How Do You Identify A Responsible Breeder?
A responsible and ethical breeder, breeds with only one thing in mind: to protect and improve the breed. They do not sell Cavaliers to pet shops either on consignment or outright. They do not sell their puppies to the first person that shows up with cash in hand. They discriminate and check all possible buyers. Here is a list of things to check for in a breeder:
- Keeps dogs in the home as part of the family.
- Will represent the puppies/dogs honestly.
- Will not use misleading or deceptive advertising.
- Will educate each interested person and is constructive as well as instructive in their comments.
- Will discourage anyone from breeding Cavaliers for fun or profit.
- Will encourage and promote quality in the breeding of purebred Cavalier King Charles Spaniels to bring their natural qualities to perfection.
- Has dogs who appear happy and healthy in mind and body.
- Will show you where the dogs spend most of their time, which should be a clean, well-maintained area.
- Will encourage you to spend time with the puppy’s parents (at a minimum, the puppy’s mother) when you visit.
- Does not place puppies/dogs in pet shops, with animal brokers or persons who sell/buy in litter lots.
- Does not allow the puppy to leave its mother or the litter before 8 weeks of age.
- Is knowledgeable about the desired characteristics of the breed, such as size, proportion, coat, color, and temperament.
- Explains the puppy’s medical history and what vaccinations your new puppy will need.
- Promotes the health and well being of the breed.
- Offers guidance for caring and training your puppy and is available for assistance after you take your puppy home.
- Recommends that you promptly take your puppy to your veterinarian for an exam.
- Provides full instructions to new owners on the care and feeding of their puppy/dog.
- Is actively involved with local, state, and/or National clubs that specialize in the specific breed.
- Encourages your entire family to meet the puppy.
- Provides you with a written agreement, contract, and/or health guarantee and allows plenty of time for you to read it thoroughly.
In addition to these criteria, you will want a breeder who requires some things of you, too. The breeder may ask you to:
- Explain why you want a dog.
- Explain who in your family will be responsible for the puppy’s daily care.
- Explain where the dog will spend most of his/her time.
- Explain the rules that have been decided upon for the puppy.
- Provide a veterinary reference if asked to do so.
- Provide proof from your landlord that you are allowed to have a dog.
- Sign a contract that you will spay or neuter the dog unless you will be actively involved in showing (applies to show quality dogs only).
- Sign a contract stating that you will return the dog to the breeder should you be unable to keep the dog at any point in the dog’s life.
What to ask the breeder:
- Do both parents (sire and dam) have current (dated within 12 months) Board Certified Cardiologist’s clearance for heart disease?
Knowing that Cavaliers have a higher incidence of Mitral Valve Disease than most breeds and with all the many low cost heart clinics offered by various dog clubs, coast to coast, there is no excuse for a breeder not to have seen a cardiologist and cleared both mother and father of any heart problems. Sometimes breeders also clear their dogs by ultrasound, Doppler, or sonogram but this is not the norm. Any certificate must have the words “cardiology” or “cardiologist” checked off or written on the form. - Do both parents (sire and dam) have hip clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)?
Final hip clearances last for the lifetime of the dog and cannot be obtained until dogs are two years of age or over. - Will the puppy have a restricted/limited (non-breeding) registration with strong recommendation to spay/neuter?
This is a good indication of a responsible breeder. - Will the breeder gladly take the dog back at any time, for any reason, if you cannot keep the dog?
This is the hallmark of responsible breeding (and the quickest way to make rescue obsolete). - Are the puppy’s sire and dam available for you to meet?
Breeders often use sires belonging to other people so it is not unusual for the sire to be unavailable for you to meet. However, at least ONE of the parents should be in the home for you to touch and see. Be sure that the parent(s) is happy and friendly. - Have the puppies been raised in the home, kennel, barn or backyard?
Puppies that are raised without high exposure to human contact and a wide variety of noises and experiences may exhibit a variety of behavioral problems. The same thing is true if puppies are removed from their dam or litter mates before at least eight weeks. A caring breeder will know the puppies’ temperaments and will be able to guide you to the puppy best suited for your family. - Will the breeder be available to answer any questions you might have for the life of the dog? Do you feel comfortable with this person? Are you feeling intimidated or pressured?
If so, keep looking. You are entering into a long-term relationship and you need to have a good rapport with the breeder for future questions. Remember, Better safe than sorry!!! - Do both parents (sire and dam) have current Board Certified Ophthalmologist’s clearance for hereditary eye anomalies?
Some breeders will submit this certificate to the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) and they in turn will provide a CERF certificate. Any eye certificate provided should have CERF written on it. Like the cardiology clinics, there are many low cost ophthalmology clinics available. While Cavaliers do not usually have severe eye diseases, it can happen on occasion. Therefore, it is important that breeders make sure they are breeding eye clear parents to keep the eye diseases at a minimum. - Is the breeder involved in competition with their dogs (conformation, obedience, agility, rally)?
The breeder should be a member of a bona fide Cavalier Club. This gives him/her access to others in the breed, makes him/her privy to discussions regarding health and temperament concerns, and allows him/her to become familiar with different bloodlines from which he/she might choose prospective breeding stock. It also indicates more than just a passing interest in Cavaliers. - Is the breeder involved in Rescue?
A truly good breeder is the one who does things for the good of the breed and is most likely to support the rescue groups. Some good breeders also do rescue. Rescuing from a shelter does not support bad breeders, just the pups or dogs produced by them. The so-called breeder already made the money. - Do the puppies seem healthy, with no discharge from the eyes or nose, no loose stools, no foul smelling ears? Are their coats soft, full and clean? Do they have plenty of energy when awake yet calm down easily when gently stroked?
- All this will be self-evident if you manage to see the litter.
- Do the puppies have their first shots and have they been wormed or checked clear of worms?
The puppy should have at least one vaccination and a negative fecal exam before leaving for his/her new home.