What a fantastic topic. Have been hoping something like this would come up sometime .

@mavericksam - With the practices of most breeders in Malaysia I totally understand your scepticism and negativity towards breeders.
Firstly I am 100% against irresponsible breeding, back yard breeders, puppy mills or anything similar.
However there is such a thing as a responsible breeder and i shall describe to you exactly how they work:
For informational purpose: Pregnancy in dogs last 9 weeks, not 9 months. Once the puppies reach around 1 month old the mother will start to force them to become more independent. By the time they are 2mmonths old, the mother will barely be phased if they leave the 'nest' as relationships between dogs don't work the same way ours do with our children. Once the puppy is fully independent from the mother the relationship changes to that of 'friends'/'pack member' rather than 'parent/child'.

On to the definition of a responsible breeder:
REASON FOR BREEDING: A responsible breeders primary reason for breeding is to improve their 'breeding line' to conform as closely as possible to breed standards and thus improve and maintain the quality of the breed as a whole. The most common secondary reason for breeding is wanting to ensure people who want dogs get the best experiences possible.

PREPARATION: A responsible breeder will be extremely knowledgeable in their chosen breed before considering breeding. They will often have experience showing or working with the breed for many years before starting to breed. They will also be extremely well versed in the breeding process and fully capable of dealing with any and all possible complications during pregnancy and whelping from breech births to retained placentas and Eclampsia.
A male and female will be picked for suitability (sometimes a stud dog is used from another kennel in order to 'dilute' the genes within the line and introduce/strengthen desirable traits in the subsequent litters). A responsible breeder will often only take a stud dog from a kennel they know well as they will want to have knowledge of the ancestors of their chosen stud.
Most often (where possible, especially in small breeds where there is no difference between standard male and female sizes)the chosen stud will be smaller than the female to prevent puppies that are too big for the female to deliver naturally.
Most commonly both male and female involved in the breeding will be show to champion before being mated. If the blood line is exceptional and there are multiple BOB/BIS within the heritage, showing might be saved until after, however standard practice is to show first.
Both male and female will be given full health checkups well within 6months before mating. This will include a general health check (to ensure the male will not pass anything nasty to the female and that the female is in the best physical and mental health possible). This check up will also include tests for common genetic problems to ensure the puppies do not inherit a predisposition to hip-dysplacia, cataracts, etc.
If either dog has any health issues or fails a genetics test, the mating will not proceed.
A responsible breeder will also have a waiting lists of potential owners who have all been screened for suitability and could expect to wait 2 years (sometimes longer) for a puppy from the mating of their choice (more about new owners later).

BREEDING ITSELF: A responsible breeder will breed one female at most every other heat (more often once every 2 years), starting no earlier than the 3rd heat cycle and stopping by the age of 5-8. If either dog is unwilling to mate (either the male is not interested or the female becomes nervous and a potential danger to herself or the male) artificial insemination can be used instead (artificial insemination is also used if the stud and female are in different countries, semen can be harvested, flash frozen and transported to the female).
Once the breeding has taken place the breeder will take the female to a vet at 26 days to see if the mating has 'taken'. The female will be placed on a very nutritional diet and be closely monitored for the duration of the pregnancy. The female will be given regular exercise (as she always is) until very late on in the pregnancy to ensure she is fit for delivery.
Subsequent vet trips will be taken throughout the pregnancy to ensure everything runs smoothly. At 8weeks into the pregnancy a final ultrasound and sometimes 1 x-ray will be taken to determine how many puppies are expected. At this point the females temperature will be taken twice a day to ensure the breeder has warning that the puppies are coming (a females temperature drops by about 1degree around 12 hours before whelping begins).
When whelping (delivery) begins the breeder will sit with the female throughout the process to ensure everything runs smoothly, to help when needed and to properly record puppy delivery times/weights/sizes and check for any problems.
Within 24 hours of the last puppy being delivered the female and her puppies will be taken to the vet for a checkup. If not all the puppies expected were delivered or their was a retained placenta the vet trip will be much sooner.
After delivery the breeder will inform potential owners that their long awaited puppy could be with them soon.

