Questions to expect when working with a breeder

Hooray — you've found a breeder you want to work with! But what comes next?

First, the breeder will determine if they think you're a good fit for one of their pups. Their priority is making sure their puppies go to the best homes possible. Every breeder's screening process is slightly different, but most breeders approach screening buyers like this:

You'll be asked some initial questions about your home, family, lifestyle, and what you're looking for

Many breeders will ask you to answer a few questions to determine if they want to work with you. They may ask you these questions by messaging you on Good Dog or asking to schedule a phone call. You may also be asked to fill out Good Dog's puppy application.

The breeder is trying to evaluate if you'll make a good dog owner, so they'll usually ask you about:

• Where you live. The breeder will want to know if you live in an urban, suburban, or rural setting to determine if you're a good match for the breed you're interested in.
• The size of your home. Do you live in an apartment? A condo? A three-bedroom home? Does your landlord allow animals? Do you have a fenced backyard? These are all the types of questions you can expect about your home. Since your potential new puppy will need adequate space to grow, learn and exercise, breeders want to ensure your home is ready.
• Your work schedule. This question is especially important if you want to bring home a young puppy. Young puppies require lots of hours of attention and training. Breeders will want to know the amount of time you’ll be able to spend with your new dog. If your work schedule keeps you out of the house for many hours, be prepared to have a plan in place for your puppy’s care.
• Your past experience in owning dogs or other animals. This helps the breeder understand how responsible and comfortable you are with owning pets.
• Your reasons for getting a dog. Maybe you want a dog for more companionship, or maybe you want your child to have a cuddly buddy. Dogs are not just accessories or toys, and breeders want to know that the family or person buying a dog from them will treat them as well as possible.
• Number of children at home. Breeders will want to know how many kids you have and what their ages are, so that they can determine what kind of environment a puppy will be entering. In a household where the adults are already caring for multiple young ones, puppies may get less of the time and attention they need to grow into healthy and happy dogs. This can be especially problematic for certain breeds. Knowing how many children are in your household can also help the breeder determine which pup from their upcoming litter may have the best temperament for your family.
• Your plans for training, exercise, and accommodations. It’s important that new dog owners understand all that will be required of them. For example, do you know where your dog will sleep? Where will it play? Will you enroll them in a puppy training school or hire a trainer to come to your house? Think through how you will manage caring for your new dog before you start your puppy search.
• Your awareness of what it costs to own a dog. Owning and taking care of a dog is a long-term commitment. Breeders will want to make sure you can afford to buy the dog — and to take care of it — which means buying good food, paying for veterinary care, toys, and more.

Breeders will also want to know what you want in a future pup, which means you'll have an opportunity to voice your preferences. If a breeder has an upcoming litter, they may want to know what size, color, and temperament you’re looking for in a dog, so they can take these preferences into consideration once their litter is born. Pro-tip: If you're on a waitlist, being more lenient in your preferences will decrease your overall waiting time!

We're so thrilled to be with you on your puppy journey! If you have questions or need help, email help@gooddog.com anytime.