Buying Puppies For Sale From The Small Professional Breeder

There are three different types of dog breeders: the large professional breeder, the small professional breeder, and what is usually referred to as the “backyard breeder”. There are some advantages of buying your puppy from a small professional breeder. Shopping for a new puppy through a small breeder is one of the best choices you could make. These breeders offer much more personal help with questions and interests than larger breeder organizations do, and with more respected care for their puppies than you could possibly imagine.

If your new puppy hasn't eaten as much as you think he should, if he sneezes once too often for your liking, if he howls all night when you think he should be adjusted to his new surroundings – then you can thank your lucky stars that you purchased the little guy from a small professional breeder.

Help is usually just a simple phone call away. Small professional breeders are like the Doctors back in the days whom, just like in those old television shows, would rush right over if anyone in the family had a cold, always ready and available with a sympathetic ear and good solid advice!

Small professional breeders are usually true and devoted dog lovers in every sense of the word. They are normally very active in breed clubs whose goal is the betterment of the breed. These devoted animal lovers literally eat, sleep, breath, and live for dogs! You can find them ringside at local dog shows and at dog matches. They are professionals, but the smaller breeder is lucky if he or she financially breaks even at the end of the year. For them, it is not about the money at all, it is for the dogs.

These Breeders Are Careful When Selecting New Owners

In dealing with a larger breeder, one gets the feeling that they really care where their puppies wind up; but be prepared when taking on the small professional breeder, because specific questioning they may make you feel like the FBI or the CIA are all conspiring to gather as much information about you as possible!

The small professional breeder usually will have one or two litters a year, which are products of carefully planned breeding, infinite care, and patience. To place these puppies with the right people becomes the breeder's sole reason for being. Some small breeders make baby adoption agencies seem pale by comparison.

Be Prepared For Such Questions:

“Do you have a fenced in yard?” “Are there any other dogs in your house?” “How many and how old are they?” “What are their sexes?” “Where are they kept?” “Where are you planning to put your new puppy?” “How much time during the day are you able to spend with your new puppy?” “What about the weekends?”

“Do you have any children?” “If so, how many do you have and what are the ages?” are example questions you will be asked. And these questions are important to the devoted breeder, as in many instances, very young children are unintentionally cruel to small puppies. The small professional breeder will also want to make sure that the children, no matter what ages, will not be solely responsible for the puppy's welfare. Youngsters' interests wane quickly. As great as their intentions, basketball practice or a new boyfriend can readily replace the constant attention first given to the family's new puppy.

“Do you work?” “Who is at home during the day?” These should be self-explanatory. No puppy should be left alone all day to fend for itself. It certainly cannot be expected to housetrain itself, or teach itself the necessary do's and don'ts of family membership.

“How many dogs have you previously owned?” This is the clincher. If you have owned quite a few, be prepared to explain what's become of them. If, for one reason or another, they have disappeared in rapid succession, it isn't too much for the breeder to expect that his puppy will join their ranks and turn you down as a customer.

These questions make a good deal more sense than the novice puppy buyers can sometimes understand. Many buyers do not give sufficient thought to the proper adjustments that the new puppy will have to make in his different surroundings. He will be in a new home, having left the only one he has ever known, plus the people who loved and cared for him, as well as his littermates.

At times, prospective buyers have found this to be offensive, but actually, it is to be admired. These breeders breed on an average scale. Chances are they have only five or six dogs in their kennel. Some small breeders have only two – the male and the female.

What Difference Does It Make? What Business Is It To The Breeder?

If he was on his hands and knees helping his female give birth to the litter, helping her rub life into their little bodies, up nights feeding them with an eye dropper to make certain each pup got its fair share of food – then yes, the small breeder will make it his business to make sure that the life he helped into this world is destined for a good home!

The small professional breeder is seldom in the breeding business to make money. They may make money boarding, they may make money with grooming, or even handling dogs in the show ring, but they know there's no profit in raising two or three litters each year. They firmly believe that the litters they raise are absolutely the best specimens of their favored breed.

You Are Getting The Best Of The Best

By careful and selective breeding, these small breeders have attempted to eliminate any and all known faults, and to improve certain characteristics of the breed. Truly, theirs is a labor of love. You may have to pay a lot more for the puppy you select, but trust me when I say this; the small professional breeder has invested more time, love, and attention in the puppy then what he is being paid for, guaranteed!

One Last Note About Small Professional Breeders

Some small breeders do not like doing business at a distance. Do not be disappointed if you hear: “Oh I'm sorry, we do not ship puppies but if you'd like to come and see us, we'll be very happy to meet you.”

In essence, these breeders know that puppies are trusting little bundles of love and they feel that it is their responsibility to do everything in their power to guarantee the most loving and permanent home possible.