How to Evaluate a Breeder
Finding a responsible breeder is one of the most important decisions you'll make when adding an animal to your family. The breeder you choose affects your animal's health, temperament, and your experience for years to come. This guide helps you evaluate breeders objectively.
Why breeder evaluation matters
The breeder you choose directly impacts:
- • Your animal's health: Genetic conditions, early socialization, and veterinary care in the first weeks shape lifelong health
- • Your animal's temperament: Early environment and handling create behavioral foundations
- • Your financial risk: Health issues from poor breeding can cost thousands in veterinary bills
- • Your ethical footprint: Supporting responsible breeding discourages puppy mills and backyard breeders
- • Your support system: Good breeders provide guidance and support for the animal's lifetime
A few extra weeks finding the right breeder can mean the difference between 15 years of joy and 15 years of preventable problems.
Health testing is non-negotiable
Responsible breeders perform health tests on breeding animals before breeding. This is the single most important screening criterion.
What proper health testing looks like
- • Both parents tested for breed-specific genetic conditions
- • Results registered with public databases (OFA, PennHIP, etc.)
- • Breeder provides documentation without being asked
- • You can independently verify results online
- • Tests are current and appropriate for the breed
Red flags in health testing
- • "My vet says they're healthy" (not the same as genetic testing)
- • "I've never had problems" (luck is not a breeding strategy)
- • "The parents are clear by parentage" (only acceptable for specific recessive conditions when documentation proves it)
- • Unwillingness to provide test results
- • Results that can't be independently verified
Learn more: See our detailed guide on understanding health tests to learn which tests matter for your breed.
Essential questions to ask breeders
About health testing
- • What health tests have you performed on both parents?
- • Can I see the documentation?
- • Are results registered with OFA or another public database?
- • What is the coefficient of inbreeding (COI) for this litter?
About the parents
- • Can I meet the mother? (Should always be yes)
- • Can I meet the father? (May be off-site, but breeder should have information and photos)
- • What are their temperaments like?
- • Why did you choose to breed these two animals?
About early care
- • What socialization do you provide?
- • When will the puppy/kitten be ready to go home? (Should be 8+ weeks minimum)
- • What veterinary care has been provided?
- • What vaccines and deworming will be done before placement?
About guarantees and support
- • What health guarantee do you provide?
- • What happens if I can't keep the animal?
- • Do you stay in contact with buyers after placement?
- • Can I contact previous buyers as references?
About breeding practices
- • How long have you been breeding?
- • How many litters do you produce per year?
- • What are your breeding goals?
- • Are you involved in showing, working, or performance activities?
What transparency looks like
Good signs
- • Welcomes questions and answers them thoroughly
- • Provides documentation proactively
- • Invites you to visit and meet animals
- • Shows where animals are kept
- • Discusses both strengths and challenges of the breed honestly
- • Shares references from previous buyers
- • Has a professional online presence with clear information
- • Uses a written contract
Warning signs
- • Evasive or defensive when asked questions
- • Won't let you visit
- • Suggests meeting in parking lots or other neutral locations
- • Rushes you to make a decision
- • Doesn't ask you any questions
- • No contract or vague verbal agreements
- • Can't or won't provide references
Understanding breeder contracts
Responsible breeders use written contracts. The contract protects both parties and demonstrates the breeder's commitment to their animals.
What to expect in a good contract
- • Health guarantee terms (typically 1-2 years for genetic conditions)
- • Spay/neuter requirements for pet placements
- • Return clause (breeder takes animal back if you can't keep it)
- • Care requirements and expectations
- • What health tests were performed
- • Registration information
- • What happens in case of dispute
Red flags in contracts
- • No contract at all
- • No health guarantee
- • No take-back clause
- • Unreasonable restrictions (demanding control over routine care decisions)
- • Vague language that's hard to enforce
Read the contract carefully. Ask questions about anything unclear. A good breeder wants you to understand what you're agreeing to.
Responsible breeders screen buyers
If a breeder will sell to anyone with cash, that's a red flag. Responsible breeders care where their animals go.
Questions you should expect
- • Why do you want this breed?
- • What is your living situation? (House, apartment, yard, etc.)
- • Who will be responsible for care?
- • What is your experience with this breed or species?
- • Do you have other pets?
- • What are your plans for training/socialization?
- • What happens to the animal if your circumstances change?
Good breeders may turn you down if they don't think it's the right fit. That's not personal—it's them doing their job.
How breeders use BreederHQ
Responsible breeders use tools like BreederHQ to organize health records, track genetics, manage breeding plans, and maintain detailed documentation. When you work with a breeder who uses professional management software, they can quickly show you health test results, pedigrees, and breeding history—all signs of a transparent, organized operation.
We built BreederHQ to help ethical breeders manage their programs professionally. Not all great breeders use software, but many do.
Additional considerations
Price as an indicator
Responsible breeding costs money. Health testing, proper care, early socialization, and veterinary costs add up. Suspiciously cheap prices often mean corners were cut. But high prices don't automatically mean quality—ask what you're paying for.
Wait times
Good breeders often have waiting lists. If multiple puppies or kittens are always available immediately, ask why. Responsible breeders don't breed constantly.
Breed club standards
Most breeds have parent clubs that publish breeding guidelines and recommended health tests. Look up your breed's parent club and use their recommendations as a baseline for evaluation.
Trust your instincts
If something feels off, it probably is. Don't let excitement override caution. A good breeder will still be there when you're ready, and there will be other litters.
Frequently asked questions
How do I verify health test results?
Most legitimate health tests are registered with public databases like OFA.org. Ask for the registration names of both parents and look them up yourself. Results should match what the breeder told you.
What if the breeder seems great but doesn't do some recommended tests?
Ask why. Sometimes there are legitimate reasons (test not necessary for that line, newer test not yet widely adopted, etc.). But core breed-specific tests should be non-negotiable.
Should I visit multiple breeders?
Yes, if possible. Seeing different operations helps you recognize what good looks like. But practice good biosecurity—don't visit multiple breeding facilities on the same day.
What if I've already put down a deposit and now have concerns?
Most deposits are non-refundable, but if you've discovered serious red flags (no health testing, poor conditions, dishonesty), it may be worth walking away. Better to lose a deposit than commit to years with an unhealthy animal.
Do all responsible breeders show their animals?
No. Showing is one way to prove breeding quality, but not the only way. Working titles, performance events, and proven breeding records are equally valid. What matters is that the breeder has objective measures of quality, not just their opinion.