Adding a puppy to your family is exciting and finding the right fit is important. You want to make sure you will be able to provide for the puppy you’re getting. Above all, you want to make sure your puppy is healthy.

If you’ve decided buying a puppy is the right option for you, it’s absolutely vital that the breeder you are buying from is reputable, takes care of their dogs and puppies, and is the best you can work with.

If you’re inexperienced in the industry, it can be difficult to determine who is legitimately a high-quality, reputable dog breeder and who should be avoided. Here’s what to look for in a reputable dog breeder:

1. They Are Knowledgeable About The Dog Breed

Basically, your dog breeder should be informed about the breed, from international and national standards for the breed as well as the particular traits that the breed tends to display; you may even find out something new from talking to them about these things. A good dog breeder should be able to tell you about the breed’s standards and history as well as potential challenges with the dog breed.

They should be able to answer questions regarding what the dog was bred for originally, common health problems to be aware of in the breed, as well as what they have done to prevent those issues in their breeding lines and program, and what kind of environments the breed enjoys most.

Your dog breeder should be able to answer all of your questions about the breed, within reason. These are all things you should look for when buying a puppy. If you feel like the breeder is lacking in a working knowledge of the dog breed, then that is a potential red flag that they aren’t right for you.

2. They Have Credentials to Back Up Their Knowledge

For established dog breeds, there are often reputable and established organizations and breed clubs associated with the breed. Reputable dog breeders with an established breeding program will often be members or be registered with those breed clubs. They may even participate in local dog shows and competitions.

This isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker either way, but it can be another way to verify that a dog breeder you’re considering knows what they’re doing and has been upfront with you. Although there may not be breed clubs available for every dog you’re considering, especially with newer mixes, there are other types of credentials and trust signals you can look for when evaluating a dog breeder.

You can look to see if they have established relationships with other reputable registries, organizations, and programs. For example, our Gold Standard Breeder Program is designed to recognize reputable dog breeders who go above and beyond for all of their dogs.

You can also check referrals from reputable veterinarians, dog trainers, other local dog professionals, and people who have purchased puppies from the breeder before. There may also be local licensing, inspection records, etc. that you can review for the dog breeder and their facilities.

3. The Dog Breeder Asks Questions About You

A reputable dog breeder who cares for their animals will want to make sure their puppies go to a loving home capable of caring for the dogs. The breeder may inquire about who you are, your lifestyle and family situation, as well as what you plan for the dog. The breeder may ask whether the puppy will live inside or outside or whether or not you can afford the food and special care the breed may require.

When asking questions like this, your dog breeder is feeling you out and trying to determine if your home – and you – would be a good fit for the dog based on the dog’s unique needs. This is all part of choosing the right puppy for you.

To a great dog breeder, the dog isn’t just an item to be sold no questions asked – it’s a puppy that deserves a good home and they won’t sell to just anyone who wants to buy. If the breeder doesn’t do this, they may not really care about where the dog ends up – and that can say a lot about how those dogs were bred and raised thus far.

4. They Are Completely Transparent About Their Practices

One of the qualities to look for in a great dog breeder is transparency. They should be open and honest about their experience, breeding practices, dogs, and more. A reputable dog breeder should be able to provide you with medical records and information on the animal’s parents, including any health screenings and genetic testing that they have had done.

They will also be able to provide copies of this paperwork to you for any visit, testing, etc. related to your new puppy. They should also be willing to show you the environment where the dogs and puppies are raised. You should be able to meet the dam in addition to seeing the puppies in person. They should be open and willing to talk to you about how they’ve been raising and caring for the puppies and eager to answer any questions you have.

5. The Dog Breeder Socializes Their Puppies

A great breeder will have also started to train and socialize a puppy. It’s up to you to continue to do that once you get a puppy home, but the breeder should have started these “early life skills” with their puppies.

When interacting with the parents and puppies, you should be able to tell that they are well-fed, they do not shy away from or show fear of the dog breeder, and are reasonably outgoing and open when meeting you.

6. They Will Not Allow You to Take the Puppy Until They Are at Least 8 Weeks Old

Also, reputable dog breeders will not separate the puppy from the mother until the puppy is at least 8 weeks old. You may be able to sign a contract and make a deposit for a puppy before then, but the breeder will not allow you to take the puppy home until they are old enough. Before 8 weeks, the puppy may still be weaning and in the process of transitioning to solid food.

Outside of special circumstances, puppies also need the security of the litter and their mom nearby until that point. Some breeds may require even longer and a responsible breeder will be upfront with you about this. For example, for some small and toy dog breeds that may have slower maturity rates, this timeline may be extended to 12 weeks because that may be what is best for those puppies.

7. The Dog Breeder Has a Contract for Both of You to Sign

Most reputable dog breeders will require you to sign a contract before purchasing one of their puppies. The breeder’s part of the contract includes a guarantee that the dog is healthy and has been immunized and wormed appropriately for their age.

Most contracts from a quality dog breeder also include requirements that the buyer must follow, such as properly feeding and housing the dog and other provisions to ensure the dog receives adequate care. Many contracts even allow for the breeder to repossess the animal if they find that it is not being cared for properly or the new owner finds they can no longer care for it.

8. They Are Available Even After the Animal Has Been Sold

Good dog breeders are experts in the breed they sell while the buyer may be new to the world of owning a pet. Although this is not necessarily a quality you will see before you buy, one of the qualities of a great dog breeder is that they stay in contact or at least remain available for contact after the sale.

A dog breeder who cares about their animals will make themselves available to buyers for advice. They may not actively reach out to you, especially if you’ve expressed no desire for continued contact. However, they should be willing and available to you should you decide to reach out to them regarding your new puppy.

There are more qualities you can look for in a great dog breeder, but these are big ones to pay attention to when it comes to what to look for in a reputable dog breeder, especially when you are looking to buy a puppy online safely. When your breeder is open and honest, and shows they care about their dogs and the care you will be providing, you can feel confident that the puppy has been in good hands!