Willow Glen Kennels - Breeding Quality German Shorthaired Pointers

• A reputable breeder will....
  
• do health testing.  Most parent clubs have certain health tests that they recommend to ensure that breeders are working towards a healthier future for their breed. Most health testing requires that a dog be at least two years of age.
  
• not be breeding for money.  Any reputable breeder will tell you that they lose money on every litter due to the cost of all health testing, whelping and raising the puppies, and all of the costs that go into showing a dog to prove that it is worthy of being bred. For an idea of the cost that goes into breeding, click here.
  
• be able to tell you both the good and the bad of the breed.  They do not want you to go home with a cute 8-week old puppy only to have you turn around a year later and want to get rid of the 70-pound dog it grew into.
• usually only breed a litter when they are planning on keeping a puppy from that litter.  They are breeding to improve their breeding program - NOT to make money!
• provide a pedigree for the litter, going back at least three generations.
• will be able to answer questions about the temperament of the parents.  "Beauty" is not the only quality a breeder should look for in a litter, but also the temperament that is being passed down through the generations.
• will allow you to come visit both the dam and the litter.  If the breeder does not own the stud dog, it may not be possible to see both parents, but you should be able to see the mother and at least pictures of the stud dog.  (Many breeders use a stud dog or semen from another part of the country or import it from outside the country so as not to limit the "local" gene pool).
• show you where their dogs live.  A reputable breeder's dogs will generally live in the house.  Walk away from anyone who's dogs live solely in kennels or runs, as this may lead to poor temperament and/or socialization.
• compete in dog related events, including conformation dog shows, hunt tests, field trials, agility, obedience, etc.  Dog shows in particular are designed to evaluate breeding stock.
• belongs to a dog-related club, particularly the national parent club of their breed.
• provide references of previous puppy buyers.
• ask you for references or request a home visit if possible.  They want to make sure that their puppies are going to the best home possible with the hope that it will be a life-long home.
• be available for the lifetime of the puppy, willing to answer any and all questions regarding care, training, and health of the puppy.
• require that all puppies be sold on a contract.  Non-show quality puppies will be sold on a spay/neuter contract to ensure the future of the breed.  They will also be sold on an AKC limited registration which disallows future puppies to be registered with the AKC.
• take back any dog of their breeding, at any age.  A reputable breeder does not want to see any of their dogs end up in a shelter or euthanized for no reason.
• never sell their puppies through a retail outlet, broker, or over the internet.

A backyard breeder is not the same as a hobby breeder.  A backyard breeder is either looking to make money by breeding dogs simply for the fact that they have "papers' or so their kids can see the miracle of life.  A hobby breeder is in it for a true love of their breed.  They are not in it for the money (in many cases, they are losing money on every litter due to all of the costs that go into breeding a litter) and are trying to produce a future generation that will enhance their breed and come as close to perfection as is possible.  They will compete in dog sports such as conformation, obedience, agility, tracking, hunt tests, field trials - anything that allows them to spend time and bond with their dogs.  This is truly a passion for the hobby breeder.  Most people do not have the means to give up their careers and do the "dog thing" full time -that is why they are called hobby breeders.

It is my personal opinion that no bitch should be bred more than two or three times in her lifetime. I also feel that a bitch should not be bred on consecutive heat cycles. This is for the health of the bitch. I would also question any person who breeds more than three litters in a year. There may be a valid reason, but it would make me pause and ask why. No bitch should ever be bred on her first heat cycle or under the age of two. If they are under the age of two, then they are not mature and in most cases, such as OFA, cannot have their health clearances.