The importance of choosing a reputable registered breeder
What is an ANKC breeder
It is a breeder who is a member of Dogs Australia – the peak body in Australia responsible for promoting breeding, showing, trialling, obedience and other canine related activities, along with the ownership of temperamentally and physically sound purebred dogs by individuals across Australia. It represents the smaller state member bodies, including Dogs NSW of which I am a member.
In order to register as an ANKC breeder you must complete a 6-month training course about all things to do with owning, raising, caring for and breeding dogs. You need to pass a closed book, supervised exam and then have your home inspected by an authorised independent representative to ensure your breeding facilities, breeding program, general dog management and ethics promote and provide the best possible environment for keeping and breeding dogs. After this you are granted a breeder’s prefix (mine being “Dompetan”). Every dog you breed is registered under that prefix name (with microchip info included) and has a full extended pedigree tracing back to the initial establishment of the ANKC in 1958. Puppies can be registered on a Mains Register (for breeding and showing of that dog) or a Limited Register (not for breeding or showing). Members must abide by certain guidelines including a minimum and maximum breeding age of all dogs and maximum number of litters allowed for any one breeding female, with additional limitations for the number of litters allowed within a timeframe. Health testing is highly encouraged and, in some cases, mandatory to register a litter (for example Hip and elbow scoring of Golden Retrievers is mandatory and a litter will not be registered if both parents have not had hip and elbows x rayed and scored by a certified radiologist). For more info, please visit the Dogs Australia or CHEDS (Canine Hip and Elbow Dysplasia Scheme) website.
There are other “Dog breeding” member sites, several have appeared in recent years, they are usually run by one or two people with unclear rules, regulations and breeder requirements/checks . One site allows members to submit their own pedigee and a peedigree is printed, this is only worht the paper it is printed on. . ANKC has a full board of directors, extensive committee and grounds situated at the Bill Spilstead complex for canine affairs in Sydney NSW. one of the newer accociations has a homemade web page set up and run by a mother and son, situated on a large-scale private breeding premises. Always do your homework and if it doesn’t look quite right, don’t proceed.
The most straight forward way to find an ANKC breeder is by searching the Dogzonline website. Only ANKC breeders can join and advertise on the site. Not all ANKC breeders show dogs or are involved in other sports and engage with other breeders. Like any group, not all breeders do the right thing. You still need to check the breeders’ credentials, ethics and intentions.
Choosing the right breeder –
Do they health test – if so can you view the test results, if not, why? Some results can be viewed on a public register – the ORCHID heritable diseases database – only Vets are permitted to lodge results. Some breeders don’t like to give out printed copies of results due to the small number of individuals who use or “doctor’ the results to produce fraudulent copies for their own use. A breeder should always be happy to show you the results when you visit.
The following check list is good guide when looking for a reputable breeder –
The breeder is a member of a Canine Organisation e.g. Dogs NSW (ANKC) and has a kennel prefix
May be a member of a state breed club, have good breed knowledge and are dedicated to improving the breed
Parents meet the breed standard and have had relevant health testing.
Breeder welcomes questions and asks questions. Not just interested in a quick sale.
The breeder does not have an endless supply of puppies.
Puppies are whelped in the home and raised in a clean environment
The breeder will interview you and check how you interact with the puppies and dogs.
You can meet the mother, and maybe the sire and relatives. The breeder can discuss why they choose the combination of the two parents.
Puppies have toys and enrichment. The breeder follows a program like Puppy Culture and can show you records of this.
The breeder should know each individual puppy and be able to choose the best match for the lifestyle of the prospective owners.
Puppies are clean and healthy. They are fed a quality diet. They are vet checked and wormed, vaccinated and microchipped.
Puppies are happy to be handled, are confident and well socialised.
Puppies come with a pedigree, information pack including diet sheet, vaccination record, vet check
Breeder has a contract of sale. Puppies may come with some insurance and food sample.
Breeder offers a lifetime of support and follows their state legislation on the breeding and selling of dogs.