Our 38 Breeder Standards

Housing Facilities

•  The puppies’ primary enclosure must be big enough to allow the dogs to turn around, sit, lie down and stand without any sort of physical constraint.

•  The primary enclosure must provide a place for the dogs to rest and feel secure.

•  Breeders are required to have contingency plans for emergency and natural disaster response that allows for a quick, safe evacuation of their dogs.

•  Humidity and temperature levels must be controlled and kept in a safe range (on a breed-by-breed basis).

•  Outdoor kennels and facilities must provide adequate shelter, shade, and protection from the cold and heat.

•  All facilities must be cleaned daily and sanitized in consultation with a qualified veterinarian.

•  No wire flooring unless wire is coated.

•  Kennels should be cleaned at least once daily.

•  Provide a non-stressful environment for whelping/nursing.

•  Provide ample space for puppies to move alongside their littermates in the whelping area.

•  The whelping area should be cleaned more frequently than the rest of the facilities, to account for extra waste from the puppies.

Adoption

•  Always keep pups for as long as needed to ensure they’re placed in the right homes.

•  Never allow any puppy to be adopted before it’s old enough—usually 8 weeks.

•  Never deceive families of the dog/breed’s characteristics or personality.

•  Always disclose known health problems before it is adopted.

•  Ensure that every adopted dog is accompanied by a health certificate (with deworming and vaccination dates), sales contract, health warranty, resources covering breed-specific health issues and, if applicable, their national registry documentation.

•  Always maintain thorough records of each and every litter bred.

•  Offer guidance and answer questions to new owners for the entire life of the adopted dog.

•  Offer assistance with rehoming of the adopted dog if the new owner is unable to keep the dog.

•  Our transportation services are in compliance with applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations.

Care, Health and Wellbeing

• Dogs will always have access to clean drinking water and recognized food.

• Food given will always be appropriate for the age, breed and size of the puppies and given at correct feeding intervals to keep our dogs at a healthy weight.

• Any feeding schedule changes and questions will be addressed by the attending veterinarian.

• All puppies will have daily opportunities for exercise and play, whether that’s by access to an outdoor dog run or by following a vet-prescribed exercise plan.

• Breeders must have a written PVC developed with (and certified by) their attending veterinarian.

• All PVCs must include plans to address animal welfare and health concerns, including descriptions of parasite prevention, disease detection and treatment, breeding plans, vaccination and exam schedules, and more.

• Dogs will be groomed and bathed to ensure optimal welfare.

• All breeder facilities will have separate quarantine facilities to isolate animals with contagious diseases, in order to prevent the spread of said disease to healthy pups.

• Make sure each litter results from a careful consideration of the parents’ physical well-being and temperament, avoidance of genetic diseases, parentage, and pedigree.

• Always provide the best care, and a safe, clean environment for all dogs living in their facilities.

• Provide regular socialization, exercise, interaction and enrichment.

• Never breed a female before she is mentally and physically mature (breed-dependent), and only after a vet has examined her and declared her to be in excellent health.

• Never breed females beyond their breeding age, or to breed a dog after a vet has determined her otherwise unfit to continue breeding.

• Recommend no more than 4-6 litters per mother dog, as per veterinarian advice.

• Always ensure that puppies are examined by a licensed veterinarian, receive a clean bill of health, appropriate shots and deworming schedule before being adopted.

•Always comply with federal, state, and local regulations.