Breeders and genetic testing question

[bluegirl]

Forgot to mention inside or outside.

I think the most important thing here is if you are happy with the set up and you feel comfortable with the breeder. They should be knowledgable and you should feel satisfied by all their answers, their dogs should be of sound health and kept in excellent conditions whether inside or outside and the dogs should seem welbalanced. Just remember that they have a wealth of information and that you may still have questions to ask in the future so think of the potential purchase as being a type of partnership for the future where you know you can fall back on the breeder at any time in the future and still get the attention from them that they give you when you first show interest in their dogs.

[Jane S]

My first dog was brought up indoors, and my current two were in kennels outdoors - personally have seen no difference in their temprements.  Any good breeder will make the effort to socialise puppies.

True but sometimes it is very hard for people to recognise whether a kennel set up is a good one or not. Yes it is possible for kennel pups to be well socialised but it's also possible for breeders with kennels to have so many dogs that it's impossible for them to give them individual attention unless they can afford to pay for staff to help them. Puppies from these type of kennels will only tend to see a human at feeding time and cleaning out time which is certainly not ideal. Tessa, if you do go to see any kennel reared pups, look for adult dogs and puppies to be friendly and keen to meet visitors (not hiding away at the back of the kennels), make sure the kennels are clean and not smelly, that the pups have clean bedding and toys to play with and that the adults look reasonably well-groomed etc etc. If you don't like anything you see, then just walk away...

[Tasha]

I'd opt for tested stock if they have any excuses as to why they haven't tested then I'd find someone else.  I'd also ask to see the certificates as some people have been told the sire and dam of the litter have been DNA tested when they have only had a basic eye test which is not the same.

I'd also ask about KC registration as several people I know of late have been told their pup is registered and the papers will be in the post but they have never received them and the dogs turn out not to be registered.