How to Select a Breeder

By Sally Terroux
This article is part of the series "Beginner's Guide to a Bouvier des Flandres"

Over 50% of the puppies raised in the US are raised by people who never have another litter. Relatively few of these people are well informed, prepared for the experience, and do a good job. They don't usually stand behind their puppies. Very few are equipped to take adequate care of all puppies until they can be placed in good homes, regardless of how long that takes. Another large percentage of puppies are raised by "Puppy Farms" that sell numerous litters of many breeds, or sell to retailers for resale.

That leaves a relatively small percentage of puppies being raised by experienced people who are dedicated to one or two breeds and raising puppies for reasons other than maximum profit. Not all of these breeders are knowledgeable and conscientious.

Articles in this Series

- Beginners Guide to the Bouvier des Flandres
- How to Select a Breeder
- What About a Rescue Dog?
- How to Read a Pedigree
- Selecting Your Bouvier Puppy

How Do You Identify An Experienced Conscientious Breeder?

1. When you inquire about a puppy, the breeder will interview you. You know they will not sell you a puppy simply because you want one and have the money to pay for one. They want to know that you can house and raise their puppy appropriately and that their puppy will have one permanent home for his entire lifetime.

2. You will talk to and buy the puppy from the breeder who raised the litter and owns or co-owns the mother (or the dam). Conscientious breeders don't trust other people to screen puppy buyers for them and would never offer a puppy as a prize or for an auction. Their puppies don't cost any more because there is no "middle-man". All puppies will have had at least one DHLP and Parvo vaccination and a worm test or a worming.

3. The breeder will know the ancestry of the puppies. Not just parents, but grandparents and beyond. Not just titles and colors, but strong points and weak points of personality and structure.

4. The breeder will tell you what genetic screening (such as OFA Xrays) is necessary for that breed, and will be willing to discuss problems and show proof of genetic screening.

5. You won't see multiple litters of multiple breeds. One to three breeds is typical and one to three litters a year TOTAL is typical. You will see evidence (photos, books, possible awards) of long term interest and activity in the breed. The puppy's environment will be clean with ample room for exercise. Puppies confined to a small area can't grow normally and are difficult to housetrain.

6. The puppies will not have been separated from their mother and littermates at less than 6 weeks of age. Many breeders consider 7-8 weeks ideal, some later. But if you look at puppies over 12 weeks of age, be certain they have had enough individual attention and separation from one another, that they are more bonded to people than to other dogs.

7. All things discussed and implied will be written down in a contract. The breeder will be there to help and advise you throughout the life of the puppy. Even to the extent of replacing a puppy in the case of an inherited defect. Many breeders will ask you to bring the puppy (or dog) back to them at any age if for any reason you can't keep him.

8. Unless you are very serious about becoming a student of your breed and a conscientious breeder, you will be encouraged to take a spay/neuter agreement or an AKC non-breeding registration. The breeding of dogs is a responsibility that shouldn't be entered into lightly. The prevention of overpopulation and haphazard breeding is the responsibility of the person selling the puppy.

9. The breeder will insist that you prepare an appropriate place at home for your puppy before you take your puppy home. They will give you thorough personal instructions on puppy feeding and care and a record of vaccinations and worming.

10. If an AKC registration application is not yet available, the breeder will furnish you with the registered names and numbers of the sire and dam, birthdate of litter and name, address and phone number of breeder as the AKC requires.

Related Links

AKC Breed Standard
Find a Bouvier

Bouvier Health

Bloat: This can be a life threatening disease that usually affects deep chested dogs in the prime of life. Bloat involves a swelling up of the stomach from gas, fluid, or both. The signs can be a combination of any of the following: excessive salivation, drooling, extreme restlessness, attempts to vomit and defecate, and abdominal distention. In nearly all cases there is a history of overeating, eating fermented foods, drinking excessively after eating or vigorous exercise after a meal (within 2 or 3 hours).

Bloat calls for IMMEDIATE veterinary attention. All dog owners should make sure they are thoroughly acquainted with both the symptoms and cures for the condition.

