Whether you are a newbie to reptile keeping or a seasoned professional, getting a bearded dragon is a great choice. This lizard has garnered a global following among pet enthusiasts.
There are two important steps to be successful in keeping bearded dragons.
The first is to be prepared for your bearded dragon’s arrival, which means having the proper enclosure and knowledge of their husbandry requirements. The second step is to actually purchase your bearded dragon, which is the subject of this article.
This article will cover the benefits of going with a breeder, provide a profile of some of the top breeders of bearded dragons, and conclude with some useful suggestions on picking a reputable breeder. The more prepared you are before purchasing your dragon, the more enjoyable your experience with them will be.
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Why Captive Bred Bearded Dragons are the Way to Go
When purchasing bearded dragons, it is always recommended that you obtain them from a reputable breeder rather than through a pet shop. Store-bought bearded dragons are more likely to have experienced inadequate care and have health issues. When going with a reputable breeder, you get a bearded dragon that has received the proper care and nutrition since it was born. Additionally, you have an opportunity to get some amazing morphs. For those who are new to captive bred reptiles, morphs are variations in color patterns that result from selective breeding. In other words, there are some brilliantly colored lizards to choose from!
Choosing a Bearded Dragon Breeder
Many bearded dragon breeders start off as hobbyists before they become a business. Needless to say, many of these businesses do not last long. Even at the hobbyist level, breeders’ sustainability to offer dragons for sale is often short-term due to personal challenges or loss of interest. It is for this reason that this article was written. We have searched online for breeders with a solid history of breeding bearded dragons, offering husbandry information, and providing customer support and protection. The following criteria were used when evaluating breeders:
Breeder profile and credibility:
This information indicates things like:
- How long the breeder has been established.
- Any special credentials or accomplishments
- Knowledge about bearded dragons as demonstrated by the information provided by the site.
Consumer support and protection:
This information indicates things like:
- Guarantees
- Support services to the customer
- Offering detail of how the animal is shipped.
Going the Extra Mile
This includes any information or services that make the breeder stand out.
CBReptiles.com
Family-owned, CB Reptiles prides itself as the source of high-quality captive bred reptiles for sale online. They are known for their selection of baby bearded dragons and bearded dragon morphs.
Breeder profile and credibility:
- Onsite biologist
- Bearded dragon morphs include:
- Citrus bearded dragons
- Wiblit bearded dragons
- Leatherback bearded dragons
- Hypo bearded dragons
- Hypo-trans bearded dragons
- 100% of reptiles sold are captive bred.
Additionally, CB Reptiles.com offers:
- A wide range of supplies for your bearded dragon, including lighting, misting systems, terrariums, terrarium supplies, and much more.
- Comprehensive care sheets on bearded dragons and other reptiles.
Consumer support and protection:
- When shipped, baby bearded dragons will arrive the following morning.
- Baby bearded dragons come with a live on arrival guarantee and a full 7-day health guarantee. If your bearded dragon dies within 7 days, CB Reptile.com will replace your bearded dragon if you follow the site’s instructions.
- Adult and juvenile bearded dragons are sent via FedEx or UPS and arrive the next morning after shipment.
- Shipped bearded dragons are sent around 7 p.m. and arrive the next morning between 8-10 a.m.
- Bearded dragons are sent in cooled or heated containers.
Going the Extra Mile
- Baby bearded dragons are handled to ensure that they are tame.
- CB Reptiles.com has an onsite staff biologist who oversees their breeding programs.
Fire and Ice Dragons
Breeder profile and credibility:
- Specializes in elegant high color morphs.
- All major morphs and mutations, which are healthy, are sold.
- First to breed 100% Citrus bearded dragons.
- Has 18 years of experience in breeding bearded dragons.
- Bearded dragons are fed a high-quality diet, including organically-grown greens, Dubia roaches, and other protein-rich foods.
- The site provided comprehensive care sheets and food charts. The resource sheets provide information and links to a bearded dragon Care manual, rehydration tips, product review, links to food suppliers, and a poison alert.
- The pricing and breeders section has a comprehensive list of numerous bloodlines that are accompanied by photographs.
Consumer support and protection:
- Satisfaction and Health Guarantee included.
- Only bearded dragons that are healthy and are eating well are shipped.
- Bearded dragons in the United States are shipped overnight by Fed-Ex Next Day Air. The dragons are enclosed in double-walled shipping boxes. Heat packs are provided for cold-weather destinations.
- No handling fees, so multiple dragons can be shipped together for the same one-dragon rate.
- Bearded dragons are shipped Monday-Wednesday and should be received the following morning.
- Fire and Ice dragons guarantee that their dragons are healthy and eating well from when they are born to the time they are shipped. If any issues arise, you are asked to report them to Fire and Ice Dragons within 24 hours.
