Dear Lisa: I'm looking for a new purebred puppy. I have heard that it's important to have American Kennel Club papers. Where can I find puppies with these papers and what kind of guarantees come with the papers? Can I assume that they will be healthy puppies from quality parents with good temperaments? -— Desperately Seeking Puppies.

Dear Desperately Seeking Puppies: The American Kennel Club (AKC) is the largest and oldest purebred dog registry in the United States. If a puppy comes with AKC papers, it means that the breeder has registered the litter with the AKC. What the breeder gets from AKC are individual registration papers to forward to the new owner of the dog. AKC guarantees that the dog listed on the papers comes from AKC-registered parents and can be traced back through its stud dog books and registry. Also, that the breeder is in good standing with the AKC and has followed its policy and practices in regards to the breeding of the litter.

Not All Breeders Are Alike

Guarantees for health and temperament are up to the breeder. Most breeders who register their litters with AKC fall into three categories. The majority are one-time only breeders. Some of these include those who happen to have a pure-bred pet and decide to have a litter so that "Little Johnny can experience the miracle of birth" or by pet owners with the common misconception that a female needs to have one litter to "become whole." A smaller percentage come from high volume breeders - breeding more than seven litters per year - either large-scale commercial wholesale breeders who sell to pet stores or backyard operations where multiple breeds are breed and sold to the public.

The smallest percentage, around ten percent, is what is commonly known as the "show breeder" or "hobby kennel." These breeders typically have litters to replenish their show and/or breeding stock. The majority of these puppies are sold as pets directly to the public via a network of parent breed club or all-breed club referrals.

The Breed Enthusiast

Going with the show or hobby breeder is your best bet. To me a hobby breeder is what I like to call a "breed enthusiast." How does one spot a breed enthusiast? Aside from the basic health questions, you may want to ask the following questions to determine the degree of dedication of the breeder. Here are some key questions that the "uninterested in anything but profit breeder" might not be able to answer.

• What is the breed's country of origin, history and original purpose?
• When was your breed accepted into the AKC stud book registry?
• Interpret your breed's standard for me as it relates to your breeding program?
• Why did you fall in love with this breed and why do you breed?
  " What activities are you involved with that promote the well-being of the breed?
• What is the greatest threat to your breed?
• Can I call you day or night with questions and concerns about my puppy?
• If I ever, for whatever reason, need to get rid of my dog will you take it back?

Those who know their breed history and its health concerns, are responsible for the dog for its entire life and offer passionate answers to the above questions are most likely breeding quality healthy puppies with good temperaments. You can access breeders through the AKC website at www.AKC.org for listings of breed parent clubs and their contacts. Once you have accumulated a list of breeders in your area start visiting them and asking questions.

©2003 Lisa Peterson