How to Choose a Breeder
Often times, demand exceeds supply with Shibas and out of desperation, you feel compelled to take a chance. Find a breeder with whom you feel comfortable and work with him or her. The wait is worth it.
Be sure you have read all the information available on the Shiba on our website.
The following information is useful no matter where you decide to get a Shiba:
The best thing you can do is not to be in a hurry and to rely on your own good instincts as to whether you are dealing with a breeder who is right for you. If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.
Good signs:
Often times, demand exceeds supply with Shibas and out of desperation, you feel compelled to take a chance. Find a breeder with whom you feel comfortable and work with him or her. The wait is worth it.
Be sure you have read all the information available on the Shiba on our website.
The following information is useful no matter where you decide to get a Shiba:
The best thing you can do is not to be in a hurry and to rely on your own good instincts as to whether you are dealing with a breeder who is right for you. If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.
Good signs:
- The breeder allows you to interact with his dogs and puppies except for the shy ones.
- The breeder does not have an excessive amount of litters per year.
- The breeder has a good contract that protects you as well as himself, guarantees health, and expresses a willingness to take the puppy back if you are not satisfied. For the latter, he may or may not be willing to make restitution.
- The breeder raises his puppies in the house or in an area where they can be easily socialized.
- The breeder does all his health checks as listed with BVA
- The breeder responds to your emails or phone calls (as long as you don't go overboard).
- Filthy conditions
- Selling puppies under 7 to 8 weeks of age. Puppies being sold by another party other than then breeder.
- Excessive bad-mouthing of other breeders.
- A breeder who says his dogs don't need the health checks or refuses to show you any health certification. Health checks
- A breeder who says puppies are one price without papers and cost more if you want the papers. (Note that show prospects are more expensive than pets, but registration applications should go with all. Pets should be sold only on a spay/neuter contract and the "limited" registration should be checked on all registration applications for pets. A few breeders still withhold registration applications until proof of spaying or neutering is given. This may be done because the breeder has been "burned" by a puppy buyer who bred the dog that was sold as a pet. A limited registration does not prevent a person from physically breeding a dog, it only prevents the offspring from being registered).
- Breeders who have puppies in several different breeds.
- Breeders who breed "designer dogs" such a Labradoodles or peek-a-poos.
- Puppies listed on websites that promise instant gratification and treat live puppies as casual commodities.
- Guarantees that seem very good but state that you must feed a particular brand of dog food or give a certain supplement or the contract becomes void, because you can never prove you followed those criteria. Read a contract carefully and be sure you can fulfill all stipulations if something goes wrong with a puppy. Can you prove you followed everything?
- Even if all the good criteria have been met, you may still feel uncomfortable.
- Remember, if it doesn't feel right TO you, it is probably not right FOR you.