How to Choose a Reputable Maltipoo Breeder

Choosing a reputable Maltipoo breeder is important because it gives you the assurance that your Maltipoo puppy would have been produced from healthy and responsible breeding practices.  Not only does it mean a proper selection of the dam and sire, health checks for both, and the proper care and nurturing of the mother and her puppies throughout pregnancy, whelping and weaning, but it also means that your puppy would have had a good head start in terms of the development of socialization skills.

Nothing can perhaps give you more assurance than documented health screenings of both the dam and the sire – regardless of what the breeder might tell you about how her dogs are healthy anyway.  Either they have been screened or they haven’t.  A breeder who flat out tells you that her dogs are 100% healthy even without having them screened doesn’t understand the nature of hereditary and congenital conditions, which means that you probably aren’t dealing with a reputable breeder in the first place.

It’s also not a good idea to buy puppies from a pet store or shop.  Responsible breeders would never allow the puppies they raised so lovingly to be left on display in shop windows and advertised for sale.  The only real way to tell if you are dealing with a responsible breeder is on an individual basis – based on your interaction and conversation with her, and depending on the state of her puppies and dogs.

Below are a few rules of thumb to keep in mind as you look around for a responsible breeder:

• Don’t hesitate to ask any questions you may have regarding Maltipoos and how to take care of them.  For that matter, don’t hesitate to ask questions regarding the dam and sire of the upcoming litter – how often they have been bred, how old they are, and how they were selected prior to the breeding process itself.  Ask about health checks.  A responsible breeder will understand these concerns, will address them each professionally, and will probably even enjoy having a discussion with you about Maltipoos, sharing her knowledge based on what she has discovered about the breed so far.
• Ask if you could visit the breeder’s home or kennel, and see her dogs.  During the visit, just pay attention to how things are: are the dogs clean and well fed?  Do they look happy and content?  How does the breeder interact with her dogs?  Is the site kept clean and preserved as a healthy living environment?  Are there any signs of illnesses in any of the dogs?
• Remember that your visit to, and interaction with, a breeder is just as much an evaluation of you as the potential dog owner as it is of her as a breeder.  Be prepared to answer her questions regarding your home, your lifestyle, and how you propose to care for your Maltipoo puppy.
• And don’t forget that breeders are humans, too – with their own lives and responsibilities.  If the breeder was initially to busy to see you or to talk to you, just be patient until they are finally able to get back to you.  It is also a good idea to try and build a good relationship with your breeder – you will probably want to draw on her knowledge of Maltipoo dogs throughout the duration of your dog’s life, and it is always a good idea to have an expert at hand of whom you can ask questions and maybe even celebrity your love for this adorable breed.

Always go with what you are comfortable with – you will be investing in a puppy that can live upwards of 12-14 years, so it pays to find the right puppy from a breeder that you trust. Be discerning, and if you still haven’t found the right one, just be patient and continue your search.