BarkFriends Responsible Breeding Standards

BarkFriends brings together responsible dog breeders and caring owners with complete openness. Every breeder on our site agrees to high ethical standards set with input from vets and breeding experts. These guidelines make sure every dog is healthy, happy and headed for a loving home.

Breeding Planning and Practices

Our breeders agree to:

  • Plan each litter with care, choosing parents for health, temperament and breed specifics.
  • Wait until dogs are fully grown—usually 12 to 18 months old—before breeding, following veterinary advice.
  • Limit each female to no more than four to six litters in her lifetime, unless a vet recommends more.
  • Get a vet's clearance before breeding any female who has had difficult births or is near her breeding age limit.
  • Use only dogs with calm, family friendly temperaments so puppies make wonderful pets.

Health and Veterinary Care

Our breeders promise to:

  • Give all dogs and puppies regular preventive care, including vaccines, parasite checks and health exams.
  • Run breed specific genetic tests and health screenings on every breeding dog.
  • Provide clear records of vaccinations, treatments and vet checks before puppies go to new homes.
  • Keep safe isolation areas or follow strict protocols when managing any illness.

Living Conditions and Welfare

Every breeder on BarkFriends ensures:

  • Clean, safe and comfortable spaces, indoors and out, with protection from extreme weather.
  • Daily exercise, chances to play and mental activities suited to each dog's age and breed.
  • Spacious, well maintained kennels or dog areas that are cleaned often.
  • Private, comfortable whelping spaces for mothers during pregnancy, birth and nursing.

Puppy Care and Socialization

Our breeders agree to:

  • Keep puppies with their mother and littermates until at least eight weeks old for proper social growth.
  • Give puppies age-appropriate play, handling and enrichment to prepare them for home life.
  • Start basic house training and move puppies to solid food around three weeks old.
  • Arrange early vet visits, vaccinations and parasite treatments before puppies leave.

Placement and Owner Screening

To place puppies responsibly, breeders will:

  • Talk thoroughly with each prospective buyer to check they are ready for lifelong pet care.
  • Explain any breed traits, typical behaviors or health issues so owners know what to expect.
  • Provide all new owners with vaccination and health records, registration papers when needed, a health guarantee and breed care tips.
  • Offer advice and support to new owners for the dog's entire life.

Records, Accountability and Returns

Every breeder must:

  • Keep clear, detailed records of health, breeding history and care, and share them on request.
  • Have transparent refund and return policies so owners feel secure.
  • Take back any dog at any stage if an owner cannot keep it, and help find a new home if needed.

By following these standards, BarkFriends breeders show their commitment to ethical, responsible breeding—always putting each dog's health, happiness and well-being first.