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So you want a basset puppy? Please make sure
to read the information below before selecting a breeder.
Every dog deserves to lead a happy, healthy life, not one cut short
or filled with pain because of careless breeding. It may take longer
to find that great breeder than it would to get a puppy from a puppymill,
pet store, or from the newspaper, but it's worth it!
The following are all characteristics of a reputable breeder:
- They have a good reason for breeding. Money is not a good reason!
Reputable breeders lose money. They are breeding to make the breed
better.
- They have health-tested their dogs for any genetic problems
that breed may have. You deserve a healthy puppy and your puppy
deserves to be healthy!
- They are up-front and honest about any potential problems their
breed may have.
- They participate with their dogs in conformation showing or
dog sports, etc.
- They have only a small breeding program- at most a couple of
litters a year, not dozens! Their puppies are raised with lots
of individual care and attention.
- They know the pedigree of their dogs inside and out. Most of
the dogs in the pedigrees are titled in at least one area.
- They offer a contract and/or a guarantee against genetic health
problems and will also take the puppy back at any time in its
life if you can no longer keep it.
- They ask you as many questions as you ask them! They want to
make sure that all their pups go to good homes.
- They line up homes before they breed their dogs. You'll probably
have to wait for a puppy.
Please stay away from newspaper ads, backyard breeders and pet
stores as they're feeding the pet overpopulation problem. There
is a danger in getting puppies through any of these sources. Any
puppy with an unknown genetic history is a risk -- both physically,
and temperamentally. Please don't support backyard breeders and
pet stores by purchasing from them. Help fight back by requiring
that the parents of your puppy be tested for genetic problems, and
insist on meeting the parents, or adopt through rescue! If they're
not supported by purchases, they'll cease to exist and less and
less animals will have to die each year in shelters. Below are some
red flags when buying a basset puppy:
- Advertising basset puppies with the primary selling point being
that they are "AKC-registered". AKC registration is
not a sign of quality. It is the canine version of your auto registration.
It just means that your pup is supposed to be a purebred basset.
It means nothing about the health of the dog.
- Having both parents on site. Usually, the best father for a
litter of pups is owned by someone else! Any breeder who has both
parents should be questioned as to why their dog was the most
suitable father.
- Always having puppies.
- No titles on the parents, guarantees or health testing, because
they are "just breeding pets".
- They do not offer a health guarantee.
So where do you find these great basset breeders? A good place
to start is with the breed club, Basset Hound Club of America, which
can be found at www.basset-bhca.org.
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