When looking for a new dog, it is important to get the best and healthiest puppy possible. The best purebred puppies come from the best breeders.

Choosing a breeder can be difficult. There are lots of great dog breeders out there and even more really bad breeders. Bad breeders don't practice the best prenatal care, provide disease screening, socialize their puppies or provide puppies with the best preventative health care.

There are several "red flags" that you should consider when interviewing a breeder:

1. Puppies that have not been socialized
2. Puppies that have not seen a veterinarian
3. Breeders that are reluctant to give you references
4. Breeders that breed more than one breed of dog
5. Breeders that won't allow you to see their breeding facility or environment
6. Breeder facilities that look like puppy mills
7. Puppies that appear dirty or smell/living in poor conditions
8. Breeders that don't work with a veterinarian providing good quality prenatal care to the bitch
9. Breeders that don't take the puppies to their veterinarian in for general "wellness care" and health certificates
10. Breeders that won't give you a guarantee
11. Breeders that don't want to you meet the pups parents
12. Breeders that sell to pet stores

For more information choosing a breeder, please read 16 Questions to ask the Breeder.