• Home
  • About
    • About SVP
    • Our Team
  • Partner with Us
    • Partner with SVP
    • Testimonials
    • In Their Own Words
  • Work Here
  • News
  • Contact
Start a Conversation
Southern Veterinary Partners
Start a Conversation
  • Home
  • About
    • About SVP
    • Our Team
  • Partner with Us
    • Partner with SVP
    • Testimonials
    • In Their Own Words
  • Work Here
  • News
  • Contact

Vet Articles

Vet Articles

Vet Articles

Vet Articles

Vet Articles

Finding a Reputable Breeder

 Finding a Reputable Breeder

With thousands of unwanted dogs living in shelters and desperately looking for new homes, we highly recommend that you at least consider adopting a puppy or adult dog. You will be able to find details of your local shelters and rescue centers online. However, if your heart is set on a purebred puppy then the very first thing you should do is find a reputable breeder.

Unfortunately, there are many people out there who view breeding purely as a source of income and they have very little concern for either the current or future welfare of their puppies. However, by asking the right questions and making some careful observations, it is possible to distinguish between them and knowledgeable and professional breeders. Here is our guide to helping you find a reputable breeder for your pet.

 Finding a Reputable Breeder

Where to start

Looking online is an obvious and tempting place to start looking for breeders, but unless they have been personally recommended or are affiliated with recognized kennel club’s then you could potentially waste time looking at unscrupulous. Instead, consider asking your local vet, visit a dog show or look online at The American Kennel Club who offer breeder referrals. Of course, there is no substitute for reliable personal recommendations either so if you know someone with a fantastic puppy, ask them which breeder they used.
Questions to ask the breeder
There are a number of questions that you can ask breeders which will help you identify whether they have the best interests of their animals at heart. The key things you should be asking are:


How long have they been breeding for?

Most serious breeders have been dedicated to the practice for some time, and there is a little substitute for experience. The longer someone has been breeding then the more knowledgeable they will be.


How old is the mother of the litter?

A responsible breeder will not breed an animal until it reaches full maturity, and for dogs, this should be no longer than two years old, ideally three.


How many litters do you raise per year?

Responsible breeders will ensure that female dogs are bred no more than once per year, and typically will breed no more than two, maybe three litters per year so they can ensure they have enough time to dedicate to raising them properly. Any more than that is indicative of a commercial operation or puppy farming.


Do you only breed one type of dog?

Again, breeding more than one variety of dog could be indicative of puppy farming.


Where do the puppies live?

The very best environment for a puppy to be raised in is a regular household. This ensures that they get used to regular visitors, children, and other animals, meaning that they are being socialized from birth. A puppy that is raised in a family environment is more likely to be friendly and relaxed. Puppies that have been raised isolated from humans are prone to anxiety, shyness or aggression.


How often are the puppies handled?

Again, handling is a big part of socializing your puppy and a reputable breeder should ensure that their puppies are handled regularly by a variety of people.


Can I meet the parents?

While many breeders use stud dogs meaning that the father is often not available for viewing, any reputable breeder will be able to give you plenty of information about the physical and temperamental characteristics of him, as well as full health information.
The mother should always be available for viewing alongside her puppies. While it is understandable that she may be wary, she should still be attentive and friendly towards you. The mothers’ health information should also be readily available, and you can gauge her size and temperament for an idea as to how the pups may behave in maturity.


Can I speak to people who have previously had puppies from you?

Any good breeder will be happy to provide you with references of successfully homed pups. They may even go so far as to refer you to other breeders.


Can I have copies of health clearances?

If applicable, certain breeds may be tested for specific genetic conditions and given a health clearance certificate by an independent agency such as the Canine Eye Registration Foundation. These should be made available to you. Responsible breeders will also ensure that their pups have flea prevention treatment, worm treatment, and applicable vaccinations before letting them go to their new homes.
Other signs of a good breeder:

  • Reputable breeders will likely ask you to sign a spay/neuter contract for your pet which promises that you will take the necessary steps to avoid breeding and subsequent addition to the huge overpopulation of dogs.

  • The environment is clean, has a neutral odor and the animals are supplied with fresh water, beds, and toys.

  • Enthusiastic breeders often participate in dog shows and competitions alongside breeding.