Heartworm: Your dog needs to be put on a heartworm preventative and kept on it for life. If you live in an area where mosquitoes are a year-round problem you must treat him year round. If you live in a seasonal climate you may only need to give treatment from May until the first frost. Ask your veterinarian which treatment is appropriate for your dog. If you do not treat year-round the dog must be retested each year before resuming treatment.
In the following "Canine Disorder Quick Reference Table" you will find tables on common dog ailments and their symptoms and treatments. These tables are not all-inclusive but may be used as a ready reference. As always, CONSULT YOUR VETERINARIAN at the first sign of illness or injury.

Canine Quick Reference Tables
Following, you will find tables on common dog ailments and their symptoms and treatments. These tables are not all-inclusive, but may be used as a ready reference. As always, consult your veterinarian at the first sign of illness or injury.

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Common Puppy and Dog Diseases

Name	Vaccination	Symptoms	Treatment	Notes
Distemper	Yes; At 8, 12 & 16 wks of age; then yearly	Fever, loss of energy & appetite, nose discharge, diarrhea, eye inflammation, convulsions	Fluid & antibiotic therapy	Part of canine vaccines. Can be fatal and can cause permanent brain damage. Call veterinarian immediately. Highly contagious.
Hepatitis	Yes: same as above	Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, jaundice.	Fasting, fluid therapy, medication, antibiotics.	Part of canine vaccines. Can be fatal; viral disease; affects liver, intestinal tract, and eyes.
Leptospirosis	Yes: same as above	Fever (high), thirst, vomiting. Can cause skin spots.	Antibiotics, fluids & special diet, pain medication.	Part of canine vaccines. Can be fatal; bacteria related disease affecting liver, gastrointestinal tract and kidneys.
Para influenza	Yes: same as above	Drier cough than Bordatella, less responsive to treatment.	Cough suppressant, antibiotics, res t, moist food.	Part of canine vaccines. Extremely serious for puppies; call veterinarian immediately; highly contagious
Parvovirus	Yes: same as above	Vomiting, diarrhea/bloody diarrhea, often a distinctive, unpleasant odour, depression, no appetite.	Fluid & antibiotic therapy, pain medication, immune stimulation.	Part of canine vaccines. Can be serious for puppies; call veterinarian immediately; highly contagious.
Coronavirus	Yes: same as above	Vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, depression.	Fluid & antibiotic therapy.	Also given with canine vaccines. Can be serious for puppies; call veterinarian immediately; highly contagious.
Rabies	Yes; At 16 wks of age & yearly thereafter.	Very aggressive behaviour, biting or too quiet, can't swallow.	No effective treatment.	Required by counties to be given; fines for animal not wearing current rabies tag; always fatal.
Bordatella	Yes	Dry hacking cough, may spit up white froth.	Cough suppressants, antibiotics, wet food.	Otherwise known as kennel cough; give vaccination if dog is ever boarded at a kennel (it is usually required).
Gastric Torsion	No	Stomach is swollen & painful; dog salivates excessively and is restless, can't sit.	Stomach tube, surgery for advanced cases.	Also known as bloat; take to veterinarian immediately as this will be fatal and must be treated right away; most common in large deep-chested dogs.
Giardia	No	Diarrhea, often frequent & particularly foul-smelling, sometimes bloody.	Medication	Single cell intestinal parasite - spread through contaminated feces or untreated water. Found in many animals, including man.
Coccidia	No	Diarrhea	Medication	Single cell intestinal parasite, many species, infecting many mammals and birds.
Tapeworms	No	Increase in appetite, diarrhea in some cases.	Medication	Segments of tapeworm may pass out of the anus and when dried, look like grains of rice.
Roundworms	No	Vomiting, diarrhea, sometimes anemia & coughing.	Medication	Puppies often born infected, worms deprive animal of nourishment; may have poor coats, be thin with pot bellies.
Hookworms	No	Bloody diarrhea, dogs may be weak, thin & anemic.	Medication	Common in warm, moist territories, severe infection may lead to pneumonia & bronchitis; can be fatal, especially for puppies.
Heartworms	No	No symptoms until disease is advanced; cough, weakness, loss of stamina.	Medication for prevention.	Although there is no vaccination, pills are available to prevent heartworm.

© Copyright 1994-2001; Rev. 1998. This article is copyrighted by the American Bouvier des Flandres Club (ABdFC) and may not be reproduced without the expressed written permission of the ABdFC.