Breeder Basics Improving your chances when looking for that "perfect" puppy (or dog) |
| Obtaining a dog or a puppy is a very important decision, and not one to be taken lightly. You are not buying a toy or a piece of furniture, but a living, breathing being that will fill your life with joy for many years to come - if treated right. One good place to find a companion is through your local shelter or humane society, or a breed rescue organization. Whether you want a puppy or an adult (to avoid the hassle of housbreaking and all the other "fun" that comes with raising a puppy!), you may find your ideal companion at a shelter. If you don't need a show quality dog, check out these groups first. Almost every breed of dog has a rescue organization, which can often be found by searching the internet or contacting that breed's AKC or UKC parent club. |
Note: The advice that follows is my personal advice. While there may be some minor differences, most reputable and esponsible breeders and owners adhere to the general principles laid out below. My interest is mainly the Belgian Shepherd breeds (Belgian Sheepdog (Groenendael), Laekenois, Malinois and Tervueren), but most of the principles apply to most any breed of dog. |
| How do I find a breeder? |
| > Visit a local dog show or trial, or an obedience school and talk to dog lovers there > Surf the Internet (but BEWARE: there are also puppy mills and unscrupulous breeders on the internet). There are also email lists set up for many breeds on Yahoogroups, ListServ or other email hosts and you can learn a lot about a breed by lurking on a breed list. > Contact the American Kennel Club (AKC) or the United Kennel Club (UKC) for contact information on the parent club for the breeds you're interested in. The parent club can refer you to breeders in your area. Many parent clubs also have websites (see below for a list of Belgian Shepherd Club websites). > Check the local papers. Although many breeders don't advertise in the paper, some very reputable breeders do. You have to be a little more cautious going this route, and you have to learn to read between the lines, but with a little work you can find a good dog this way. |
| Attending Dog Shows Both AKC and UKC have Dog Shows/Trials in the Upper Midwest. Click on either one below to go to their schedule of events or click HERE to go to the Local (Minneapolis/St. Paul) Events page AKC Shows/Trials UKC Shows/Trials |