Breeders
BuckBasset will always recommend going through your local Basset/pet rescue organization when looking for a basset to add to your family. There are many unwanted bassets that are ready to be loved! PLEASE consider a rescue first! Please see BuckBasset’s Rescue Page for more details for Basset rescues! Check out PetFinder for available dogs in your area!
With that said…If you’ve decided to go to a breeder to find a basset puppy make sure you do your homework! Check out the breeder thoroughly. Be prepared for a QUALITY breeder to ask YOU a lot of questions! Read this article for some possible information a breeder may want from you. If you run into a breeder who is unwilling/unable to answer your questions FIND ANOTHER ONE!
The Daily Drool is in the process of creating a Responsible Breeders Network. This is a good starting point for you to begin your research on obtaining a basset puppy from a reputable breeder. Please take some time to read the information and take a look at the breeders listed.
Here is some important information for you to consider. Click the link to get to the information:
Possible Signs Of A Bad Breeder
Finding A Quality Breeder Links
(The following are from PetPeoplesPlace.com! – Please refer to this link for detailed information)
What is the asking price of the puppies?
What health tests have been done on BOTH parents of the litter?
What temperament testing and socialization has been done?
What goals does the breeder have with the breeding program and how does the breeder go about to achieve this?
What does the breeder feel are the strengths and weaknesses in the breed and the breeder’s program?
Can you see the pedigrees of both sire and dam? Can you see at least the dam?
What type of contract does the breeder have for pet or show puppies (it should include a spay/neuter agreement and health guarantee)?
What does the breeder feed the puppies?
What inoculations have been given?
Can you get references of previous puppy buyers?
Can you have your own vet examine the puppy before you fully commit?
Are you active in any breed clubs (all breed or ideally breed specialty)?
How many litter of puppies to you have per year?
Ask to see the kennels!
Do you sell to brokers or pet stores?
The Following Questions are from Questions To Ask Your Breeder:
How long have you been in the breed? What others have you bred?
What kind of congenital defects are present in this breed? What steps are you taking to decrease these defects?
What are the good and bad points of the parents? What titles to they have?
Can you explain the puppy’s pedigree?
When can I take the puppy home?
Check Out The 10 Rules Of Ethical Breeding for more important information.
Questions Breeders May Ask Buyers/Questions To Ask A Breeder – From the BHCA.
Possible Signs Of A Bad Breeder: (From Red-Flagging A Dog Breeder):
- He won’t let you see the puppy’s parents (the father may not always on site, this is normal).
- He won’t let you see his breeding facility.
- He can not produce registration papers for the parents.
- He does not have the registration papers for the current litter of puppies.
- He has no pedigrees on either of the parents.
- None of his puppies come with guarantees.
- None of his dogs have been checked for genetic diseases.
- None of his dogs have been OFA’d.
- None of his dogs have been CERFed.
- He does not want to know if anything has happened to your dog (that came from him).
- He breeds a lot of unrecognized breeds – Cock-a-poos, Spoodles, Labradoodles and the like.
- No veterinary health checks of the puppies from birth.
- No mandatory spaying/neutering of pet quality animals.
- No mandatory vaccinations (at least basic ones), no de-worming.
- Breeding solely for “pet quality” means breeding for money – not for the betterment of anything.
- Does not breed to better the overall conformation or working style of the breed.
- Does not know the history of his chosen breed.
- His dogs appear to be in ill-health.
- He always has puppies for sale, sometimes two or three litters at a time.
- Does not have veterinary records for at least the mother on hand.
- His dogs have no titles, either showing, working, or sports, whatever the animals are being bred for.
- He won’t give references from owners of pups from previous litters.
- He doesn’t ask any questions about the environment you offer the pup, just wants to see the cheque (and prefers cash). The puppies are ready to go before they should be (under eight weeks of age).
- Advertises “rare” colors, sizes, etc (such as “rare” white Dobermans, or Great Danes, “king-sized” German Shepherds, etc.)
- Advertises or sells their pups for greatly reduced prices.
- Sells to pet stores, puppy brokers, wholesalers, etc.
- Breeds before the age of two.
See also: Recognizing An Unethical Breeder
Some Important Links For Locating A Quality Breeder:
Finding A Responsible Breeder: Why Nosier is Better
How Do I Know If A Breeder Is A Good One?
Responsible Breeders vs. Pet Stores
AnimalGenes.com: Why A Breeder?
Dog Owners Guide: Finding A Responsible Breeder
Never Buy A Basset From A Pet Store
AKC - American Kennel Club – Any dog that is considered pure-bred can be AKC registered. It does NOT guarantee a quality dog!
CHD - Canine Hip Dysplasia – a hereditary joint problem of large breed dogs.
DJD – Degenerative Joint Disease.
PennHip – A unique method of hip x-ray developed to measure hip joint looseness (the primary cause of CHD). The Distraction index (DI) measures the degree of looseness in the hip joint when the dog’s hips are relaxed. DI of 0.3 are tighter hips with less likelihood of developing DJD. As values approach 0.7 there is a greater risk of developing DJD.
OFA – Orthopedic Foundation For Animals – sets a standard for degrees of hip dysplasia. Refer to http://www.offa.org/hipgrade.html for more information.
