QUESTIONS TO ASK A BREEDER

A prospective Toller owner should have a clear idea of what he/she wants a dog for before contacting breeders. General categories are:

• Pet
• Hunting or Hunt Tests
• Show
• Obedience. Agility, Flyball etc.
• Breeding

Please may I see copies of health clearances on the parents of any litters you are planning? (Current concerns center on eyes, hips, hearts and auto-immune diseases).

What are the characteristics of the breed in general and your dogs in particular?

What are the main things you feel are important in your breeding program?

What are the temperaments of the parents of an upcoming litter?

Why were these two dogs chosen to breed together?

What sort of puppies are expected i.e. high energy, laid back etc.

What size are the parents - do you expect the same adult size for the puppies?

Can I come and visit and see at least the mother of the puppies?

Please tell me how you socialize your puppies? Are they raised in your house or in a kennel?

How many years' experience with Tollers and what club affiliations do you have.

How many Toller litters have you bred?

What health checks on breeding stock do you do and can I see clearance certificates?

Hips

OFA or OVC

Eyes

ERG or Slit Lamp, CERF

Hearts

Auscultated by cardiologist (Pulmonic Stenosis, Mitral Valve disease)

Thyroid

Normal levels

What guarantees are given and what happens if the pup has health problems?

Do you temperament and/or aptitude test your puppies and how do you decide who gets which puppy?

Are the puppies fully registered?

What papers will I get with the puppy at time of purchase?

Can I expect follow-up help and advice in raising the puppy?

Do you charge different prices for different purposes and how must payment be made?

Thanks to Alison Strang for creating this list of questions

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