01/17/2026
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR BREEDER 
Working with a dog breeder, you should expect the following:
1. Health and Genetic Screening: Responsible breeders prioritize the health of their dogs, conducting genetic tests to screen for hereditary conditions specific to the breed. They provide documentation, like vet records or certifications from organizations such as the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) or Canine Health Information Center (CHIC).
2. Transparency: A good breeder is open about their breeding practices, including the lineage, health history, and living conditions of their dogs. They should allow you to visit their facility or meet the parents of the litter, ensuring the dogs are raised in a clean, safe, and caring environment.
3. Knowledge and Expertise: Expect breeders to be well-versed in the breed’s characteristics, temperament, and needs. They should provide guidance on training, socialization, and care to ensure the puppy fits your lifestyle.
4. Ethical Practices: Ethical breeders prioritize the well-being of their dogs over profit. They avoid overbreeding, ensure proper care for the mother and puppies, and limit the number of litters produced annually.
5. Contract and Guarantees: A reputable breeder offers a written contract outlining health guarantees, return policies, and expectations for both parties. Many provide initial vaccinations, deworming, and microchipping, along with proof of these services.
6. Ongoing Support: Good breeders remain available for advice and support throughout the dog’s life, answering questions about health, behavior, or training.
7. Socialization and Early Care: Puppies should be raised with early socialization, exposed to various stimuli (people, sounds, environments) to ensure they are well-adjusted. Breeders should begin basic training on proper bedding.
8. Breed Club Affiliation: Many reputable breeders are members of national or local breed clubs, adhering to codes of ethics set by organizations like the breed-specific associations like (ARC) American kennel club, (ADRK) Allgemeiner Deutsch Rottweiler Klub and (FCI) Fédération Cynologique Internationale
9. Be aware that the American Kennel Club (AKC) is not a club that requires health testing to have a registered dog. They are only a registration club, but the benefits of having a registered AKC puppy is that they do require mandatory DNA on all imported dogs born from another country. They do not require DNA on dogs born here in the USA so you need to ask your breeder. Did they DNA their dogs born in the United States. Make sure your breeder DNA’s every dog that they own to ensure that you’re getting a puppy from the correct parents.
10. Make sure the breeder microchips their own dogs so you have a permanent identification if there’s any questions about your puppy not being from the parents shown. There is a microchip identification form offered from Ofa so the veterinarian can prove permanent identification, it is signed by the vet. This will integrate with also, the DNA on record with AKC.
Thank you
Rosann Bentley