  • A reputable breeder will provide you with as much ongoing support as you need either by email, phone or occasionally in person. If for any reason you are unable to continue to care for the dog, a responsible breeder should always offer to take them back to ensure that they are well cared for until they can be re-homed.

  • The breeder is honest about any drawbacks of the breed you are interested in. For example, if the breed is particularly noisy, or prone to specific health problems.

  • The breeder asks you lots of questions. For a reputable and responsible breeder, the interview goes both ways. They have the pup’s best interests at heart and want to ensure that they go to loving homes that are prepared for the commitment they require. It has been known for breeders to refuse to sell pups to people that they feel cannot provide a suitable home for their animals.

We hope that you will find this article helpful in sourcing a reputable breeder for your family pet.

Partner With Us

News

Join Our Team

News

Southern Veterinary Partners CEO Hailed Birmingham Business Journal’s CEO of the Year

Team Member Spotlight: Crockett Knox

Parker Stansel: Turning Veterinary Technicians Into Effective Pet Advocates

SVP Appears on Inc. 5000 List for Third Consecutive Year

Southern Veterinary Partners Celebrates Unstoppable Growth As It Welcomes 150th Location

Team Member Spotlight: Ashton Wells

Team Member Spotlight: Staci Horne

Southern Veterinary Partners Named to Inc. 500 List

SVP Student Consultant Program Now in 10 Veterinary Schools

Veterinary Career Opportunities Across the South

SVP Open House

Dr. Jay Price - Entrepreneur Of The Year® Southeast Finalist

SVP Employs Over 170 Veterinary Students this Year

Dr. Jane White Recognized at UGA College of Veterinary Medicine

Bryan Wetta CFO of the Year Finalist

Dr. Houston Article on Veterinarian Compassion Fatigue

Career Advancement Opportunities for Hospital Managers Within Southern Veterinary Partners

Welcome Melissa Cox & Todd Sanders as Operations Directors

Welcome 80th & 81th Locations - Clarkesville Veterinary Hospital & Cornelia Veterinary Hospital

Southern Veterinary Partners 3rd Place in Corporate Challenge

Southern Veterinary Partners Moves Into Kentucky & Maryland

SVP is #1 Top Tigers Winner 2019

Veterinary Career Opportunities

SVP Moves Past 75 Mark & Welcomes Our 74th, 75th & 76th Hospitals

Bryan Wetta - Top 40 Under 40

SVP & Birmingham Corporate Challenge

SVP & CEO Dr. Jay Price Featured on Techbilders

Come See SVP at VMX Booth #879

SVP Student Consultants

SVP Welcomes 70th Veterinary Hospital - Dodd Animal Hospital in Texas

2018 Year in Review

SVP Grants Tuition Assistance Awards to Lincoln Memorial University-College and Mississippi State University Students

Birmingham Venture Club Jemison Award Finalist

SVP Grants Inaugural Student Clinical Year Awards to LMU Veterinary Students

Dr. Jay Price - CEO of the Year Finalist

Welcome Vestavia Animal Clinic as SVP's 65th Animal Hospital

CEO Dr. Jay Price Named to National Rising Stars List

Announcing SVP Student Clerkship Program

You're Invited! SVP Tailgate at Auburn University vs. Texas A&M

Hurricane Michael Updates

Announcing the SVP LMU-CVM Student Clinical Year Award

SVP's 4th Birthday

SVP is Fastest-Growing Company in Alabama

Southern Veterinary Partners Supports North Carolina Pets After Hurricane Florence

Best Cool Workspace and Best Medical Workplace in Birmingham

#1 Fastest Growing Company in Birmingham

Southern Veterinary Partners' Give Back Day at Greater Birmingham Humane Society

Southern Veterinary Partners Welcomes 60th Location - Juno Beach Animal Hospital

SVP Named to Inc. 5000 as #235 Fastest-Growing Company in America

SVP Open House on August 3

SVP Welcomes Standifer's Animal Clinic in Homewood as 13th Alabama Hospital

Dr. Jim Gill with Wilkinson Animal Hospital Competes in US Transplant Games

Three Common Mistakes of Practice Sellers

SVP Sponsors Blind Appalachian Trail & CEO Jay Price Hikes Blind AIT

50th Animal Hospital Joins SVP - Welcome Crossroads Animal Hospital

Southern Veterinary Partners Top Tigers Award from Auburn University

Three Animal Hospitals in Georgia Join SVP

Welcome Kelly Schwanebeck as UF On-Campus Student Consultant

Welcome Payton Bayless as On-Campus Consultant at UF

SVP Acquires 10th Hospital in Home State of Alabama

SVP Student Representative at Auburn University Luke Bosse

CEO of Southern Veterinary Partners, Dr. Jay Price Named Top 40 Under 40 by the Birmingham Business Journal

