PUPPY MILL NORFOLKS
Buying puppies on the internet can be dangerous. There are breeders out there that have been convicted of animal abuse. You do not want to buy a dog from someone that is breeding for the money, keeps their dogs in cages, and breeds everytime a bitch comes in season. Please compare these dogs pictured here to the dogs pictured under Friends pages. You want a breeder that does health checks and cares about the quality (not the quantity) of the dogs they breed. Search under the persons name....if you find multiple sites with multiple breeds listed. BEWARE. Search under the telephone number....if you find multiple names with different Kennel Names .... BEWARE. Does the breeder have a contract. Will they take the dog back anytime in the dogs life for any reason, no questions ask? Responsible breeders want the dogs returned to them for rehoming. People that are selling for the dollars involved, will not allow you to return a dog, nor will they refund any or all of your money. A dog is a life time commitment. The price you pay is only the beginning.

Disreputable Dog Dealers love to advertise cute puppies

THINGS TO WATCH FOR:
• Advertises on a puppy web site that requires you to pay for additional information on breeder and litters. (BEWARE)
• Multiple breeds associated with the listing. If you research the persons name, kennel prefix, and/or email address or kennel name or telephone number, you might find multiple breeds associated with the person on multiple web sites. BEWARE.
• Brags that dogs have multiple AKC Champions in the pedigree. This may be true. The question is...have they every produced a champion or do they show their dogs? RARELY. Unfortunately....the fact a dog is AKC registered or champions in the background is not proof that the person is not a "Puppy Mill" or a breeder of dubious reputation. BEWARE.
• Brags dogs are being shown. Frequently, Puppy Mill people will enter their dogs in a AKC Dog Show that has "no competition". When the dog or bitch wins the breed, they take a picture of the dog going Best of Breed or Best of Opposite Sex. It is for advertising purposes only. Rarely, if ever, do they show up at a show where other Norfolk Breeders with good reputations are and compete with them. There sole goals is to say the dogs have been shown and have Best of Breed standing. BEWARE
• Advertises that their dogs have mulitple health clearances. Ask for the sire and dam's AKC registration number. Go to www.offa.org and search under the registration number. Disreputable breeders claim health clearances without ever having them. No record on www.offa.org....then ask for copies of the certifications from the vet's of the dogs health certifications.
• Imports dogs from little know countries in Europe (Poland and Russia)....these countries have dubious registration processes, unfortunately, the AKC is accepting the registrations. Some foreign breeders of good reputations have be duped into selling dogs to puppy mills in the United States. Big mistake...BEWARE
• Ask to visit their home, kennel or farm, or tell them you have a friend in their area that would like to visit their place? If they refuse....BEWARE.
• Gives you a vet reference: This is a great opportunity. Call the vet, ask about the puppies. Ask how often the person breeds? Ask if they only breed to their own dogs? Ask how many different breeds this person owns and breeds? Ask how many total litters they have every year? Ask what genetic tests, if any, they perform on their breeding stock? Ask what happens to the breeding stock when the bitch or dog no longer can produce? Ask about the puppy you are purchasing, has it been seen by the vet and examined? Does it have its first shots? Ask about the general health of the puppies this breeder brings to the vet? If the person has a good relationship with their vet, the vet will know all of these answers. If they refuse to give you a veterinary reference.....RUN....don't walk to the nearest exit. BEWARE.
• If you think it is a good deal and the price is $1800 or $999...you are probably not getting a good deal, you are getting a half breed or a puppy mill dog.
• Offers to sell the dog without any restriction on breeding (BEWARE...misery loves company.)

WHERE TO FIND A REPUTABLE BREEDER OF NORFOLKS
It is true. It is hard to find a reputable breeder of Norfolk Terriers. A reputable breeder usually only breeds when they want to keep something for themselves. A reputable breeder does not breed everytime the bitch comes in season and constantly breeds to the same stud dog(ie both parents on premises). A reputable breeder will generally belong to the parent club the Norfolk Terrier Club(NTC)(the only AKC approved parent club)or a local Kennel Club or a Regional Club (directly sponsored by the AKC parent club). They will frequently support other clubs in their local area. Websites you will want to visit:

• NTC: Breeder Listing available: http://norfolkterrierclub.org)
• American Norfolk Terrier Association (ANTA) Website: www.norfolkterrrier.org
• The Bluebonnet Norfolk Terrier (TBNTC) Club: Breeder Listing Available: www.tbntc.org
• NNTC Greater Chicago: Breeder List: http://www.nntcgc.com

NorCal Norwich and Norfolk Terrier Club - www.norwagger.com

Remember, by purchasing a Norfolk from an unreputable breeder you are contributing to the problem. When there is such a high demand, the Puppy Mills and disreputable will breed the bitch every time they come in season....and you are perpetuating the problem. Be patient, keep calling, don't expect your long distance calls to be returned. Call back until you reach someone. Be respectful of the persons time. Ask if they can talk before you demand to know if they have puppies.

SO YOU THINK YOU HAVE FOUND THE PERFECT PUPPY
You think you have found the perfect puppy. Fine....go one step farther. Call the NTC or a member of the NTC in the same area of your breeder. Ask them what they know about the person. Tell them where you found this person and how you are going about this. If they don't know your breeder, maybe they can put you in touch with someone that does. Don't be fooled....don't contribute to the problem just for instant gradification. Another place to find a local breeder is http://www.infodog.com/brag/breedbystate/. You just might be surprised. Most Norfolk breeders that don't have puppies will try to refer you one to someone that does, if they think you are qualified. Ask if they know of anyone with a litter or a litter coming up. Be willing to wait. Call back to check up on the progress of the litter. Be willing to put down a deposit on the puppy. Last, and ask for a vet reference. Call the vet, discuss the puppy you are purchasing. See list of question to ask the vet above.

Some Great Places To Visit

People Convicted of Animal Abuse

Norfolk Terrier Club (AKC Approved Parent Club)

The Bluebonnet Norfolk Terrier Club

Norwich and Norfolk Terrier Club of Greater Chicago