How to Find a Responsible Dog Breeder (and Avoid a Puppy Mill)

“Adopt, don’t shop” gets repeated a lot in the dog world — but plenty of people still want, or need, a purebred dog. This article explains what actually separates a responsible breeder from an irresponsible one, and how to find one you can trust.

Responsible Breeders Aren’t the Ones Filling Up Shelters

It’s a common misconception that all breeders contribute to shelter overpopulation. They don’t. The dogs filling shelters overwhelmingly trace back to backyard breeders, hobby breeders, puppy mills (including the ones supplying pet stores), and pet owners who don’t spay or neuter. Responsible breeders are a different category entirely — and one of the best tools against pet overpopulation, not a source of it.

What Sets a Responsible Breeder Apart

Responsible breeders:

• Health test the sire and dam before breeding, to protect the health of the litter
• Are often actively involved in showing dogs and are invested in their dogs’ long-term care and wellbeing
• Take puppies to wellness checks
• Require buyers to sign a contract committing to spay/neuter
• Take the dog back — at any point in its life, for any reason, if the owner can no longer keep it

That last point is the clearest line in the sand. A responsible breeder sees their puppies as a lifetime responsibility, not a one-time transaction.

Why Puppy Mills Stay in Business

Irresponsible breeders keep operating because people keep buying from them — often over price. “I don’t want to pay that much for a dog” is one of the most common things you’ll hear, and it’s worth saying plainly: buying a cheap dog from a backyard breeder helps sustain the pet overpopulation problem, even when that’s not the intention.

Well-bred dogs cost more because raising them properly costs more — health testing, proper care, and breeding only dogs that pass those health checks all add up. You’re also far more likely to end up with a healthier dog. As one example: my Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen’s breeder hip- and eye-checks every dog. Any dog that doesn’t pass is spayed or neutered and never bred. Puppy mills operate on the opposite model — breeding a female every time she’s in heat, producing more puppies at a lower cost per litter, and pricing accordingly.

Why People Choose a Purebred Dog

Different breeds come with different, predictable traits: coat type and shedding, energy level, working drive, size, and often a fairly consistent temperament. That predictability is the appeal — with a mixed-breed puppy, you’re taking on more uncertainty about what the adult dog will look like and act like.

How to Actually Find a Responsible Breeder

Ask around. Groomers, trainers, and veterinarians hear about reputable breeders constantly — word of mouth from people in the dog world is one of the most reliable paths.

Go to a dog show. You can look up shows by state at infodog.com. Shows put you in contact with people actively involved with the breed you’re interested in, and they can point you toward breeders with good reputations.

Be skeptical online. Puppy mills often run polished websites and sometimes hire people to pose as “the breeder.” A site listing many different breeds for sale is a red flag for a puppy mill. A reputable breeder will never be offended if you ask to meet the parents or see where the dogs actually live — if a seller resists that, walk away.

Finding Bernard

I found my Bichon, Bernard, through word of mouth. A well-respected show groomer, breeder, and Bichon exhibitor mentioned that a breeder she knew had a litter available. I reached out, and we ended up in a long conversation — I sent him a video of my dogs interacting so he could decide which puppy would fit best in our home. We drove from Indiana to Georgia to pick him up, met all the dogs (parents included), and spent a couple of hours at his house seeing the environment firsthand. Years later, we’re still close with Bernard’s breeder.

FAQ

How do responsible breeders differ from puppy mills? Responsible breeders health-test their dogs, limit breeding to healthy animals, screen buyers, and take a puppy back at any point in its life if needed. Puppy mills breed for volume, skip health testing, and rarely take responsibility after the sale.

Why do responsible breeders charge more? Health testing, proper veterinary care, and breeding only dogs that pass health screenings all add cost. Puppy mills cut these corners and breed more frequently, which lowers their price but raises the health risk to the puppy.

How can I find a responsible breeder? Ask groomers, trainers, and veterinarians for recommendations, and attend local dog shows (searchable by state at infodog.com) to meet people active in the breed.

What’s a red flag that a breeder might be a puppy mill? A website listing many different breeds, reluctance to let you meet the parents, or refusal to show you where the dogs are raised are all warning signs.