ETHICAL BREEDING

What is, for us, a responsible breeding

BREEDING PRESERVATION

An ethical breeder's main goal is to ensure that the breed remains true to its standard. Every breeding should always be done with the intent of preserving the breed.

Each pairing must be carefully planned, always with the aim of improving the breed’s health and longevity while preserving its temperament and anatomical traits.

Without responsible breeding, breeds can easily fade away—their temperament and morphology are lost, and their health becomes severely compromised.

Dog breeds are important not only for their diversity and beauty but also for the unique way they connect with society. Each breed has characteristics that make them ideal for different lifestyles, whether as companions, working dogs, guardians, or therapy dogs. They are also part of our cultural and natural heritage, reflecting history, traditions, and our deep bond with animals.

Preserving breeds is not just about the well-being of dogs; it ensures that future generations can continue to enjoy the unique qualities of each breed. By doing so, we are safeguarding a valuable legacy for all.

🚩 Red flags to watch out for:

Breeders who say they can sell the puppy with or without pedigree papers (LOP);
Breeders who claim that dog shows are pointless or just about "vanity";
Breeders who don’t use contracts for sales and show no concern for the future of their bloodline;
Breeders who barely ask any questions about your family or who don’t care who they are selling a puppy to;
Breeders who use dogs that don’t conform to the breed standard (this is often easy to spot).

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

Ethical breeders invest a lot of time studying their breed to gain a deep understanding of its characteristics, health risks, and history.

They usually focus on just one or two breeds, dedicating themselves to studying pedigrees and thoroughly understanding each lineage.

Attending dog shows is another valuable way to gain knowledge—listening to judges’ opinions, talking to experienced breeders, and continuously learning.

This ensures that their breeding decisions are as informed as possible, whether regarding health, morphology, or temperament.

🚩 Red flags to watch out for:

Breeders who breed multiple breeds at the same time;
Breeders who include dogs that don’t conform to the breed standard in their breeding program;
Breeders who only use dogs from their local area (often leading to extreme inbreeding) instead of making an effort to find the best bloodlines;
Breeders who don’t know the breed standard or simply don’t care about it;

LIMITED LITTERS

Quality Over Quantity. Good breeders limit the number of litters per female—usually no more than 3-4 litters in her lifetime.

They also avoid having multiple litters at the same time, as it would be impossible to give the mother and her puppies the attention they truly need.

Because of this, you’ll likely have to wait for your puppy. Most responsible breeders work with a waitlist.

🚩 Red flags to watch out for:

Breeders who always have puppies available and don’t use a waitlist;
Breeders who are constantly advertising available puppies;
Breeders who pressure you into making a quick purchase;
Breeders who are not transparent about the number of litters they have or the details of the parents.

TRANSPARENCY
(ABOUT THEIR SPACE, DOGS, ETC)

Future owners should always receive full documentation on the health tests of the parents (and/or grandparents), the pedigree, veterinary records, and all relevant information about the puppy and its lineage.

Good breeders also encourage visits to their breeding space—they want future owners to meet the litter and the parents and/or their family.

They actively share videos and photos of their dogs and daily life, not just cute puppy pictures. They have nothing to hide!

🚩 Red flags to watch out for:

Breeders who don’t provide full documentation;
Breeders who claim the parents have pedigree papers (LOP) but don’t register the litter;
Breeders who say their dogs have been health tested but don’t provide proof;
Breeders who refuse to show their facilities (often insisting on delivering the puppy somewhere other than their home);
Breeders who promise “perfect” dogs.

HEALTH TESTING AND VETERINARY CARE

Ethical breeders conduct thorough health testing on their breeding lines and every dog used in their program. For Cavaliers, this includes Doppler heart scans, eye exams, MRI scans for SM, orthopedic tests, and DNA testing for CC, DE, EF, among others (you can check the full list of recommended health tests for this breed here).

It’s not enough to only do genetic tests or a heart check at 1 year old—that doesn’t guarantee anything about the long-term health of the dog you’re bringing home.

