Once you have contacted a breeder, how do you know if that person is a reputable breeder who cares about the breed and about the people whom he or she sells to? Although the impulse to get a dog right away can be very strong, resist it. You are going to have this puppy for the next 12 years or so. It will be well worth taking your time to find the right breeder and waiting until puppies are available, if necessary.

Answer the following questions to decide if the breeder that you are thinking of buying a puppy from is reputable or not. You should answer "Yes" to most and hopefully all the questions, otherwise we would recommend that you keep looking. Try not to purchase a puppy from someone just because he or she is the only person that has puppies available right now.

1. Are the sire and dam both over two years old?

Yes _________No __________

OFA (Orthopedic Foundation of America) certification for hips and elbows cannot be done until two years old. (Although PennHip certification can be done at a younger age.) Also, some heritable health problems, such as epilepsy, may not show up until three years of age or older.

2. Do the sire and dam have their hips, hocks and elbows certified (and has the breeder given you copies of their certifications)?

Yes __________No ___________

Hip, hocks and elbow dysplasia both exist in the Belgian breeds. Making sure that both parents have these certifications helps limit the chance that your puppy will develop these debilitating problems.

3. Do the sire and dam have their eyes CERFd (Canine Eye Registration Foundation) and has the breeder given you copies of their certifications)?

Yes __________No ___________

PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) and juvenile cataracts are just two of the eye diseases that Belgians can have. If the sire and dam have CERF certifications, they have been declared free of any genetic eye diseases.

4. Do the sire and dam have titles in conformation, obedience, herding, agility, schutzhund, or other activities?

Yes __________ No ___________

While a title before or after a dog's name does not prove anything, if you are interested in purchasing a dog to show in breed, obedience, agility, tracking, schutzhund, herding or other dog sport, it may be of benefit to purchase a dog whose sire and dam are titled in that respective discipline. Titles also show that the breeder is active and interested in the world

of purebred dogs and that they are breeding for a purpose, not simply to make money.

5. Have you met the sire and dam of the puppy that you are going to purchase? Has the breeder sent you pictures of the sire and dam?

Yes __________No ___________

If distance makes it impossible for you to meet the sire and dam, then you should get referrals from others that know the sire and dam. Don't just take the breeder's word for it that their dogs have great temperaments or look beautiful.

6. Has the breeder provided you with at least a 3-generation pedigree?

Yes __________No ___________

This pedigree should show you each dog's titles and health checks. If none of the dogs in the pedigree have earned titles in any area, you should closely question the breeder as to their reason for breeding.

7. Has the breeder given you a copy of their guarantee?

Yes __________No ___________

A responsible breeder will guarantee their puppies for any genetic diseases that may occur. They may give you another puppy or reimburse your purchase price. A responsible breeder will take back a puppy or dog (no matter the age) if you are unhappy with it. In fact, many breeders will insist that you return a dog to them if you cannot keep it for any reason. Their concern for the puppies they produce does not end when the puppy goes home with you,

but lasts for the dog's lifetime.

8. Does the breeder only sell puppies that are at least 8 weeks old?

Yes __________No ___________

A responsible breeder would never take a puppy away from its mother before 7 weeks old. Numerous studies have shown that puppies taken from their mothers before this age do not adapt and thrive as well as older puppies. Often they will grow up to be fearful or timid.

9. Did the breeder screen you as a puppy buyer?

Yes __________No ___________

A responsible breeder will ask you questions about what you hope to do with the puppy, where it will live, and how you will take care of it. This indicates that the breeder cares for the ongoing welfare of the dogs he or she produces.

10. Does the breeder know the breed well?

Yes __________No ___________

A responsible breeder will know the Belgian Malinois breed. They will know about the health and temperament problems that exist in the breed. They will be able to talk to you about the energy level of these dogs and help you determine if this is the right breed for you. An experienced breeder will also know how to recognize certain traits in individual puppies that

will help him or her match the right puppy to the right home.

11. Is the breeder a member of the American Belgian Malinois Club (ABMC) and on the club's Breeder Referral List?

Yes __________No ___________

While club membership does not guarantee that the breeder is reputable, it does show that the breeder is interested in learning more about their own breed. Now that you have asked all of your questions be prepared to answer some from the breeder. Responsible breeders do not just sell puppies; they place them into proper homes. The breeder has put a lot into his litter in terms of time, money and love, not only of his dogs but also for the breed itself. Do not be offended if you are asked questions about YOUR qualifications to be a Belgian Malinois owner. A dedicated breeder will not pressure

you to buy his puppies. He will encourage you to discuss the breed both its positive and negative attributes, and to talk with other breeders.

1. Sales contract with the dogs name and registration number, or litter number, its parents' names and registration numbers, its date of birth and sex, and explanation of any guarantees and agreements such as neutering requirements, and signature of both seller and buyer.

2. Registration paper or application form properly filled out and signed.

3. Complete record of vaccinations, worming and veterinary exam

4. A supply of food currently being fed to the puppy and instructions for care and feeding.

5. Copies of Certifications of the parents:

OFA: The Orthopedic Foundation of Animals evaluates hip x-rays submitted for evidence of Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD). Dogs over two years of age with normal hips are issued a certification number. It is believed that by only breeding those dogs with OFA certification that CHD can be eliminated. CHD is a progressive syndrome, which results in deformed hip joints and lameness.

CERF: The Canine Eye Registry Foundation collects reports from eye examinations by board certified veterinary ophthalmologists. Dogs over a certain age, depending upon the breed, that have no evidence of any kind of eye defect are issued a certification number for ONE year. Since some defects can develop later in life, dogs must be re-certified annually. Eye defects in Belgian Malinois include cataracts and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA).

PennHip: PennHip is an alternatiave method used to evaluate hip x-rays submitted for evidence of CHD. Dogs may be evaluated younger than two years of age. PennHip measures laxity in the joint which can indicate whether or not there is likelihood of a dog developing CHD.