choosing a breeder
Finding the right breeder is an important step and shouldn't be a spontaneous
decision. Giant breed puppies' future health can depend largely on how they were
cared for by their breeder during the crucial period when the brain, eyes, ears
and bones are developing. We've assembled some tips and questions you can ask
breeders to help in making an informed decision when then time comes to choose
your new puppy.
Please do your research before purchasing a
puppy. Read our checklist on Choosing
the Right Puppy for more questions you should ask when interviewing breeders
and selecting your new puppy.
great dane & mastiff puppies online & in pet stores
Use caution when browsing for a puppy online. A professional website is not a
guarantee that you're dealing with a reputable breeder. Some puppy mills may
claim to have "family raised" puppies in order to sell them to unsuspecting
buyers out of state, when in reality their breeding dogs may spend their entire
lives in cages, producing litter after litter with no veterinary care, exercise,
or loving attention. Since puppy mills are only concerned with the bottom line,
they typically never test their breeding stock for genetic illnesses such as hip
dysplasia, which can be easily prevented by breeding only healthy dogs. Puppy
mills often broker their puppies to pet stores, so it's best to avoid purchasing
a puppy from anywhere except directly from a reputable breeder. Visit the
breeder in person so you can check out the living conditions of the puppy and
the parents of the puppy.
what are akc papers?
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is an organization that registers and tracks
the lineage, or family tree, of purebred dogs. When you purchase a dog with "akc
papers," this means the dog can be registered with the AKC, and they can provide
you with a pedigree, a document listing the parents, grandparents and
great-grandparents of your puppy. Once your dog is registered, he/she will be
able to compete in events if he/she is eligible, and has the opportunity to earn
titles. When two AKC registered dogs are bred, the litter produced is eligible
for registration.
AKC papers do not guarantee the health or quality of a puppy.
