Choosing a Breeder of Purebred Cats/Dogs
Some kennel clubs keep a list of those members they know breed with care and attention to their animals. There are also cat associations who list members' web sites, but make no guarantee of the breeder's reputation. It is up to the individual looking for a pet, to do the research, ask the right questions, and follow their instincts.
One of the first questions to ask, is for a look at the contract. Some are very plain, and ask little of the new owner. Others require commitments regarding health issues, altering, and ownership. Read your potential contract and ask any questions you have before signing. Once signed, you will likely forfeit a deposit (anywhere from 10-50% of the purchase price) if you cancel the sale. There is a legal phrase "caveat scriptor", signer beware. So do be sure of what you are signing, as the law deems you to have read, understood and agreed to the terms if you signed the document.
Ask also for a look at the pedigree to check for inbreeding. While you're talking to the breeder (in person or via email), ask also how often the female has been bred. While there are times when a back-to-back breeding is allowable (two heats in a row), continually doing this breeds the life out a dog/cat, and she becomes little more than a production factory for puppies/kittens.
You might inquire as well into the general health of the breeders' animals, as well as any experience they have had with breed specific problems (e.g. hip dysplasia in large dogs). Ask if they have had any contagious disorders in their kennel/cattery with in the last six months. The honest breeder will answer all your questions. Many will even refer you to their veterinarian. A few will conceal that they have had things such as parvovirus in puppies, or ringworm in a cattery, both of which pose potential health problems for other pets you may have, and in the case of ringworm, even the people in the household.
If the breeder offers you references, check them. They don't represent *every* sale that breeder has made, so you may want to check further, perhaps through their clubs or other purchasers you know personally, or breeders/vets who know them.
Because a breeder shows, and wins, does not make them a good breeder. "Good" is defined differently from the pet buyer to the fellow breeder. You have to set the guidelines
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