Questions to Ask a Dog Breeder
❓ Questions to Ask a Dog Breeder
Your Must-Have Guide to Screening Responsible Canadian Dog Breeders
🐶 Why You Should Ask Questions (and Lots of Them)
Buying a puppy isn’t like shopping for a product—it’s a long-term commitment. And just like you’d ask questions before hiring a babysitter or buying a house, you need to vet your breeder to ensure you’re supporting ethical practices.
A good breeder won’t be offended—they’ll welcome your curiosity because they care about where their puppies go.
📋 Top 12 Questions to Ask a Breeder (Before You Put Down a Deposit)
1. Are you a registered breeder?
This confirms the breeder meets the breed’s standards and has some oversight regarding code of ethics, breed standards, and registration guidelines. Saying that, we do not want you to assume breeders are ethical just because they are registered with a Kennel club, that simply isn’t true. Kennel clubs cannot monitor all breeders to the level they should be and there is no guarantee that because they are registered, they are a responsible, ethical breeder.
🔗 Learn more: Ethical Breeding is More Than Just a Registry
2. What health testing have the parents undergone?
Ask specifically about OFA (hips/elbows), CERF (eyes), cardiac, thyroid, and breed-specific genetic conditions. Breeders should be comfortable sharing any/ all health information with you and discussing their lines.
3. Can I meet the puppy’s parents or see where they’re raised?
Seeing mom (and sometimes dad) gives you insight into temperament and health. A breeder hiding this info is a red flag. Caution: Many breeders have safety measures in place and will not let you visit during the early weeks or if they have another litter on the ground. This is to protect their puppies and to ensure the mother remains calm (who can become protective of puppies). Thankfully, Facebook, Zoom, and Messenger have given us a lot of options to be fully engaged. If a breeder will not live chat with you, be cautious; that should not be something they are unwilling to do. They should be comfortable doing a live chat, letting you see their dogs, the environment, and talk at leisure about the dog pairing you care considering.
4. How do you socialize your puppies?
Look for structured early experiences—handling, sounds, surfaces, kids, crate training. Programs like Puppy Culture or ENS (Early Neurological Stimulation) are a great sign.
5. Do you offer a contract and health guarantee?
All responsible breeders offer written contracts with health guarantees and a return policy (often for life). They also have a breeder return and breeder assist clause written into their contracts. Responsible breeders understand that life happens, and their priority is that their offspring never see a rescue or an unsafe home environment.
6. What support do you offer after the puppy goes home?
Breeders should provide ongoing guidance, feeding and vaccination records, and transition food or kits—like those in the Paw Privileges Puppy Packs.
7. At what age do your puppies go home?
Reputable breeders keep puppies until at least 8 weeks old. Any earlier is irresponsible.
8. Can I see references or speak to past buyers?
Reviews, testimonials, or direct references can reassure you of a breeder’s track record and transparency.
9. How many litters do you breed per year?
Too many litters can be a red flag for puppy mills or poor-quality breeding programs. Look for breeders who focus on quality over quantity.
10. What makes your breeding program unique?
This question lets ethical breeders explain their goals, health focus, and love for the breed—and it gives you confidence in your choice.
11. Do you keep any puppies for evaluation?
Top breeders often keep puppies for showing or program development—this signals a commitment to improving the breed, not just selling.
12. Are you part of any recognized programs?
Look for breeders affiliated with programs like the Responsible Breeders of Canada, CKC, or the Paw Privileges Breeder Program.
🚫 What If They Dodge These Questions?
Run.
If a breeder is vague, dismissive, or avoids basic questions about testing, contracts, or puppy welfare—they’re likely not breeding responsibly.
Never be afraid to walk away. You’re not just buying a puppy—you’re supporting a system.
✅ A Final Word: Buy With Confidence
Asking the right questions means fewer surprises, healthier dogs, and happier homes. Ethical breeders are proud of what they do and want to educate you along the way.
Your perfect puppy is out there—just make sure they’re coming from the right place.
🐶 Up Next:
🚩 Recognizing Red Flags in Breeders and Listings →
Responsible Breeders of Canada
