Breeding - Guidance For Selecting a Breeder and Adopting a Eurasier

This information is intended to help potential adopting families engage in a thoughtful dialogue with a potential breeder. These suggested guidelines are not intended to constitute hard and fast rules; rather, they are intended to identify matters you should consider, discuss with the breeder, and then decide what is best for you and your family.

1. Your Eurasier may be a family member for 14 or more years. Your selection of a breeder and a Eurasier is a decision that must be carefully considered.
2. A breeder should provide information about Eurasiers and satisfactory answers to questions from potential owners, and should encourage new owners to maintain regular contact.
3. A breeder should provide a written contract that includes guarantees for the health & soundness of their puppies; and a policy to accept the return of a puppy, or assistance in finding it a new home, in the event the new owners are unable to keep it.
4. A breeder should be able to provide references from previous puppy owners who will discuss their breeder and Eurasier experience, if there has been a prior litter by that breeder.
5. A breeder should guarantee registration papers for a puppy within 6 months of the puppy's birth.
6. A breeder must provide proof the Sire and Dam have been registered with a nationally recognized breed organization, such as the Canadian Kennel Club (the American Kennel Club, or "AKC", does not recognize the Eurasier breed at this time).
7. A breeder should be able to provide proof that the Dam was at least 2 years old and the Sire at least 18 months old at time of first mating, and be able to offer evidence (documented certifications) that prior to mating, and at no sooner than 12 months of age, their health examinations were done. These include:
   
   1. A favorable* Hip dysplasia certification from a recognized organization such as the University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program (PennHIP), the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC), the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) or a Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) approved authority. * favorable is defined as HD-A1, HD-A2, or HD-B1, or equivalent.
      
   2. Patella luxation (Veterinary exam statement): Normal, or not greater than 1/1
   3. Eye diseases (specialist in ophthalmology preferred, minimal exam: entroprion, ectroprion and distichiasis): Normal
8. The sire/ dam reside indoors as members of the family. The puppies are also reared accordingly, in healthy conditions, with lots of positive human contact.
9. A breeder should either recommend an appropriate puppy for your family, or otherwise help you select a puppy. However, you must also decide that the Eurasier breed is right for you.
10. The Eurasier is a rare breed. Invest the time to find a breeder you are comfortable with, and one who is not a commercial breeder. Here are some questions you might ask to help you make your evaluation:
    • How many Eurasiers do you own and what are their ages?
    • Have your female Eurasiers had litters before the age of 2 years old?
    • Do you allow at least 12 months between breedings for the same female?
    • When was the last whelping for each female Eurasier?
    • How many litters have each of your female Eurasiers had and when?
    • Do you own or breed other breeds of dogs?
    • Do you have photos of pups from previous litters?
11. As you make determinations about the breeder, also expect the breeder to be qualifying you.
12. Expect to be on a waiting list for a puppy for several months or even longer. Be patient - if you're in a hurry, the Eurasier is not the breed for you.

    Excerpted and modified from NAEC October 2005 Newsletter,
    Courtesy of the North American Eurasier Committee

    
    
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