How to Find a Reputable Breeder
Have you researched the Black Russian Terrier till you ran out of links and you're still convinced it's the right breed for you? Are you ready to add a BRT to your family? You know you want a healthy, happy puppy with a personality that fits your lifestyle - but where do you find it?
Puppy Sales Website? Pet Shop? Dealer? Backyard Breeder? No, No, No and No!
Not unless you want to risk getting a poorly bred and raised, sickly pup with temperament issues, at an elevated price. These people generally care only about taking your money, not about you or the dog. That’s no way to choose an addition to your family. So let’s find a better alternative!
The Responsible Hobby Breeder
Now you’re on the right track! Dedicated hobby breeders take responsibility for every puppy produced and stand behind every dog they have bred, for the life of the dog. They have carefully researched pedigrees, double-checked health clearances, nurtured the dam, and raised the puppies in their homes. Their goal is to produce superior animals perfect for companionship and various dog sports. In short, they have put their hearts and souls into breeding YOUR puppy.
What You Should Expect From A Good Breeder
Contracts
Breeders should provide a puppy sales contract that details certain responsibilities of both the buyer and the breeder. Be sure to read and discuss the contract before committing to buy the puppy, and don’t sign anything that you don’t intend to follow.
Health Certifications (Clearances)
The Black Russian Terrier Club of America’s Code of Ethics strongly recommends that all breeding dogs have health and screening tests by appropriate veterinary specialists and certifications for hip and elbow dysplasia, eye and heart clearances and genetic diseases clearances. It is wise to verify that the sire and dam have these certifications by asking for their registration numbers and using the Search feature at www.ofa.org; For more information about inheritable diseases, check out our Health Concerns page for more in depth details.
No dog or line of dogs is genetically perfect, and conscientious breeders have investigated the health issues in their lines. Buyers should feel free to ask about any subjects of concern to them, and reputable breeders will voluntarily point out potential health risks (all lines have some). In fact, open disclosure of the line’s negative information can be a mark of an honest, knowledgeable breeder.
Guarantees
No matter how carefully bred, risk of disease can never be zero. The best assurance of a healthy puppy lies in selection of the breeder, multiple generations of health certifications, and your preventive health care – whether a specific health guarantee is offered in the contract is less important.
AKC Limited Registration
Companion puppies are usually provided with Limited Registration, which means, among other things, that litters produced by that dog would not be eligible for AKC registration.
Spay/Neuter Contracts
It is often recommended by Veterinarians that puppies be neutered (refers to both sexes) by about 6 months of age, but research is increasingly showing that there is a complex mix of health benefits and risks associated with early neutering (prior to 12 months of age) versus later neutering (over 12 months). It is suggested that buyers learn about the effects of early versus later neutering in BRTs so that each can make an informed decision – and then follow-up by checking that the decision does not conflict with the breeder’s contract.
Co-Ownerships
It’s possible that a breeder might offer a co-ownership on a puppy, which is sometimes done if the breeder feels the puppy has potential for earning titles or for breeding. This may not be recommended for owners who do not themselves have an interest in competition or breeding, because co-ownerships generally come with strings attached. While it is true that these connections often offer some benefits, they will also include obligations that may continue for several years.
Lifetime Commitment
Good breeders are committed to the puppy’s well-being for its lifetime, and they can be wonderful ongoing resources to answer questions, provide useful advice, or help you connect with expert assistance when needed. Breeders appreciate a call when problems are minor so they can help owners avoid more major concerns, and they often have useful preventative health care tips that can save trips to the vet. Finding a knowledgeable breeder with whom you have good rapport and who wants to spend time teaching you about BRTs is almost as important as the selection of the litter, and such a breeder can be a valuable part of a support system if troubles arise. Finally, committed breeders remain available to assist in finding an appropriate placement for the dog at any time during its life if circumstances change and this becomes necessary.
Questions to Ask Breeders
Questions a Responsible Breeder Might Ask You
A responsible breeder is committed to finding a forever home for each puppy and will ask questions to be sure the pup is a good match for your family. Below are some examples -
Puppy Sales Website? Pet Shop? Dealer? Backyard Breeder? No, No, No and No!
Not unless you want to risk getting a poorly bred and raised, sickly pup with temperament issues, at an elevated price. These people generally care only about taking your money, not about you or the dog. That’s no way to choose an addition to your family. So let’s find a better alternative!
The Responsible Hobby Breeder
Now you’re on the right track! Dedicated hobby breeders take responsibility for every puppy produced and stand behind every dog they have bred, for the life of the dog. They have carefully researched pedigrees, double-checked health clearances, nurtured the dam, and raised the puppies in their homes. Their goal is to produce superior animals perfect for companionship and various dog sports. In short, they have put their hearts and souls into breeding YOUR puppy.
What You Should Expect From A Good Breeder
Contracts
Breeders should provide a puppy sales contract that details certain responsibilities of both the buyer and the breeder. Be sure to read and discuss the contract before committing to buy the puppy, and don’t sign anything that you don’t intend to follow.
