Questions to ask your prospective Spinone breeder

1. Why are you breeding your Spinone bitch?

A breeder should be able to tell you honestly that the bitch is not perfect and be able to describe both strong and weak points. If you don't hear about the breed's conformation standard and an intent to improve the breed, probe further about the breeder's reasons and beware. Inquire about the bitch's hunting instinct, and ALWAYS ask about the parent dogs' temperaments!

2. Why did you choose this particular male Spinone for the breeding?

The answer to this question should include an element of improving on the bitch's conformation or correcting a weakness, and should also account for temperament and hunting drive. The two dogs might be from the same lines (linebreeding) or they may be from different bloodlines (an outcross). Either way, the breeder should have a specific reason for choosing the male.

3. What kind of congenital defects are present in the Spinone breed? What steps are you taking to decrease these defects?

You should research the breed as much as possible so that you know what issues are inherent in the Spinone breed. If a breeder tells you there aren't any congenital defects, they are being dishonest with you and you would be much better off finding a different breeder. For a breeder, taking steps to decrease defects involves testing their dogs before breeding to ensure they are not dysplastic, have healthy eyes, examining the pedigree history for CA, etc.

4. Do you have the parents on site? Can I see them?

Most breeders do not have both parents on site. Usually the breeder owns the female and the male is owned by someone else. If both dogs are owned by the breeder, make sure there are good reasons for the breeding and it's not just convenient for the breeder to have both a male and a female to produce purebred puppies. This is not always the case, but it does happen a lot.

5. What are the good and bad points of the parents? What titles do they have?

This question may have been answered along with the first two questions about the breeding. The breeder should be comfortable in telling you the weaker points of both dogs and how they will complement and strengthen one another.
It is not necessary to have conformation Championship titles to prove that the dogs are worthy of being bred and improving the breed, but if the parents have not been shown or do not have at least some points toward their championship, ask why. The assessment of breeding stock is the primary reason for competing in the show ring, and the title is a benchmark that a dog has held its own when compared with other dogs against the breed standard. The same applies to hunting titles as well as those for other activities such as agility and obedience. Accomplishments like these say a lot about the dog's temperament and willingness to work as a team.

6. Where were the puppies raised? How have you socialized them?

Ideally, puppies are born and raised in the breeder's home, where the family lives and normal activity is going on around them. This gives the pups their first crucial socialization. If the breeder raises the puppies in the garage or in "the kennels", be wary. Such puppies can still be well adjusted and socialized, but has the breeder spent enough time with the litter?
Socialization is the single most important element in having a healthy, well-behaved dog as part of the family. Puppies need safe and sensible exposure to people, other dogs, children, household sounds, new situations, and any other thing you need them to be comfortable with. The lack of this socialization can cause the puppy to become a fearful, shy, and sometimes aggressive dog. Just as human children, puppies need room to explore the world within safe boundaries provided by you.

7. How many litters do you have a year?

If a breeder "always has puppies," run the other direction. One or two litters per year is optimal for being able to ensure the proper care of the dam and puppies and carefully plan for the litter, find good homes for all the pups, and so on. If you learn that the bitch has had two litters in one year, ask WHY!! You may be talking to a breeder who is just trying to make money, without care for the health of dogs. This situation can be very hard on the dam's physical well-being, and is not the way a caring and ethical breeder treats dogs except in very specific situations.

8. What guarantees do you have for this puppy?

A breeder should guarantee that the puppy is healthy at the time of sale and free of debilitating genetic problems. Also, they should be willing to take the puppy back at any time during its life. Ethical breeders WANT to take the puppies back, as they never want their pups to wind up in shelters or as rescue dogs.
There is never a guarantee that a puppy will do well in the show ring, field trials, or be a good dog for breeding.

9. When can I take the puppy home?

Most breeders send puppies home between 8 and 12 weeks. Puppies who leave the litter much earlier than 8 weeks may have difficulty in socializing properly with other dogs, and may develop behavioral or other problems. If a breeder refuses to let you take a pup before 8 or 9 weeks of age, you can know that breeder has the puppy's best interests as a top priority.