Don't Be the Victim of an Unethical Breeder

Don’t buy from a pet shop (puppy mill) or backyard breeder! Purchase your puppy from a responsible breeder.

An ethical breeder will provide a healthy, well-socialized puppy that will be a good fit for you and your family. The best way to protect yourself from an unethical breeder is by knowing the ethical standards of responsible dog breeders.

An ethical breeder:

• Helps educate novice buyers; answers all questions about the breed and her dogs.
• Carefully interviews prospective buyers. Has specific requirements prospective owners must meet; e.g., spaying and neutering pets, fenced yards.
• Tests breeding stock and records that testing with the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.
• Breeds to decrease the incidence of known hereditary diseases.
• Sells by contract with a health guarantee.
• Gives the buyer health certificates and test results on the sire and dam of the puppies.
• Does not breed more litters than she can keep well groomed, socialized and housed long term if needed.
• Does not overbreed any individual bitch.
• Provides for taking a dog back if the buyer can no longer keep the dog.
• Spends individual time with each dog in her care every day.
• Produces puppies with excellent temperaments as well as health.
• Wants to be informed of any health or temperament problems her puppies develop.
• Is available to help the buyer throughout the puppy’s lifetime.

Red flags that might indicate an unethical Poodle breeder:

• Uses the buzz word terms “Royal,” “Teacup” or “Hunting Poodle.”
• Says it’s too expensive to test her dogs or she cannot find the test results.
• Offers to ship a puppy without personal contact with, or references for, the buyer.
• Has puppies available in numerous colors and varieties, or breeds.
• Breeds too young. No Poodle should be bred before it has received the appropriate genetic testing
  recommended for its variety. In Standard and Miniature Poodles this may be obtained at 2 years of age,
  and in Toy Poodles at 1 year of age.

For more information about choosing a breeder, see the following Versatility in Poodles (VIP) educational materials at www.vipoodle.org:

• Buying a Poodle
• How to Evaluate a Breeder
• How to Evaluate the Web Site of a Poodle Breeder
• Questions to Ask a Breeder: Guidelines for Buying a Miniature, Standard or Toy Poodle