How to find a reputable APBT breeder

[MeSheLL]

How to find a reputable APBT breeder

When searching for the perfect APBT puppy, you must first find a reputable breeder. Here are a few pointers to help in the search.

* Question your prospective breeder thouroughly to make sure they know the APBT breed inside and out.
* Look for breeders who are proud of their dogs and want to display the best of the breed.
* Make sure you veiw the facilities where the dogs are living. check the kennels and outdoor areas to make sure this breeder loves their dogs and wants the best for them. If a breeder doesn't allow this they probably have something unsavvory to hide.
* Meet the parents of the pups. Try to spend and entire day with the parents and puppies together. Make sure all the puppies seem healthy and alert. Be sure the parents aren't overprotective or aggressive.
* A good breeder will make sure you see the positive aspects of their dogs. They should show you the teeth alignment, the dewclaws having been taken care of, the lack of fleas, clean ears and the general confirmation points which their dogs display well.
* Make sure you know the puppies are purebred. This means with papers, no reserves about the parents being purebred at all.
* Look for a breeder that is especially careful about where their puppies end up. These people will generally ask you a lot of questions. They might have you sign a contract to make sure that in the event you can't keep the puppy it will return to them. Also, the contract will state if you have any intentions of fighting your pup the breeder can resind your ownership, legally taking the puppy back. They also might offer healthgaurds or other puppy exchange assurances to make sure you are happy with the dog you take home.
* Especially important are vet papers. Make sure when the puppy comes home with you it is up to date on it's shots and that you get the papers at that time.
* Really responsible breeders will give you a bag of preferred food for your puppy. This ensures a smoother transition.
* Also, breeders should be able to give helpful hints on training and socialization. If a prospective breeder is not interested in helping you with this at all you should probably look elsewhere.
* If possible meet all the dogs in the kennel to get a feel for the temperment and conformation of thier breeding stock.
* A very good sign is a waiting list for puppies. This means that the dogs involved have very good stock and are probably involved in conformation shows.
* A great breeder will ask for your contact info to check in with you at a later date.
* Any loving and respectable breeder would be interested to see his/her puppies once they've matured into adulthood.
* Make sure your breeder openly shows and discussed their dogs pedigrees with you. You don't want to find out when you get the puppies pedigree in the mail that it was inbred or simply played up to be better than reality.
* Above all, trust your gut. Watch the breeder with the puppies and other dogs. Watch the adult dogs with the puppies and judge for yourself if the dogs temperments are favorable and if the breeder is doing the right thing.
* Breeders should tell you of any problems to watch out for they've experienced with the dam and sire in the past. These are things such as past vet visits where they found out they had a food allergy or other ailment which might pass on to the puppies.