FINDING THE RIGHT BREED & BREEDER

Choosing a dog is a lifelong commitment. Do your research to ensure you select the right breed for your lifestyle and are ready for the responsibility of raising a happy, healthy dog.

Choosing Your Breed

When picking a dog, it’s important to think about how its traits will fit with your lifestyle, as your dog will become part of your family. While each dog is unique, breeds generally have common traits, like energy levels, loyalty, and how they handle being left alone. Doing research on different breeds will help you understand what behaviors to expect at home and during training.

For example, if you have a busy job or a large family with little free time, a breed with a good on/off switch that has a high desire to please, like a Labrador Retriever may be best for you. On the other hand, if you love outdoor activities like hiking or biking and want to bring your dog along, then a breed with more energy, like a GSP, may be a better fit. Choosing the right breed ensures both you and your dog are happy together.

Finding the Right Breeder for You

We support responsible breeders who put time, effort, and resources into breeding and raising high-quality working dogs. We also understand the desire to rescue a dog and give them a loving home. However, because early brain development and socialization are so important for puppies, we recommend choosing rescues that follow structured programs (linked below) if you decide to adopt.

Gooddog is a great resource for researching both breeders and rescues to find the right puppy for you. We also suggest getting a genetic test for any puppy with unknown parentage or parents who haven’t been tested before.

Responsible breeders work to improve their breed and want their puppies to go to homes where they will thrive. This is a long-term commitment, and breeders should be willing to answer any questions you have. Below, you'll find helpful tips to guide your decision.

Considerations for Picking a Breeder and Puppy:

Look for breeders who specialize in hunting dogs: If you're seeking a hunting partner, choose a breeder focused on breeding working hunting dogs, not just a specific breed. Ask to see the parents in action or videos of them working, particularly using their instincts to find birds. Research shows that dams working while pregnant helps develop these skills in puppies before they're even born!
Review the pedigree: Understand how to read a pedigree and request to see the puppy's. While hunt test titles are not required, they indicate proven hunting lines. Research the test titles to understand the behavioral traits in the puppy's lineage. Check for inbreeding, as it can lead to health issues. If you notice close breeding, ask the breeder why they chose that approach.
Check health tests and clearances: Make sure the breeder has met the AKC health requirements for the breed and ask about their health guarantee. Know what activities, such as hunting, could void the contract. Review genetic health tests—puppies can be carriers of diseases and won’t show symptoms, but could pass this on to their offspring. If you're breeding in the future, consider choosing a puppy that isn’t a carrier to make finding a compatible mate easier.
Look for a breeder who aligns with your needs: Find a breeder focused on the qualities you want in your dog. For example, if you want a calm house dog, look for a breeder who raises puppies in the home with calm parents. If you have children, ask if the puppies are raised around them and how the parents interact with kids. Don’t hesitate to ask the breeder for their recommendation. They have been with these puppies since they were born and should understand each one’s personality well and how they'd fit in with you.
Ask about enrichment methods: Inquire if the breeder uses Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS), Early Scent Introdutioction (ESI), or other puppy enrichment techniques (links below).
Training: A responsible breeder should start crate and potty training. Depending on the time of year, they should begin potty training with litter boxes or outdoor trips after meals. They should also introduce crates to the puppies for short periods to ease them into crate training.
Be honest on the application: If the breeder requires an application, be honest. They are screening to ensure their puppies go to the right homes. They know their dogs' personalities and will match the puppy with the best environment.
Consider the time of year: Bringing home a puppy in winter can be tough. Be prepared for colder walks, shoveling paths in the snow, and more sensitive paws due to the cold and salt. If you’re not ready for these extra steps, consider adopting during the warmer months.