Pawrenting: Here are tips for choosing a  responsible dog breeder

If there is one thing that has gone out of control in the pet world, it is the rise of unethical dog breeders.

These breeders strictly keep dogs for the money and have no regard for their welfare or the health of the puppies they are selling. Most are amateurs, who mate two dogs, to bring extra income, and they have been kept in the trade by buyers who have no clue of the puppy mills they are funding.

So how do you sort out through the many breeders to find a reputable and ethical one when you want to get yourself a dog?

Keep off the online ones

Do not purchase dogs posted for sale on the internet; almost all of them come from puppy mills. A puppy mill, also known as a puppy farm, is a commercial dog breeding facility characterised by quick breeding and poor conditions.

When you see a post online, ask to visit the prospective seller and insist on seeing the puppies in person.

The physical site will always tell you if the breeder is legitimate. You will be able to know if the dogs are treated humanely. A responsible breeder gives the animals plenty of space to exercise, a clean environment, and the animals look happy. By happy, you will notice that the puppies are well socialised, they do not shy away from visitors, and they are not timid or nervous when around you.

Ask to meet the puppy's mother and, if possible, the father. It will give you a sense of your dog's temperament, size, and appearance.

It also gives you a chance to see the health of the mother. An illegal breeder will sometimes have the mother dog skinny with ribs showing and weary from overbreeding.

A legit puppy breeder does not always have puppies for sale and will put you on the waiting list.

Puppy's vaccination schedule

They will also provide you with the puppy's vaccination schedule, information of the breed, and they will sometimes have proof that they have checked the parents for breed-related health issues, like heritable cataracts and orthopaedic conditions. They should give you evidence that the dog was examined and treated by a qualified vet.

A legit dog breeder will not let you take home a younger puppy than eight weeks old. They will also have many questions for you on how well you know about taking care of a dog. They will also let you ask as many questions as you like and even allow you and your family to interact with the puppy before deciding on the purchase.

Remember that getting a new dog is a lifelong investment of time and money. The more effort you put into the search now, the happier you will be with your decision.

Maryanne is a pet owner. [email protected]