Health Certifications (Clearances)
The Black Russian Terrier Club of America’s Code of Ethics strongly recommends that all breeding dogs have health and screening tests by appropriate veterinary specialists and certifications for hip and elbow dysplasia, eye and heart clearances and genetic diseases clearances. It is wise to verify that the sire and dam have these certifications by asking for their registration numbers and using the Search feature at www.ofa.org; For more information about inheritable diseases, check out our Health Concerns page for more in depth details.
No dog or line of dogs is genetically perfect, and conscientious breeders have investigated the health issues in their lines. Buyers should feel free to ask about any subjects of concern to them, and reputable breeders will voluntarily point out potential health risks (all lines have some). In fact, open disclosure of the line’s negative information can be a mark of an honest, knowledgeable breeder.
Guarantees
No matter how carefully bred, risk of disease can never be zero. The best assurance of a healthy puppy lies in selection of the breeder, multiple generations of health certifications, and your preventive health care – whether a specific health guarantee is offered in the contract is less important.
AKC Limited Registration
Companion puppies are usually provided with Limited Registration, which means, among other things, that litters produced by that dog would not be eligible for AKC registration.
Spay/Neuter Contracts
It is often recommended by Veterinarians that puppies be neutered (refers to both sexes) by about 6 months of age, but research is increasingly showing that there is a complex mix of health benefits and risks associated with early neutering (prior to 12 months of age) versus later neutering (over 12 months). It is suggested that buyers learn about the effects of early versus later neutering in BRTs so that each can make an informed decision – and then follow-up by checking that the decision does not conflict with the breeder’s contract.
Co-Ownerships
It’s possible that a breeder might offer a co-ownership on a puppy, which is sometimes done if the breeder feels the puppy has potential for earning titles or for breeding. This may not be recommended for owners who do not themselves have an interest in competition or breeding, because co-ownerships generally come with strings attached. While it is true that these connections often offer some benefits, they will also include obligations that may continue for several years.
Lifetime Commitment
Good breeders are committed to the puppy’s well-being for its lifetime, and they can be wonderful ongoing resources to answer questions, provide useful advice, or help you connect with expert assistance when needed. Breeders appreciate a call when problems are minor so they can help owners avoid more major concerns, and they often have useful preventative health care tips that can save trips to the vet. Finding a knowledgeable breeder with whom you have good rapport and who wants to spend time teaching you about BRTs is almost as important as the selection of the litter, and such a breeder can be a valuable part of a support system if troubles arise. Finally, committed breeders remain available to assist in finding an appropriate placement for the dog at any time during its life if circumstances change and this becomes necessary.
Questions to Ask Breeders
- Are hip, elbow, eye, heart, and HU/JLPP certifications for both sire and dam verifiable at www.ofa.org?
- Are your puppies sold with a written contract? May I have a copy of it to review in advance?
- Are you an active member of The Black Russian Terrier Club of America, your local kennel club or dog training club, and/or other local dog club?
- Are your puppies examined by a veterinarian before they go home? (Puppies should be examined by a veterinarian, who will typically provide a “New Puppy” pamphlet or exam form identified with the clinic name. Before the puppy is released to its new home, it is customary that the first set of puppy vaccinations will have been completed, that preliminary worming or negative stool check will have been done, that the vet will have examined the puppy thoroughly, and that any concerns discovered during the examination will be disclosed to the buyer.)
- How do you socialize your puppies?
- How many litters have you bred, and how many years have you been a breeder? How many litters do you typically have in a year?
- Can I visit you and meet your dogs? (In nearly all cases, it’s wise to make a personal visit because it can be difficult to tell the difference between a puppy mill and a reputable breeder based on a website. However, due to ongoing safety concerns, do not disqualify a breeder who has reservations about letting strangers into their home.)
- What is the general health and temperament of the sire, dam, and their first degree relatives (parents, siblings, and offspring)? Do/did any of them have any of the following symptoms or conditions (which can be hereditary or have a hereditary component)?
- Temperament concerns (e.g., fearful, aggressive, timid, hyperactive, storm phobia, car sickness)?
- Skin problems, allergies (itchy skin, runny eyes, frequent skin or ear infections)?
- Food allergy/sensitivity or frequent GI upset (needs special food, frequent loose stools)?
- Lameness or stiffness (such as after exercise or upon waking)?
- Ask for references from others who have purchased puppies from the breeder and call the references.
Questions a Responsible Breeder Might Ask You
A responsible breeder is committed to finding a forever home for each puppy and will ask questions to be sure the pup is a good match for your family. Below are some examples -
- Are you aware that raising a puppy well takes about the same amount of time and energy in the beginning as caring for a 2-year-old toddler?
- Will someone be home with the puppy for much of the time during the first month?
- Have you owned a dog before? What breed? What pets do you currently have?
- What activities or lifestyle would you like to share with your dog?
- What activity/energy level do you want in a BRT – high, medium or low?
- What personality/temperament do you want in a BRT? Why?
- Are you planning to crate your puppy when it cannot be supervised?
- How many children do you have at home? What are their ages? Are they comfortable around large dogs?
- Do you have a fenced yard?
- Do you plan to take puppy kindergarten and/or obedience classes?
- How do you plan to exercise your BRT each day?