Where are you located, and do you have any puppies at this time
Many reputable breeders will ship their dogs, but it’s an advantage for you to meet the pup to see if his personality will fit your family and be able to take him home with you. Also, a good breeder may want to meet you in person before they sell you a puppy.
How long have you been breeding Shar-Pei?
Experience in the breed is an asset to a new Shar-Pei owner. The breeder can be available to help you with training, and any health issues that might arise.
Do you belong to the Chinese Shar-Pei Club of America?
By being an active member of the CSPCA the breeder can keep up with the latest health information and testing. Also, many of the articles in the breed magazine can keep them current on activities and seminars.
Are the puppies AKC registered and will you provide a registration application for the puppy.
There are other registries in the US, but the American Kennel Club is the largest and most active. The registration certificate the AKC provides allows the dog to participate in all activities they sponsor.
How old are the parents and what testing have they had?
Ask how old the father and mother are. Are they in good health. If they are older – that is a good sign of longevity. How old are the grandparents or if they are deceased – what did they die of. All breeding dogs should have basic testing before they are bred. Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) provides a registry that evaluate the hips, knees (patella) and elbows. These are the basic tests that any responsible breeder will do before a dog is bred. Testing for other genetic concerns are also available. Shar-Pei Auto inflammatory Disease (SPAID), POAG/PLL for glaucoma and primary lens luxation, to name a few. A responsible breeder will take advantage of any testing available to ensure a healthy litter.
Do you have a contract of sale and do you offer any health guarantees?
Ask the breeder if the puppy is sold with a contract of sale and if there are any health guarantees. Some health issues may not be genetic, but acquired and difficult to guarantee. The breeder shows concern by doing health testing on mom and dad; but as careful as they may be, health problems can arise. A health certificate from the breeder’s vet will ensure that the puppy is healthy on the day you take it home. In Some states this is a requirement. Ask the breeder if they could recommend a Shar-Pei friendly vet in the buyers’ area.
Do you take your dog back?
You don’t plan for this to happen, but there are reasons that may cause the dog to look for a new home. Owner’s illness, death, etc. Ask the breeder will they take the dog back.
References
Just as the breeder may ask for references from your vet or previous breeder, ask the breeder for references from his/her puppy owners or veterinarian.
Sources:
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals https://ofa.org.com/
SPAID
Shar-Pei Auto inflammatory Disease https://www.2.vet.cornell.edu/news/
POAG/PLL Glaucoma – Primary Lens Luxation https://www.ahtdnatesting.co.uk/tests/poagpll-dna-shar-pei/
