How to Vet a Stud Dog Owner Before Booking: Questions, Red Flags & Verification

The health certificates matter. So does the person behind them. Here is how to evaluate a stud dog owner — not just their dog.

Booking a stud dog is a transaction built on trust. You are sending your female to a stranger's home, or paying a fee before results are confirmed, based on documentation you cannot personally verify on the spot. Most stud dog owners are honest, careful breeders. Some are not. Here is how to tell the difference.

Verify Health Testing Independently

Never take a stud owner's word for health testing. Verify it yourself.

OFA database (ofa.org): Every OFA hip, elbow, cardiac, thyroid, and CAER result is publicly searchable by the dog's registered name or AKC number. If the owner says hips are OFA Good, look it up yourself before you book. If it is not in the database, it does not exist.

AKC registration: An AKC number can be verified at akc.org. Confirm the dog's name, breed, date of birth, and registered owner match what you have been told.

DNA test certificates: Embark, Wisdom Panel, and Paw Print Genetics all issue PDFs of test results. Ask for a copy. The certificate should include the dog's name, microchip number, and specific test results.

Questions to Ask Every Stud Owner

1. Can you share copies of all health test certificates? (Hip, elbow, DNA panel, CAER, breed-specific)
2. What is his AKC (or other registry) number?
3. Has he been used as a stud before? Can you provide references from dam owners?
4. What is his brucellosis test status and when was it last done?
5. Is he current on vaccines? Which vaccines, and when?
6. Where does he live? Will the breeding happen at your home?
7. What does your stud contract look like? Can you send me a copy before we commit?
8. What happens if she does not get pregnant — do you offer a return service?

Red Flags to Watch For

They cannot share actual certificates. Verbal claims of "he's been tested" with no documentation is not acceptable. If they cannot produce PDFs of OFA results or DNA test certificates, assume the testing did not happen.

OFA results don't match their claims. If they say "Excellent hips" but the OFA database shows Fair or nothing at all, walk away immediately.

No contract. Any stud owner who operates without a written contract is either inexperienced or deliberately avoiding accountability.

Pressure to book quickly. "I have two other dam owners interested — you need to decide today" is a classic pressure tactic. Quality stud owners do not pressure you.

They refuse a brucellosis test. Brucellosis is serious and transmissible. Any stud owner who refuses to test for brucellosis before a natural breeding is putting your female at risk.

No photos of the actual dog. If they cannot provide multiple clear current photos of the dog, be very cautious. Ask for a video call to see the dog in person before booking.

The fee is unusually low for the breed. Genuine health testing costs money. If the stud fee is 30% of what other tested dogs in the breed charge, ask why.

Visiting in Person

For a natural breeding, visit before committing. Observe:

• The dog's temperament and structure
• The cleanliness and safety of the facility
• How the owner interacts with the dog — does the dog seem healthy and cared for?
• Whether the owner seems knowledgeable about the breed and health testing

You are sending your female to this person. Trust your instincts about the environment.

Summary

Verify health testing independently through the OFA database and by requesting PDF certificates from Embark, Wisdom Panel, or the relevant testing provider. Ask for references from prior dam owners. Insist on a written contract and a current brucellosis test. Red flags include missing documentation, pressure tactics, and reluctance to show the actual dog. Trust your judgment — if something feels off, find a different stud.