How to Find a Good Service Dog Breeder
When you decide you want to own a service dog, you have several decisions to make. You’ll need to select a breed and decide whether you want to purchase a dog from a breeder or adopt a rescue or shelter dog. While many people will want to purchase a dog based on their specific needs, the cost can be high. What’s more, there’s no guarantee that an expensively bred dog will be a better match for you than a rescue.
If you decide to go with a breeder, be aware that you may pay upwards of $15,000. That being the case, you’ll want to select a breeder that meets the highest criteria. Fortunately, there are easy methods for ensuring that a breeder is doing all they can to raise healthy, well-adjusted pups that can excel in service work.
In this article:
What to Look for in a Breeder
If you’re actively looking for the right service dog, you probably know that there are breeders — and then there are breeders. “Puppy mills” are breeders that produce as many pups as possible with little attention to their health and welfare. As a result, their puppies may have health issues or be difficult to socialize and train, qualities that can disqualify a dog from service work entirely.
You can ask around, check online reviews, and narrow your choices. But you’ll want to do more to ensure that your dog is not only a good match for you and your family, but is also the service dog you need. To identify a top breeder, ask these questions:
What is your process for ensuring the health of parents and pups?
Service dogs must maintain peak physical condition throughout their working lives, often 8–10 years or more. Unlike pet dogs, service dogs cannot simply “take a day off” when they’re not feeling well because their handlers depend on them daily for independence and safety. Research issues that may impact the specific breed you’ve selected, and ask about those issues.
In addition, ask specifically about eyes, hips, and elbows, as well as diseases including a genetic predisposition to epilepsy, heart, allergies, thyroid, etc. For service dogs, hip dysplasia can end a career prematurely, while epilepsy or heart conditions can be life-threatening for both dog and handler. A good breeder should gladly share all test results with you. They should also be able to provide vet records, including evidence of appropriate vaccinations.
Are you a member in good standing of a breed club?
There are several breed clubs that evaluate breeders and award them certificates if they follow the club’s rules. Some of these clubs include the “Bred with HEART” program of the American Kennel Club, as well as the Puppy Culture program and Avidog. If you are told they are members in good standing, ask to see their certificate.
Where and how are your puppies raised?
Service dogs must remain calm and focused in crowded restaurants, busy airports, noisy hospitals, and countless other public spaces. A well-socialized puppy will be raised in a human-centered environment where they can engage with people all day. Ideally, your chosen pup should interact with adults and children, women and men, individuals and groups, to ensure their comfort with all kinds of people.
For service dogs, this early socialization is critical. A dog that startles at sudden movements, loud noises, or unfamiliar people cannot safely perform tasks like mobility assistance or medical alert work. Look for breeders who expose puppies to various surfaces (such as tile, carpet, and grass), sounds (vacuum cleaners, traffic, and crowds), and experiences (car rides, different locations) during the crucial 3–12 week socialization period.
What are your visiting rules?
You should never buy a pup from a breeder you haven’t met, and you should never buy a pup you haven’t spent time with. Ideally, you should be invited to play and work with your chosen puppy from the time they’re four weeks old, though they should not leave their mothers until they are at least eight weeks old. During these visits, observe how the puppy responds to new people, novel objects, and basic handling. These are all indicators of their potential for service work.
What are your policies and warranties?
You can do due diligence, choose a healthy, happy pup, and still find that you and a particular animal are not a good match. For service dog candidates, this is really important because not every dog has the temperament for service work; some may be too energetic, too timid, or lack the focus required for task training.
It’s also possible for an apparently healthy dog to develop a serious illness that wasn’t caught before they were purchased. A good breeder should offer a generous return policy, along with a lifetime support program. Some service dog breeders will even help place a dog that doesn’t complete service training into an appropriate pet home.
For more information on selecting the right dog for you, check out our guide on selecting the right service dog prospect. We’ve also written several guides offering advice on choosing the right service dog breed for your needs.
Service Dog Focused Breeders
You don’t have to buy your dog from a service dog-focused breeder, but you may choose to do so. These organizations focus on breeding dogs with specific temperaments and health clearances suitable for service work, meaning traits like calm confidence, eagerness to please, high trainability, and a strong work ethic. Many also conduct early neurological stimulation and temperament testing to identify puppies most likely to succeed in service roles, and some also offer training programs and training support.
On the other hand, they are often more expensive than typical breeders. Some of the best-known service dog breeders include Little Angels Service Dogs, Elite White Goldens, 4 Paws for Ability, Warrior Canine Connection, and NEADS (National Education for Assistance Dog Services).
Making the Right Choice
While it’s important to have a budget in mind when you select a service dog, don’t assume that “you get what you pay for.” Remember that service dog training can take 1–2 years and cost a significant sum on top of the initial purchase price, so investing in a well-bred puppy with service dog potential can actually save money long-term (if you’re self-training, check out our guide on how to train a service dog).
Breeders have many ways of pricing their puppies and their services, and the most expensive breeder may or may not have the service dog you’re looking for. Only personal interaction with the breeder and the pup can tell you whether you’re making the right choice for your needs.
About the Author: The writing team at Service Dog Certifications is made up of folks who really know their stuff when it comes to disability laws and assistance animals. Many of our writers and editors have service dogs themselves and share insights from their own experiences. All of us have a passion for disability rights and animals.
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