This is in the form of a list but these are all things I look for in a breeder:
My ideal breeder is someone who is doing this because they love the breed. They want to see each new generation born at least as good as the previous, ideally better. They provide for every dog in their care as if that dog is their own. They will be there for the new family, and stand behind that pup for it's lifetime, rain or shine, with or without a contract. They will know the standards and pedigrees of their chosen breed, health and genetic diversity of their lines and breed to better them.
They will have as many questions for me as I do for them. They invest in their dogs. They don't expect the dogs to support them.
Breeding Program
! to maintain, improve, strengthen the breed
by breeding to standard, for health and genetic diversity,
and will prove their dogs meet these standards by showing or competing
or by breeding from titled parents. It's not the title, but what it shows
participate in breed club
! focus is on quality, never quantity
Breeding Parents
! registry information available
! not too old or young for breeding
! not overbred
! genetic health testing done appropriate to breed and variety
! other health testing such as eyes, hips
! results of testing on own website, OFA site or testing lab
see
Health Related Publications - Versatility In Poodles, Inc.
Living Conditions
! in home with family
! breeder allows, even encourages home visits
Puppies
! routine and urgent vet care, immunizations, dewormings
! socialization
! first groomings
! registry papers
! health "guarantee" generally favors the breeder, not the buyer.
health guarantee is no replacement for health testing of dam and sire.
! spay/neuter is not required before physical maturity
beginning housetraining is a bonus
temperament testing is helpful
Advertising
! individual website to detail history of breeder, goals for their program
! information on dams, sires, puppies
! no trend pricing for color, gender or size,
! no marketing gimmick terms like "teacup" "royal"
! Anything not found on the website should be provided by breeder before buying
If a breeder wants me to believe that they believe in their dogs, they won't stop the investment when it comes time to find the new families. If they want to cut costs by using free advertising sites like craigslist or listing on retail marketplaces like puppyspot or puppyfind, or other classified ad sites such as newspapers, I wonder what else they've cut costs on.
The health testing of the parents is the best means to avoid predisposed issues in the pups. The results must be provided to you either (preferably) by finding them published on the OFA site or on the testing labs site. Be sure to know what tests are used for the different varieties by using the link above "Health Related Publications Versatility in Poodles inc".
A health "guarantee" almost always favors the breeder. There's no basis without the genetic and other health testing being done on the parents. There are no true guarantees of health just better odds by doing the proper testing before breeding.
Not knowing or asking if you're in or just near Florida, but if Louisiana isn't too far, NOLA Standards is a member here, and breeds beautiful standards.
Home page of NOLA Standards, a breeder from NEW ORLEANS, LA. Breeder of AKC titled red and apricot standard poodles
www.nolastandards.com