Being a responsible dog breeder and owner is something that all at Arvoreen Kennels take very seriously. This means a responsibility to our dogs, all of the dogs we breed, our dog owners, to our breed and to ourselves. Here at Arvoreen, we stand behind our breeding.

A responsible breeder cares very deeply for all dogs but most especially their own breed. They will devote time and money they can’t spare in order to do what is best for their dogs. They are so devoted to their breed they will do anything possible to assure that a puppy receives a proper home. Often this will mean that you have to pass an extensive background check and endure a lengthy wait for the newest member of your family.

Why buy a puppy from a registered, responsible breeder and not a Pet shop?

Why should you go to this extreme you may ask. Why should I wait? Why do I have to answer all these questions? Why not go down the street to the local Puppy Place and buy a dog there? I can put right on my Visa card! This is the worst possible idea. The reason is the majority of puppies in pet stores are purchased either from puppy mills or brokers who act as a middle man for puppy mills. Puppy mills are horrendous places. A puppy mill is a commercial breeder who produces puppies and kittens only for the money and with no thought as to the welfare of the animals. Dogs often spend their entire lives in wire cages (similar to a rabbit hutch) with the filth accumulating beneath them. They receive no love and attention and are often severely neglected. Females produce puppies each and every season. They receive no prenatal care. No testing is done for inherited disease. If they die whelping they are merely replaced with another. Puppies, if they survive, receive no special care. They are often weaned at 3 to 4 weeks of age and are transported across country to pet stores. Many times they are packed into trucks for transport and do not survive the trip.

NO RESPONSIBLE BREEDER SELLS THEIR DOGS TO A BROKER OR PET STORE or anywhere the well being of the puppy is in question.

Each person who buys from a pet store is putting money back into the system to keep the puppy mills and pet stores flourishing. Many times you may want to rescue that poor sickly puppy from the pet store but it will only put money back into the puppy mills pockets and assure you of costly Veterinary bills. Many puppies in pet stores are sold with a communicable disease and if they survive will cost you dearly, just not financially but in terms of heartbreak.

The difference between a registered, responsible breeder and a "Backyard Breeder"

A Back Yard Breeder (BYB) is a broad definition of either a small puppy mill, your neighbour who decides to breed Fluffy to Duke down the street or someone who is only breeding to make money. Some BYB are nice people who when educated will see the error of their ways and want what is best for their dogs. The ones that are strictly in it for the money will turn a deaf ear to this education and often justify their behaviour in misleading ways. BYB do not perform health checks or temperament testing, do not have a long term commitment to the breed, sell their puppies very young and do not offer support to the owners. 

Irresponsible breeders fill shelters and harm dogs. Avoid buying from them by doing your homework. RSPCA’s and Shelters are not filled with just "mutts" but also purebred dogs from unscrupulous, uncaring breeders. If you do not purchase from them then you are taking money out of their pocket and preventing them from making a profit from dogs.

A responsible breeder will belong to breed clubs, shows their dogs or do something with their dogs in competition; they learn about health problems in the breed and test their dogs for these problems; they know about pedigrees and plan a great deal before allowing a mating to occur; they only have a few litters a year at the most, and hope to get a promising puppy for themselves out of the litter. They usually do not place a puppy before 12 weeks of age and when they do, it is on a spay/ neuter contract. A pet puppy from a responsible breeder is the product of careful breeding and rearing. The responsible breeder is there for the life of the puppy to assist and if necessary, to take the dog back if the owners cannot keep it.

The most important part of being a responsible breeder is finding quality homes for pups. The breeder should always be ready to keep pups as long as they need to until that perfect home comes along. To protect the pups, the buyer and the breeder, a responsible breeder will have a purchase contract. This will outline what is expected of the breeder and the buyer but is primarily designed to protect the puppy. The contract will cover the breeders guarantee, what care they expect the puppy to receive, a spay/neuter agreement and that the puppy/dog is returned to the breeder should the purchaser no longer be able to care for the dog, throughout the dogs entire life.

RESPONSIBLE BREEDERS PROVIDE CONTRACTS ON THEIR PUPPIES!

If you have questions or concerns about your puppy (behaviour, physical development, etc) at any time after your purchase, call the breeder immediately. Don't be afraid to ask for help! It could save you a lot of heartache in the long run. Remember, by purchasing this puppy, you are committing to its care for the rest of its life. But, in the event that you cannot keep it as you had planned, call the breeder immediately. A good breeder always wants to know where their pups are. They will also help you place the dog or approve a new home if you have lined up. It is very important that you maintain contact with the breeder of your puppy. If you do not feel comfortable doing that, perhaps you chose the wrong breeder to purchase a puppy from. You buy the breeder as well as the puppy so try to be sure you get a good one of each!!! Make a list of questions and interview the breeder carefully, fully think through your decision to get a dog and do not get a dog on impulse.

Further articles on how to find responsible breeder are available at the ACT Canine Association.