In addition, responsible breeders provide detailed veterinary records for both parents and the puppy, so you can be sure you’re getting a healthy, well-cared-for dog. Your puppy should be up to date on vaccinations, dewormed (internally and externally), microchipped with proper registration, and have a health certificate issued by a veterinarian.

This level of care is essential to ensure the well-being of the dogs and to preserve the integrity of the breed for the future.

🚩 Red flags to watch out for:

Breeders who don’t provide copies of the health test results for the parents and/or grandparents;
Breeders who sell puppies without complete veterinary records;
Breeders who make unrealistic promises, claiming their puppies will never have health issues and that all their dogs are "perfect" and 100% healthy.

SOCIALIZATION & PUPPY RAISING ENVIRONMENT

Socialization is a huge part of a puppy’s development, and those first few weeks are absolutely crucial!

This means exposing the puppies to different environments, sounds, textures, people, and even other animals at the right time, in a safe and controlled way.

If a breeder is truly committed to this, you’ll definitely know—they’ll be proud to tell you all about it! Ethical breeders openly share their socialization process, explaining the steps they take to prepare their puppies for their new families.

They take great pride in making sure their puppies grow up confident, well-adjusted, and ready for a happy life.

Puppies should also be raised in a home environment, not isolated in kennels at the back of a yard.

🚩 Red flags to watch out for:

Breeders who don’t share anything about their puppies’ socialization;
Breeders who don’t encourage visits from future owners;
Breeders who disappear after the puppies leave their home, offering no post-sale support.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT FAMILY

A responsible breeder will always ask plenty of questions and take the time to get to know you and your family before deciding to sell you a puppy.

This process involves understanding your daily routine, your experience with dogs, your living space, how much time you can dedicate to a dog, and even your future plans. A good breeder wants to make sure their puppies go to the right families and will have a happy, fulfilling life.

This commitment doesn’t end when the puppy leaves—it’s only just beginning. Ethical breeders ALWAYS stay in touch with their puppy owners throughout the dog’s life. They should be available to offer support, answer questions, and help in difficult moments.

Every puppy they bring into the world is a lifelong responsibility.

🚩 Red flags to watch out for:

Breeders who don’t ask many (or any) questions about you, your family, or your lifestyle;
Breeders who are only focused on selling the puppy quickly, without considering if it’s the right fit for you or the dog;
Breeders who don’t require a conversation, visit, or questionnaire before deciding to sell you a puppy;
Breeders who disappear after the sale and don’t offer any kind of support;
Breeders who are willing to sell a puppy to anyone, without ensuring it will have a responsible and committed home.

CONTRACT & LIFELONG SUPPORT

Responsible breeders never sell a puppy without a written contract. The contract should be clear and detailed, ensuring that both parties—the new family and the breeder—understand their responsibilities. It’s not just a formality; it’s a mutual commitment to guarantee the puppy has a healthy and happy life.

This includes written health guarantees, breeding restrictions, and other important terms. If a health condition is discovered later on, an ethical breeder should be willing to help resolve the issue or even take the dog back if necessary.

Life is unpredictable, and sometimes circumstances change. If, for any reason, you can no longer care for your dog, an ethical breeder will always include a contract clause allowing you to return the dog. This ensures that, no matter what, the dog will always be in safe hands and never at risk of abandonment.

Ethical breeders care about their dogs for life, not just until they’re sold.

This kind of commitment is a clear sign of a responsible breeder—someone who doesn’t just want to sell a puppy but genuinely cares about the dog's future and maintaining a long-term relationship with the new owners.

They have a true interest in ensuring that their dogs are well cared for throughout their lives, no matter where they are.

Additionally, breeders should be available for ongoing support, offering advice on health, behavior, and nutrition for as long as the dog lives.

🚩 Red flags to watch out for:

Breeders who don’t provide a contract;
Breeders who don’t include a return clause in the contract;
Breeders who use vague contracts with no guarantee;
Breeders who disappear after selling the puppy and offer no ongoing support.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PUPPY

In general, new families shouldn’t impulsively pick their own puppy.

Instead, the breeder—who has been with the puppies since birth and knows them better than anyone—should carefully match each puppy with the most suitable family. This decision takes into account your preferences, lifestyle, and future plans for your dog.

