What Makes a GOOD Breeder Part 2
(See part 1 here: http://labradoodle.me... )

4) Does the breeder offer a decent health guarantee? Every breeder should offer the short term health guarantee (3 to 5 days) on basic puppy health. But a truly responsible breeder who stands behind what he/she produces will also offer a minimum two year health guarantee on the puppy you purchase. Anything less than that isn't very helpful because many hereditary conditions take awhile to develop. Read the health guarantee as if your puppy has now developed hip dysplasia at one year of age. What compensation would you want? Ideally, you would get monetary reimbursement for at least half the money you spent on the dog to help with vet bills. Would you really want to return the dog you now love? Probably not! So reconsider buying from any breeder that REQUIRES return of the puppy. What are they going to do with a dysplastic puppy and why would they take the puppy from you in order to make good on a guarantee?
Also would reimbursement with a new puppy really help you when you have major vet bills? Not one bit! So look carefully at what the health guarantee offers you. It shows the breeder's integrity and commitment to their customers and the puppies they bring into this world.

5) What are the parents like? Your puppy will inherit a lot of its personality traits from the parents. If you can meet the parents that is ideal. This is where recommendations from others come in handy...when you can't physically visit the property. But I recommend making a day's drive over there even if it is far...you'll be soon committing to 15 years of dog ownership...a weekend trip is totally worth it!

6) What is the breeder's home like? Is it clean? Does it appear to be a safe place for dogs? If you can visit the premises that is ideal. Otherwise please get recommendations from those who have visited and even better, drive or fly over.

7) How are puppies raised? What does the breeder do for early socialization and enrichment as the puppies develop? Are puppies raised in a barn with very little human interaction? Are puppies raised in the home where they can learn the sights and sounds of home living? Breeders that raise puppies to be pets really ought to raise puppies AS pets--in their home, experiencing the environment similar to their future home. They should be given proper handling, socialization, and enrichment.

8) Is the breeder asking as many questions as you ask the breeder? While you should have many questions for the breeder--the breeder should also be interviewing you. You want a breeder that is picky about who the puppies go to--this means they're doing their best to ensure that any puppies they sell will go to a forever home.
Breeders that sell to anyone who can write a check...well is that who you want to support?

9) What is the breeders return policy? While a puppy is certainly not the same as a toaster or other item that one would return to a store--if for any reason if you are unable to keep your puppy a good breeder will ALWAYS take it back. This shows that the breeder has taken responsibility for the puppy he/she has brought into this world and wants to prevent any puppies from ending up in a shelter. So check the contract, to ensure that the breeder is always willing to take a puppy back if necessary. I have known a number of doodle owners who due to life circumstances could no longer keep their labradoodle or goldendoodle. Their breeders refused to help either because they were 'just a family breeder' or didn't want to take responsibility at all. Now don't get me wrong...don't expect a breeder to pay you for your doodle if you can't/won't keep it a year later. But a good breeder will help you out and take the puppy to rehome it if life changes course for you. THAT'S RESPONSIBILITY, CARE, and COMMITMENT and a breeder that is worth supporting!

To me it comes down to principle and supporting those who have only the best intentions for the dogs they create. It means putting value on things done responsibly. Countless doodles end up in shelters because they shed (to the surprise of their owners)--wouldn't have happened if the owner researched ahead of time BUT also if the breeder were honest and knew their 'breed.'

Please...support only those breeders striving to keep the bar set high for their practices.