Choosing A Breeder

Choosing Your Norwich Terrier Breeder

Sad But True

Too often unsuspecting people buy puppies from puppy mills. Sometimes people buy from neighbors who breed their dog to make a little money, or they breed their dog because they have a dog “with papers.” (A

good question is “What do the papers say? What registry are they from?” It matters!) Too often, the result from ignorant breeding is puppies in poor health or with temperament problems that may not be discovered right away.

A dog with genetic problems due to poor breeding practices, or who develops significant behavior problems due to a lack of early socialization can cost thousands of dollars to treat, and result in grief and heartache as well.

Reputable vs. Disreputable

Reputable breeders don’t sell their puppies to the first person who shows up with cash in hand. Reputable breeders don’t sell their puppies in parking lots or in front of stores, and definitely not via Internet websites accepting PAYPAL. A reputable breeder will have you sign a contract whether you are buying a “companion/pet” or a “show prospect.” The contract may cover such things as spay/neuter, right of first refusal, etc.

You can find reputable breeders by asking for referrals from your veterinarian, trusted friends, by contacting local breed clubs, or by visiting professional dog shows. Remember, a reputable breeder will never sell his/her dogs through any pet store or in any other way that does not allow him/her to meet with and interview a prospective owner to ensure that the puppy is a good match for your family, and that you will provide a responsible lifelong home.

Helpful Steps for Finding Reputable Norwich Terrier Breeders

• Do your homework. Read, research, and learn as much about Norwich Terriers as you can before beginning your search for a puppy. Be sure this is the right breed for you!
• Know the health problems for the breed and ask what health tests were done on the parents of the puppies available. Sire and Dam should have their hips, eyes and patellas tested as a minimum recommended by the Norwich Terrier Club of America (NTCA). If the results are not posted at the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), ask the breeder for copies of each test completed. If not health testing has been done on the parents, move to the next breeder on your list. This should be a warning that the person you are dealing with isn’t investing anything into their breeding program. There are links to testing organizations at the bottom of this page and elsewhere in this site.
•Visit the location where the puppy has lived - meet the breeder face to face. See the parents (at least one should be available). You want to make sure the puppies are living in healthy conditions and that they have had a chance to be socialized with other animals and with people. A red flag that something is wrong with a dog breeder is when they avoid letting you come to their location. This could mean that the puppies are not being well cared for or that they are running a puppy mill.
•Ask questions! Good dog breeders want you to feel comfortable with the puppy, so they want you to ask them questions. They also don’t mind answering questions about themselves such as, “How long have you been breeding this particular breed?”
•Expect a good dog breeder to be cautious about who takes their puppies home. More than likely you won’t pick out your Norwich Terrier puppy. Most Norwich breeders will select the puppy that is the best match for you and your lifestyle. The best dog breeders put the needs of the puppies first, and they try to ensure that each of them gets the best home possible. A reputable breeder may ask you a lot of questions or ask you to complete a questionnaire. Questions will be about your home, such as where the dog will sleep, do you have secure back yard, and how many other pets do you have? If the breeder is local they may even want to visit your home as part of the placement process. Remember, they are not doing these things to make it hard for you to take home a puppy. These puppies are like our children - we want the best forever homes for the the first time around!

While these steps are far from being an exhaustive list, by keeping them in mind, you will stand a better chance of finding reputable breeder from which to choose your newest family member.