Good Breeders: How and Where to Find Them

I worked on a piece about designer dogs all day today at work... and left my journal there when my shift was up. I'll drive over and pick it up tomorrow, but I'm really angry at myself for forgetting! It's not done yet, but I'm very pleased with how it's coming.

I was planning on using that as my entry today and didn't have any other ideas floating around. I suppose I could come up with something, but I'm a lazy person and don't feel like it.

Instead, I thought it might be a good idea to give out a bit of information on finding good breeders. I'm sure there's more than one person on this site looking to get another dog and if I can help educate even a little bit, then it's worth it.

If you don't know what breed you want, your first stop should be a dog show. Check out http://www.akc.org/breeds/index.cfm?nav_area=breeds# - on the left side, hover over "Breeds by Group" and choose a group to view the relevant dogs. Here's a basic rundown of the groups:

Sporting: Sporting dogs were originally bred to be hunting dogs. As such, the majority of the group is composed of pointers, setters, spaniels and retrievers. Because their job is to work with humans, they are very social animals. They are typically eager to please and active.

Hound: Like sporting dogs, hounds have a good deal of energy, but unlike sporting dogs they are not always inclined to listen to you. Often stubborn and independent, hounds must be supervised carefully as "stay" is not likely to keep them from running after a rabbit. They are, nonetheless, good-natured and likeable companions, as long as you have a good sense of humor.

Working: You cannot really summarize all the breeds in this group, as they're incredibly diverse. Their one uniting point is that they were all bred for work. Dobermans, for example, were bred to be guard dogs while Bernese Mountain Dogs were bred to guard livestock. Alaskan Malamutes were bred to pull sleds, and... well, you get where I'm going with this, right? There is a vast variety of temperaments in this group.

Terrier: Terriers are not for the lighthearted! There is a reason that terrier owners refer to their dogs (albeit fondly) as "terrors" and "terrierists". They are strong willed, very active and always have a mind of their own. If they don't agree with you, then you can bet they won't be obeying you. They are lively, entertaining companions, but I would not reccommend a terrier for a first-time dog owner.

Toy: The breeds in the toy group were all bred for a single purpose: to be companions. Friendly and likeable, these dogs can be physically fragile because of their size, but they have big personalities to make up for it.

Non-sporting: Like the working group, this group is incredibly diverse. The difference is that they don't have anything in common with each other. Essentially the "miscellaneous" group, it's worth looking at each dog as an individual as they are all very different from each other.

Now that you have an idea of what breeds you like, make a list. Don't get too attached to one breed in particular, though, because while it might sound good in writing, it might not be a good fit in reality. The Portuguese Water Dog Club of America puts it nicely.

"--- The Real Standard ---

General Appearance - Known for centuries along Portugal's coast, this seafaring breed was prized by fishermen for a spirited, yet obedient nature, and a robust, medium build that allowed for a full day's work in and out of the water. The Portuguese Water Dog is a swimmer and diver of exceptional ability and stamina, who aided his master at sea by retrieving broken nets, herding schools of fish, and carrying messages between boats and to shore. He is a loyal companion and alert guard. This highly intelligent utilitarian breed is distinguished by two coat types, either curly or wavy; an impressive head of considerable breadth and well proportioned mass; a ruggedly built, well-knit body; and a powerful, thickly based tail, carried gallantly or used purposefully as a rudder. The Portuguese Water Dog provides an indelible impression of strength, spirit, and soundness.

Expression - Steady, penetrating, and attentive.

Temperament - An animal of spirited disposition, self-willed, brave, and very resistant to fatigue. A dog of exceptional intelligence and a loyal companion, it obeys its master with facility and apparent pleasure. It is obedient with those who look after it or with those for whom it works.

