Finding a breeder

So, I've started looking for a breeder and I'm quickly discovering it's a lot harder than I thought it'd be!

My criteria is quite strict, as a *minimum* the dam and sire must be L2 HGA & HC clear and PHPV & PPSC unaffected plus pups must be PHPV screened and unaffected. Pups must be raised in the home, (ideally a busy one with kids), mum must be fed a good quality diet, pups must also be weaned onto a good quality food (I'm surprised at how many breeders feed the likes of pedigree chum or bakers!) breeder must follow a socialisation and habituation program like The Puppy Plan (http://www.thepuppyplan.com/) and a proper worming program, ideally would like the breeder to be within a 25 mile radius so it's easy for lots of visits (I'm on the Cheshire/Staffordshire border).

I love reds and I'd prefer a dog over a bitch although colour and sex are the least important things on the list.

I'd also like mum and dad to be hip scored although I think I may have to drop this requirement as it seems to be rarely done in the breed even though I think it's a good practice to ensure it doesn't become a problem. Same goes for patellar luxation although I don't think there is an official check for that and it's just something the vet can have a feel for.

So far I've contacted every breeder listed on the Champdogs website and those that are KC assured breeders within roughly a 25 mile radius, only about 10/15 people have got back to me and out of those I only have about 2 people that I'm happy to go and meet with as the rest don't even come close and a few of them are assured breeders!

If anyone here may be able to help with my quest then please let me know!

You're setting your sights too high, I'm afraid, especially as far as The Puppy Plan goes. Very few breeders adhere to this, although most good ones do socialise & handle the pups from birth.

The health test, as you say, are a must. Few breeders hip score their dogs & I don't think you'll be abl;e to discount a breeder because of that, as HD isn't a particular problem with staffs at the moment, neither is Patella Luxation, although an honest breeder will tell you if there is a problem within a certain breed line.

Have you contacted the local SBT breed club?.

search search all you can do.....

I would say keep away from dog that be close line bred if there dog that pop up more then twice then do not buy dont support inbreeding...

Thanks guys,

There have been one or two that ticked most of the boxes but then when I checked the planned mating on Mate Select the inbreeding coefficient was way over the breed standard so keeping an eye on that

I feared I might be being too stringent!

I've not contacted the local club yet although I'm in contact with someone involved in the breed council for GB so hoping they'll be able to give me some leads will give the local club a call though, thanks