Whoever said you can’t buy happiness forgot little puppies – Gene Hill
Recommended Guidelines For Responsible Breeders
Ensuring Excellence & Integrity In Breeding Practices
Commitment to Breed Excellence
Responsible breeders dedicate themselves to achieving the highest possible quality in every breeding, focusing on adherence to the breed standard for conformation and temperament that preserves the unique characteristics of the breed.
Selection of Breeding Dogs
Only physically sound, mature dogs with stable temperaments are considered for breeding. These qualities are typically not fully determined until the dogs reach at least two years of age, and it is strongly recommended that breeders wait until three years of age to ensure the health and soundness of both males and females.
Ongoing Education & Health Screening for Sires & Dams
Breeders continually educate themselves on genetic diseases relevant to the breed, such as Copper Storage Disease, Common Eye Problems, Patellar Luxation and other health issues that have been reported in the breed, as well as their modes of inheritance. Genetic testing should be utilized for both parents for Copper Storage Disease. Results should be available to prospective buyers along with documentation of elbow and eye screenings. Eye exams should be performed by a board-certified diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO).
Puppy Placement & Health
Matching each puppy’s personality with a compatible buyer or family is a priority. Temperament testing of the litter before offering puppies for sale is encouraged. Each puppy should receive a comprehensive health examination from a veterinarian and be screened for congenital or genetic eye diseases by a veterinary ophthalmologist prior to placement. Puppies should be vaccinated and wormed under veterinary guidance. Breeders provide proper documentation to buyers, indicating the puppy’s health and eye status or specifying any issues identified during examination.
Transparency & Collaboration
Responsible breeders seek to maintain personal knowledge of the temperament and health of all dogs they breed or breed to, using this information to inform future breeding decisions. They share these insights openly and honestly with fellow breeders and prospective buyers.
Support & Ethical Sales
Breeding prospects are sold only to knowledgeable, ethical, and experienced individuals, or breeders provide education and guidance to newcomers. Breeders readily accept the return of any dog or bitch they produce and offer assistance if relocation is necessary.
Responsible Placement of Dogs
No dog for which a breeder is responsible should be sold, supplied, donated, or surrendered to pet shops, raffles, catalog houses, wholesale dealers, or laboratories. Breeders ensure that every recipient of a dog will provide a safe home with appropriate shelter, management, nutrition, and veterinary care. All puppies should be placed with written contracts signed by all involved parties.
Training & Socialization
Unless a Bedlington is being trained for a specific discipline, breeders encourage owners to participate in puppy and obedience classes. Achieving the AKC STAR Puppy Certificate and/or the Canine Good Citizen Certificate is highly recommended.
Supporting Breed Health Research
Responsible breeders participate in or cooperate with research studies into inheritable defects affecting the Bedlington Terrier, helping to advance the health and wellbeing of the breed.
Breeder Education Committee is always available to offer assistance and help to new breeders with the Breeder Mentorship Program. Contact Breeder Education Chair, Dennis Corash at [email protected] with any questions.
Integrity in Advertising
Breeders commit to truthful and transparent advertising practices.