--- What It Really Means ---

General Appearance - Notorious as a brawler for centuries along Portugal's coast, this seafaring breed was prized by fishermen for a pushy nature and a robust, medium build that needed the mental and physical demand's of a full day's work in and out of the water to reduce it's energy level to one that allowed it to hear and obey it's master's commands. The Portuguese Water Dog seeks and loves to splash and wallow in mud, water bowls, toilets with open lids, and any liquid--water, paint, etc. It does this with great finesse and stamina, unendingly, while aiding his master by retrieving any item that it sees and wants to carry, regardless of size, delicacy, or ownership. Its incessant retrieving instinct leads to a dog that must have something in it's mouth to carry, chew on, or swallow, whether that item be edible or decorative, such as furniture.

He is a clinging companion and an incessant alarm barker. This highly manipulative breed is distinguished by two coat types, either curly or wavy, which require extensive grooming, bathing, brushing, combing, detangling, etc. far in excess of the time that would be spent vacuuming up dog hair if it were to shed, which it does not (carrying dirt, twigs, dust, mats, etc. around with it until groomed). It has an impressive head of considerable breadth and well proportioned mass, which it uses for head and body rams; a ruggedly built, well-knit body which enables it to counter-surf and jump onto tables and over fences; and a powerful, thickly based tail, carried gallantly or used purposefully as a rudder or to clear items off coffee tables and destroy Lego constructions built by children on floors.

Expression - Direct, rude, and demanding. The Portuguese Water Dog likes to be at eye level with humans, resulting in an almost un-extinguishable jumping-up greeting behavior.

Temperament - An animal with a mind of its own, brash, and ADHD. A dog of exceptional ability to manipulate people and its environment, and a strong desire to lead that makes it incessantly desire to be around humans that it can bend to its wishes. If trained by a person with patience, superior intelligence, and unilateral focus, it will obey its master with facility and apparent pleasure until it decides to test or until it devises an alternative to try. " (http://www.pwdca.org/puppies/packet02PickingABreed.html)

You have some idea of what you want now. It's time to go to a dog show.

http://www.akc.org/events/search/ allows you to search for shows in your area. I would suggest looking up only conformation shows. I don't know much about tracking/obedience/hunting/etc trials and so I don't know for sure that they're good places to learn about different breeds.

Even if you don't plan on showing your dog, a dog show is a one-stop-shop for learning about a variety of different breeds and getting hands on experience with them. Talk to the handlers and ask questions. They're passionate about their breed and typically love talking about it. However, be aware of what's going on around you. If the handler is about to take the dog into the ring, it's not a good time to talk to them. Stick around, wait until they're done showing, and then approach them. Try to have a basic knowledge of the breed first, though! As one website humorously put, "A Shetland Sheepdog owner is proud of his dog, but will not be impressed if you come up to him and compliment him on his pretty miniature collie." (Paraphrased, as I don't remember what website it was on.)

A dog show is also a good way to get in touch with breeders. While it's important to thoroughly question a breeder to make sure they're responsible (just as a breeder will thoroughly question you to make sure YOU'RE responsible), I would say that most show people are reputable breeders. You can also buy a show guide that lists all of the dogs, who bred them, who handled them, and more information.

If, for whatever reason, you aren't able to get the information on any breeders, you should go to the breed's national club website. These can be found by Googling "(breed name) club of (country)". Alternatively, you can go to your breed's page on the AKC website. On the left hand side, click on "National Breed Club" under "Breed Contacts". These websites typically offer a breeder referral service. They're also valuable for learning more about your breed, especially with regards to health problems and such. They also usually have a list of questions you should ask a breeder.

DO NOT GET A PUPPY FROM A CLASSIFIEDS AD. No good breeder has to use an ad in a newspaper to find potential buyers. I guarantee you, these breeders are ALL BYBs.

It might seem like a lot of work to get a dog, but a dog is a lifetime commitment. You want to be sure that you're getting the dog that's right for you. Of course, if you don't want to go through all the hassle, you could also go to your local shelter and adopt a dog in need. :)