Our Toolbox 🧰

Backyard breeders will tell you everything you want to hear.

Until something goes wrong…

Here's the 5-step checklist I wish I'd had before buying my first Belgian Malinois.

Weekly Bite

Rescuing my first Belgian Malinois taught me a lot about the breed.

But nothing about vetting breeders.

If I had to buy a Belgian Malinois all over again, here's the 5-step checklist I'd use to weed out backyard breeders.

I'll walk you through each step using Rogue, a Belgian Shepherd Stud from Meraki's Belgians.

1️⃣ Are They Registered?

Validate if both parents are registered with a purebred registry (like AKC, CKC) or working-breed registry (BRN).

They'll have a registration number you can track via a website like Working-Dog or Bloedlijnen.

Take BRNs with a grain of salt, they're not regulated like purebred registries and can be falsified.

2️⃣ Did They Do DNA Testing?

Validate if the breeder performed DNA testing through services like Embark.

Not mandatory, but it's an eye-opener on what "purebred" really means.

3️⃣ Did They Do Health Testing?

Validate if the breeder completed every mandatory breed-specific test recommended by the OFA or breed club on both parents.

Check that:

• Results show a passing score

• Tests weren't preliminary (dog was old enough when tested)

• Results are still valid (haven't expired)

Some breeders go beyond mandatory testing, a great sign of responsible breeding.

4️⃣ Did They Do Temperament Testing?

Validate if both parents have been:

• Competed and titled in one or more dog sports, OR

• Successfully worked in breed-specific work

5️⃣ Will They Provide A Contract?

Validate if the breeder provides a written contract that includes:

• Health replacement guarantees

• Temperament replacement guarantees (i.e. workability/performance)

• Agreement to return the dog if you can no longer care for it

• Access to full registration upon proof of health and temperament testing

🎁 Responsible Breeder Green Flags

• Breeder offers references from past buyers

• Breeder isn’t kennel blind

• Breeder passes the google search “sniff test” aka no buyer bewares

• Breeder has 2 litters or fewer per year

• Puppies raised in a family environment

• Breeder provides Early Neurological Stimulation and socialization

• Breeder picks your puppy for you (usually around 7-8 weeks)

• Puppies go home no earlier than 8 weeks

TL;DR: Validate both parents have received health testing, temperament titles, and a contract with guarantees—or walk away.

Tail End

Vetting breeders takes time. What if I did it for you?

I'm building a tool to connect our community with responsible breeders who've already passed this 5-step checklist.

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Until next Thursday, ✌️

Sam