There are many reasons why it is necessary to do some research and comparisons before choosing a breeder. You should never agree to do business with the first breeder you find. Adopting the dog that is right for you means putting a little time and effort into finding the right breeder. 

First, some breeders are simply not as good as others. You will even find those who breed dogs for a living who are not up to par. They do not take proper care of their dogs, and can be less than honest about health problems or other issues. You want a breeder who takes excellent care of his dogs, provides for their needs, and truly loves the dogs he owns and sells. This is another benefit to meeting and visiting with your breeder in advance. When a breeder loves and takes care of his dogs, it is obvious immediately. 

Second, doing business with the first breeder you find can be a mistake financially. If you do not do some comparison shopping first, you may be unaware of how much the dogs usually cost. At its worst, a disreputable breeder can take advantage of this, and try to charge you much more for the dog. You could end up paying significantly more for your new pet than you should.   

There are two preferred methods of finding breeders. One is by getting recommendations from other dog owners who were satisfied with their experiences and have adopted quality pets. This is one subject where networking will benefit you. If you do not know anyone personally who has purchased a dog from a breeder, you can receive input and good advice from owners on online forums and dog clubs. 

The other method of finding a breeder is through the American Kennel Club. The American Kennel Club has an ongoing, updated list of breeders for virtually any breed of dog you are interested in adopting.   

After you have found breeders, doing some comparison shopping will help you to find the best dog and the best value. Even if someone has been personally recommended to you, or appears on the American Kennel Club’s listings, comparing a number of breeders will give you the results you want. 

Comparing breeders means preparing your questions and receiving courteous, direct, honest answers. While the cost of the dog is a priority, it is far from being the only topic to address. There are other factors which go into a successful adoption. A good breeder will not hesitate in answering all your questions. 

The breeder should be willing to fill you in completely about his work. This includes such factors as how long he has been breeding this kind of dog, both the positive and negative experiences he has had, and whether it is his full-time job or a hobby. If he has been breeding dogs for a long period of time, and demonstrates that it has been a good experience, you are more likely to get a dog that has been well taken care of by this person. 

The breeder should also be very knowledgeable about the breed, and willing to share this information with you. From special personality quirks associated with the dogs to potential health concerns, he will want you to know everything about the kind of dog you are adopting. Not only is this helpful to you, it also shows that he is experienced with the breed. 

If you have chosen a breed which is generally used for a specific purpose, you may be adopting a dog with this purpose in mind or you may not. For example, you may have your heart set on a beautiful hunting dog only because you love this kind of dog, but without any intention of using him for hunting. You may want a breed that is primarily used as a show dog, but want him for a family pet instead.   

The breeder who deals with these kinds of dogs should take your wishes into consideration. Some breeders will not sell their dogs to prospective owners who want them for a different reason. It is important to be upfront with the breeder regarding the role you intend to have for your new dog. If your plan for your dog is appropriate, it should not stand in the way of an adoption. On the other hand, if a breeder is firm about only selling his dogs for a specific purpose, you might want to consider looking for a different breeder.   

A good breeder is also willing to communicate with you after the adoption. This shows that his interest does not stop at making a sale. He wants to know that both his customer and the dog are happy, comfortable with the new arrangement, and completely satisfied with the adoption. When these factors are clear in your initial interactions with the breeder, it is a good sign that you have found the right one.   

For all these reasons, you should never settle for the first breeder you find. You will have a successful adoption when you do some comparisons first. The breeder will be happy to know his dog has a good home, and you and your new pet will both be prepared for a new life together.