Hints on how to find a responsible breeder

Responsible breeders usually spend time in answering buyers' questions, willingly give advice about diet, training, exercise, grooming etc.

They breed these dogs because they genuinely admire the breed and want to contribute to its betterment.

They allow bitches to recover sufficiently in between litters and do not breed season after season. They usually consider themselves responsible for the whole life of that puppy, keeping in touch with puppy's owner and want to be the first person to know and help if the dog can no longer be kept by the owner.

They help prospective owners work out whether a Samoyed would be the best choice for them.

They interview the buyer usually asking some or all of the following;
Have you owned a dog before? If so, what type ?
How long did you own it ?
Are there children in the family ? If so, how many and what ages ?
Are you planning on having more children ?
Do you own your own home ? If not does the landlord allow dogs ? Are you planning to stay there ? If not are you prepared for extra hassles to find a rental that does allow dogs ?
Do you have other pets ?
Do you have a fenced secure area and be willing for the breeder to inspect that this area is suitable ?
Are you prepared to spend time training this dog so that it will not become a menace ?
Do you have time to spare to groom this dog ?
Do you have time to give this dog appropriate exercise ?
Will the dog have day time human company which this breed just craves ?
Do you realise the costs involved in owning a dog, i.e. vet care, cost of quality food, boarding, annual registration etc ?
And also do you realise that you will be taking on the commitment of a living creature that will be dependant on you for rest of it's life ?  

How to locate a responsible breeder

  The New Zealand Kennel Club is a good starting point to look for a responsible breeder, either in the magazine publication, website www.nzkc.org.nz or contact them directly.

Area breed clubs are also a good point of contact for information about local breeders. Vet's, groomers, and boarding kennels can also be a source of information.

Beware of newspaper classified ad's and internet ad's offering 'fluffy bundles of joy for Xmas' etc. These type of people are only interested in the colour of your money !

Questions the owner should be asking the breeder, if the breeder has not discussed these already

Is the breeder's dog a housedog? If not, ask how they provide the human interaction that Samoyeds crave.
Ask how they socialise the puppies.
Are they able to refer you to other owners of their breeding?
Are they able to show you both dam and sire? If not, are they able to provide photos, video etc of the sire. Usually the dam will be able to be seen.
Will the puppies be New Zealand Kennel Club registered?
Will there be any endorsements registered with the NZKC, i.e. Not to be bred from etc. (The NZKC website www.nzkc.org.nz lists all endorsements that can be put in place).
Ask to view the pedigrees of the dam and sire.
Are the breeding stock x-rayed for hip dysplasia ?
Are they certified free of eye disease ?
Are they gonioscopy tested ?
What are the terms if the puppy develops any genetic problem ?
Do they require 'pet' puppies to be spayed/neutered ? ('Pet' quality puppies should not be deficient, they just probably do not meet breed standard for coat type, head type, pigment, bone structure, eye type etc and should not be bred from).
Ask about their vaccination regime.
Also ask what age the puppy will be homed ? (Prior to eight weeks is not recommended).
Ask if they are members of a breed club.
Ask if they actively show their dogs.

Responsible breeders should willingly give the above information and would want all the above discussed before you view any puppy. They will also be happy for you to inspect their property. They will be happy to offer advice and support you and your puppy as you head through a joyous life together !

BEWARE OF BUYING FROM PET SHOPS AND UNKNOWLEDGEABLE BREEDERS AS THEY DO NOT AND WILL NOT OFFER THE FOLLOW UP SUPPORT THAT IS USUALLY REQUIRED FOR A FIRST TIME SAMOYED OWNER AND ESPECIALLY FOR A FIRST TIME DOG OWNER.  

 

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