Proper Etiquette for Working With Responsible Dog Breeders
Working with a dog breeder isn’t like heading down to the flea market on the weekend; it’s working with someone who treats their dogs like family, so there are a few best practices you should follow when you reach out about a puppy.
Getting a puppy from a responsible breeder is more than clicking a button or making a transaction. Breeders care a lot about building relationships with their buyers and getting to know the people their puppies will call “family.” Not all responsible breeders are the same, but there are a few general guidelines around etiquette you should follow when you start to work with a dog breeder.
We asked our community of responsible breeders what they wished people knew before reaching out about one of their puppies. Here's what they had to say.
Overview
- Avoid price haggling
- Be prepared
- Speak respectfully
- Understand your breeder's policies
- Be open-minded
- Pay securely
- Stay in touch
1. Avoid price haggling
Getting a puppy from a breeder isn’t like heading down to the flea market on the weekend. You wouldn't haggle for a TV when you go shopping, so try to educate yourself on a breeder’s pricing early on and respect it. Breeders price their dogs to cover the expenses related to responsibly raising puppies – and those costs can add up quickly. Health testing, vet visits, care for the parent dogs, food, and supplies are all costly, not to mention the time commitment – caring for puppies is a 24-hour job. Good Dog breeder Kyle Allen remarked, “Buyers don't understand that breeders sometimes already put money into the dogs, like multiple progesterone tests, stud fee, [and] c-sections.”
Breeders usually have prices clearly listed on their profile or puppy listing, so take the time upfront to explore their prices, decide what’s right for you, and then move forward with a breeder.
2. Be prepared
Try to respect a breeder’s time before you reach out. Read a bit about their program, familiarize yourself with the price of their puppies, and let them know where you are in the process. If your whole family isn’t on board with getting a new puppy, or if you’re still in the stage of gathering information – that’s great, but be honest about your intent upfront.
“Be genuine in your inquiry,” Good Dog breeder Michelle Boulet said. “Apply or inquire because you have narrowed down your search[,] not because you are testing the waters of dozens of breeders at once.” Breeders put a lot of care into reviewing your application, so try to put thought into your application or inquiry.
“Apply or inquire because you have narrowed down your search[,] not because you are testing the waters of dozens of breeders at once.”
3. Speak respectfully
When reaching out to a breeder, remember a person is on the other end of your message. Breeders have families, hobbies, careers, and clients, along with the exhausting job of raising growing puppies. Speak with kindness and respect and answer their messages promptly if you can. If a breeder doesn't get back to you right away, keep in mind that they’re juggling responsibilities. "We are people and have lives too," Good Dog breeder Janice Halcom told Good Dog. "Please be patient with us."
If they prefer to hop on the phone to chat, take advantage of the opportunity to get to know one another better – your relationship with your breeder matters. If you can't move forward with them, or if you change your mind, try to let them know. Good Dog breeder Cynthia Keogh insisted, “If you have changed [your] mind, that is ok! Let us know. I can't tell you how badly I feel when I think someone is solid for making a decision[,] and I can't reach them.”
4. Understand your breeder's policies
Policies vary from breeder to breeder, so take a little time to familiarize yourself with your breeder’s approach and work with someone who enacts policies you feel comfortable with. Neither of you wants surprises down the line. Some breeders might have strict guidelines around visitors to protect their puppies and families; others might be okay with visitors stopping by in person. Usually, breeders have understandable reasons for why these policies are in place — like safety and security — so try to ask questions before making assumptions.
Visitation policies, for example, are typically in place for protection. Good Dog breeder Michelle Kilpatrick insisted, “Understand that many breeders will not give access or tours through their homes to prevent accidental contamination[,] and some will only meet in public locations due to assaults [and] thefts that have taken place.”
Policies like non-refundable deposits, health guarantees, and puppy contracts are all agreements you should ask about and feel comfortable with before moving forward. Most breeders are eager to share information about their program, so don’t be shy if you are confused or have a question.
5. Be open-minded
It’s OK to have preferences in your puppy search, but try to keep an open mind, too. The breeder you work with may want to wait to match you with a puppy after their personalities develop. If you have non-negotiables, like gender, you can make your search easier and filter results so you're shown puppies that meet your preferences.
Let your breeder know if you’re focused on a particular color or feature, but respect their process. They are the expert and want to do their best to match you with the right puppy, and that might mean prioritizing temperament over appearance. Puppy matching can take time, too. “I can't decide on placements until around 7-8 weeks,” Good Dog breeder Carolyn Kelly said, “This is because I need to evaluate structure and temperament and do DNA testing to know which dogs are breeding prospects and to match puppies to homes.”
6. Pay securely
For both you and your breeder’s safety, pay securely on the platform when you’re getting a puppy through Good Dog. Good Dog has the only truly secure and guaranteed payment system, and using other payment methods will negatively impact your breeder’s standing on Good Dog.
Attempting to pay off Good Dog not only negatively impacts your breeder — it also puts them in an uncomfortable position. Breeders have established payment systems and processes for their safety and protection. Follow their lead when it's time to send your deposit, final payment, and any transportation fees or extras.
7. Stay in touch
Responsible breeders care about the relationships they build with their owners, so even after pick-up day, do what you can to stay in touch with your breeder. Send updated photos as your puppy grows up, tag them in social media posts, and ask if they have any Facebook groups or regular meet-ups with their other owners.
Breeders mean it when they say their owners become an extended part of their family, and they appreciate the check-ins no matter how long it's been since they said their goodbyes on pick-up day. “We are placing trust in you with our puppies,” Good Dog breeder Michelle Aguilar said. “Welcome to our family!”
“We are placing trust in you with our puppies.”
If you’re getting ready to reach out to a breeder about a puppy — don’t be intimidated. Breeders are eager to connect with new potential owners and share their expertise with you if you put the effort into making a meaningful connection with them. These guidelines are a way to make the process smoother so you can both focus on finding the right puppy.
Do you have questions or need support during your puppy search? Our Care Team is always here for you. Reach out to us at help@gooddog.com or 855-446-6336, and one of our Specialists will take care of you.