What is wrong with a breeder that advertises in the newspaper? Everyone says to go with a reputable breeder - so what is the difference between a reputable breeder and a non-reputable breeder? And why can you assume that someone is not reputable just because they advertise in the newspaper?
"Reputable" is in the eye of the beholder -- there are top winning breeders I wouldn't recommend for one second, and plenty of modest ones I would. However, anybody who's active showing dogs generally does not need to advertise their pups because they already have a waiting list or it's easy enough via word of mouth from one breeder to another to hook people up when they have a litter. Litters in the newspaper tend to be from novices or puppy mills.
The best way to identify a good breeder is to start going to local dog shows (shows will be listed on the websites of various superintendents-- in the Northeast it's usually MBF (
www.infodog.com), but you can do searches Dog Show superintendents and check out their websites. The AKC website will list your local clubs, and by going to their websites you can identify upcoming shows. Breed clubs also hold "matches" which are probably your best bet for casual conversation -- they're basically practice shows for puppies, and extremely informal. If nothing else you can get your fix of puppy kisses!
A good breeder will be more interested in whether YOU deserve one of her puppies than trying to sell you one. A good breeder will brag about all the health testing (every breed has issues, and every good breeder will be looking to spot and eliminate those issues at the first opportunity, not shrug them off or deny they exist). If you ask about an upcoming litter and the response is "they're $500, they'll be ready on the first of next month -- which one do you want?" run. A good breeder may not even know what will be available, especially in a breed that has multiple colors or patterns. The breeder won't likely choose which pup SHE is going to keep until the 8 week mark (or longer) so may only have the vaguest idea which one(s) will be staying and which one(s) will be going.
But it pays to be patient, because a well bred litter is carefully bred for temperament and health as well as beauty. And whatever you pay on the front end is likely to be saved in vet bills. No guarantee, but a good bet.
The sire is unlikely to be on site, because a good breeder is going to be looking for the very BEST possible sire for her pups, and the likelihood of owning him herself is less than the likelihood of him being out there somewhere -- also, dogs in her house are likely to be closely related.
Good luck with your search -- take your time-- it's worth the wait!
And if you don't want to go the breeder route, by all means support a good local shelter/rescue (local breed clubs should have a referral for that, also). In my experience in our breed, the vast majority of rescues are simply 8-9 month old untrained dogs that are no longer cute enough to make up for their lack of manners. It's not their fault nobody trained them -- they just need basic obedience and somebody who will be firm and consistent. However, my breed is larger, so with small dogs the rescue population may be older.
A good and conscientious breed rescue group will be able to make the distinction between dogs that simply need training and those that have actual behavioral issues.
