While mongrels make good pets, some people want the predictability, characteristics, and looks of a particular breed. So where do you go to get a good purebred dog?        A breeder.

But not just any breeder. It is as important to choose the right breeder as it is to choose the right dog.   Breeders are your lifeline for when things go wrong and advice on everything from toilet training to breeding for yourself.   Choosing a breeder whose personality clashes with your own will only end in disaster, choosing a breeder who seems unconcerned or lazy will only result in your 'urgent' advice being too late or not coming at all. Its important that you believe in your breeder, that you trust him/her and have a good relationship from the very beginning, if you have any doubts then go elsewhere.

The first place to go to look for a reputable breeder is the Tamaskan Dog Register (TDR), all registered breeders must sign a contract with the TDR that protects the welfare of their breeding dogs.   Another place to look would be your countries breed club if they have one. In the UK we have The Tamaskan Dog Society of Great Britain (TDSGB), all reputable breeders will be members of both the TDR and their countries club, if they are not you must ask yourself  'why not'?  Country clubs often have additional health tests and regulations for their breeders to help protect the health of the breed and the reputation of its breeders.

DO NOT buy from anyone who is not a registered breeder with the TDR, over the last few years we have had many unscrupulous puppy farms/mills trying to cash in on the Tamaskan name by producing cross bred puppies and selling them for a fortune, even with false paperwork, do not be fooled by these people, they are con artists and may be very convincing, if you are in any doubt contact the TDR.

Always visit the breeder's home or kennel. The premises should be clean and smell good. Avoid breeders who have large numbers of dogs or a selection of different breeds. Beware the breeder who has multiple litters at the same time, this could be a puppy farm/mill masquerading as a breeder.

Ask to see the whole litter, to make sure each puppy conforms to the TDR standard, if all puppies look totally different, chances are they are not purebred dogs. If you are unfamiliar with standards then I suggest you look at the pictorial standard, this is an excellent illustrated standard I designed myself to help everyone understand what to look for in their Tamaskan puppy to ensure they have enough knowledge to choose the best pup for them.

Always ask to see the mother of the litter, she should look healthy and well-fed, with no runny eyes or nose. The puppies should be clean, sociable and outgoing. They shouldn't appear to be afraid of people, of course you can always get one pup is a bit reserved.  A good breeder will always have photographs of any stud dog they used on hand to show you.

Always try to ask lots of questions.

A good breeder should:

• Be very knowledgeable about the breed. The breeder should know the standard of the breed and be able to point out the faults in their own dogs as well as the good points, they should be able to explain about the temperament of the breed and should patiently answer all your questions.
  
   
• Ask you several questions about yourself, your lifestyle, and your family situation. The breeder may ask to meet your entire family or if you live abroad or very far away they may ask for photographs of your premises or may send another owner or breeder to view your house. Good breeders want to make sure their animals are placed in loving, responsible homes. They will go to great lengths to ensure this.
  
   
• Be concerned about the puppies future. They may ask you to sign a contract, specifying your responsibility in taking good care of your new dog. The TDR supply puppy contracts with every puppy which MUST be signed by all new owners to protect the welfare of the puppy and breeder, sometimes breeders will request you sign another contract of their own design.

• Provide lots of information. They should provide all the needed information to register your dog with the TDR, they should provide a pedigree and the TDR contract.  Plus good breeders should provide information about raising, training, feeding and proper veterinary care. Most good breeders will supply a bag of dog food.

Here's what you should ask the breeder.

• What is the breeder's history and experience? You want to know how long the breeder has been breeding this particular breed. And is the breeder a member of a breed club?  Having said that, just because someone has been a breeder for 45 years does not mean they are a good breeder.
  
   
• Health history of the puppies and parents. Ask whether the parents been screened hip dysplasia and DNA profiled to prove parentage, these two things are required by the TDR in order for the litter to be registered and the breeder should willingly give you a copy of the scores if you request them. In America dogs must also be eye tested (CERF), other genetic disease can be tested for, such as liver shunt and elbow dysplasia, but this is not mandatory for breeders.  Mon-orchidism is also common in the Tamaskan breed and you should be able to check the father of your pups for two testicles or receive a written letter from the vet stating that the father is entire.
  
   
• The temperament and characteristics of the breed. The breeder should be able to rattle off the typical characteristics of the breed, what type of family situation is best for this breed, whether the breed is good with small children, other dogs, the elderly, etc.
  
   
• Return/refund policies. The breeder should be willing to replace the puppy or refund your money if any genetically-linked illness occurs at any time during the animal's life, or if the animal gets sick and dies soon after coming home with you. If, for any reason, you are not able to keep your pet, a good breeder will gladly take the pet back or help you find a new owner. These conditions are written into the TDR breeders contract.

Purebred "papers" do not guarantee the looks, health or longevity of your puppy. The Tamaskan breed is still in its infancy and can be inconsistent in type at times, just like most breeds, try to find a breeder that breeds the type that you like, if possible find a picture of your favourite Tamaskan and ask for a puppy from that particular dog or bitch, you may have to wait a little longer, but it will be worth it.