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If you have always wanted a certain breed of dog but never had one before, it can be tricky to find just the right puppy. There are so many people breeding dogs, how do you choose the best breeder? Here are 11 tips to help you make your choice.

1. Quantity does not equal quality

If a breeder keeps a lot of breeding bitches, she cannot possibly be giving each of them individualized attention. Ditto for their litters of puppies. It’s even worse if she has several breeds of dogs and is breeding them all. The very best breeders usually keep just a few bitches, treat them like pets, and retire them when they get over 4 to 5 years old.