To make the best match, the breeder will use your responses to a questionnaire, consider your conversations, and reflect on any details shared during your visits.

Each breeder has their own process, but all responsible breeders follow a similar method to ensure that puppies and families are well-matched.

🚩 Red flags to watch out for:

Breeders who allow families to choose their puppy without considering whether it suits their lifestyle and needs;
Breeders who don’t ask questions about your life or family;
Breeders who rarely communicate, don’t allow visits, and don’t require any questions or forms;
Breeders who make selections based purely on appearance;
Breeders who pressure families to choose quickly, without time to reflect or consider the best option.

PEDIGREE (LOP) & DOG SHOWS

Responsible breeders are registered in their country's kennel club and have a registered kennel name (ours is De Edel Plass).

A kennel name (affix) isn’t just for vanity—it ensures traceability throughout a dog’s entire life. It is tied to the breeder’s name and serves as a unique identifier for their dogs, allowing anyone to track their origins and breeding history. Ethical breeders take great pride in this, as it guarantees the continuity and quality of their work.

A dog without LOP (Portuguese Pedigree Registration) and/or a affix isn’t traceable. This means that if the dog develops health issues or other complications, it’s impossible to link them back to the breeder—which, of course, is very convenient for unethical breeders.

An ethical breeder may participate in dog shows more or less frequently, but at some point, they will have attended shows to continue learning and improving their knowledge of the breed.

However, it’s important to remember that simply having a kennel name (affix) and attending shows doesn’t automatically make someone an ethical breeder. You should evaluate all the other aspects mentioned on this page to ensure the breeder is truly responsible and committed to the dogs' well-being.

🚩 Red flags to watch out for:

Breeders who don’t have a kennel name;
Breeders who make excuses for not providing LOP registration;
Breeders who offer the option to buy with or without LOP.

VALUE

The price of a dog usually reflects the costs involved in responsible and ethical breeding. Ethical breeders invest a huge amount of time, money, and effort into raising healthy, well-socialized puppies. So, don’t expect a low price.

That said, a high price alone doesn’t mean a breeder is ethical—you still need to verify all the other factors mentioned here. However, an unusually low price is a clear red flag. Except for very specific exceptions, it’s simply not possible to breed dogs ethically while selling them at bargain prices.

‼️ Adopting a Dog or Buying from an Ethical Breeder – Both Are Valid Choices

In an ideal world, no dog would ever need to be rescued. But the reality is that many end up in shelters or rescues due to irresponsible owners or unethical breeders (puppy mills).

Adopting a dog is incredibly important because many dogs are waiting for a second chance. If you’re open to different breeds and prepared for the challenge, adoption can be a wonderful option.

If you choose to buy a puppy from a specific breed, it’s essential to support only responsible breeders who follow strict ethical practices, prioritizing the health, well-being, and socialization of their dogs.

Ethical breeders raise their puppies in a safe and loving home environment and are committed to their lifelong welfare, not just until the sale.

🚨 If you buy from an UNETHICAL breeder, keep in mind that:

You’re not rescuing a mistreated puppy (if you want to rescue a dog, visit a shelter or rescue organization!);
You’re supporting a business that exploits animals, allowing the puppy’s parents and other dogs to continue suffering;
You’re damaging the breed you love, as irresponsible breeding leads to serious health and temperament issues;
You may end up with a dog that was poorly socialized or even traumatized;
Your puppy might not look or behave like the breed you wanted;
You should expect high vet bills throughout your dog’s life;
You should be prepared for the emotional toll of owning a dog with serious health or behavioral problems;
You will receive no support from the breeder if anything goes wrong.

Both adoption and purchasing from a responsible, ethical breeder are valid ways to give a dog a loving home—as long as the decision is made with care, responsibility, and respect for the animals.

At the end of the day, the most important thing is to make an informed decision and commit fully to your future dog’s health and happiness. By choosing an ethical breeder, you’re not only ensuring that your puppy is healthy, well-socialized, and comes from a responsible background, but you’re also helping to uphold ethical breeding practices for the future.