POST NATAL CARE: The breeder will stay with the mother and puppies 24hours a day for the first few days after birth to ensure the mother is coping with her puppies and everything is as it should be. In the case of premature puppies or a mother who doesn't know how to care for them, the breeder may spend more than 2 weeks giving 24hour care (of course with help) to ensure puppy and mother and safe and grow/recover correctly.
As the puppies grow older and the mother starts to detach herself from them, the breeder will socialize them and prepare them for life in the human world as well as wean them onto solid food.
Puppies will be de-wormed every 2 weeks and will stay quarantined until they have had at least 1 vaccination (at this point they may be allowed to see other dogs from the same household). They will receive their first vaccination between 4-6weeks old.
At this point chosen potential owners will be allowed to view the puppies although strict sanitary precautions are taken and visits are kept short.
Usually, puppies will be released to their new homes at 8weeks of age. However if a puppy is extra small or had any kind of health scares, the breeder may hold onto them until they are a more appropriate size and get a clean bill of health.

CHOOSING POTENTIAL OWNERS: A responsible breeder views all puppies delivered by their dogs as if they were their own. Therefore they are very picky about who is allowed to take one (no amount of money will persuade them to give you a puppy if they have deemed you unsuitable for any reason). They will often have a huge list of often quite personal questions for you to answer including how many children you have, what kind of house you have, your experience with dogs (more specifically the breed in question) as well as your household income (to ensure you have the means to take proper care of the dog). A responsible breeder will also expect you to have done your research and be able to discuss the temperament and looks of the breed as well as the reason why you want this breed in particular.
A responsible breeder will often come to visit you in your house before allowing you into theirs and will expect you to be honest with them at all times.
A responsible breeder will divide their puppies into 'potential show dogs' and 'purely pets'. A pet dog will come with a spay/neuter contract that ensures you will never breed the dog and will have him/her desexed by the age of 1year old (sometimes 6months to ensure breeding is pretty much impossible). Puppies are allocated as pet dogs if they are not seen to be an exceptional example of the breed and therefore not suitable for show (perhaps a Poodle has a parti-coat or a Shih-Tzu is slightly out of proportion). If a puppy is deemed suitable for show (if they are an exceptional example of the breed and have potential to do well at conformation) they will be sold without a spay/neuter contract but at a higher price. A potential owner for a 'show puppy' will usually be grilled even more severely than a potential 'pet' owner to ensure the puppy does not fall into the hands of a BYB or Puppymill.
Both pet and show puppies will come with a contract containing a number of stipulations for the care of the puppy and a condition that if at any time the puppy cannot be cared for by the approved owner of if any of the clauses in the contract are broken, the puppy will be released back to the breeder without any compensation to the owner.
On the flip side, the contract will contain a health guarantee which protects against contagious illnesses in the short term (usually 1week-10days) and genetic problems in longer term (usually 1 year), for show puppies this also includes anything that would compromise their show career (of course, unless caused by the new owner). If any relative problems are found within the time period the breeder gives a number of options for resolution (the most common include, replacement of the puppy or paying for medical expenses up to the price of the puppy).
A responsible breeder will also be available to help the new owner with anything, anytime. They will want you to stay in touch, be happy to answer any questions or concerns during the puppy’s life and probably bug you for news and pictures if they don’t hear from you in a while.

PRICING: A responsible breeder charges money for their puppies. However unless they have a truly exceptional line and their puppies are in very high demand all over the world, they will not make any kind of profit from their puppies.
One of the main reasons a responsible breeder charges money for their puppies is because someone is much more likely to treasure something and care for it properly if they had to pay money for it (especially if they had to pay a lot of money).
A breeder will also charge to recover some of the costs of breeding. Although they will never recover the cost of raising the parents, the vet trips and care of puppies, they will not lose as much as they would otherwise. However this is not always the case, I know of a couple of wealthy breeders (they made their money from business, not breeding) who donate all the funds they make from their puppies to animal related charities.

This is the description of a responsible breeder in the international setting. I think it is unlikely that there is as yet a breeder who takes ALL of these precautions in Malaysia, however any breeder who strives for this and comes as close as possible given the situation in Malaysia can be considered responsible for now (as long as they continue to strive to meet these expectations).

Oh yes also. A responsible breeder would NEVER put their puppies in a pet shop, their own or otherwise and a responsible breeder will not have more than 1 litter at a time (in case intensive care is needed) and will usually breed maybe 3 times a year.

p.s- apologies for the length but this is just the raw steps and stages a responsible breeder takes and says nothing of the fun fluffy care stuff .

This post has been edited by Divas: Nov 22 2010, 10:05 PM

@ CyaNide27.
Thanks for adding in there. I knew i would forget to mention some things and you covered them nicely .

@pewong.
Did you really open up a thread on responsible breeding in order to find a new dog as a breeding partner for your current dog??
I really hope you have done your research and preparation...

Want to keep this thread active for a while so am going to be adding in some extra info every now and then.

