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After researching
different breeds you have decided on an Airedale Terrier. Whether you
are looking for a family pet or a show quality dog your choice of a good
breeder should be carefully considered. Serious caring breeders strive
for excellence in maintaining the breed standard and in producing
healthy puppies free of hereditary problems and with good temperament.
A dedicated breeder should
produce quality not
quantity, be wary of a breeder that always has puppies available. A good
breeder should work with you and help you with all aspects of the breed
(feeding, training, grooming,…).
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What to look for in a breeder you could live
with: |
| Breeder should inform you of particular
needs or problems of the breed. |
| Breeding age should be 2 years and older. |
| Request to see all health certificates from
Sire and Dam related to hip Dysplasia (OFA – Orthopedic Foundation
for Animal or OVC – Ontario Veterinary College). OFA is done no
earlier than 24 months and will be rated excellent, good, fair. OVC
is done at a younger age and certificate will read pass or fail.
Breeders on our list prefer the Sire and Dam to be OFA excellent or
good. |
| Other health clearances to both parents
could include eyes, heart, thyroid. |
| Breeder should provide you with a health
record of the puppy indicating vet check, immunizations and de-worming. |
Puppies should not be released before the age
of 7 weeks
(49 days). |
| Breeder should offer you a guarantee, which
will cover health problems. |
| A short term guarantee, valid for a few
days, would allow you a full refund should your vet discover any
disease or problem. |
| Long term guarantee would cover hereditary
problems. |
| Breeder should provide you within 6 months of
purchase a CKC (Canadian Kennel Club) registration certificate at no
extra cost. Required by law in Canada (Animal Pedigree Act) if pup
is presented as a purebred. |
| Breeder should provide you with a 3-4
generation pedigree of the puppy. |
| Visit the breeder, the kennel/home. Make
sure the Dam is on the premises. Observe the interaction between the
breeder and the animals. Look for clean and sanitary environment.
Expect ‘doggy smells’ but not filthy ramshackle living
conditions. |
| Puppies should be well
socialized to
household sights, sounds and people. |
| If Sire is not present in the home the
breeder should give you as much information as possible and will
probably have pictures to show you. Keep in mind that long range
stud services are common. |
| Breeder should take back the dog at any time
rather than see it disposed of inappropriately if due to extenuating
circumstances you are unable to care for it. |
| Breeder should be involved in breed
activities, like obedience, agility, field work and show
conformation. All these activities prove trainability and soundness.
Ask for official proof of achievements or awards given by CKC or
other Official Clubs (ATCC, AKC, ATCA). |
| Although this is not
an endorsement, the breeder should be a member of the CKC and local,
regional, and/or national breed clubs. |
| Do not be surprised if the breeder has a
list of questions for you to answer. This is to determine the
suitability of an Airedale pup for your lifestyle and for your range of
activities. |
In conclusion, do your homework, prepare a list
of questions, and ask for references. When in doubt of the breeder's
integrity, just walk away. It’s better to endure the urges than the
regrets…
Read and research with a critical eye. Years of
enjoyment, health and soundness with your new Airedale puppy depend on
it.
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