Selecting a puppy from a breeder instead of adopting from a shelter, dog pound or rescue organization is a choice frequently made. Purchasing a puppy from a good quality, reputable breeder is an excellent way to increase the odds of bringing home a happy, healthy, socialized puppy.

Good breeders enable a potential dog owner to buy healthy happy dogs that have been bred to have the best qualities. People are breeders for the love of dogs and to advance the breed. It's as important to choose the right breeder as it is to choose the right dog. Ask your veterinarian, groomers, boarding kennels, the local kennel club, and other pet owners who the reputable breeders are in your area.

When you're considering a breeder, it's wise to do the interview in person on the premises, rather than on the phone because you will meet the breeder and observe all the dogs and puppies. The premises should be clean and smell good.

Be very suspicious of breeders who have more dogs than they seem able to take care of properly and have large numbers of dogs and puppies kept in kennels or runs. If you see multiple litters of multiple breeds you should move on immediately and find a better breeder. Reputable breeders breed one litter a year, because they need time to evaluate the puppies produced in one litter before breeding another. This could be a back yard breeder or puppy mill masquerading as a breeder.

If at all possible, find breeders who have the puppie's parents (at least the mother) on the premises. If the parents are well fed, well sheltered, in a clean environment, and they are happy friendly dogs that don't back away, growl, or jump in your face, you're on the right track. If you can, get to know the dogs who are the parents of your future puppy, as they will provide you with a pretty good idea of what you can expect.

The puppies should look healthy, be sociable and outgoing, with no runny eyes or noses. The environment should also be clean with plenty of room for exercise.

When you inquire about a puppy, the breeder will also interview you. A good breeder is trying to find the best homes for the puppies, and may ask some occasionally strange questions regarding your home life and previous dog experiences before letting you have one of their precious puppies. They want to be assured that you know what you're doing, that you can train and take care of the puppy, and will be a responsible, intelligent owner. They are the experts here - and they will evaluate you as carefully as you evaluate them. Expect this.

Quality breeders want to know that you can house and raise their puppy appropriately and that their puppy will have one permanent home for his entire lifetime. Ideally, you will talk to and buy the puppy from the breeder who raised the litter and owns or co-owns the mother (dam). Conscientious breeders don't trust other people to screen puppy buyers for them.

The breeder should be willing to provide you with all of the time that you require in order to make your decision. It is important that you feel very comfortable speaking with the breeder, and asking questions whenever they should arise. You will require the support of your breeder once you get your new puppy, so you need to make certain that your breeder is happy to accommodate you.

Ask when the last time the mother was bred, and how many litters has she had total. A female dog should not be allowed to produce an excessive number of litters. Sufficient time should be allowed between litters for the female dog to recuperate - no more than once a year, or more than twice in any two year period, if bred on consecutive seasons.

Ask the breeder about specific characteristics of the breed and if they have encountered any genetic problems in the bloodlines. A reputable breeder will reveal inherited problems and discuss what they have done to try and eliminate them. The breeder will tell you what genetic screening is necessary for that breed, and will be willing to discuss problems and show proof of genetic screening.

Inquire how the breeder evaluates the temperaments of the puppies. While different breeds have standard personality traits, the fact remains that there is a great deal of variability within the breed, and even within one litter. A lot of a puppy's temperament develops through early socialization, both within the litter and with humans. A breeder should be able to tell you about those differences and help you choose. Of course, there's not too much personality at 3 weeks of age, but by 5 - 6 weeks you should be able to ask this question. Also, there are standardized temperament tests that are gaining popularity, so ask about these also.

Reputable breeders will know the ancestry of the puppies, not just parents, but grandparents and beyond. A dedicated breeder will breed only with the intention of improving the breed, planning each litter with this goal in mind, using parents of appropriate qualities in relation to the official standard and description of the breed, physical soundness, and temperament.

Ask the breeder if you can see pictures of puppies from previous litters grown up. This will give you an idea on how well the breeder keeps in touch with people who bought puppies, and it is always good to see the results of prior breedings.

An above board breeder will also explain the quality and cost differences between show and pet-quality puppies. (Breeders should insist that you spay or neuter non-show puppies.)

The puppies will not have been separated from their mother and littermates at less than 7 weeks of age. Many breeders consider 7 - 8 weeks ideal, some later. But if you look at puppies over 12 weeks of age, be certain they have had enough individual attention and separation from one another, and they are more bonded to people than to other dogs.

Different breeds develop at different rates, so take the time to research and decide what age you feel is acceptable. The national breed club websites usually have a recommendation listed there; sometimes it is on their code of ethics page. A responsible breeder will want to make sure the pups are fully weaned and eating well, have had time for vaccinations to become effective, and have been appropriately socialized before leaving for a new, strange home.

All puppies will have had at least one DHLP and Parvo vaccination and a worm test or a worming

The breeder will insist that you prepare an appropriate place at home for your puppy before you take your puppy home. They will give you thorough personal instructions on puppy feeding and care, a record of vaccinations and worming, and encourage you to phone if you have concerns or questions after taking your puppy home.

A quality breeder will be there to help and advise you throughout the life of the puppy, and will ask you to bring the puppy (or dog) back to them at any age, if for any reason you can't keep him - even if the dog is very old.

A good breeder makes sure all puppies go to carefully screened homes. If there is no home out there, the puppy is kept until one is found. No puppy ever goes to a pet store or animal shelter. Responsible breeders do not add to the thousands of unwanted pets that are in shelters.

Be wary of breeders who behave more like puppy-making machines (BYB - also known as Back Yard Breeders or Puppy Mills) who simply want to sell the puppies as quickly as they can. Breeders whose primary concern is money and not the care of the puppies, will almost definitely not care enough to provide you with the support and advice that you may need some time down the road.

Everything you have discussed will be written in a contract. Have the breeder provide you with complete medical records, an exact copy of your contract, a guarantee of good health, an application to register your puppy, and your puppy's pedigree.

If AKC registration application is not yet available, the breeder will furnish you with the registered names and numbers of sire and dam, birth date of litter and name, address and phone number of breeder as the AKC requires. Be aware that AKC registration does not mean quality. It only means that your dog is a purebred. Pet quality puppies should be considered as just that. Even litters from very well bred parents usually contain only a few show or breeding quality pups.

Most breeders will send you off with a small supply of the same food he has been eating, as well as provide information about raising, training, feeding and proper veterinary care, and most will insist you have the puppy examined by your veterinarian within a specified short period of time. If the breeder is in your general vicinity, they should also be able to recommend a dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled veterinarian as well.