breeder contacts | North Star Havanese

Finding a resposable breeder

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Your preferred breeder should...

1. Belong to a local breed club or a national all-breed club. Ideally, he or she belongs to several. However, sometimes this is impossible if there is no local breed club in the area. The reason for this requirement is that this sort of participation indicates depth of involvement. This breeder is exposed to other points of view, learns more about his breed, general dog care, modern breeding practices and is kept up to date. He is breeding in accordance with a Code of Ethics.

2. Be involved in showing their dog(s). This means that your breeder is not breeding in a vacuum. The breeder who does not show has no idea how good his dogs really are and is deprived of the opportunity to share information and ideas with others. Showing provides the competition which encourages breeders to produce better dogs. The breeder who shows wants to prove how good his dogs are in competition and is putting his breeding program on the line. He is not relying on just a pedigree to indicate quality. Even though you do not want a show dog, you deserve a pet that is the end result of a carefully planned litter--a pup which received the same care as a potential champion. The Breeder who is known by others and has a reputation to uphold will undoubtedly be as careful and honest in selling you your pet as he is in selling his show dogs.

3. Give you a period of time which to allow you to have the pup examined by a veterinarian to determine his state of health, so that both of you are assured as to its health. If a problem should arise, it can then be quickly resolved. This period of time is usually 48 to 72 hours.

4. Give you written instructions on feeding, training, care and grooming. You should also be given the pup's health/shot records. The breeder should supply you with information where you can purchase books about the breed.

5. Be able to show you proof of health testing. That their stock has been x-rayed and is clear of hip dysplasia, eye disorders, and other hereditary dieases preferably with and OFA certification number and a CERF number.

6. Make it clear to you that their responsibility continues long after you have taken your puppy home. Indeed, until your pup has departed this earth. Many dedicated breeders will ask that the pup be returned to them or placed with new owners who meet with their approval if ever for any reason you are unable to continue ownership.

7. Be curious about what kind of dogs you have had in the past and what happened to them.

8. Be curious about yourself. Ask questions like whether or not you have a fenced yard or if the pup will be walked on a lead. They will make certain you understand all the negative aspects of owning a dog as well as the positive. Having the pup's best interests at heart to say nothing of theirs and yours, a reputable breeder will take great pains to place his pups properly the first time around. A returned pup is a traumatic experience for all concerned and therefore, the breeder who is always willing to accept a puppy back will want to make certain that this specific purebred dog is the breed for you.

9. Be able to show you a clean environment, well-socialized puppies and a dam with a good temperament (happy and self-assured).

10. Be willing to give you references--names of people who have purchased pups from him in the past or of others in the breed.

11. Perhaps be a bit hesitant to sell you a pup until they know more about you. Will not pressure you into deciding immediately, and encourage you to see other litters before making your final selection.

12. Provide a written contract and/or conditions of sale.

13. Require spaying or neutering of pet-quality puppies. Breeders spend a lot of time and effort planning breeding programs designed to improve the breed. They selectively carry on their programs with only the best quality available. Pet quality puppies should be loved and enjoyed as pets. Reputable breeders don't want their dogs being used just to "make puppies" or worse yet, to have their puppies end up in "puppy mills" where they will be mass-produced. Therefore, they will require that pets be spayed or neutered before being registered with the AKC.

If your breeder meets all the above criteria, you are in good hands. If you find yourself with a negativeresponse to any of these, think twice, and discuss the situation with someone else. Don't be impulsive and DO ASK QUESTIONS.

NSHC member breeders

The NSHC breeder referral list is provided as a convenience to potential Havanese buyers and Havanese breeders. However, the NSHC takes no responsibility for the promises or guarantees that a buyer and seller may agree upon at the time of a sale. The NSHC relies on the ethics and honesty of individual breeders and cannot/does not inspect, monitor, or regulate the breeding or business practices of breeders in our club.

Inclusion in this list is not a guarantee of the breeder's reputation, health testing practices, or qualities of the dogs they produce nor does it constitute endorsement or recommendation by the NSHC.

It is the responsibility of potential buyers to ask questions and decide for themselves if they wish to do business with any particular breeder. Information relating to selecting a breeder and questions to ask is available in on our What You Need To Know First page

NSHC recognizes the AKC Breeder Of Merit program that honors responsible breeders who have gone above and beyond on health issues, temperament, and genetic screening, as well as to the individual care and placement of puppies in responsible homes. AKC Breeder of Merit Program: To give breeders a way to prove their dedication to preserving breed characteristics and producing healthy, well-socialized puppies. AKC considers them the most conscientious and most committed breeders.

NSHC Breeders listed in Alphabetical Order by Last Name