Here are some questions to ask your breeder:

◊ Are they a current registered breeder with their state canine council?

◊ Are the puppies registered with the canine council?

◊ Have the parents been a minimum of hip and elbow scored?  Ask to see a copy of the hip/elbow score papers. 

◊ What other health tests have been done on the parents and what were the results?  Remember that in Australia the most important health test currently is hip/elbow scoring.

◊ Can you see the parents? (photos are not always accurate & can hide a lot of faults)

◊ Are the puppies microchipped?

◊ What if the puppy develops a hereditary health problem?

◊ Do they offer a health guarantee, what are it’s conditions, how long does it last?

◊ What is the history and experience of the breeder themselves?

◊ How long have they had dogs, how long have they had Dogues, do they have other breeds of dogs as well?

◊ Do they “show” Dogues or just breed?

◊ Do they travel to see other dogues or attend shows?

◊ What else do they do to continually build their knowledge?

◊ How does the breeder keep/raise their dogs? As a puppy buyer you should choose to buy a puppy that is healthy, well looked after and content.  You should ask questions of the breeder to help you establish that the way they have raised the puppy and kept their dogs is going to ensure the puppy fits into your new home.  All breeders are different, as all new homes are different.  The best way is to go see for yourself in person.

 

◊ Do they do any other training or activities with their Dogues?

◊ Can you go back to them for help and advice in the future?

THESE ARE JUST A FEW SUGGESTIONS.  ASK AS MANY QUESTIONS AS YOU CAN.

REMEMBER—THERE WILL ALWAYS BE “SALES PEOPLE” IN THE BREED. 

IF YOU ARE NOT SURE ABOUT ANYTHING THEN GET ANOTHER OPINION.

 

No matter who you choose to deal with in regards to the purchase of a dog, this page is dedicated to what to look for and what to avoid.

 

Please also read our Important Breeding Guide as this also gives an insight into how good breeders, try to do the best for the breed, in the long term and the best for the puppy buyer.

 

How to Buy a Dogue

“Hubert” enjoying the view out on one of his walks.

PUPPY BUYERS BEWARE !!
 
A ‘registered’ breeder does not mean they are ethical or reputable as this is often not the case.

To become a registered breeder is a very simple questionnaire and registration with your state Canine Council.  

Contracts these days are very important (it protects both the breeder and the buyer).  Far too many puppy buyers act hastily and have bought a puppy without researching its pedigree or its breeder, or they have not known the right questions to ask, and as there was no contracts, there was no recourse for them—when something went wrong.

There are many “breeders” out there that are available PRIOR to purchase, but then suddenly disappear the moment a problem is raised.

Money does matter more to some people than the quality of life and standard of their puppies and the future of the breed.

Before buying your puppy - be informed - keep an open mind — be patient, and it will be worth it in the long term.