Perhaps you have already decided that a Smooth or Wire Fox Terrier is the dog for you. However, it is important that you find a reputable breeder. Certainly you hope to find a dog that will be a healthy, loving, trainable, family companion for many years. It is well-worth taking your time to find someone who is knowledgeable and experienced in the breed.
Your search for a Fox Terrier can be confusing. You may see newspaper ads or locate puppies through the Internet or in pet shops, but how can you decide which breeders are truly knowledgeable and reputable?
Here are some typical characteristics of the Reputable Breeder:
1. The reputable Fox Terrier breeder
almost always belongs to the American Fox Terrier Club, a regional Fox Terrier
Club or a local all-breed club. He may also be involved in performance events
such as earth dog trials, obedience, agility trials and other activities such as
therapy dog work. Membership in breed clubs is open only to those who agree to
abide by the club’s code of ethics, an important point for people looking for a
family dog.
2. A reputable Fox Terrier breeder often
shows his dogs in AKC recognized conformation shows. He is proud of his dogs
and shows them as a way to evaluate his breeding stock. Earning a championship
is often an important part of that process. While that may not seem important
to the pet owner, it does have some real advantages. A good show dog is
healthy, stable and an excellent example of its breed. It should be outgoing
and friendly and able to adapt to many situations….all characteristics that
are desirable in a family pet and likely to be found in a litter raised by a
“show” breeder.
3. A reputable breeder is sometimes called
a “hobby” breeder, but his involvement in breeding dogs is much more than a
hobby. He knows the strengths and weaknesses of not only the two dogs being
bred, but of many of the ancestors behind them. The reputable breeder’s goal
is to improve the breed and he is truly dedicated in his efforts to produce
the very best puppies he can. He does not breed to “make money” and on the
contrary, considers it a very good year if he “breaks even.” Breeding and
raising dogs correctly is an expensive proposition.
4. The reputable breeder almost always
intends to keep a puppy to continue his efforts. The pet buyer benefits from
that as every puppy in the litter is bred and raised to be that one
exceptional pup. Each one is well socialized, gets regular veterinary care and
is a clean, happy, beautiful puppy. Above all, it is raised by an informed,
dedicated breeder.
5. The reputable breeder is knowledgeable
about the breed and is honest about its best and worst qualities. He knows
that a Fox Terrier is not the right dog for everyone and will spend time with
each prospective owner to explain our breeds’ unique characteristics. It is
important to the reputable breeder that he makes the best match between each
puppy and prospective family. You should expect that the reputable breeder
will ask many questions of you and encourage your questions as well. Many
reputable breeders will ask you to fill out a questionnaire or application to
see what qualities of a dog are important to you and to determine whether or
not he has a Fox Terrier that might meet your needs. He not only will be a
source of information for you before you take the puppy home, but will remain
willing and eager to be a support to you for the life of the dog. This is
probably the greatest advantage to buying your dog from an experienced
breeder. You not only get a healthy, well-adjusted companion, you also get a
lifetime of information, advice and assistance from an expert who cares deeply
about your success with the dog he has sold to you.
6.
The reputable breeder will usually have
a contract which details not only what he expects of you, but what you can
expect of him. He does not place dogs lightly with just anyone who is willing
to buy. He considers himself responsible for bringing each puppy into the
world and will do his very best to place each puppy where both the puppy and
the family will be happy. In most cases, he will offer you a “trial” period
with your puppy and require that you take it to your vet to be assured that it
is healthy. A reputable breeder only sells dogs that have all appropriate
inoculations and are, to the best of his knowledge, healthy. His puppies will
usually also be guaranteed for a reasonable length of time.
7. Reputable breeders are not in a hurry to
place their puppies into their new homes. Fox Terrier puppies seldom go to
their new owners before 8 weeks of age and they are often held a few weeks
longer. It is during this time that the breeder continues to evaluate each
puppy and spend individual time with them. He will choose his “show” prospects
and watch all the others to determine their personalities. You will find that
even an older puppy or young adult that has been properly raised and
socialized will adjust very easily to its new home and family.
8. A reputable breeder may offer, or may
even require, that any dog you buy from him be returned to him if your
situation changes and you can no longer keep him. Having a dog returned is
very disappointing for all (and very bewildering and sad for the dog), but no
breeder wants to have one of his dogs end up in a shelter, on the streets or
passed from home to home because his owner couldn’t or wouldn’t keep him.
9. Most reputable breeders do not operate
as a business but are show fanciers who usually only produce one or two
litters a year, often even less. He is happy to have you visit to see the
puppies and one or both of the parents. However, he may have bred his female
to a male who lives elsewhere but should still be able to provide pictures and a
pedigree. The dogs should be bright-eyed, healthy and friendly and kept in clean
surroundings. The breeder will spend time with you both
before and after the puppy goes home with you. If he does not have a puppy for
you, he usually knows many people in the Fox Terrier world and is happy to
refer you to other good breeders or to our national rescue organization.
The American Fox Terrier Club has created this website to help you learn to find and identify Reputable Breeders. Our members will be eager to share their knowledge and love of the Smooth and Wire Fox Terriers with you. We wish you the best of luck in finding both the breeder and Fox Terrier that is exactly what you are hoping for!
