Best Breeders In Minnesota
Looking for a new pet to add to the family? There are many things to consider when starting your search. What animal, age, breed and where to adopt the pet are all important areas to think about. Should you go to an animal shelter, pet store or locate a specific breeder? Of course, you want to find a safe, reliable and responsible source for your soon-to-be beloved friend. When it comes to breeders, word of mouth and solid reputations for maintaining high standards are of utmost importance. The following local breeders fall within that category. But of course, observing and verifying the health, history and prior care of your possible future pet is something that each prospective pet owner is responsible for carrying out individually.
Wemja Woods Bernese Mountain Dogs
Darwin Missling
6939 Portland Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55423
(612) 618-8634
www.wemjawoodsbernese.com
Darwin Missling is well known as a high-quality local dog breeder because he ensures his Bernese mountain dogs are bred to the AKC standard and have good temperament, structure and health. They are all screened so areas like hips, elbows, heart and eyes have proper examinations and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals certifies his dogs before they are sold. Darwin chooses to share information about his breed of dogs to prospective owners on the Berner-Garde Foundation website, which is a free public database of genetic diseases found in Bernese mountain dogs. Darwin also remains available to the families who adopt his dogs for the life of their pet.
Pet Expo
1800 Adams St.
Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 625-2505
www.petexpomankato.com
Pet Expo is an independently owned and operated pet store that breeds USDA-certified small exotic animals that are sold on the property. For families looking for unusual pets, Pet Expo has a variety of hedgehogs, Brazilian short-tailed opossums, skinny pigs (hairless guinea pigs), southern flying squirrels, high-end sugar gliders and degus. There is a wide selection of these unique animals in many color morphs, from the norm to the very rare. Pet Expo is a breeder of choice for these types of animals because it exceeds the various inspections on facility conditions, history records and veterinarian examinations for health.
Snowy Haven Birmans
St. Paul, MN 55101
www.snowyhavenbirmans.webs.com
This small hobby breeder believes maintaining the certified health, calm temperament and remarkable beauty of its purebred-registered birman cats is essential. These cats, which come from champion lines, are never bred with felines from other catteries as to avoid contamination. Snowy Haven makes sure to provide a health guarantee that each cat is free of genetic defects or diseases per a veterinarian and all cats are vaccinated before they leave for their new homes. Snowy Haven also believes in holistic health care and never uses scoop litter which has been linked to Fading Kitten Syndrome.
Rio Gran Grooming School
Karen Beskau
16440 Fischer Ave.
Hastings, MN 55033
(651) 480-4726
www.riogran.com
For 25 years, Karen Beskau has been showing and breeding nationally recognized doberman pinschers and Boston terriers. She finds that having championship titles on her dogs show potential puppy customers that the judges who are keenly aware of breed standards recognize the fine quality of her dogs. Karen breeds about one to two litters per year and ensures that any puppy she breeds goes into a responsible home on a spay or neuter contract. She also provides health guarantees of any genetic or disabling defects. Karen asks new owners that if they cannot keep one of her breeded puppies, they bring it back to her to find a new home so the dog does not end up in an animal shelter. Karen also educates on responsible pet ownership at numerous local events, is the member of many dog clubs and associations that set a high ethical standard for breeders and is the CEO of Rio Gran Dog Training, Boarding and Grooming School.
Crystal Siberians
57800 Shady Lane
Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 340-6809
www.crystalsiberians.com
Val Grzeskowiak of Crystal Siberians upholds the highest standards of breeding Siberian cats as described by the International Cat Association (TICA). She has earned the Best Breeder award from TICA and has her litters undergo examinations from a veterinarian before adoption. Future owners of this hypo-allergenic breed of cat are encouraged to view the extensive pictures on Val's website or come to her home to see first-hand the conditions in which the eight to 12 litters born there per year are raised. Customers can be confident of the health of each cat, as Val offers a health guarantee as well.
Cortney Mohnk is a freelance writer covering all things Minnesota. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
