6 key questions to ask a dog breeder before buying a pup
You’ve probably heard some not so great things about dog breeders in the past.
But you’ve also heard that some breeders genuinely care about the pups they create.
You know you’re going to love your pup with all your heart, so you want to make sure they have the best possible start in life…
And you want to support ethical breeding because it’s the right thing to do (and because you want your pup to come from the best of the best)...
And… well… you don’t want to fall for a scam.
Luckily, there are some standard best practices to look out for to make sure you only purchase a top quality, well loved pup. Only the breeders who really care will check these boxes (because it would be a lot easier - albeit heart wrenching - to skip them).
To do my part in lifting up the breeding industry, I want to make it as easy as possible for you to find the right breeder (even if you choose not to join the Olive Branch Bernedoodles pack).
So this blog is all about what to ask - and what to look out for - when you’re vetting potential breeders.
As an added bonus, asking these questions will make you look like a qualified new puppy owner, and impress your breeder (I love when buyers do their homework!).
When you put as much love and care into your pups as I do, you want to make sure their new home will give them the same quality of life. And by showing that you care about where your pup came from, we’ll know you’re up for the task.
When do you ask these questions?
Typically, reputable breeders will have a required phone interview with their new buyers. It’s a chance for the breeder to learn more about you and what you’re looking for, and for you to learn more about the breed, the breeder, and their program.
If they don’t… ask for one. If they refuse to take the time to answer your questions, that just might be the biggest red flag you can find.
And if you have to schedule one, make sure it happens before you place a deposit. Deposits are usually non refundable!
Now, what should you cover?
Ask these questions to spot the reputable dog breeders from the money-hungry puppy mills:
How do you socialize your puppies?
Before pups go home at 8-12 weeks, they have a lot to learn! Unfortunately, some breeders leave their pups in an enclosed area from birth until they go home. These pups don’t learn how to navigate the world before they get picked up, so they go home feeling scared, confused, and overwhelmed.
Ethical breeders do the exact opposite. They have a structured curriculum with developmentally appropriate activities to prepare pups for the world. Their pups build skills, confidence, and trust before they start their next adventure with you.
Your breeder should be able to walk you through a few activities they do with their pups to socialize them. They should mention different sites, sounds, and environments their pups are exposed to.
And if they say any of these lines to brush off your question, I’d run for the hills:
Red flags:
“The puppies get plenty of interaction with their mom and their siblings so they don’t need me to be very involved.”
“We play with them all the time! They’re very socialized.”
“They’re too young to be socialized. You start that when you take them home.”
2. How will I be able to choose my puppy?
Choosing a puppy is a deeply personal process. And choosing the right one can be the difference between having an unbreakable bond and questioning why you got a pup in the first place.
Most puppy mills simply post pictures of available puppies and have you pick the cutest one.
(Online shopping for a living creature? No thank you...)
Ethical breeders, on the other hand, will help you pick a puppy that matches your lifestyle and needs. Whether they do temperament testing or let you come get to know the pups before choosing, they should be able to guide you towards the right pup for you.
They also tend to have a waitlist. Sometimes they might have a couple puppies available due to unforeseen circumstances, but this shouldn’t be the norm (why breed a dog if you don’t know people will want the new pups?).
Red flags:
“We post pictures online, tell me which one you’d like”
“I have a bunch of puppies available right now, how soon can you pick one?”
3. What do you do to take care of their health?
Think about all the doctor visits and special supplies you need when having a baby. Now imagine having 7-12 babies at once!
Pups take a lot of care to stay happy and healthy. Before they’re even born, parents need health and genetic testing to prevent hereditary health issues. Then there’s vet checkups, vaccinations, deworming, puppy-friendly diets, and sanitizing to do, all in the first two months after they’re born!
Plus, after pups go home, your breeder should offer some kind of health guarantee to support you if any genetic related issues arise.
Lots of things to look for, but they’re all essential for happy and healthy pups!
Red flags:
“I don’t offer a health guarantee”
“I don’t have vet records”
“They eat regular kibble”
“The parents are just pets, I don’t know about their genetics”
4. Can we meet the puppies before we pick one?
This one can be a bit tricky. It’s only natural to want to see where your pup will be raised and check out the setup your breeder has. But at the same time, most ethical breeders raise their pups right in their home. They are having to balance transparency and privacy.
So don’t panic too quickly if they don’t offer an open-door policy. However, they should at least have some way to show you the cleanliness of their setup and the personality of the pups.
We offer a puppy social when each litter is 6 weeks old. All families are welcome to come on this exciting day to meet the pups and check out their first home. However, we limit visits outside this time to keep our home feeling like a home.
We also share all of the temperament testing videos with our buyers so they can see each puppy’s personality first-hand.
We’ve seen other breeders set up facetime calls with potential buyers. Others are really good at posting behind the scenes videos online.
So your criteria for this question may be more up to your personal preference. But at the very least, make sure the pups are safe and well stimulated. You should also be able to get to know the pups before choosing which one to call your own.
Red flags:
“We do not allow any in-person or video visits. You can see pictures of the puppies online”
“No, I can’t show you a video of where the pups are raised”
“No, I don’t have a way to show you the puppys’ personalities. They’re all pretty much the same anyway”
5. How do you support new puppy parents?
Raising a pup is a big commitment! You’ll have lots of questions, and it’s really important to feel supported through that process. (Like: why is my puppy hiding under the couch? Or, what do I do - my puppy ate his toy!)
If a breeder has the motto “your puppy, your problem,” you probably won’t have the best experience with them. Ethical breeders want what's best for you and their pups, which means supporting you through the ups and downs!
All Olive Branch Families have access to my personal cell. They’re also invited to a private Facebook group to ask questions and connect with other puppy owners. And everyone is sent home with a go-home book filled with guidance for their first couple of months as puppy parents.
Other breeders will have their own ways of supporting you, but if there isn’t a system in place, that raises cause for concern.
Red flags:
“Please do not contact me after picking up your puppy”
“You can find plenty of resources to answer your questions online”
6. What questions do you have for me?
While you’re vetting your breeder, they should be doing the same to you. Not everyone is in the right stage of life or mindset to get a pup. So good breeders do their due diligence to make sure you’re up to the task of taking on a new family member.
If a breeder couldn’t care less about who you are… well, they probably don’t care too much about their puppies either.
So give them a chance to ask. Plus, they’ll be able to learn more about what kind of puppy you’re looking for in the process!
Red flags:
“As long as you can pay, the puppy is yours”
All 6 of these questions uncover standards that I don’t think any puppy buyer should budge on (unless you’re adopting, of course!).
Because if breeders can get away with not doing these essential things for their pups, there are many who will take advantage. And that’s not fair to the pups, or to you.
So please - be picky! You’re bringing home a new family member after all :)
One last thing to check for - your breeder should be excited to tell you about their program. I truly believe you can really only be a successful breeder if you love what you do. There’s too much heart needed to fake a job like this. So listen for those subtle cues.
Because when they really care - that’s what makes for a great breeder.
Best of luck on your puppy finding journey!
Are you searching for your perfect pup?
Here’s how we can help!
If you’re interested in bringing home a Bernedoodle, you can set up your phone interview by filling out an application. Or you can check out our upcoming litters.
Want to learn more about our Bernedoodles and how we raise them? Our newsletter is packed with behind-the-scenes cuteness, training tips, and all things Bernedoodle. We’d love to see you there - subscribe here!
Looking for more resources? Our blog is packed with information for aspiring pawrents. Check out our other blogs.