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The first thing to ask your breeder is to meet their dog’s parents. Seeing both the sire and dam will give you a better idea of what their offspring will be like. Observe their temperament, assess their overall appearance, and check if they appear to be in good health. Spend a few minutes with both to see if they are shy, aggressive, hyperactive, or docile.

Some potential buyers will not always get to meet the sire because most breeders do not own it. Nevertheless, meeting the dam is enough for you to gauge how your future puppy will turn out.

If you get lucky enough to meet the entire litter, interact with it. An average litter is around five to six puppies, so having a handful of furry animals to hold and play with will allow you to further evaluate your desired puppy. It is recommended to check the litter’s size, energy level, character, and health.

Most breeders will not allow you to bring home their puppy until it is at least eight weeks of age. This is because a puppy needs ample time to mature. It also needs more time to socialise with its mother and litter so it becomes a well-adjusted adult.

Given that socialisation is critical in a puppy’s development, it is important to ask your breeder if your desired dog has already been exposed to different people, animals, and environments. Find out how well or poorly the puppy adjusts to new surroundings. Finally, ask if the dog has been housetrained or taught simple commands. This way, your canine of choice won’t have a tough time settling into a new life once you bring it home.

Once you have decided on a specific breed, make it your responsibility to research the genetic problems it may be susceptible to. Additionally, find out more about the health of its parents by asking your breeder. Find out if your seller has tested both the sire and dam for diseases like eye, hip, and heart problems.

It is important to ask your breeder what they have been feeding their puppy so that you can keep it on the same diet once you bring it home. Your seller will most likely recommend that you continue feeding your dog the same food for a few days to avoid stomachache. They may even give you at least three days’ worth of the same dog food. Some will even have you take home a diet sheet so that you know how much and when to feed your new furry friend.

When you’re ready to change your puppy’s diet, it is recommended to do it gradually.

Before bringing a new puppy home, it is crucial to know what vaccinations have been administered to it and how many shots it has received. Ask your breeder if the dog has been dewormed and treated for fleas. Know when the next round of shots is due.

Additionally, find out how many veterinarian visits your desired puppy has had and when its next schedule is. Have your breeder disclose if the puppy has been sick. If yes, ask what the professional diagnosis was and what medications were given.

Now that you are ready to bring a new puppy into your home, it is time to find out what your breeder will provide you along with the sale. Typically, they will provide with the following:

A copy of your puppy’s health records

A copy of the parents’ health certificates

Other certifications (pedigree, breed clubs, etc…), if applicable

Guarantee information

List of medications, if applicable

Additionally, your breeder should be able to provide you with a sales contract that states both your responsibilities as buyer and seller. They should also give you their contact information should you have any questions or concerns about your desired dog in the future. Often, they will even offer a return policy if you can no longer care for your puppy because of an unfortunate case. This policy sometimes also includes refunding you willingly if you discover an undisclosed serious health problem in your puppy’s first few weeks.

Finally, feel free to ask your breeder for references from their previous buyers. This way, you can get to know more about your breeder, get a second opinion, and have some peace of mind.