IDOG AND REPUTABLE BREEDERS

IDOG Rescue supports the practice of responsible breeding. We supply this information about recommended breeding practices to help people make informed decisions prior to purchasing a dog from a breeder.

We believe that responsible breeders will not contribute to doodles in need of rescue if the breeders conduct their business in compliance with our minimum requirements listed below.  We recommend that potential buyers read the following information carefully and make decisions prior to purchasing from a breeder based on facts and the reputation of the breeder, and not on the basis of cute websites. 

Never buy a puppy from a pet store, commercial kennel or backyard breeder!

Although we do not officially endorse specific breeders, we are pleased to say that many reputable breeders support IDOG’s efforts through various methods:

• financial donations
• public awareness of rescue efforts through links on their sites
• volunteering for IDOG Rescue through pulling dogs from shelters, transporting and fostering our rescue dogs

Tips for Finding a Reputable Breeder

A responsible and reputable breeder will have the welfare of their breeding dogs foremost in mind. The breeder would never knowingly or willingly do anything that compromises their dogs’ well-being.

A reputable breeder will only breed dogs that have a known health history. The breeder should be happy to share proof of results from hip (OFA and Penn-HIP scores), elbow and eye testing (CERF) on the parent dogs.

The breeder should carefully screen prospective purchasers to find the most suitable home for their puppies before the puppies are eight weeks of age.

 Minimum Breeder Guidelines

At a minimum, a reputable breeder will provide each dog purchaser with the following:

1. The opportunity to meet the sire (if onsite and owned by the breeder), dam and the puppies from the litter in which they will purchase a puppy
2. Copies of the parent dogs’ hip (OFA and Penn-HIP scores), elbow and eye test results (CERF)
3. A written contract and/or agreement that explains the terms of sale
4. A written health warranty (for a minimum of two years) in the contract
5. Complete and accurate medical records of the puppy including vaccination and medication records, including deworming schedule
6. Details on proper care and feeding 
7. A spay and neuter clause in the contract if the breeder doesn’t early spay and neuter their puppies
8. Microchip their puppies and provide the purchaser with information on how to register the microchip
9. Puppy must remain with the mom and littermates until a minimum of 8 weeks of age.
10. Breeder does not ever adopt littermates to the same home which often causes Littermate Syndrome. 

In addition to the items listed above, a responsible breeder will encourage or require the doodle purchaser to:
1. If early spay/neuter was not done by the breeder, spay or neuter their puppy by a certain deadline and require purchaser to require proof of the desexing surgery to the breeder
2. Provide indoor shelter
3. Properly train and socialize
4. Provide proper vet care, nutrition and exercise including tips on avoiding public areas until the puppy's full immunity is reached
5. Contact the breeder in the event that they can no longer keep the doodle at any point in the dog’s life; a good breeder will take the dog back, in most circumstances.