Bearded dragons, also known as Pogona, are a popular choice for reptile enthusiasts and first-time pet owners alike. These gentle lizards are known for their social personality and easy-going nature.
The first step in the process of keeping bearded dragon as pet is to be ready for the its arrival, which includes having the right cage and understanding their needs. The next step is to actually go out and buy your bearded dragon!
When buying a bearded dragon, it is important to choose a reputable breeder. A good breeder will prioritize the health and well-being of their animals, and will be transparent about their breeding practices.
In this post, we will discuss what to look for in a good bearded dragon breeder, how to find a reputable breeder, tips for choosing a bearded dragon from a breeder and a list of reputable breeders.
What to Look for in a Good Bearded Dragon Breeder
When searching for a bearded dragon breeder, there are several key factors to consider:
1. Health and genetic diversity of the breeding stock
A good breeder will prioritize the health of their animals and will carefully plan their breeding to avoid inbreeding and genetic health issues. It is a good idea to ask about the health history of the parents and any potential health issues that may be present in the breeding line.
2. Clean and appropriate living conditions for the dragons
The living conditions of the bearded dragons should be clean, well-ventilated, and appropriate for their needs. This includes providing a suitable enclosure, substrate, and appropriate lighting and temperature.
Ask them to give you a tour of their breeding facility. A reliable breeder should have no problem showing you how things work in their facility. If they refuse or show you a picture or video instead, they are probably hiding something and are not trustworthy.
Bearded dragons that are kept in bad condition usually develop life-threatening diseases when they start growing up
3. Knowledgeable and transparent about their breeding practices
A good breeder should be able to answer questions about their breeding practices and be transparent about the care and conditions of their animals.
4. Responsible breeding and selling practices
A reputable breeder will follow responsible breeding practices, including proper documentation and sales agreements. They should also be willing to offer support and advice to new owners.
5. Friendly and Accessible
You’re off to a good start if the breeder you’re thinking of buying your new beardie from seems to be friendly and knowledgeable. Try calling them or emailing them if they don’t pick up. A good breeder would at the very least reply to your emails. This can also help you get to know them better depending on how they reply.
If they reply to your questions thoroughly, inform you of all the complications you might run into if you get a bearded dragon, and explain to you how to properly care for your future beardie, then they’re probably great breeders.
6. Experience
Another aspect to consider when purchasing a new reptile pet is experience. It can be extremely reassuring to purchase a bearded dragon from a reliable, experienced breeder. Breeders with a lot of experience know how to look after their animals. They can create a stress-free atmosphere for them and feed them the right food.
This is essential for a multitude of reasons, including the animal’s general health and the influence the early months of its existence had on its temperament. Bearded dragons that spend most of their early lives at popular pet stores are generally overlooked and frightened because of the large number of people that stare at them every day.
Purchasing a Bearded Dragon that was raised in a loud, public space can have a significant influence on its behavior. It could be tough for you to bond with and handle such an animal.
7. What Are Their Prices
Look up the prices of locally bred dragons to see if a breeder is trying to charge extra or undercharging on price. If they are charging way too much, then they’re probably trying to take advantage of those who don’t know any better. If they are giving their beardies for super cheap, then those lizards could be poorly bred.
8. Check if They Have a Website
Most experienced breeders would have a website where they can show their stock, reviews, and contact information. This is a good sign that a breeder is рrоfеssіоnаl and experienced with breeding bearded dragons. Check to see if they show their breeding and adoption procedures; this should give you a good idea of whether it is worth calling them or not.
Some people will probably use social media instead of having their own website, which is also fine. Just because the breeder you’re considering doesn’t have a couple of the points we’ve included doesn’t mean they’re unreliable. Their transparency helps weed out the shady ones from the legit ones!
How to Find a Bearded Dragon Breeder
Before you buy a bearded dragon, you should know how to find a good breeder. Most of the random breeders online and offline are super unreliable and take horrible care of their reptiles. This might mean that the beardie will come with its own set of problems. So, to avoid that and to pick the right breeder, here are some tips that should help!
