Im about to buy a Boxer puppy from a local breeder. I have a few questions/concerns on my mind?

Well, I understand your falling in love with a puppy - it is terribly impossible NOT to - but this guy is backyard breeder. And if you visit this section for even a day or two, you'll realize why backyard breeders are bad and contributing to the pet overpopulation in this country.

A GOOD breeder will not only show you all of their breeding stock dogs, but show you proof of AKC/UKC registration as well as show wins and working titles, in addition to their health guarantee (more than 2 years) and genetic health screening for congenital disease. Their contract is often sold as limited registration (so you cannot breed a pet quality dog) and also will stipulate that the dog goes back to them in case you cannot care for it in the future.

A GOOD breeder will extensively question your motives for wanting a puppy of that particular breed and will want to meet your entire family and sometimes even want proof of your living situation and vet references.

A GOOD breeder does not advertise their dogs for sale through the newspaper, craigslist/kijiji, or even for immediate sale through the internet. Instead, their litters are carefully thought out by choosing a healthy stud that will complement their b**** and often the litter is sold before they are born.

Here are some websites that outline what you can expect from a good, responsible breeder that is NOT breeding for $$:

http://www.almosthomerescue.org/breeders/breeders....

http://www.shihtzu-rescue.com/BreederChecklist.htm... (some parts are breed-specific, but you get the idea)

http://www.breeders.net/checklist.php

http://www.bmdinfo.org/newpages/Breeder_Checklist....

And possibly my favorite, http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/checklist.html

Please understand that I'm not saying that pet-quality dogs are bad. On the contrary - show-worthy dogs are few and far between and out of a litter most are pet-quality dogs that will make someone very happy. But the point is, all breeds have genetic problems, and without screening for those debilitating and sometimes fatal diseases and also not working or showing their dogs, breeders have no possible way of gauging the true health of their dogs. 'Shots and wormed' means absolutely nothing, and the proper health screening isn't performed by the average vet, it's something that you have to above and beyond to obtain.

Boxers are especially prone to fatty cysts, tumor (benign and not), cardiomyopathy (malformation of the heart), degenerative myelopathy (neurological condition), and of course hip and elbow dysplasia. Actually, here is a list of the recommended screening that all boxer breeders should follow to avoid producing genetically dogs: http://www.americanboxerclub.org/health-screening....

I hope this is helpful. I don't mean this to sound so doomsday - but please understand that with the knowledge and information available, it is completely unethical to breed random dogs just because they're purebred, or you want to, or whatever your reason is. And that is why we're so angry with backyard breeders and puppy mills - deliberate breeding of sick animals that are sold to the unsuspecting public only for the owners to discover that their dog has painful and expensive inherited faults - that is really rough to deal with.

: )

Local Boxer Breeders

Here's a site with some good questions:

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A...

Shots? Yes most all breeders give the first series of shots, including worming and the first rabbies shot, the follow up to be done in about a month after you get your pup dependent on his age.

Search around the AKC site for info on registration: http://www.akc.org/reg/index.cfm?nav_area=registra...

Some questions I asked: What is the purpose of this breeding? Can I read the purchase contract before entering into any agreement? Why did you choose to breed_________(in my case Bernese)

What food do you recommend and what socialization have you done?

Questions can and should be pretty much anything that comes to your mind. You AND the Breeder have got to be happy with each other. What about if you can't keep the dog, will he take it back and re-home? Your breeder should be available anytime to answer questions that may come up 3-4 months even a year from now. Will he be?

The relationship with your breeder should be professional sure but above all us it should be comfortable and fun. You and your Breeder will have contact for many years regarding your pup/dog.

Also be very careful. Some of the things you have said smack of a back yard breeder just in it for the money. I've heard of the ACA, it could be the American Canine Association http://www.acadog.info/ But I've not done any investigation as to their reputation they may be a fine organization I don't know. I do know there are many acronyms like that which mean absolutelly nothing.

Don't do it!

ACA is not a reputable registry and I am almost 100% that AKC will not accept paper work from then.

This guy sounds like a backyard breeder. You want to look at the parents to make sure they have stable temperaments and see if they fit the breed standard.

Also does his dogs have any titles? CH in show/work? They should before being bred. The parents also need to be health tested with at LEAST OFA and CERF. I also like to see CGC title so that I know the parents have a stable temperament.

If you plan to show/breed this dog you will regret it. Health could also be an issue.

Try all you can to get your money back and consider buying from a reputable breed please!

Here is what a backyard breeder is and what a good breeder is.

What kind of breeder are you buying from? BTW no proof of a health dogs with no prior testing! Check ups don't count! You will be living with this pet for the next 10 years so make sure its a dog that is in good health, structure and temperament.

