How to Choose an Ethical Breeder: 15 Questions Every Puppy Buyer Should Ask

This article is part of our Farm Life & Wisdom guide. For the values behind these questions, start with the pillar guide: 30 Years on 5 Acres in Monett: What Decades of Canine Care Taught Me.

After thirty years of raising Bullmastiffs and more than six years of French Bulldogs, Maltese and Bernedoodles on our five acres outside Monett, Missouri, I have sat across the kitchen table from a lot of puppy buyers. The best ones always come with questions. I have learned to be suspicious of a breeder who is bothered by them, and I have learned to be wary of a buyer who asks none. Here are the fifteen questions I would ask if I were buying a puppy today, along with what I listen for in the answers.

Why Your Questions Matter

A puppy is a ten-to-fifteen-year commitment, and a great deal of a dog's future health and temperament is shaped before you ever meet. Breeding is stewardship, not production, and I explain that more fully in The Ethics of Animal Husbandry: Christian Family Values in Dog Care. A good breeder welcomes your scrutiny because they have nothing to hide.

Questions About Health and Genetics

• 1. What health testing have the parents had? Ask which tests, and ask to see results. For many breeds, the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) keeps public databases of hip, elbow, heart and other evaluations. The right tests vary by breed, so ask your veterinarian or the breed's parent club what is recommended.
• 2. May I see the paperwork rather than hear a promise? "Vet checked" is not the same as breed-specific screening. Written results are the standard.
• 3. What problems occur in this breed, and have any shown up in your lines? An honest breeder can name them. For Frenchies, I want to hear about airways (see Breathing Easy: Understanding BOAS). For giant breeds, joints and bloat (see Preventing Bloat and Joint Care in Giant Breeds).
• 4. Do you offer a written health guarantee, and what does it cover? Read it before you fall in love with a puppy. Good guarantees are specific and fair to both sides.
• 5. What is your policy on trendy colors or coat types? Rare colors can be wonderful, but they should never come at the expense of health. Our French Bulldog color genetics guide covers what to ask.

Questions About the Parents and the Home

• 6. May I meet the mother, and see where the puppies live? A mother who is relaxed and well cared for tells you a great deal. If a breeder will only meet you in a parking lot, walk away.
• 7. How are the puppies raised day to day? On our farm every dog is a pet first and lives in the house. Puppies should be handled, exposed to household sounds, and kept clean.
• 8. How often do you breed your females, and at what ages? A responsible breeder gives females recovery time and retires them while they are still healthy. Ask your veterinarian what they consider reasonable.
• 9. How many litters and how many breeds do you have at once? Smaller programs give each dog more attention. Be cautious of anyone with many breeds and constant availability.

Questions About the Puppy and Your Fit

• 10. How old will the puppy be when it goes home? Puppies need time with their mother and littermates to learn dog manners. Ask your veterinarian about the right timing, and check Missouri rules where they apply (the Missouri Department of Agriculture oversees animal care facility licensing).
• 11. What vaccines, deworming and vet checks has the puppy had? You should receive records and a plan to continue with your own vet. Our seasonal health calendar shows how I think about this through the year.
• 12. What can you tell me about temperament? A good breeder knows each puppy's personality and will steer you to the right one rather than the one you pointed at first. For example, see Bernedoodle generations and family temperament.

Questions About the Relationship After the Sale

• 13. Will you take the dog back at any age if I cannot keep it? This is the single clearest sign of a breeder who loves their dogs. They should want to know where every dog is.
• 14. Will you be available for questions after I take the puppy home? I answer calls from families years later, and I am glad to.
• 15. What do you ask of me? A breeder who asks about your home, schedule, yard, children and experience cares where their puppies go. Expect questions, and answer honestly.

Red Flags I Watch For

• Pressure to pay a deposit immediately or "before someone else does."
• No health records, or vague answers about parents.
• Refusing visits or video calls of the puppies with their mother.
• Always having puppies available, of many breeds.
• Selling through third parties or shipping with no conversation.

How to Use These Questions in Practice

Do not treat this like an interrogation. I suggest sending a few questions by email first, then following up with a phone or video call. Take notes, and compare answers between breeders. Pay attention to tone as much as content: patience, candor and a willingness to say "I don't know, let me check" are good signs. Overly polished sales talk is not.

It also helps to be honest about yourself. Tell the breeder about your home, your work hours and whether you have children or other pets. I have talked families out of a puppy that was not the right fit, and I have talked others into waiting for the right litter. That kind of matching is a big part of what separates a breeder from a seller. If you want a sense of how long-term breed knowledge informs matching, read 30 Years Raising Bullmastiffs: Retrospective and Wisdom.

Finally, visit if you can. Even a short visit shows how dogs are housed, whether the home is clean, and how the adult dogs behave. You can also read our guides on puppy health checklists for Frenchies and Bernedoodle generations to prepare breed-specific questions.

What I Hope You Take Away

No breeder is perfect, and I certainly have not been. But a breeder who answers plainly, shows documentation, and keeps caring after the sale is one worth trusting. Our family's faith teaches that the righteous care for the needs of their animals, and that is the standard I try to hold myself to. Take your time, ask every question, and let your head guide your heart before the puppy-breath wins it over.

When to Call Your Vet

Schedule a veterinary exam within the first few days of bringing a puppy home, and call sooner for vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, refusal to eat, or trouble breathing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a breeder who is not AKC-registered automatically bad?

No, and registration alone does not prove quality either. Registries such as the American Kennel Club record pedigree, not health or care. Judge a breeder on testing, transparency and how they raise their dogs.

How much should I expect to pay?

Prices vary widely by breed and region. A very low price can signal skipped health testing and veterinary care, but a high price does not guarantee quality. Compare what each breeder actually provides.

Should I be on a waiting list?

Often, yes. Thoughtful breeders breed fewer litters, so a wait is common and usually a good sign.

Can a rescue be a good choice too?

Absolutely. Many wonderful dogs need homes. The same questions about health, temperament and support apply.

This article is for educational purposes only and is not veterinary advice; please consult your veterinarian about your dog's individual needs.