Finding a Breeder
Just as a responsible breeder will ask many things of you, in order to ascertain whether a Griffon would be a good fit with your family, you should have a list of questions in your mind of things to ask a breeder.
You need to be able to determine whether or not this is someone whom you feel confident has both truly quality proven breeding stock, ethical business practices, and the knowledge and experience necessary to breed sound, healthy, birdie dogs that conform to the breed standard. A responsible breeder will expect and welcome these questions.
Questions to ask Breeders
Who are the parents of the puppies? Can I meet at least one of them?
Can you describe the temperament of the parents?
Are the parents and puppies registered by AKC ?
Are your puppies sold on limited registration or full AKC registration?
Do you ship puppies or require pick-up in person?
May I see copies of the pedigrees of both parents?
Have the parents received the health tests recommended by the AWPGA?
(This currently includes Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (“OFA”) or University of Pennsylvania’s Hip Improvement Program (“PennHIP”) Hips, OFA Elbows, Canine Eye Registry Foundation (“C.E.R.F.”) Eyes and OFA Thyroid. Ask for copies of all health test results)
How long have you been breeding?
Can you supply references?
What activités do your Griffons actively participate in? what titles/accomplishments have your dogs/progeny achieved?
What is your health guarantee?
May I see a copy of your puppy contract?
How are your puppies socialized? Will they be acclimated to a crate?
Will puppies have seen a vet, been microchipped and received their first set of vaccines before you place the puppies in homes?
At what age may I pick up my puppy? (The minimum age a puppy can be placed with it's new owners is 7 weeks, or the age dictated by the local statute if the statute requires the age to be greater than seven weeks. Please check with your state).
Will you be available for questions and concerns after I pick up my puppy? By Phone? Email? Both?
Are you aware of any genetic problems in these lines? Have you experienced any genetic problems with your dogs in the past? If so, please explain.
Clearances from Veterinary Ophthalmologists for congenital eye problems such as cataracts, retinal dysplasia, entropian, or ectropian, are easily arranged for evaluation at local shows, and are processed by Purdue University’s Canine Eye Registry Foundation (“C.E.R.F.”). These websites also have on-line databases, where you can verify the certification yourself! Some conscientious breeders also obtain medical clearances for possible heart conditions. These are not guarantees that you won’t have any problems, but are the best way to greatly reduce your chances of getting a dog with problems. Similar clearances are available from dogs in other countries who are registered with reputable registries.
A conscientious breeder is committed to the welfare and well-being of all of the puppies s/he produces, for the lifetime of the dog. They should welcome your questions and be willing to give you advice on caring for and training your Griffon. If your life situation changes, a reputable breeder should be willing to take back the dog and re-home it. This should all be spelled out in a sales contract that each Breeder should provide. Other parts of the contract should cover health guarantees, spay and neuter contracts, and whether your dog is to be registered with AKC with either a full or limited registration.
Breeders may or may not currently have any puppies or older dogs available. We recommend that you do the research we suggested above, find a breeder you feel comfortable working with, and get on the waiting list for their next litter – which may be several months away, at least. Remember that this is a rare breed, (only an average of 100 TOTAL litters are registered with the AKC in a given year) and that a reputable breeder only breeds when there is an excellent reason to do so. Money is NOT one of those reasons, nor is market demand. A great dog is worth waiting for, and can be a joy for many years.
The AWPGA does not endorse or recommend any advertiser and/or their breeding practices. The AWPGA is not responsible for dogs bought or sold through the Breeder List and in no way guarantees the quality of the animals purchased through it. The AWPGA strongly recommends puppy buyers screen the breeder from whom they are considering purchasing a puppy/dog.
You need to be able to determine whether or not this is someone whom you feel confident has both truly quality proven breeding stock, ethical business practices, and the knowledge and experience necessary to breed sound, healthy, birdie dogs that conform to the breed standard. A responsible breeder will expect and welcome these questions.
Questions to ask Breeders
Who are the parents of the puppies? Can I meet at least one of them?
Can you describe the temperament of the parents?
Are the parents and puppies registered by AKC ?
Are your puppies sold on limited registration or full AKC registration?
Do you ship puppies or require pick-up in person?
May I see copies of the pedigrees of both parents?
Have the parents received the health tests recommended by the AWPGA?
(This currently includes Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (“OFA”) or University of Pennsylvania’s Hip Improvement Program (“PennHIP”) Hips, OFA Elbows, Canine Eye Registry Foundation (“C.E.R.F.”) Eyes and OFA Thyroid. Ask for copies of all health test results)
How long have you been breeding?
Can you supply references?
What activités do your Griffons actively participate in? what titles/accomplishments have your dogs/progeny achieved?
What is your health guarantee?
May I see a copy of your puppy contract?
How are your puppies socialized? Will they be acclimated to a crate?
Will puppies have seen a vet, been microchipped and received their first set of vaccines before you place the puppies in homes?
At what age may I pick up my puppy? (The minimum age a puppy can be placed with it's new owners is 7 weeks, or the age dictated by the local statute if the statute requires the age to be greater than seven weeks. Please check with your state).
Will you be available for questions and concerns after I pick up my puppy? By Phone? Email? Both?
Are you aware of any genetic problems in these lines? Have you experienced any genetic problems with your dogs in the past? If so, please explain.
Clearances from Veterinary Ophthalmologists for congenital eye problems such as cataracts, retinal dysplasia, entropian, or ectropian, are easily arranged for evaluation at local shows, and are processed by Purdue University’s Canine Eye Registry Foundation (“C.E.R.F.”). These websites also have on-line databases, where you can verify the certification yourself! Some conscientious breeders also obtain medical clearances for possible heart conditions. These are not guarantees that you won’t have any problems, but are the best way to greatly reduce your chances of getting a dog with problems. Similar clearances are available from dogs in other countries who are registered with reputable registries.
A conscientious breeder is committed to the welfare and well-being of all of the puppies s/he produces, for the lifetime of the dog. They should welcome your questions and be willing to give you advice on caring for and training your Griffon. If your life situation changes, a reputable breeder should be willing to take back the dog and re-home it. This should all be spelled out in a sales contract that each Breeder should provide. Other parts of the contract should cover health guarantees, spay and neuter contracts, and whether your dog is to be registered with AKC with either a full or limited registration.
Breeders may or may not currently have any puppies or older dogs available. We recommend that you do the research we suggested above, find a breeder you feel comfortable working with, and get on the waiting list for their next litter – which may be several months away, at least. Remember that this is a rare breed, (only an average of 100 TOTAL litters are registered with the AKC in a given year) and that a reputable breeder only breeds when there is an excellent reason to do so. Money is NOT one of those reasons, nor is market demand. A great dog is worth waiting for, and can be a joy for many years.
The AWPGA does not endorse or recommend any advertiser and/or their breeding practices. The AWPGA is not responsible for dogs bought or sold through the Breeder List and in no way guarantees the quality of the animals purchased through it. The AWPGA strongly recommends puppy buyers screen the breeder from whom they are considering purchasing a puppy/dog.
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Copyright Policy /Acceptance & Use Policy
Copyright Policy /Acceptance & Use Policy