1. Ask for recommendations
Ask trusted sources, such as veterinarians or reptile enthusiasts, for recommendations on reputable breeders.
2. Research online
Look for breeders online and visit their websites to learn more about their practices and the quality of their animals.
Shipping a live creature might have seemed a little weird, but experienced bearded dragon breeders know how to send their dragons properly and securely. I recommend that you don’t spend too long stressing about logistics for shipments.
If you can’t locate a reliable, trustworthy bearded dragon breeder in your region, online delivery is a huge benefit. Being able to purchase your reptile from someone you know and trust, even if they live 300 miles away.
3. Attend reptile expos or events
Reptile expos and events are a great opportunity to meet breeders in person and ask questions about their animals and breeding practices.
4. Consider adopting
Adopting a bearded dragon from a rescue or rehoming organization is a great alternative to purchasing from a breeder. These organizations often have a variety of bearded dragons available for adoption and can provide valuable information about the animal’s history and care needs.
Tips for Choosing a Bearded Dragon from a Breeder
When choosing a bearded dragon from a breeder, there are several things to consider:
1. Observe the appearance and behavior of the dragon
A healthy bearded dragon should have bright eyes, clear nostrils, and smooth skin. They should also be active and alert.
2. Ask about the dragon’s age, diet, and health history
Bearded dragons have specific dietary and care needs based on their age and size. It is important to understand the specific requirements of the dragon you are considering purchasing.
3. Health Guarantee or Return Policy
Consider purchasing from a breeder who offers a health guarantee or return policy. A reputable breeder will offer a health guarantee or return policy in case of any unexpected health issues.
The Best Breeders for Bearded Dragons
It’s quite unlikely that one breeder will forever hold the title of “the best”. New breeders come into the market every day and a lot of them quickly climb the ladder of success and make it to the “best” list too. This leads to the list being updated and changed all the time! So, we’ve compiled a list of the best bearded dragon breeders for the year 2023!
1. Atomic Lizard Ranch
Atomic Lizards Ranch, near Bisbee, Arizona, is one of the United States’ oldest bearded dragon breeders. They have a wide variety of bearded dragon morphs to choose from, including Yellow, Tangerine, and The Gala Red Bearded Dragon.
Collette and Paul, a husband and wife with a passion for bearded dragons, own as well as manage Atomic Lizards Ranch. They got their first bearded dragon in the fall of 1991, and they’ve been successfully producing bearded dragon morphs ever since.
They offer a large photo gallery, which includes images of all of the Bearded Dragon Morphs for sale, as well as images of their breeders.
2. Carolina Classic Dragons
Carolina Classic Dragons is located in Raleigh, California. David Freeman is the owner and operator of the business. David has a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences and over 25 years of expertise in herpetology.
Since 2007, he’s started successfully breeding bearded dragons. He is the owner of a brand-new 1,000-square-foot breeding facility. On its website, there are several reviews as well as good evaluations. They provide a range of services, including reptile care.
3. Rio reptile
Rio Reptiles, based in Pinellas Park, Florida, is a licensed bearded dragon Breeder with a lot to offer. They sell all kinds of Bearded Dragon Morphs for sale, but you’ll have to send them an email and place a pre-order for your dragon.
They provide a lot of PDF guides that you can download to learn how to effectively look out for your new lizards. Rio Reptiles also gives a 6-month health guarantee on all dragons acquired from them, showing their commitment to producing strong, attractive, and healthy Bearded Dragons.
They may be reached by phone or email, and are well-known for their friendliness, availability, and quick responses.
4. Dachiu Bearded Dragons
Dachiu bearded Dragons is a Pennsylvania-based family-owned enterprise. The husband and wife who run it have been in the bearded dragon Breeding business since 1996, so they’ve had plenty of experience caring for Bearded Dragons.
Because most customers prefer to see what they’re buying, it’s worth noting that Dachiu Dragons have lots of images of all the morphs they offer for sale so you can pick your new pet out.
