Well, there is no sure way, but use your common sense. Merely saying your dog is AKC registered is nothing. You can register anything unless someone reports you, which is unlikely. The American Kennel Club does make some visits to suspect kennels as I understand it, but they cannot possibly police every breeder in the U.S. You must rely on the ethics of the breeder. The following will aid you in determining what kind of breeder you are talking to.
� Conscientious breeders don�t breed for profit. It is not a profitable enterprise if you treat your animals humanely. Breeding dogs is a very expensive hobby. Good breeders only breed to improve the breed and hopefully while doing so get a show-quality puppy. Those puppies that are not show quality are sold as pets.
� If a breeder tells you they have puppies all the time � beware. Good breeders keep breeding to a minimum. You might have to wait 6 months or more to get a puppy from a particular breeder.
� If you go to a breeder�s house and see unclean conditions, overcrowded animals who are unkempt and unclean � beware. Though all puppy mills aren�t obviously filthy. Many are smart enough to bring you a clean, combed puppy while horrors lurk outside where the breeding stock is kept.
� If you visit a breeder and see many different breeds on the premises � beware. Most good breeders restrict themselves to one or two breeds. Puppy mills will usually have a wide variety of breeds advertised.
� The classic puppy mill is in a rural setting with scores of dogs in dirty, feces-covered cages, but not all. I bought my first puppy mill puppy from a little old grandmotherly lady who lived in a huge 3-story mansion with dogs on every floor. She bred cock-a-poos and peke-a-poos. If I had been better educated, I would have realized immediately she was in it for the money. These mixes were popular at the time and an easy sell. No reputable breeder would ever mix breeds in this manner! My puppy mill puppy lived 15 years, but was plagued with health problems, including severe arthritis and blindness for the last 8 years of her life.
� Reputable breeders will require a spay/neuter contract or will withhold registration papers until such is accomplished. This will prevent your breeding a sub-standard dog. Puppy mill quality dogs (or mixed breeds) should never be bred intentionally. They cannot improve the breed, they would not do well in the show ring and could very likely wind up in a shelter. There are just too damned many dogs being put to sleep yearly, so please don�t add to the problem!
� Reputable breeders will give you a contract which varies, but lists rights of seller/buyer, altering and buy-back/return policy.
� Reputable breeders care how their puppies are placed and may interview you thoroughly or even refuse to sell a puppy to someone they don�t feel will be a good owner.
� Reputable breeders are well-informed regarding their breed and will be able to educate you on both good and bad points.
� Reputable breeders will allow you to take the puppy for a vet check within a certain time period.
� Reputable breeders are actively involved in showing and with other breeders.
� Reputable breeders will answer your questions, provide references, and allow you to view the parents or photos if the parents are not present.