General
Finding a good dog breeder of an allergy friendly dog can present a variety of problems for the uninitiated. Choosing a dog at the best of times should never be done on a whim and this is compounded when dealing with the issue of finding a dog suitable for someone who suffers from dog allergies. Although the majority of breeders have a passion for the type of dog they sell and act in a genuine and professional manner, this is not always the case.
Unfortunately, there exists a minority of unscrupulous breeders who take advantage of the inexperienced buyer. In such cases, they may try to sell a breed unsuitable for the person’s needs or sell dogs that are sick, mixed bred or even non-allergy friendly. The phrase, Caveat emptor (let the buyer beware) should be borne in mind when considering buying a dog, for “A fool and his money are soon parted.” Therefore, before you visit a dog breeder, it is essential to have spent time researching and narrowing down the choices to the type of dog you are interested in buying and the best breeders that are available in your area.
Getting Started
So how do you get started?
There has never been a better time or opportunity to acquire knowledge given access to the internet but remember that some sites may have a vested interest in pushing certain breeds or breeders and that their information my not be completely impartial. The same can be said about books and e-books related to the subject, so take time to get a feel for the topic. Therefore, invest your time wisely to acquire a working knowledge about allergy friendly dogs and those of interest to you, before making a purchase. Given that some breeds may live for 15 years or more, the effort will be repaid a thousand-fold in the long-term.
During the initial ‘reconnaissance’ period, you will learn a lot about which specific breeds are considered allergy friendly and also about their mood, types of living conditions that suit them best and how to care for the dog once you bring it home. Initially you should take an open-minded approach to the topic and not settle too quickly on any one particular breed of dog. Although you will be able to see pictures of the dogs, a better way still is by getting friendly with someone who already has the type of dog you are interested in. Most dog owners will be only too willing to help provide tips and advice.
During your research, check around several breeders, newspaper ads or the internet to find out the price typically paid for the breed that interests you. Some people find it useful to create a simple side-by-side list of breeds that appeal and note down the main pros and cons. Even though you will not be an expert, when you do eventually visit a breeder, you will have enough knowledge not to appear a novice and be taken for a ride.
Pre-Checks
After you have decided which breed of dog you would like, you should research breeders in your area. Breeders will typically advertise on the internet, at veterinarian offices, in the newspaper and on community bulletin boards. It is at this stage and prior to any visits that you should find out whether the breeder is licensed. Although buying from a licensed breeder does not guarantee 100% that the dog you buy will not cause allergies, it will increase dramatically the probability that the dog has:
- The correct physical attributes for the breed.
- A traceable and verified genealogy with official pedigree paperwork.
- Been reared to minimize the risk of disease and negative temperament problems.
- Veterinary paperwork covering vaccinations, ID (microchip or tattoo) and any necessary reports/ratings about hips, elbows, eyes and any hereditary conditions.
In addition, genuine breeders take great pride in their dogs and will usually be more than willing to provide help and advice post sale. This can be an invaluable bonus of buying through a licensed breeder. In some cases, breeders will actually refuse a sale if they feel the puppy is going to an inappropriate home!
However, don’t just take their word for it that they are licensed. Most countries will have local and national breeding agencies who keep up-to-date records of licensed breeders. They will usually have data on how long the breeder has been licensed, the type of breed they specialize in, as well as issues such as whether any complaints have been made against them e.g. American Kennel Club purebred search facility.
Arranging a Visit
Once you have narrowed down the choice of legitimate breeders, you need to contact them to arrange a visit. Breeders vary from having just one female through to larger ventures having 10+ bitches and some sell more than one breed of dog. Some buyers prefer the personal touch of the small-scale breeder, however in such cases, there may be a waiting list for puppies. It comes down to a matter of personal choice but aim to visit a least a couple of breeders to get a feel for things. It’s best to try to arrange the visits for the same day; the impressions gained will be fresh in your mind allowing you to compare and contrast the breeders and their dogs more objectively. Furthermore, it will mean that you can get back to one of them quickly, should you have your heart set on a particular dog.
What should you do during the visit? It’s important to remain focused and observant during the meeting and not get taken in by the patter of the breeder. The following points might be worth considering:
- Pay careful attention to the environment the dogs are kept in. Is it appropriate for their needs and reasonably clean?
- Do the dogs’ eyes, coat and skin look healthy?
- Do the dogs have the correct attributes for their breed e.g. size, head shape, coloring etc.?
- How do the dogs play with each other? Though not 100% guaranteed, a keen eye can spot the different types of temperament of puppies just 6 – 8 weeks old (certainly by 12 weeks) by they way they interact with each other. You might notice the alpha male puppy that continually tries to dominate the others. This might appeal to those who like a strong-minded adult dog. Others will prefer the more docile puppy, but a positive trait is always the non-aggressive, friendly puppy who comes up to you playfully without being scared. These often make the basis for great family pets. Puppies that are excessively timid or refuse to interact with the others dogs or humans may have underlying problems and would probably be best avoided.
Further Considerations
Make sure that you buy the breed and sex of dog you want, because some breeders will try to sell you whatever animals they may have present when you arrive. Remember, all puppies look lovely and yummy, so don’t be cajoled into buying a breed you didn’t come for. Also, if you have your heart set on a female dog don’t end up buying a male dog, or vice versa; you will regret it! Breeders do not usually offer a return policy.
How much you pay for your new dog will depend on the breed, the quality of its pedigree (backed up by official paperwork), and the location or country you are buying it in. If you have done your research and cross-checked breeders prior to the visit, you will have a fair idea of the going rate for your area and country. In the US for example, many pure bred dogs cost a few hundred dollars but some breeds can cost a thousand dollars or more. In some places, organizations may recommend a minimum price that licensed members should sell pure bred puppies for. Therefore, although there may be room for haggling over the price of a puppy, it might be limited in the above situation.
Buying a new dog is not always easy, but if you are careful about who you do business with, you will find the perfect dog for your lifestyle. Allergy friendly dogs may cost more than some other breeds, but if you suffer from dog allergies you may not have a choice. Only buy from a seller whom you have checked out thoroughly so that you can buy with confidence. Genuine sellers will take pride in their dogs and will always be keen to answer your questions and back up their claims with proof.