Read this carefully and closely.

http://www.pbrc.net/breeding3.html

Check the boxer club of america for a reputable breeder.

Good luck!

EDIT: As for shots a lot of breeders do give them there selves that is normal. What is not normal is why these breeders only think the dog needs 2 shots? Pup shots are different and they should be vaccinated up to 16 weeks meaning they should have at least 3 shots maybe 4.

The "trauma" that these puppies went through is nothing that they'd remember. The real trauma here is George & Carolyn Hart, who are clearly unknowledgeable "backyard breeders" who don't know enough to realize that no puppies should EVER leave their mom/litters before they are 8 weeks old. The trauma is that they keep so many "infants" that they have a mobile home for the litters -- in other words, they are breeding so many litters that they can't even raise them in their home. They are not quality, knowledgeable breeders. Run away from them and look for a local Boxer Rescue who can help match you up with a dog. Or, contact a RESPONSIBLE breeder, who breeds only a couple litters a year (from multiple parents, not the same ones over & over) and who never lets a pup leave the mom/litter before it's at least 8 weeks old.

You should check at some other places how much do their boxers cost, if he is selling you the puppy at a really low cost then the puppy has a problem.

The akc papers can be obtained if both parents have it, so that isn't a problem.

About the vaccines, i'm a little bit worried about that, i don't know if they can. Check at your local vet if a breeder can do that or if he needs some papers or else.

If you end buying the puppy take it to the vet so he checks it and if she is okay then enjoy your puppy!

No, run far far away from this breeder.

Several red flags went up in my head when I read this.

First, that the parents weren't on site. The fact that they were his uncle's dogs seemed simply like a big fat excuse to not let you see the parents.

Number two, they advertised in the newspaper, generally a big no-no and warning.

ACA...if it's not the UKC (United Kennel Club, for Britain and such), AKC (American Kennel Club), or THIS CKC (NOT the other...the Canadian Kennel Club), I suggest you scream while running.

Also, I've heard that most good breeders don't administer their own shots. This may or may not be true.

Also... as stated before me, doesn't seem to be a precaution against parvo, a terrible disease.

And doesn't seem to have stated a contract or health guarantee....BIG FAT red flag!

And then there's the fact that he doesn't seem to say that the b*tch and the sire were both health checked and were extensively showed and won. Hm....

Good job for trying to find a good breeder!

Think why he would have the puppies at his house to sell if they weren't his dogs that were the parents...................... Any good breeder would be throwing his sire/***** at you to look at and admire!

IF you just want a companion, I wouldn't worry about registration. But know, there is a difference in ACA and AKC. You would want to see AKC papers if that is something you want/need. If all of the litter mates aren't to your liking, but she is, then that's fine. But if you plan to breed her, then you wouldn't want puppies from her if they make come out not to your liking or the breed standard.

I would not take the puppy to get the other shots by the owner, always have a veterinarian or veterinary technician vaccinate your dog, shipment and handling of vaccines is important, the efficacy of the vaccine could be hindered due to mishandling. He should have a plastic cover or sticker of the vaccine that was gives, although some breeders just give you a paper with them hand written on them. But have it examined ASAP.

You should ask if the parents have been screened for hereditary defects like hip dysplasia and congenital eye defects. A good breeder does this to any breeding sire/*****, and also should have them checked for a sexually transmitted disease, Brucellosis.

If you love this baby, that is what matters!

If you plan to breed/show, I WOULDN"T buy ANY puppy that I didn't get to see the parents, AKC paperwork, and veterinary exam prior to purchase.

Congrats on your new addition!

AKC will not accept ACA pedigrees. Why does he register his dogs with ACA and not AKC? That's a big red flag. Is he a member of the American Boxer Club? Does he show his dogs? Why are you worried about the dogs head and not about it's health? Visit the American Boxer Club to locate a reputable boxer breeder.

These are the tests that need to be done on boxers before being bred:

Hip/Elbow Dysplasia (OFA or PENN HIP)

Hypothyroidism

AS / SAS

Aortic Valve disease

Annually - Cardiomyopathy

You need to see the results of these tests. I would run from this breeder like I was on fire.

You are putting allot of time and energy into this so I would go the extra mile and insist on seeing the parents; it may give you an indication of what the dog will be like when it "grows up". I know that allot of horse people give the injections themselves so it's probably normal for dog people to do it too.

Most importantly go with your gut. If your getting a weird felling about it at all keep looking. You will fall in love with allot of puppies but you will have this dog for many years and if it has medical problems it will be very painful for you and your fiance. Better safe then sorry.