NOW THAT I HAVE DECIDED TO GET A RHODESIAN RIDGEBACK, HOW DO I FIND A GOOD BREEDER?

Buy from this breeder:

1.  The breeder that is selling the puppy on how wonderful this puppy is and not on how awful some other breeder's puppies are or is "bad-mouthing" another breeder.

2.  A good breeder is trying to breed puppies that are, at least, as good as their mother or ideally, better, because if the breeder does not get at least as good as the bitch that he started with, what have these puppies added to the breed?  The only thing a good breeder does not breed to improve is TEMPERAMENT because if a dog or bitch does not have good temperament, then it should stop right there!  A dog or bitch with bad temperament should NEVER be bred!

3.  Is at least one of the parents a conformation champion?  Good breeders show their breeding stock because the title of conformation champion on a dog actually means that the breeder has taken the steps to prove that the dog or bitch does conform to the breed standard and therefore should contribute to the gene pool of the breed.  (A performance title on a non-champion, shows that the dog has proven it has reason to contribute to the gene pool of the breed besides having the ability to reproduce.)

4.  OFA and Testing!  Both sire and dam should have certification from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, or PennHip, declaring the animal to be free of all signs of Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD), a crippling disease.  I have heard "Oh, I just want a pet; I do not want to breed, anyway" to which I responded "Well, do you want to be able to take your dog for a walk?"  OFA certification will not guarantee that your dog will not be dysplastic but it certainly does reduce the risk greatly!  I have heard "Dysplasia does not run in my line."  Nonsense!  All larger breed dogs, including Ridgebacks are at risk for dysplasia.  Reputable breeders have been submitting the x-rays of the hips of their breeding stock to the OFA since 1967.  And now these breeders are also beginning to submit radiographs of the dogs elbows also.  Some breeders are submitting the results of eye examinations to the eye registry CERF, and many are testing their dog's thyroid and heart also.  A reputable breeder will be happy to show you the actual certificates of the sire and dam of the puppies or refer you to the online registry for this information.

5.  Are the puppies happy to see you?  If they are afraid of you, this will mean they have not been socialized!  They should be delighted to see you and be "begging" to be picked up!  If the puppies are quiet and not interested in you and the breeder tells you they are "just tired" because they have been very active all day, ask to come back another time so you can observe them when they are not so tired.

6.  The mother of the litter may be very guarded with her puppies.  However, if she is "a raving maniac" about you observing (not touching) her puppies I would question this temperament.  I would also avoid getting a puppy from a mother that is afraid of you.  There is little worse than "a fear biter".  Yes, temperament is inherited.

7.  The mother of the litter may not "look her best!"  Make allowances for her because raising a litter has been exhausting to her.

8.  Does the breeder have Breed Club affiliation of any kind?  Although this will not guarantee that the breeder is truly reputable, it does give you a body of people to complain to, should you have a problem.  Being kicked out of a club would cause a breeder to be greatly embarrassed among his/her peers and could hurt the sale of any future puppies.

9  Ask the breeder why he/she is breeding.  A good breeder does this for the protection and preservation of the breed.  She is insuring that 10 years from now, the Rhodesian Ridgeback will still look and act the same.  She is doing this by breeding OFA certified champions that conform to the standard and have good temperaments and do not have health problems.

10.  If a breeder says she bred her bitch so her children could learn about the "miracle of birth", do not buy her puppy!  There are millions of dogs destroyed each year at Animal Shelters because of people who do this kind of haphazard breeding.  (I wish they would consider showing their children the "miracle of death" by taking them to the Animal Shelter to see what happens to the puppies that have been bred for the sole and soulless reason that children can witness the miracle of birth!)

11.  Understand that you are buying a breeder, as well as a puppy.  Is this the person you want to go to with your questions?  Will you feel comfortable phoning this person for advice?  Will this breeder be there when you need advice?  Does this breeder give written instructions on the care of the puppy?  Has she had the puppies checked by a Veterinarian?  Will the puppy come with a health certificate?  What are the guarantees this breeder offers?  Have you carefully read her contract?  Does it spell out exactly what is expected of both you and the breeder?

12.  Has the litter been carefully checked for Dermoid Sinus?  If this breeder is breeding a first litter of Ridgebacks, has there been a "more seasoned" breeder that has checked the litter for DS? Your vet may not find this if he has never seen it before!  All puppies with a Dermoid Sinus, however mild, should be sold on a strict spay/neuter contract and limited registration through the AKC.  Any Ridgeback with a Dermoid Sinus should NEVER be bred.

13.  ALL REPUTABLE BREEDERS SELL PET QUALITY PUPPIES WITH SPAY/NEUTER CONTRACTS!

14.  Does the puppy come with a "Return to Breeder Clause" in the contract?  This shows that the Breeder will always be interested in the welfare of the puppy that he is responsible for bringing into the world.

15.  Observe the adult dogs in the house.  Do you like their looks and temperaments?  This is what your puppy will mature to look like and act like.  The part of the brain that chooses the puppy is not located near the part of the brain that stores logic, so make your choice on liking the adults, not the puppies!  All puppies are cute and lovable!

16.  And last, but not least, ask yourself  "If I were a dog, would I want this person as an owner, or if I were a puppy, would I want to live in this house?  The area where the puppies are kept should be clean and roomy.  Don't let the breeder just bring a puppy out for you to see.  Look carefully at the puppies' surroundings and how they interact.  Remember that this puppy will grow up to be a large dog and be a part of your family for 10 years or more.