We strongly recommend that you ask a Breed Club Secretary for recommendations of breeders before visiting puppies, or committing to buy a puppy.  Never buy from a pet shop or “pet supermarket”, however “up-market” they appear to be.  Their puppies will almost certainly have come from puppy farms or “back-yard breeders”, where dogs are bred and reared in poor conditions, purely for profit and with little or no regard for health and welfare.

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A reputable breeder will, as a minimum, comply with the good practice requirements of the Kennel Club’s Assured Breeder Scheme and will always be happy to answer any queries you may have at any stage of your dog’s life and will like to hear how your dog is progressing. Reputable breeders will want you to be assured that your puppy has been well reared and is a fit, healthy and typical specimen of the breed. Please remember that a puppy bought as a pet may not be suitable for showing or breeding from.

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Breeders who are members of a Dachshund Breed Club will comply with our Code of Ethics which covers matters such as health testing, the age at which a bitch should be bred from and the maximum number of litters a bitch should have. Breed Club members will be aware of the relevant health tests which are recommended for Dachshunds and should be able to talk knowledgeably about the relevance of these. If you have any doubts about the health advice you are given, please contact a member of our Health and Welfare Sub-committee.

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How to recognise a responsible breeder – Help stop Puppy Farming

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Remember, most good breeders do not have to advertise their puppies, so Free Ads (internet or newspaper) are usually not a good place to look for a puppy.

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Making contact with a breeder

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You must expect to be asked lots of questions by the breeder and of course, you will want to ask lots of your own.  If a breeder does not ask you questions about why you want a Dachshund and how you will raise and care for a puppy, this should ring alarm bells!  Trust your instincts.  If something doesn’t feel right, or if their advice sounds implausible, don’t visit and don’t part with any money.

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Questions to ask the breeder and questions you should ask

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Most breeders will not ask for a deposit on a puppy before they have met you; they will want to spend time with you ensuring you are the right person to have one of their puppies.  If you are asked for a deposit, make sure you understand what the terms are: for example, if you change your mind, is the deposit refundable.  Always ask for a receipt.

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Don’t agree to meet the breeder anywhere other than where the puppies were born and are being reared. Never agree to buy a puppy “unseen” or where the breeder agrees to ship it to you by courier.

 

Make sure you have done your research before visiting the breeder; know what health tests should have been done and what the Breed Council’s current health priorities are, so you can discuss these with the breeder.

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Be prepared for the possibility that a breeder will not wish to sell you a puppy once they have met you.  They may simply feel your circumstances are not right for one of their puppies.