Pet Store VS Finding a Breeder

[xxiv]

For future reference, is it best to go to the pet store and handle the dragons/observe them before taking them home or is purchasing one from a reputable breeder with known husbandry the better choice?

My dearest beardie passed... won't be able to get another one for some time now, going to college, but I plan on getting a beardie and a Tegu at some point after. I get nervous about pet store animals.

 

[beardie parents]

I've been lucky with the 2 petstore beardies we have. I suggest, however, to check out reptuable beardie breeders, some breeders aren't any better than petstores some, like tnd dragons or Barb (fresnowitte) have good healthy beardies.

 

[Valex]

I have one petstore, and 2 breeder off spring(one from TND Dragons, and one from diamonden) and they pretty much all work the same... lol. We did have some health problems in the beginning with Killian(pet store), and I do find it more re-assuring to purchase from a reputable breeder(especially one from this site).

If you are set on handling your dragon before you buy, you can go to reptile show, handle the dragon, not pay shipping, pay less than at a petsore, and buy from a reputable breeder. Check out www.repticon.com for shows near you. :wink:

 

[sara24354]

Both of my beardies came from a reputable breeder and I couldn't be happier.

 

[RolandKyramere]

I would recommend a reputable breeder, that way you can see the parents of the dragon. My three all came from mysterious backgrounds, so I don't know really anything about who raised them, and they have some issues.

 

[squirell]

Rioreptiles has some awesome dragons as well. That's where I got my little fatty.

 

[munchkins9802]

Okay having one from reputable, non chain pet store and one from Tom here (TND DRagons) I say GO FOR THE BREEDER! yes, you will pay more but will get a MUCH healthier dragon then one at the petstore. Our 20 month old has MBD and we are sure he wasn't healthy from the time we got him --how do we know?
Watching how the baby acts from Tom--and Fireball (our baby) is SOOO different than Hermes EVER was
HTH some

 

[Patchouli]

I bought both of my beardies from breeders. I bought one at a show. I was put on a list for the second, and waited patiently for the hatch. Both are healthy, beautiful, and lively. The second is a bit bitey, but that's more his nature than breeding I'm sure. Bought both as babies, no probs yet! One thing I've noticed at stores like Petsmart is that they don't get UVB or calcium dusted crickets. Also, unless someone at that store is really knowledgeable about lizards, they are just going to get the basic care the employees have been instructed to give, without the extra insight needed for interventions in case something may be wrong.