What to Look for in a Dog Breeder

Choosing a dog breeder is a significant decision that can impact your life for many years to come. Whether you're looking for a loyal companion, a working dog, or a show dog, finding a responsible breeder is crucial. A responsible breeder will not only provide you with a healthy and well-socialized puppy but will also be a valuable resource for you throughout your dog's life. In this lesson, we will discuss the key factors to consider when choosing a dog breeder.

Shameless plugs - of course, we want you to choose Joley Aire for your next puppy, so we’re also going to tell you what we do to be the best type of breeder.

Health Testing:

One of the most important aspects of responsible breeding is health testing. Reputable breeders will conduct various health tests on their breeding dogs to ensure they are free from genetic diseases and conditions that are common in the breed. These tests can include hip and elbow evaluations, eye exams, and genetic testing for hereditary diseases. A responsible breeder will be transparent about the health testing they have done on their dogs and will provide you with the results if you ask.

✅ At Joley Aire, all our adult dogs are genetically tested. We also offer a generous health guarantee just in case something comes up to assure you that you are getting a healthy puppy.

Socialization:

Puppies that are well-socialized from a young age are more likely to grow up to be confident and well-adjusted dogs. A responsible breeder will expose their puppies to a variety of people, environments, and experiences to help them develop into well-rounded adults. They will also provide you with guidance on how to continue socializing your puppy once you bring them home.

✅ We use Puppy Culture protocols to inform and guide our socialization program. Puppy Culture is a reputable research-backed program that details the best training and socialization methods for puppies from day one to week 12.

Temperament:

The temperament of a dog is influenced by genetics, early socialization, and training. A responsible breeder will carefully select breeding pairs to produce puppies with desirable temperaments for their breed. They will also provide you with information about the temperament of the puppy's parents and grandparents, as well as any temperament testing that has been done on the litter.

✅ Our focus at Joley Aire is to produce wonderful family pets which is what guides our decisions when it comes to temperament and selecting dogs that fit that description. To us, excellent family pets are those that are easy to train, loyal, kind, patient, and generally calm and laid back.

Breeding Ethics:

Ethical breeding practices are essential for the health and welfare of the dogs involved. A responsible breeder will prioritize the health and well-being of their dogs over profit. They will not breed dogs that are too young or too old, and they will not breed dogs that have health or temperament issues. They will also be honest about the limitations of their breed and will not make unrealistic promises about the puppies they produce.

✅ Once the Joley Aire dogs pass our careful selection process, health testing, and have reached maturity (usually around 1 ½ years old or after their second heat), they are deemed ready for breeding. We evaluate each mom dog’s health before deciding whether or not to breed her. All of our dogs retire young and usually only have between 4-6 litters.

Support:

A responsible breeder will be there for you throughout your dog's life. They will provide you with guidance and support as you raise your puppy, and they will be available to answer any questions you may have. They will also take back any dog they have bred at any point in its life if you are no longer able to care for it.

✅ We promise to support our puppy customers for the lifetime of the puppy. Even before you get your puppy, you’ll experience a fast response time in answering any of your questions and you’ll benefit from our vast library of material to help you prepare. Our main focus is that you and your puppy have a successful relationship.

Conclusion:

Choosing a responsible dog breeder is essential for the health and well-being of your future pet. By considering factors such as health testing, socialization, temperament, breeding ethics, and support, you can ensure that you are getting a puppy from a breeder who cares about their dogs and the puppies they produce. Remember, a responsible breeder will be a valuable resource for you throughout your dog's life, so choose wisely.

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