It is sad but true that there are many people out there who want to take advantage of unsuspecting dog lovers who want nothing more than to bring home a Bulldog puppy. There are countless backyard breeders out there trying to make an extra buck by breeding whatever dogs they can get their hands on, regardless of any AKC registration or DNA testing. Bulldogs have a high enough risk for health problems as it is, so it is definitely worth your time to vet any potential breeders before you purchase a puppy.

Whether you speak to the breeder by phone or schedule a face-to-face interview, these are a few of the questions you should be sure to ask to ensure that the breeder is knowledgeable, experienced, and trustworthy:

1. What is your experience with Bulldogs and with breeding? Not only do you want to make sure that the breeder has a good background and history with the Bulldog breed, but you want to make sure that he knows what he is doing as well. Do not trust a breeder who doesn’t have at least a few years of experience with breeding.

2. Are the parents and the puppies registered? Depending where the breeder is located the parents should be registered with a major breed club like the American Kennel Club or The Kennel Club in the U.K. These organizations have strict requirements for the dogs they register so if the parents and puppies are registered it is generally an indication of good breeding.

3. Do you have any health clearances for the parents? Bulldogs are affected by a number of inherited conditions so you want to make sure that the breeding stock for any puppy you purchase have been cleared by a veterinarian. A reputable breeder will have no qualms about showing you these clearances.

4. Can I schedule a tour of the facilities? Not only do you need to speak to the breeder before purchasing a puppy, but you should also see the facilities where the parents and the puppies are kept. A responsible breeder will be willing to show you around because he has nothing to hide – it is a red flag if he cannot or refuses to show you the parents and the puppies.

5. Have the puppies seen a veterinarian? Before the puppies leave the breeding facility they need to be seen by a veterinarian for an examination, deworming, and puppy shots. Make sure the breeder is willing to provide you with the medical records for any puppy you buy.

6. What kind of guarantees do you offer? Most responsible breeders send their puppies out into the world with health guarantees which allow the buyer to return or exchange the puppy if it develops a significant health problem within a certain period of time.

In addition to asking the breeder these questions you should also take note of what questions the breeder asks you in return. A responsible breeder will want to learn more about you in order to determine whether you will provide the puppy with a good home. If the fit seems right for both of you, you can feel comfortable putting down a deposit for your Bulldog puppy.

Photo credit: Steve Thornton/Flickr