First up: QUESTIONS TO ASK A BREEDER

A responsible breeder should be very knowledgeable (even if they have just started breeding). They should be able to give lots of information about their chosen breed as well as caring for dogs in general.

When you visit a breeder you should ask them a few key questions, partly to determine if they are in fact a responsible breeder but also so you know how best to take care of the puppy and whether or not the particular breed is suitable for you.

This is a list of key questions (as well as the reason and desired answer) you should ask every breeder you visit. You can also add your own questions about the breed and care of a puppy/dog if there is anything you are unsure of. A responsible breeder will be happy to sit and go through all your questions and concerns (as long as you let them know you are coming to visit so they can make the time).

KEY THINGS YOU SHOULD ASK A BREEDER.
Why did you choose [Insert breed] to breed?
- A responsible breeder will probably have had experience with the breed (either in conformation show, grooming, training, growing up, though a mentor breeder, agility shows etc.). They may also have specific preference due to looks, function or temperament.
- At this stage the breeder will probably explain all the things they love about the breed and give you an idea of the fun things to expect.
What are the negative points of a [Insert breed]?
- A responsible breeder will be able to critically analyse the breed and tell you the down sides (some breeds are prone to certain illnesses, some are generally hyperactive, others stubborn etc.).
- A responsible breeder will make sure you clearly understand the negative sides to the breed as they don’t want any surprises when you get the puppy home.

How much experience do you have with dogs in general?
- This is a good thing to ask a breeder as a responsible breeder will most likely have been involved with dogs in one way or another long before they started breeding.

How long have you been breeding?
- Although not necessarily an indication of how responsible a breeder is (someone breeding their first litter could have gone about it in a much more ethical way than someone who has been breeding for 20 years), it is still useful to know.

Do you breed any other breeds?
- A responsible breeder will usually focus on 1 or 2 breeds. If they are a very experienced breeder they may have bred one breed previously and now moved onto another.
- Being a responsible breeder involves understanding your chosen breed in depth, including their breed standards, common problems and what types of family suit such a breed. It takes years to learn and fully understand just one breed so a breeder who has 5 litters from 5 different breeds has very little chance of truly understanding them all (and therefore little chance of choosing suitable breeding pairs to produce good quality puppies).
What health tests were performed on the sire and dame (the parents)?
- A responsible breeder will ensure necessary genetic health tests are performed on a regular basis on their entire breeding stock. These tests will look for certain common genetic problems including hip dysplasia (especially in large breeds) and cataracts (there are some diseases that only affect specific breeds, such as Collie eye, so only those breeds will be tested for it). The breeder will have record of the test results that they can show you.
-A responsible breeder will never breed a dog that has failed any genetic health test.

What is the care level of the puppy?
- A responsible breeder will want you to know what you are in for. They can tell you if the breed will require a lot of exercise (such as Huskys, Beagles etc.) or a lot of grooming (such as Poodles, Shih-tzus etc).
- From a responsible breeder the answer to this question will never be “They don’t need any special care and are very easy to look after”. Even for a breed that is very low maintainance (Boston Terrier, Pug etc.), a breeder will ask you to give them some exercise, good training, regular basic grooming and lots of attention.

What socialization have you done with the puppy?
- A responsible breeder will have started socializing the puppies long before they are ready to go home. They will have exposed them to things such as TV's, Hoovers, a whole range of people and usually other animals. It is important for puppies to get used to new things and places at an early age to ensure they grow up stable and happy. An unsocialized puppy = a neurotic and fearful adult dog.

Can i see the Sire and Dame?
- A responsible breeder will always be happy to let you view the mother if it is safe to do so. If the mother is close to her delivery date, experiencing any complications or if the puppies are born, but very young, the breeder might delay the meeting until the mother and puppies are safe to have visitors (high stress situations such as meeting a stranger can cause complications during late stages of pregnancy and young puppies are very susceptible to diseases and illnesses.
- If the breeder owns the Sire, they will be happy for you to meet him as well. If they have used a stud dog from another kennel, the breeder should at least have a picture and photo copy of the sire’s Pedigree Certificate (MKA) and health test results.

When can I pick up my puppy?
- A responsible breeder will never let you take a puppy home before he/she is 8 weeks old. Before 8 weeks old puppies aren’t ready to leave the mother, although they are fully weaned, there are vital life lessons that they need to learn from their mother. Also young puppies are quite fragile and can easily catch diseases of fall ill due to stress.
-A responsible breeder will want to make sure the puppy is healthy and developing well before handing him/her over to a new home. If your chosen puppy is unusually small, the breeder may hold onto him/her for a little while longer to ensure the puppy is a safe size and isn’t going to easily be injured or overly stressed with the move.

