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Questions to ask breeders

Introduction

For those seeking a puppy to raise as a service dog candidate, the following questions for breeders are specific to mobility dog prospects. This is not an all-inclusive list of questions to ask breeders, but should offer some direction to get started.

How long have they been breeding dogs and do they breed to standard?

Breeder should have been breeding a minimum of several years (and litters) to have ample experience with whelping and raising a litter of puppies. Each whelping and litter is unique, so more experience can be very helpful.

What health issues does the breed have (do the breeders know the health issues and what they should be screening for)?

Breed standards including recommended health tests are available here:
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/

Have you bred this pair before? If so, what were the size of the pups when full grown?
For Light Mobility Assistance:
guiding, light leading, and/or support through light contact with the harness handle (NO bracing or routine pulling).

  • Minimum weight of 50 pounds (22.6 kg) or more
  • Minimum height of 22” (56 cm) or taller at the withers

For Moderate to Heavy Mobility Assistance:
moderate assistance may include counterbalance and momentum pulling. Heavy assistance may include routine pulling and bracing (downwards pressure).

  • Minimum weight of 60 pounds (27.2 kg) or more for moderate mobility assistance 
  • Minimum height of 24” (60 cm) or taller at the withers
  • Dog is at least 50% of partner’s weight for heavy assistance (e.g., a person that weighs 150 pounds or less partnered with a dog that weighs 75 pounds or more)
Have any puppies from previous litters become therapy dogs or working dogs?

Ask about health concerns, temperament and trainability of the puppies. Have any become therapy dogs or working dogs? Ideal pups like to work but settle quickly and have a strong food drive.

Request to see the sire and dam's health screening results (OFA results are easy to search through the dogs AKC registration number)
  • Ask if sire and dam have had any health issues?
  • Do they have hip/elbow/eye/heart/genetic health screening results for all of the recommended health tests for the breed?

Ask to see these – OFA results are easy to search through the dogs AKC registration number

  • What is his/her size?

For Light Mobility Assistance – guiding, light leading, and/or support through light contact with the harness handle (NO bracing or routine pulling).

  • Minimum weight of 50 pounds (22.6 kg) or more
  • Minimum height of 22” (56 cm) or taller at the withers

    For Moderate to Heavy Mobility Assistance – Moderate assistance may include counterbalance and momentum pulling. Heavy assistance may include routine pulling and bracing (downwards pressure).

    • Minimum weight of 60 pounds (27.2 kg) or more for moderate mobility assistance 
    • Minimum height of 24” (60 cm) or taller at the withers
    • Dog is at least 50% of partner’s weight for heavy assistance (e.g., a person that weighs 150 pounds or less partnered with a dog that weighs 75 pounds or more)

     Very important for mobility dogs

    What is their return policy?

    Confirm that the breeder is willing to take the puppy back if they are not able to become a mobility dog. Reputable breeders should take the pup back.

    What type of socialization do they do with the puppies, starting when, and how often?
    • Meeting other men, women, children
    • Other adult dogs
    • New environments
    • Objects, things
    What type of enrichment activities do the puppies get?

    Puppies should be exposed to different:

    • Surfaces
    • Sounds
    • Moving objects
    • Challenges – barriers, tunnel, etc
    Do the puppies ever have one-on-one time away from their litter?

    It is important to evaluate their temperament away from the other pups in the litter – it can be quite different than when they are with the litter.

    Do the breeders do any type of early neurological stimulation or early scent introduction?

    Early neurological stimulation is done when pups are 3-16 days old. Benefits are reported to be improved tolerance to stress, greater resistance to disease, and improved cardiovascular performance.

    Early scent introduction is also done when the pups are 3-16 days old. Benefits are reported to be improved scenting ability later on, enhanced confidence, and association of the particular scents that were introduced. 

    Do they do any temperament testing? Which protocol? When?

    Temperament testing is typically done at 7 weeks. Volhard protocol is most common; however, there are other protocols that may be used.

    Are the breeders familiar with the Puppy Culture Protocols?

    Puppy Culture is a program that combines early neurological stimulation along with socialization and enrichment activities, resource guarding protocol and early clicker training.

    What is their puppy contract?

    Ask to review this and be sure you can agree to all the points. If not, ask which are negotiable.

    What is the breeder’s recommendation on when and how to use mobility support prospects? What health clearances does the breeder recommend for the mobility dog prospect and at what age? Does the breeder give guidance on the appropriate timing for mobility usage? i.e. bracing, balance, stability

    Health checks – Radiographs/X-rays performed on hips and low back, elbows and shoulders

    • Rule out orthopedic issues and dysplasia that may cause injury, pain and/or limit the dog’s ability to work
    • OFA or PennHIP reviews are strongly recommended; scores should be good to excellent and appropriate for the breed
    • Questionable findings should be referred to a canine sports medicine or veterinary rehabilitation specialist for advisement on the individual dog 
    • Minimum age of 18-24 months for any type of mobility work