5. LLL reptiles
LLLReptile is one of the most reputable and dependable reptile and reptile supply companies. Loren Leigh’s firm has been a well-known participant in the pet reptiles market for more than 24 years.
They sell anything from reptiles including Bearded Dragons, Geckos, and Snakes to reptile supplies and feeders.
They have sales and breeding operations in Nevada, San Diego, Las Vegas, Menifee, California, and Escondido to name a few. If you don’t have time to visit their business, you could reach out to them by phone, email, or by filling out an online form on their website.
6. Kids and Dragons
Kids and Dragons is a small family-owned and operated dragon breeder situated just outside of San Antonio, Texas.
Over 100 5-star ratings from satisfied new Bearded Dragon owners can be seen on their Facebook page. A Bearded Dragon maintenance sheet, a listing of their current animals, and an overview of their terms and conditions are all provided on their simple-to-navigate website.
Kids and Dragons offer a normal live arrival assurance as well as a 14-day health guarantee when you buy an animal from them. They also provide assistance and guidance if your new Bearded Dragon begins to exhibit signs of illness or stress, and they strongly advise you to call them before things get out of hand so they can assist you.
7. Fire and Ice Dragons
Terri Sommella, the founder and owner of fire and ice dragons, was a co-author of “The Bearded Dragon Manual: Expert Advice for Keeping and Caring For a Healthy Bearded Dragon,” a prominent Bearded Dragon care book.
Photos of their whole breeding facility, from incubators to adult cages, can be found on their website gallery. They go above and beyond when it comes to their level of care, feeding their young Beardies three times a day and providing fresh vegetables.
They have almost 20 years of expertise in breeding Bearded Dragons and guarantee that any dragon you buy from them will receive ongoing care. They provide a live arrival assurance, a satisfaction guarantee, and lifelong support.
8. Phantom Dragons
Phantom Dragons, based in California, is a well-known Bearded Dragon Breeder with more than 20 years of expertise. The firm specializes in the breeding of Bearded Dragons, Crested Geckos, and Chahoua Geckos, with a few side projects thrown in for good measure.
They ship for no extra charge, however, the prices are extremely high. Phantom Dragon is a great option because they have a lot of experience raising Bearded Dragons, as well as other dragons. They are dependable, trustworthy, and well-known. Although their reptiles are rather expensive, at least it’s because they are on the healthier side!
9. CBreptiles
Another great Bearded Dragon Breeder choice is CBReptiles. They are one of the only breeeder that sell all kinds of reptiles other than just bearded dragons.
Ball Python Snakes, iguanas, Turtles, Chameleons, and more are among the reptiles available for purchase. Their website gives out instructions on caring for all of these animals.
They also have a YouTube channel where they give more information as to how exactly they take care of their reptiles and give some advice on how to properly care for your beardie.
10. Animal specialties
Animal Specialties Inc. is based in Chico, California, they sell a wide range of reptiles, ranging from Lizards to geckos to Snakes and Frogs. They also provide a lot of knowledge on how to properly care for your pet reptile, which is very useful for newbie owners.
They make foods for sale, as well as Vitamins & Supplements, Bedding, Decor, and a variety of other items. Try going to their Resource Page, they have given a lot of knowledge that may be useful to both experienced and inexperienced business owners.
Never purchase a bearded dragon from these places
A bearded dragon should not be purchased from a pet store. Especially if it’s part of a chain. Most large chain pet stores that sell bearded dragons employ individuals who are horribly ignorant about the requirements of bearded dragons.
The information provided about how to care for a bearded dragon on their website is usually completely wrong. They make these websites with the intention of providing you with accurate information. We stay on top of all the newest research to make sure you have access to the most up-to-date information and guidance.
Conclusion
The first and most crucial step in getting a healthy bearded dragon is to find a reliable breeder. This might take some time, but it is well worth the effort. Breeders of bearded dragons take good care of their animals.
They also keep track of their breeding lineages and genetics, as well as being open about their husbandry practices. They’ll also only offer species that have been bred in captivity and come with a health guarantee. Bearded dragons in good health should be active, attentive, and unharmed.
