What a good breeder asks you

Most buying advice is a list of questions to ask a breeder. Here is the other half: the questions a good one asks you, and why an easy conversation is a warning sign.

What they will want to know

• Who is at home, and when. Not to judge you - to work out which puppy suits you, and whether any of them do.
• What else lives with you. Other dogs, cats, children and their ages.
• Have you had this breed before? A breeder of a demanding breed will steer a first-timer away from the pushiest puppy in the litter, and sometimes away from the breed.
• What does your day look like? Hours alone is the single most predictive question for whether a placement works.
• What happens if it does not work out? Most good breeders will take a dog back at any point in its life, and will say so unprompted. Ask.
• Where will it sleep, and is your garden secure?

Why the awkwardness is the point

A breeder who has invested a year in a litter is not indifferent about where it goes. Someone who asks nothing beyond whether you can pay the deposit has a different relationship with the animals.

The same logic applies to waiting lists. Being told there is a wait, or that a litter is not right for you, is a good sign. Being told a puppy is available today, in a breed with a national waiting list, is not.

What you should volunteer

Be honest about the difficult parts of your life. Working full time, small children, a flat with no garden - say so. A good breeder will either tell you it is workable and how, or tell you it is not. Both answers are more useful than a puppy that does not fit.

The contract

Expect one. It should cover the health guarantee, what happens if you cannot keep the dog, whether endorsements are placed on the registration, and what is included. Read it before you pay a deposit, not after.