Finding A Responsible Breeder - 2010 IG Post Calendar Pictures are Being Accepted Now

FINDING A RESPONSIBLE BREEDER

Please do not purchase an IG from a petstore, a puppy mill or a backyard breeder. None of these people do the research to produce dogs that improve the breed, which is the goal of a responsible breeder, and they seldom do the necessary legwork and testing to prevent passing on genetic physical and temperment problems that may not be noticed for several years.

There are many internet sites which can help educate you on backyard breeders, petstores, and puppy mills. There are FAR more people participating in random breeding, accidental litters, breeding for profit and irresponsible breeding than there are responsible breeders. If you have any question about whether a person is a responsible breeder or a puppy mill or backyard breeder, look for these things:

Will they ship a dog to you without meeting you?
Are the dogs AKC registered? Be aware of the registries that are for puppy mill dogs, like APR and others. If you're in the U.S., your breeder should have access to AKC registration, unless they have been suspended.

Do they ask you for references from your vet and other dog owners?

Do they breed more than one or two litters a year?

Do they show their dogs and breed only to try and improve the breed, not for monetary gain?

Are they members in good standing with their breed parent club or local purebred association?

Do they tell you that they will take the dog back - at any time during his lifetime - if you cannot keep him?

Do they guarantee the health of the dog?

Do they have available records indicating genetic health clearances -- eyes, heart, knees -- on both parents of the puppy? (This is not a general health check, but clearances from specialty organizations, like OFA, etc.)

A responsible breeder will ask you for references, interview you, assess your appropriateness for this breed, have records showing health clearances on breeding dogs, give you a guarantee and take the dog back at any time during his life. S/he will probably be a member of IGCA or local purebred breeders club.

S/he will be a small hobby breeder who successfully competes in dog shows with healthy, well-adjusted dogs, and does extensive research before breeding, to match bitches and dogs with excellent health, conformation, temperament, movement and performance ability.

S/he will NOT have a USDA license, since s/he doesn't sell to petstores, and will NOT have a website with page after page of "happy puppies" in their new homes, due to limited, educated breeding. S/he probably won't take charge cards, and will certainly not ship a dog to you sight unseen. She won't breed because 'I want another dog just like him', or have accidental matings.

Remember, if rescues have had to rehome his or her dogs, that person is NOT a responsible breeder. Ask your local rescue reps - IGCA and independent - if any certain person has had dogs surrendered for rescue and rehoming.

There are also "show mills" out there - people who actively compete with their dogs and pay big money for advertising - but they are still over-breeding and selling puppies as a business, rather than doing limited, educated, hobby breeding to improve the breed. They make up a large percentage of the dogs we see in rescue, and these dogs often have genetic health or temperament problems.

Places to look for a responsible breeder:
Italian Greyhound Club of America - check their breeder listings. There's no guarantee the list is absolutely limited to responsible breeders, but it's a much better bet than random internet searches; a large, local kennel club may be able to help you locate IG breeders for interviewing; or AKC shows. Also, IG rescues may be able to help you locate a breeder.

When you find the breeder you're looking for, don't be disappointed if you have to wait on a list for puppies. Responsible breeders sometimes only breed a litter every year or two. What you may find, however, are retired show dogs or older puppies that don't have the near-perfect conformation for showing. Some really wonderful pets can be obtained from breeders, if you aren't set on a tiny puppy, and you may get to by-pass some of the chewing and housetraining issues, too!

If you want to take a chance on a dog having health issues, aren't as concerned with getting a puppy, and would like to give a home to an IG in need, please check out the post on adopting an IG.

2010 IG Post Calendar Pictures are Being Accepted Now: Finding A Responsible Breeder - 2010 IG Post Calendar Pictures are Being Accepted Now

Finding A Responsible Breeder For an IG Puppy

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