What Breeders Want to Know Before Placing a Puppy

“Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!” This immortal line from Monte Python’s Flying Circus captures how some people might feel when adopting a puppy from a reputable breeder. Instead, you can recognize the questions as a sign that the breeder cares deeply that the puppies end up in responsible, loving homes.

A good breeder is going to ask several questions. You shouldn’t be offended. The breeder does not do this in an effort to grill you over hot coals. Instead, you should be grateful that the breeder has the puppies’ best interests at heart.

Let’s talk about some questions I might ask the puppy buyer. Here, in no particular order, is a sample of questions.

• Do you own or rent? If you rent, has your landlord approved you getting a puppy?
• Do you have other family members living with you? If so, is everyone on board with a new puppy?
• Do you have other pets? How do they get along with one another? How do they respond if someone’s pet visits?
• Do you have a fenced-in yard?
• What are you looking for in a dog?
• Have you had dogs before, in particular herding breeds?

These are just some questions right off the top of my head. How you answer these may lead to related questions. American Breeder offers suggestions for questions a breeder might ask. What I like about this list is that it explains the whys behind the questions.

Obtaining a puppy from a breeder is the beginning of a relationship. Your breeder can be a source of all sorts of pertinent information about your pup and his breed, his training needs, what to do when something goes wrong, and more. After all, your breeder is dedicated to the breed you’ve chosen and has made a long-term study of the dogs.

The questions you and your chosen breeder ask of one another form the foundation of that relationship. Mutual understanding strengthens trust, belief, and connection. Consequently, belief in understanding one another and the perception of being understood are critical for a robust relationship.

As someone who is seeking a puppy from a breeder, you, too, should have a list of questions to ask the breeder. More on this important topic another day.