Some Questions you should ask:

• What is the health and temperament of both the Mother and the Father?
• Is there a pedigree on the Mother and Father?
• Is the Mother on the premises? If not, why?
• Are the Mother, Father, and puppies AKC registered?
  (Not NKC or any other 3 letter organization that puppy mills use!)
• How many litters do they produce in a year?
• Does the breeder care about doing a home check on you, knowing your financial ability to care for this potentially problematic breed?
• Have they gone over the breed specific anomalies?
• Does the breeder have referrences of other satisfied customers? Check them!

• Sign anything that releases the seller from liability once the puppy has been taken, aside from the 72 hour initiation/vet inspection period. The state of Florida has a lemon law and consumers need to start holding breeders to it.
• Purchase your puppy from a breeder who is far from you, especially over-seas. You won't have the opportunity to assess the conditions of the breeder's establishment or the health of the dog. The travel can be very difficult for a small puppy. And if you should have problems, the breeder may not be governed by the same laws that protect you from unscrupulous breeders and fraudulent sales. Internet purchases can be especially risky.

• Look at the conditions where the puppies are kept  and determine whether it's a hobby or a business for this person. If the conditions are not neat and clean, chances are their record keeping is not either, nor the detail required to birth and raise puppies properly.
• Take your new puppy to the vet within 72 hours of the purchase for a thorough check-up.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nancy Isakson has  been breeding and showing English Bulldogs since 1986. Her foundation Dam is in the BCA Hall of Fame with just one litter, and has won the Beckett Award for producing the most champions in a 5 year period.

She has served in many Bulldog Clubs in leadership roles. As a member of the Bulldog Club of South Florida, Nancy has served in most offices of the club, and has won awards from BCA for the publication of their newsletter. She has also won the Lundberg Award for outstanding contribution.

As a member of the Ft. Lauderdale Dog Club, Nancy has served as the club secretary for many years. She has been match and show chairman, AKC Delegate, ADOA delegate, and FAKC Delegate. She has also won the President's Award for outstanding contribution.

Nancy has been a member of ADOA since 1987. She was recording secretary at their annual meetings 1987-97. She has served as Director since 1995. As chair of the Air Travel Committee, she named and wrote "Pets 'n Jets", a guide to air travel with pets. Here she won the Kathryn Birk Award for outstanding contribution.

As a member of the Bulldog Club of America, Nancy has served as Legislative Committee Chair since 1998. She has also worked as Division 8 secretary and treasurer for many years.

Nancy is also a member of Buddies Thru Bullies and the Tampa Bay Bulldog Club, and is active in Bulldog Rescue.

As you can see, Nancy Isakson can tell you a few things about breeding and caring for Bulldogs. We appreciate her contribution to this page. Thanks, Nancy!