Finding a quality poodle breeder in your area may be a challenge.
The internet, of course, is one place where breeders advertise.
Simply type your location and "poodle breeder" into
your favorite search engine (e.g., "Omaha poodle breeder").
You will get back thousands of hits, some completely irrelevant,
others just barely relevant, and perhaps three or four that are
exactly what you're looking for. But that's a pretty time consuming
way to find a poodle breeder who may or may not have the quality
you're looking for.
Another solution is to check your local paper. Look in the advertising
section under "pets." You might find a poodle breeder
there.
The problem with locating breeders online or in the newspaper
is that you have no idea who you're working with. Maybe the person
is a reputable poodle breeder. Or maybe he or she operates a nightmare
puppy mill.
Networking
A better way to find poodle breeders is to ask for recommendations.
Start with any members of your family or your friends that have
poodles for pets. Ask them where they purchased their dogs. If
they used a breeder, ask what they liked and didn't like about
the breeder.
If your friends and family are not poodle fans, contact the Poodle
Club of America and ask for a list of breeders near you.
If you want to become more familiar with poodles as well as find
a qualified poodle breeder, you might consider going to AKC (American
Kennel Club) dog shows in your area. Ask the poodle owners where
they got their show animals. Poodle breeders often attend these
shows as well, and you can get into a conversation with them about
their animals.
What about Pet Stores?
Anyone wanting a dog, let alone a poodle, should be strongly
discouraged from buying a pet store dog. These dogs usually come
from puppy mills where animals are neglected and mistreated. Pet
store dogs often suffer from severe health problems.
Backyard Breeders--Watch Out!
"Backyard breeders" is the name given to people who
allow their female poodle to have a litter of puppies for fun
or profit. They often sell poodles at inordinately low prices.
However, these folks are not true poodle breeders and will not
be able to give you comprehensive information about your puppy's
health and background like a qualified poodle breeder can. Better
to spend a little (okay, a lot) more and get a dog whose breeding
and background is impeccable.
