How to find a reliable dog breeder?

[sea-sidelady]

After months of choosing I have finally found the pup I want. A Maltipom. (Maltese and pomeranian cross.) However I have spent hours going through sites on the internet looking for a reputable breeder, but not sure where to look. My head is spinning with al the searching.

 

Does anyone know a good place to start. As the breed I want is not a pure breed its not in the kennel club.

 

[honeybee13]

What a sweet dog! Is this a popular cross nowadays like labradoodles?

 

I don't know much about finding a breeder in your case, but is there a breeders' club or association? I know it's not the same, but when we bought our Cavalier King Charles, I went through the national club, which has a puppy register. I don't know if you can ask for references, but I think our particular breeder would probably have gone along with that.

 

Your vet might have general advice for you and I remember from programmes on puppy farms that you want to see the mother with the puppies. Going to meet your future little friend tells you a lot about the breeder's standards [particularly hygiene] and how they look after the dogs. Ours lives in a normal semi that just has rather a lot of dogs living in it. Our baby lived in a bedroom with his mum and brothers.

 

I hope you find the puppy of your dreams.

 

My best, HB

[Witchywoman]

Hi,

 

What made you decide on this cross? Have you met one before? Have you met either breed? Poms can be very yappy.

 

First of all I would, after investigating all the health problems and character traits of both breeds, ask anyone advertising pups like this if both the sire and dam have had all the relevant health checks and tests for their individual breed. Just because a dog is a cross doesn't mean it is automatically healthy. I do know there are websites where you can find people who deliberately bought two different breeds and crossed them. There are all sorts out there now but a lot of them are puppy farmers. I would go to their house and visit first. Never buy a pup if it isn't with his or her mother.

 

Also find out if the breeder is happy to take the puppy back if there are any problems whatsoever and give you a full refund.

 

If I think of anything else will let you know.

[debbie do dar]

good sound advice witchywoman :o) Sooooo many dogs and pups in shelters many with no hope of finding a loving family. breaks my heart

[CapAndGown]

There is now such thing as a reputable breeder in crossbreds. Breeding dogs isn't like mixing paint- you get blotches of this and that and no blending. Toy breeds have a unique set of health problems and breeding toys is an art, not a for profit venture. Even if you find the rare exception and find a breeder of crossbreds that isn't in it for money, their experience shouldn't be trusted.

[jackieandwayne]

Have you thought of trawling the local shelters first? I agree, the little fellas do seem to be the ones with a lot to say (don't they Honeybee?!) so its quite likely that some of them will end up in shelters because the idiots who purchased them can't deal with it. That's what I'd do first I think. Then rehab if needed (which can be great fun). Trouble is, well they are so small and sweet, what harm could two do? That's the problem I have if I go to a rescue.

 

My neighbour got her rescue cavalier yesterday, a dear little girl she's called her Nell. Very nervous around people, has been ill treated, but already you can see she's considering her new mum in a favourable light!

 

Hope you find what you want.

[honeybee13]

Good idea J&W. Yes to the question about small dogs, but he's a bit better .

 

Breed clubs also have rescue sections, if you've found a breed club for yours.

 

My best, HB

[Surfer01]

Doubt if any reputable breeder will cross breed. We were breeders with a very high reputation and would not dream of cross breeding which seems to be the "in" thing these days and then charging the same as if it had a pedigree..