THERE ARE 3 KINDS OF BLOODHOUND BREEDERS...
1 - Responsible & Reputable Breeders...
2 - Backyard type of Breeders...
3 - Large Scale (puppy mill) breeders...
CAN YOU TELL THE DIFFERENCE?
Well, we will try to explain at bit...
1 - RESPONSIBLE BLOODHOUND BREEDERS:
Will have AKC registered bloodhounds
Will belong to the national bloodhound club
Will regurlarly show their bloodhounds at dog shows
Will select only their best dogs for breeding
Will understand and bred to the bloodhound standard
Will breed to try to improve the breed (not just for $$$)
Will have one (maybe two) breedings per year
(or maybe a breeding every couple years)
Will have health info & certifications on sire & dam
Will share details on their animals health
Will have a clean environment for all their dogs
Will also have clean well presented dogs
Will not have an excessive number of dogs
Will want to help you learn about bloodhounds
Will require that you complete a Puppy Questionaire
(with questions you may feel are invasive/personal
so think of it more as a baby adoption process)
Will then require a Contract (varies by breeder)
2 - BACKYARD BLOODHOUND BREEDERS:
May or may not have AKC registered bloodhounds
(note: AKC registration is not an endorsement)
Generally do not participate in bloodhound breed clubs
Generally do not show their bloodhounds at dog shows
Generally do not have health clearances & information
Generally are not too well versed in akc bloodhound
standards (or bloodhound faults, or temperments, etc.)
Generally are nice, mom & pop, type of people & families
(maybe they're breeding for kids to have puppies or for
extra money; or maybe it's an unexpected breeding.)
3 - BLOODHOUND PUPPY MILLS (LARGE SCALE BREEDERS)
Will have AKC registered bloodhounds
(again, AKC registration is not an endorsement)
Generally do not participate in bloodhound breed clubs
Generally do not regurlarly show their bloodhounds at shows
(but may have 1 or 2 champions they really promote & breed)
Generally do not have health info & clearances on their dogs
Generally have & breed a HUGE number of dogs
Generally have & sell a HUGE number of puppies
Generally take credit cards & ship puppies by a 3rd party
Generally have a Kennel License... (generally large scale)
LICENSED KENNEL?
Sure, sure - Licensed Kennel sounds wonderful...
... but often it means a "big-time" number of dogs...
... & perhaps an even "bigger" number of puppies...
See Colorado's 2010 List of Large Scale Breeders (100+)
Please do not support these mass marketers of puppies!
THINGS TO ASK BLOODHOUND BREEDERS:
What health info is available on the dam
What health info is available on the sire
What health problems have they had
What is the longevity of their bloodlines
What is the typical cause of death
What puppy health tests are done
What guarantees (if any) do they offer
What help will they provide you
HOW TO FIND A BLOODHOUND BREEDER:
Ask your vet if they have a referral
Visit the American Kennel Club website
Visit the American Bloodhound Club website
Visit Bloodhound Breeders at a Local Dog Shows
These breeders know the
AKC Bloodhound Standard,
& are committed to improving the bloodhound breed.
HAVE YOU CONSIDERED ADOPTING A BLOODHOUND?
Many bloodhounds are in shelters needing a forever home!
We suggest you check with Colorado All Breed Rescue.
TO RECAP, BEFORE YOU BUY A BLOODHOUND PUPPY:
Beware & stay away from Pet Shops & Puppy Mills
Hint - mass marketers & puppy mills accept credit cards!
Do your research (books,websites,vets,breeders,etc)
Be sure a bloodhound is the right dog for you & your family!
Please select a breeder (a person) you can trust
Be ready to care & love your puppy it's entire life (8-10 yrs)!
ARE YOU WONDERING WHAT'S OFA???
It's - Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
It's where you look up dog health records.
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