What is an Ethical Breeder?

An ethical breeder is someone who breeds dogs with integrity, transparency, and a deep commitment to the health and wellbeing of their dogs—before birth, throughout their lives, and long after they go to their new families. Ethical breeding is not about producing puppies for sale. It is about preserving breed standards, improving health, and raising dogs in a way that prioritises welfare above convenience or profit.

Choosing a breeder is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when bringing a puppy into your family. Ethical breeding goes far beyond producing puppies, it’s about responsibility, transparency, and a lifelong commitment to the dogs we raise and the families we place them with.

At Haleana Labradors and Golden Retrievers, we believe that every litter should be planned with purpose, raised with care, and matched to homes with intention. Ethical breeding means prioritising health, temperament, welfare, and long-term support, ensuring each puppy has the very best start to life and the best chance at a happy, healthy future.

Below is what you can expect from an ethical breeder and what we proudly uphold in our program.

1. Prioritises Health & Genetic Soundness

Ethical breeders invest heavily in health testing and only breed dogs that meet strict physical and genetic criteria.
This includes:

  • Full breed specific DNA panels for hereditary conditions

  • Hip and elbow scoring

  • Temperament assessments and structural evaluations

  • Only breeding from dogs that meet breed club standards

Breeding decisions are intentional, carefully planned, and always centred on improving the next generation.

2. Raises Puppies in a High-Welfare Environment

Puppies are raised in the home—not in kennels—with:

  • Daily socialisation

  • Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) and Early Scent Introduction (ESI)

  • Exposure to age-appropriate sights, sounds, and experiences

  • Clean, enriched environments

  • Individualised care and handling

Ethical breeders understand how early experiences shape a dog for life.

3. Transparency & Honesty

Ethical breeders openly share:

  • Health testing results for both parents

  • Details about puppy rearing protocols

  • Temperament observations

  • What to expect when owning the breed

  • Any concerns or potential issues

They do not hide information to “make a sale.”

4. Carefully Screens Potential Families

Ethical breeders match puppies to homes based on suitability, temperament, lifestyle, and experience—not colour, price, or who asks first.
This includes:

  • Detailed questionnaires

  • Honest conversations

  • Education about breed traits

  • Declining homes that are not the right fit

The goal is the right home, not any home.

5. Lifetime Support

A responsible breeder stays involved for life.
This means:

  • Ongoing guidance

  • Being available for questions

  • Taking back a dog at any age if needed

Their commitment doesn’t end at pick-up.

6. Ethical Breeding Practices

Ethical breeders:

  • Breed selectively

  • Follow DogsNSW and Dogs Australia guidelines

  • Provide the correct paperwork

  • Use clear contracts to protect everyone involved

Quality always comes before quantity.

7. Focus on Temperament, Not Trends

Stable temperament is prioritised over fads or “rare colours.”
An ethical breeder produces:

  • Friendly, confident puppies

  • Dogs that suit family life

  • Breed-typical behaviour and structure

Temperament is everything.

8. Education & Preparedness

Families receive:

  • Vet records

  • Registration papers

  • A health guarantee

  • Training and care guides

Ethical breeders make sure new owners feel supported and informed.