40th Hospital Joins SVP - Welcome Friendship Veterinary Hospital

Join Southern Veterinary Partners at VMX (NAVC Conference)

Today's Veterinary Business Features SVP's Growth in 2017

Five Hospitals Join Southern Veterinary Partners

Dr. Bev Hollis Joins SVP

SVP Featured in Veterinary Practice News and Todays Veterinary Business

Southern Veterinary Partners Expands into North Carolina with Two Acquisitions

University of Georgia Student Representative Madison Bajc

BHM BIZ Magazine Featured Southern Veterinary Partners

Dr. Jay Price, CEO, Profiled in Birmingham Business Journal

Southern Veterinary Partners Further Expands in Alabama and Florida With 4 Acquisitions

Southern Veterinary Partners - One of Birminghams Fastest Growing Companies

Southern Veterinary Partners Welcomes Nicole Wick and Amy Baccam

Southern Veterinary Partners Expands into Texas and South Carolina

Southside Animal Hospital Moved to Avondale Animal Hospital

New SVP Headquarter Office

Mobley Veterinary Clinic Joins Southern Veterinary Partners

Southern Veterinary Partners Featured in Business Alabama Magazine

University of Georgia Student Representative Scott Foster

Auburn University Student Representative Sydney Jackson

Nippers Corner Pet Medical Center and Richland Animal Clinic Join Southern Veterinary Partners

Murrayville Veterinary Clinic and Inman Park Animal Hospital Joins Southern Veterinary Partners

2016 Year in Review - Thank You!

Charlotte Animal Hospital Joins Southern Veterinary Partners

Herschel Animal Clinic Joins Southern Veterinary Partners

Horn Lake Animal Hospital Joins Southern Veterinary Partners

Memphis Animal Clinic Joins Southern Veterinary Partners

The Animal Clinic Joins Southern Veterinary Partners

Melton Veterinary Hospital Joins Southern Veterinary Partners

Roseville Veterinary Clinic and Plaza Pet Clinic Join Southern Veterinary Partners

Dr. Stephen Shores Memorial Service

Southern Veterinary Partners Acquired Appalachian Animal Clinic

Jay Price Named Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine Young Achiever Award Winner

Jones Veterinary Hospital Joins Southern Veterinary Partners

Southside Animal Hospital Joins Southern Veterinary Partners

Southern Veterinary Partners Presented to the Auburn University Student Chapter of the AVMA/VBMA

The Next Investor in Veterinary Practices

Shores Animal Hospital Joins Southern Veterinary Partners

Valleydale Animal Clinic Joins Southern Veterinary Partners

Contact Us

Quick Links

  • About SVP
  • Our Team
  • Work Here
  • Partner With Us
  • Testimonials

Contact Information

  • 800 Shades Creek Parkway,
    Suite 625 Birmingham,
    AL 35209
  • 205-453-4760

Southern Veterinary Partners © 2021

Veterinary Websites by Roya

Send Us A Message

Thank you! We will connect with you shortly.
You are missing required fields.
Dynamic Error Description
There was an error processing this form.

Request Appointment

Complete the form below and We will get back to you to confirm your schedule. Your Information is SAFE with us.

Thank you! We will connect with you shortly to confirm your appointment.
You are missing required fields.
Dynamic Error Description
There was an error processing this form.

Share Your Feedback

Thank you for sharing your feedback!
You are missing required fields.
Dynamic Error Description
There was an error processing this form.

Send Us A Message

Thank you! We will connect with you shortly.
You are missing required fields.
Dynamic Error Description
There was an error processing this form.

Request Appointment

Complete the form below and We will get back to you to confirm your schedule. Your Information is SAFE with us.

Thank you! We will connect with you shortly to confirm your appointment.
You are missing required fields.
Dynamic Error Description
There was an error processing this form.

Login


Forgot Password?

OR

Sign in with Facebook Sign in with Google


Looking to create an account ?
Already have an account? Login

Save Search


Saved Searches

Update Profile