07/20/2026
I have had friends and clients reach out to me about helping them find puppies, so I want to make a general post about how to find and support reputable breeders.I know some people opt to adopt, and that's fine, too! But I want to touch on a few things to look for when buying a puppy from a breeding program. I personally know German Shepherds best and I can make a separate post that goes in-depth about them.
Also, please be aware that not everything is black-and-white in breeding. If you come across a breeder who isn't doing something that you feel they should be, ask why, then determine from there.
Also, it's important to realize that in order to get an ethically bred puppy, you are probably going to be spending around $2,000-$5,000. It's worth it in the end to not put money into backyard breeders' pockets.
No matter the breed, here are things to look for:
-go to the breed's parent club website. Each website will have a list of breeders who follow the standards set aside for their club.
-the parent club website will also have information on what they require for health testing. A breed like the Doberman requires breeders to do cardiac tests for every dog every single year... and for good reason!
-Look up the health tests yourself on the relevant sited (OFA,SV, etc). Don't just take someone's word for it
-"Vet checked" does NOT mean they are health tested properly. This just means that the puppy has seen a vet... it doesn't mean that the parents have been x-rayed and analyzed, etc.
-Ask the breeder what type of puppy programs they do with their litters
-Ask where puppies are whelped
-Make sure that dogs have any relevant titles or achievements for their breed. For example, a showline dog who is being bred should ideally have an AKC Championship. Watch out for breeders who say, "championship bloodlines." This simply means that somewhere in the pedigree, one of the dogs earned a championship. That doesn't mean their current dog is breed-worthy. For a working dog, PARENTS should have achievements in relevant venues like herding, hunting, tracking, etc.
Red flags to watch for: a breeder who has puppies always available, won't let you visit or see where the dogs are kept, can't provide health testing documentation, pressures you to decide quickly, or only accepts cash or wire transfer with no contract. A reputable breeder will also ask YOU questions — they want to know their puppies are going to good homes.
Always get a contract. A reputable breeder will have one. It protects both of you and outlines health guarantees, return policies, and expectations. If a breeder won't provide a contract, walk away.
If you're considering importing a puppy from another country, do your research on CDC import requirements, work with someone who has done it before, and be especially diligent about contracts and payment methods. Wire transfers offer no buyer protection if something goes wrong.
Phrases to watch out for: champion bloodlines, comes with papers, full blooded/pure blood... these are buzz words that essentially mean nothing.
You can always reach out to us if you need help finding a responsibly bred puppy or if you need an opinion!
