TOP #129: You Need To Know This Before Buying A Dog From A Breeder

Hi there! Thank you everyone for joining me today.

My name is Connor Knight I am the president at Top Dog Tips and the co-host of the Theory of Pets Podcast.

Today we have a special guest from Embark Vet. Her name is Jenna Dockweiler.

She is a veterinary geneticist.

Today we are going to be doing a deep dive on proper breeding practices.

Here are some of the questions I ask: 

1. Now I see your job is a veterinary geneticist at Embark Vet
   1. What does a veterinary geneticist do and how is there some overlap with your roles and the idea of responsible breeding?
   2. And I saw that you were a board certified theriogenologist that specializes in animal reproduction, and canine rehab. Tell us a little about veterinary acupuncture. It’s quite a new topic for me. What are some of the benefits?
   3. Can you explain to me about “purebreeds” why are they so coveted if there are a lot of health problems that come with those types of dogs
   4. Can you tell me about the process of a breeder and how careful they have to be to prevent any health issues?
      1. What kind of measures do they have to take?
2. What does it mean to be a "good breeder"?
   1. What kind of training have good breeders undergone to be considered a good breeder?
   2. What are your thoughts of rescue vs. choosing a breeder?
3. Where are the best places to start when looking for a breeder?
4. What are the top questions to ask when selecting a breeder?
   1. What kind of expenses should one expect to be taken care of before purchasing from a breeder?
5. What questions should I expect a reputable breeder to ask me?
6. How do I find out which health tests my breed needs?
7. How much should I expect to spend?
8. How long should I expect to wait?
9. What should I consider if I am looking to breed my dog?
10. I have found a breeder - how do I look into them further?