What will the puppy come with (paperwork etc.)?
- A responsible breeder will ensure the puppy’s first vaccination (against dangerous diseases such as Parvo Virus and Distemper) are administered between 6-7weeks old. You should receive a vaccination record with proof of vaccination (as well as an official vet stamp) and a note on when the next vaccination is due.
- A responsible breeder will deworm the puppy every 2 weeks from the age of 2 weeks old. As they will most likely do this themselves, there will not necessarily be any record for you to take home, however your breeder should let you know when the puppy was last dewormed and when the next deworming is due.
- A responsible breeder will only breed dogs that are registered with the local dog association (so a locally bred dog will be registered with MKA). The mating will have been declared as well as the Whelping date. Each puppy will be entitled to a Pedigree Certificate from MKA proving that they are a Pure Breed.

NOTE: Although many people seem to feel MKA certification is not necessary and prefer to pay less for the dog, remember that that piece of paper (along with the accompanying micro-chip) are the only proof you have that your dog is in fact Pure Bred. If there is even dispute over ownership (for example; if your dog escapes your compound and someone ‘adopts’ him and is unwilling to return him to you, it can serve as supporting evidence of rightful ownership (as long as you remember to transfer ownership using the form attached to the certificate).
If you are planning to ever consider breeding your dog, show at confirmation, or travel overseas with him/her, a MKA certificate is vital.
- Some responsible breeders will require you to sign a contract, detailing certain limitations on the care of the puppy. This is to ensure the puppy is cared for properly in any circumstance or eventuality. If this is the case you will be given a copy of the contract for your own reference.
- Some responsible breeders also prepare a ‘puppy kit’ for you to take home with you. This usually contains an information sheet on important things such as when to next deworm the puppy, how much to feed them over the next few months (as well as a couple of days worth of the food they are currently eating), any commands they already know. It may also contain a piece of towel or toy with the puppy’s littermates and mothers scent on it, this will help ease the transition to your house (If the breeder doesn’t send a ‘scent patch’ along with the puppy you can always give them a towel or soft toy to put with the litter for a few days before your puppy comes home).

You can also ask the breeder to describe the temperaments of each individual puppy (a responsible breeder will have spent a lot of time with the puppies and will be able to describe their individual characters), how many litters they have a year (3 or 4 is ok, if they have more than that, be slightly wary), what are their long term goals with breeding (a responsible breeder's goal will be to improve their bloodline).

Thanks for the kind words, its nice to know all my typing is appreciated and actually read .
Yeowa, that's a good idea about 'what a mill and BYB is'. I'll start typing it up. Hoping to get a few more bits and pieces written up for this over Christmas, things are quite hectic at the moment.

For now just a short one, the flip side of what to ask a breeder...

QUESTIONS A RESPONSIBLE BREEDER WILL ASK YOU?

A responsible breeder will screen all potential puppy owners very carefully. They will ask you as many questions as you ask them to ensure their puppy will be going to a good home. Some breeders will even insist on coming to visit you before you visit them in order to get a better idea of the environment their puppy will be going to.

Some questions you should expect from your breeder;

What experience do you have with dogs (and [Insert Breed] specifically)?
Why do you want a dog?
What are you looking for in a dog?
What interests you in this breed?
What do you know about the breed?
What type of house do you live in?
Who lives with you (how many children? what age? how many adults?)?
[If appropriate] Are you planning on having children (if so, when)?
What is your average family income?
What are your working hours like?
Who will be the primary carer for the dog?
Have you had any other pets (if so what, and for how long)?
Do you currently have any other pets (if so what, and for how long)?

There are many other questions a breeder might ask, in general they will want to find out as much as possible about your experience with dogs, your living situation (and any foreseeable changes), you reasons for wanting a dog (and the specific breed) and your understanding of care for dogs (and the specific breed).

They will want to ensure that you have done some research before choosing a puppy and understand the care (training, grooming, expenses, average age, health issues etc.) which will be required as well as be in a situation to provide that care.

Don’t be offended with the questions a breeder asks you, they simply want to get a good idea of whether their breed is suitable to your lifestyle and family, if you are prepared to take care of them (both time wise and financially) and if you will ensure their puppy grows up safe and well looked after.
If a breeder doesn't care what kind of life their puppy is going to have with you, do you really think they care enough about the puppy to breed it correctly, or care for it correctly while it is with them?