Once you've contacted several breeders, you should be prepared to interview each breeder in order to narrow down your choice. You can generally interview the breeder by phone, and if the breeder answers your questions to your satisfaction, you will want to visit the breeder's home to confirm that you've made the right choice.

Here are some questions that you will want to ask each potential breeder:

1. How long have you been breeding dogs? What types have you bred? Your breeder should be knowledgeable and have some experience with the type of dog that you are looking for. After all, you're looking for healthy pup that has been raised by someone with knowledge of the breed.
2. Why do you like this breed? A good breeder will be passionate about her dogs, and this love will come through in care of the dogs and puppies.
3. What health issues do your dogs have? What are the downsides to this breed? An honest breeder should discuss some of the health issues that can arise in the breed, and she will also be willing to discuss the negatives of the breed. After all, a reputable breeder will want to make sure this is a good fit in both directions and will not be afraid to discuss the breed's problems. Also, this information should serve to confirm your research of the breed.
4. Where do you raise your puppies? The puppies should be raised in the home, in a light, clean, warm environment. Although the surroundings must be confirmed upon visiting the breeder, even knowing whether or not the puppies are raised within the home or not can be very telling.
5. Can I meet one or both of the parents? If the breeder is willing to let you meet the parents, you will get a good idea of what your puppy will look like when grown. This will also confirm the health conditions of dogs in your breeder's are, and allow you to spot any major health issues in the family line.
6. Do you offer a health guarantee? A breeder who raises healthy dogs will be willing to guarantee her puppies for some period of time after going home with you. This can vary from a period of months to a full year.
7. Does the puppy have a pedigree and registration? Again, experienced breeders should be able to provide you with a family lineage and registration papers for a major kennel club.
8. What if I can't keep the dog? Most all reputable breeders will allow you to return the dog for any reason if there is a problem. The willingness to accept the dog is a sign that a breeder truly cares about her dogs.

Incidentally, a reputable breeder should also want to ask you questions. This is actually a positive sign as it indicates that the breeder is concerned about the long term welfare of her pup, and the two way question and answer session can only serve to reaffirm to both parties that one of these pups is going to be the right dog for you. Be prepared to answer such questions as:

1. How did you decide upon this specific breed? The breeder will want reassurances that you want this dog for reasons beyond a pretty face. For a relationship to last, compatibility is going to be the principal factor.
2. Where are you planning on keeping the dog? Breeder's who are interested in the welfare of their pups would probably not like their dogs to be kept in a garage, or outside full time.
3. Do you have a yard? For many dogs, exercise is important and having the right yard for the dog can be enormously important. For other dogs, smaller spaces might be just fine, so this is just another way of ensuring compatibility.
4. Do you have children? This might just be for informational purposes so the breeder can make sure that you are aware of the special requirements of introducing a new dog to children to make sure both puppy and children play safely together.
5. Are you prepared for a puppy? The time and energy requirements needed during the first few weeks of having a new puppy are tremendous and the breeder will want to make sure that you are prepared to make the commitment.

When all is said and done, the two way interview is a wonderful mechanism for ensuring both breeder and potential puppy owner that this is the right dog for you. It gives both a chance to make sure that the cute, new puppy will have a wonderful forever home. So definitely, take advantage of the breeder interview to learn more about the breed of dog you're considering and to make sure you are getting a healthy, happy, well adjusted new puppy!