dogs.

I'm going to use the wanted ads all over Alaska. I've decided any other dog except a mal or a husky would be a mistake for more than just cold reasons. I definitely don't want a one man dog. I also wouldn't mind breeding Mals to keep the bloodlines good. From what I've seen over the net, people are making the whole mal breed show pussies. I can just see the breed getting weaker.

I'll definitely visit the kennels. There are a few sledders here in Alaska who raise pups every once and a while, but probably have a large list already.

automatic feeders and waterers... :( A doggie prison.. :( that doesn't sound like a great place at all for them.

Yeah, I understand with the rules. 2,3,4 are good reasons why to breed mals. Most of what I'm seeing are breeders in the lower US. Those poor things are sweating in the heat, they weren't bred for such weather, but can live in it. True dog days.

I've actually never heard of neutersol, but thanks. Now I've another question to ask for reassurance. I believe its wrong for breeders to be hogging bloodlines like they currently are, especially just breeding for shows. If they want a show dog.. get a poodle :) From earlier threads, it has been brought to attention not all show dogs would be good ideas of what the breed should be like since its about show and not about the muscle or ability.

There are show dogs and there are working dogs. The Border collie people were very concerned that their working breed would be ruined by "show" breeders that have led to fads like the light weight Rottie that looks more like a Doberman. Field labradors are more like the stocky British variety (or Chesapeakes) than the lanky American Labrador that is more like a Flat coat.

So if you want a more serious line look to working sled dog breeders.

By ordereing an unseen puppy, you have to trust the breeder 100%. I would not do that, even with smeone I'd trust. Give yourself te chance to learn all puppies of the litter to know, you will fnd that they do have different persomnalities, and while one personality would be just the right for you, anotherone would not.
Make demands, ask to see the puppies yourself. If they refuse you that, think of it a there may be a reason why they do not want you to see these puppies.
You would eventually need to travel a bit to see, but hopefully you will be able to spend many years with the dog yu get, so it is worth the effort to be picky in selecting a puppy.

Thank you everyone for your great advice. I've given everyone a 10 who I have been able to rate, and I've been giving people 10s all day :)

I believe I'm going to get a puppy from a local state breeder(requiring travel) or from a friend who I can trust the accidental half breeds to what I want (mal/husky). Either way I'm going to get a mal, husky, or a mix.

Thank you everyone!