How do you find the perfect puppy for your family?
Finding an ethical and reputable breeder can be a challenge for puppy buyers. The MDBA has made it easier for puppy buyers by having classifieds on our website where only our breeder members can advertise. This means you know you are buying your puppy from a breeder who has been assessed and approved by the MDBA before they become a member. In addition to this screening, we monitor our breeder members to ensure they put the health and welfare of their dogs and puppies before all other considerations. We expect our breeder members to raise their puppies ethically and support their puppy buyers.
Our breeder members agree to being accountable to the MDBA which means in the rare event you have any issues with the breeder you can come to us for assistance.
An added bonus that puppy buyers get if they buy a puppy from one of our breeder members is they receive a complimentary membership in our Smart Dog Owners Club. Membership enables you access to member newsletters, resources and tools, member discounts and freebies, competitions, and support from our wider dog-loving community.
Why The Breeder Makes the Difference
MDBA breeder members are responsible and reputable, investing a lot of time studying their breeds, health testing their dogs, and consider factors such as temperament, structure, and the breed’s future. They socialise and train their puppies before they are sent to their forever homes. They choose to become MDBA breeder members because they love their dogs, admire their breeds’ unique qualities, and are eager to focus their efforts on breeding healthy and happy puppies that can positively impact the lives of their owners.
Our MDBA breeder members are part of a community where they can collaborate with other MDBA breeder members and our Smart Dog Owner Club members. Our breeder members use this community to better understand how their breeding programs are progressing and assess whether their dogs meet the highest breed standards in health, structure and temperament.
The bottom line is that for MDBA breeder members, raising the best dogs is a passion, an honour, a labour of love and a huge lifelong commitment. As a puppy buyer, you can reap the benefits of this when you select one of their puppies.
How to make sure you are buying a puppy from an MDBA breeder member
The best way to ensure you are buying a puppy from an MDBA breeder member is to contact them through our puppies for sale advertisements on our website. Only MDBA breeder members can advertise here.
If you are looking at advertisements on other websites or social media and someone says they are an MDBA member and do not cover the following points, be careful, as they could be scammers.
MDBA breeder members will:
- Talk to you on the phone, they will answer your question about the breed of dogs they have and help you choose the pup that’s spot-on for your lifestyle. Matching dogs with suitable families is a dedicated task that requires uncompromising commitment and love.
- Tell you how they protect the health of your puppy by health screening its parents and ensuring their dogs and puppies are kept in good condition.
- Before taking any money from you, they will provide a contract/bill of sale for you to look at. If you are happy with the contract/bill of sale, they will ask you to sign it; they will also sign it and give you a copy. The contract /bill of sale should cover the terms of your giving a deposit, what you are paying for, what they will provide to you, their contact details (including their address) and what will happen in the rare event something goes wrong. Most states have legislation that says whenever a seller sells a dog to a new owner (or buyer), the seller must provide a contract/bill of sale.
- Microchip every puppy and provide a signed transfer of ownership of the microchip.
- Only sell puppies and adult dogs if, to the best of the MDBA breeder member’s knowledge and belief, they are in good health at the time of sale.
- Screen prospective buyers for suitability and will fully advise them of the dog’s characteristics as a breed providing the necessity for appropriate diet, care, grooming and exercise.
- Never allow a puppy to leave their premises to go to a new home before the age of 8 weeks.
- Not sell or rehome a puppy without it having its first vaccination and regular worming treatments and documented evidence of this being provided to the buyer.
- Provide a written health guarantee for every puppy or dog sold, which must include details of what a purchaser must do if the dog becomes ill during the guarantee period.
- Supply all relevant breed-appropriate information to the buyer, which will include
- A diet sheet,
- A full and accurate puppy care sheet,
- Appropriate health care and exercise information,
- A parasite control regime,
- The puppy’s microchip information, and
- Any other information that will be helpful to the buyer and the puppy.
Why Is a Contract/Bill of Sale Necessary?
A contract/bill of sale is a legal document that outlines the terms and conditions of selling/transferring a dog’s ownership, proving that a sale was made. The contract/ bill of sale sets out the conditions for the return of any deposit. It is common practice for MDBA breeder members to take a deposit when people want to purchase a puppy that is not yet ready to leave its mother.
A contract/ bill of sale is important for:
- Preventing any disputes or misunderstandings between a buyer and a seller after a transaction is completed and it ensures both parties are protected.
- Setting out the terms for the return of a deposit if the buyer changes their mind about buying a puppy.
- Showing proof that the seller has the right to sell this dog.
- Making sure all information about the dog’s breed, health and condition is accurate at the time of purchase.
- Clearly detailing the breeder’s return policy and health guarantee for the puppy or dog being sold, including details of what a new owner must do if the dog becomes ill during the guarantee period.
What to expect from our breeder members when you pick up your puppy.
Our MDBA breeder members will ensure you receive the following at the time of handover.
- All relevant veterinarian paperwork, including vaccination certificates
- All paperwork regarding the ownership of the puppy.
- A signed microchip registration transfer form for the licensed animal registry from which the dog/puppy’s microchip is registered, described in the contract/bill of sale
- Information about the appropriate care for the dog/puppy with regard to its age, breed and health status.
What to expect from our breeder members after you take your puppy home.
- Provide a registered pedigree showing your puppy’s parentage and genetic history. Please remember that it can take some time (4 to 6 months) for you to receive your puppy’s pedigree papers.
- Help and support for you when your new puppy arrives home.