As sort of a start (and I apologize for the US-centric presentation) I'll drop in my personal breeder criteria list, only to give you some talking/asking points with the breeder. I've also added links to The Kennel Club and Champdogs for things to ask and look for as well as the health testing requirements for The Kennel Club.
For things to be aware of when looking at the poodle family:
Are they clean and nicely groomed?
What do their living quarters look like? Clean and well kept?
Do the poodles live in the home with the breeders family? Are they comfortable around the breeder? around you?
Do the poodles seem healthy? happy? interested in what's going on around them?
If there are puppies at least 6 or more weeks old, can you watch them play? Are they active? hesitant? do they approach you?
My Personal Criteria
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 know of the latest studies in health standards for their chosen breed and variety.
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
! focus is on quality, never quantity
! they do not cross breed
! they limit breeding to one to two breeds
! they limit breeding to only a few litters per year *
Breeding Parents
! registry information available
AKC Registry Lookup
! not too old or young for breeding
! not overbred
see
Asking questions from a breeder
and
Frequency of Breeding a Bitch
! genetic health testing done appropriate to breed and variety
! other health testing by exam such as annual eye, hips, patellas
! results of testing on own website, OFA site or testing lab
see
Health Related Publications - Versatility In Poodles, Inc.
and OFA Lookup
https://www.ofa.org/look-up-a-dog
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
! they will not require spay/neuter before physical maturity
! health "guarantee" generally favors the breeder, not the buyer.
health guarantee is no replacement for health testing of dam and sire.
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.
* Many people prefer small scale breeders because they feel the puppies will have better socialization and it's very unlikely to be a puppy mill-like operation.
This doesn't mean that larger scale breeders can't do things right. The breeder of record may not be hands on with every pup or poodle on the place but they should make sure that all the quality of life and attention are paid to all their dogs.
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.
United Kingdom
Champdogs Things to ask and look for
The Kennel Club
Home
The UK’s largest organisation dedicated to the welfare of dogs. We offer owners and breeders information and advice on dog health, training, activities and breedingwww.thekennelclub.org.uk
Things to ask and look for
Buying from a responsible breeder helps to ensure that you buy a happy, healthy puppy that lives a long time.
www.thekennelclub.org.uk
Kennel Club UK Health Testing Guidelines
Potential dog owners should be aware that, at present, the application of various health screening results to breeding programmes is not always straightforward, and breeders may make choices for various reasons. A responsible breeder though, will always be willing to discuss relevant health issues with you. Breed clubs are often useful sources of breed-specific information.
Toy Poodle
Schemes or advice relevant to this breed
The following schemes, tests and/ or advice are
mandatory requirements for Kennel Club Assured Breeders. All other breeders are strongly advised to use these schemes, tests and/ or advice.
DNA test - prcd-PRA
It is
strongly recommended that both Kennel Club Assured Breeders and non-Kennel Club Assured Breeders should use the following schemes, tests and/ or advice.
Eye testing
The list above is not necessarily comprehensive,
other available health tests can be found at
DNA screening schemes and results or for further advice please contact your local breed club.
From <
Health Information for Poodle (Toy)>
Miniature Poodle
Schemes or advice relevant to this breed
The following schemes, tests and/ or advice are
mandatory requirements for Kennel Club Assured Breeders. All other breeders are strongly advised to use these schemes, tests and/ or advice.
DNA test - prcd-PRA
It is
strongly recommended that both Kennel Club Assured Breeders and non-Kennel Club Assured Breeders should use the following schemes, tests and/ or advice.
Eye testing
The following other schemes, tests and/ or advice are available and should also be considered.
DNA test - OC
The list above is not necessarily comprehensive,
other available health tests can be found at
DNA screening schemes and results or for further advice please contact your local breed club.
From <
Health Information for Poodle (Miniature)>
Standard Poodle
Schemes or advice relevant to this breed
The following schemes, tests and/ or advice are
mandatory requirements for Kennel Club Assured Breeders. All other breeders are strongly advised to use these schemes, tests and/ or advice.
BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme
Eye testing
It is
strongly recommended that both Kennel Club Assured Breeders and non-Kennel Club Assured Breeders should use the following schemes, tests and/ or advice.
Breed Club test - Sebaceous adenitis
The following other schemes, tests and/ or advice are available and should also be considered.
DNA test - vWD
DNA test - prcd-PRA
DNA test - PRA (rcd4)
The list above is not necessarily comprehensive,
other available health tests can be found at
DNA screening schemes and results or for further advice please contact your local breed club.
From <
Health Information for Poodle (Standard)>