- Health Guarantee for 14 days if the bearded dragon is receiving correct husbandry.
- Fire and Ice Dragons encourage you to call them with any questions or concerns about your bearded dragon’s husbandry.
Going the Extra Mile
- Pedigrees are provided with each bearded dragon that is sold.
- Associated with the Veterinary Community, which assures that all state-of-the-art protocols are observed.
- Provides standards of excellence for Citrus bearded dragon morphs.
- First to offer a reptile pedigree program.
Atomic Lizard Ranch
Based in Arizona, Atomic Lizard Ranch enjoys the same kind of climate as inland Australia, the bearded dragon’s home. It is one of the longest-standing bearded dragon breeders.
Breeder profile and credibility:
- Have raised bearded dragons since 1991.
- The originator of the Red Gala Phase morph (2011) and the Citrus phase (1998).
- One of the oldest professional bearded dragons breeders in the United States
Consumer support and protection:
- Not available. Need to contact the breeder.
Going the Extra Mile
- Prioritizes the selling of only healthy bearded dragons.
- Has an adoption and rescue program for bearded dragons.
Dachiu Bearded Dragons
Founded by a married couple, Dachiu Bearded Dragons began in 1996. The couple purchased a single bearded dragon. They enjoyed their new pet so much that they expanded their collection and began breeding them. Dachiu Bearded Dragons only sell baby bearded dragons. Morphs sold include:
- Yellow, orange, and red.
- Hypomelanistics
- Leatherbacks
- Translucents
- Hypotranslucent
- Dunner
- Genetic stripes
- Witbilts
- Paradox bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps)
Breeder profile and credibility:
- Besides the general public, clients include pet shops and wholesalers
- Sexing of hatchlings offered.
- Dachiu Bearded Dragons go by the philosophy that it is their responsibility to answer any questions or concerns that their customers may have.
Consumer support and protection:
- Dachiu Bearded Dragons request that you call them should you have any questions or concerns about your pet.
- A care sheet is provided.
- If you are not satisfied with your order for any reason, you can return your bearded dragon for a refund. Shipping charges are not covered. However, there is an exception. If you are not available to receive the shipment, the guarantee is void on the day of delivery.
- Dachiu Bearded Dragons guarantee the health of your animal for 6 weeks after purchase.
- Dachiu Bearded Dragons do not test for Adenovirus, which is common in bearded dragons. If you get your bearded dragon tested, and it comes back positive, you can return your pet for a refund.
- While the online resources are more limited than other breeders, Dachiu Bearded Dragons provide the kind of content that I have not seen on other breeder sites. There is information on the following topics:
- Recessive Hypomelanism in bearded dragons
- Incomplete Dominance Expression in bearded dragons
- Bearded dragon Growth Charts
- Bearded dragon Egg/Clutch Rates
- Sexing your bearded dragon
- Adenovirus in bearded dragons
Going the Extra Mile
Dachiu Bearded Dragons discovered a husbandry issue that many breeders may be unaware of, air quality. When kept indoors, the room’s air quality suffers as the animal population, including feeder insects, increases. To preserve the room’s air quality, Dachiu Bearded Dragons limits the number of animals to a third of the room space.
Additionally, they have resurfaced the breeding rooms so that everything can be steamed cleaned. They also have installed a central vacuum system in the breeding room. All contaminates that make it through the air filter are pumped outside.
To handle extreme temperatures, they have installed HRV air exchange units. These units remove stale air from the room and replace it with outside area, with minimal heat loss. To heat the breeding room, they have installed a vented propane heater, which eliminates ductwork. An unventilated propane heater acts as a backup in case of a power loss.
Phantom Dragons
Phantom Dragons has been in the business of breeding reptiles for over 20 years. Located in California, they specialize in bearded dragons, chahoua geckos, and crested geckos.
Breeder profile and credibility:
- Over 20 years of experience breeding bearded dragons, chahoua geckos, and crested geckos.
- Morph Market has given them a 10-star rating for over a year.
Consumer support and protection:
- Provide genetic information on the parentage of a retailed animal purchased through them.
- Care sheets provided.
- Live delivery is guaranteed as long as you are there for the delivery upon arrival. Specific procedures need to be followed if the animal does not arrive in good health. Check the website for detailed information.
- Offers a 14-day guarantee on the health of the animal, provided that proper husbandry was provided. Additionally, new owners must contact Phantom Dragons if they have concerns about their pet or not doing well. Failure to do so voids the health guarantee.
Going the Extra Mile
Not available
Fairytale Dragons
With over 15 years of experience breeding bearded dragons, Fairytale Dragons specialize in bearded dragons that are hand raised and socialized.
Breeder profile and credibility:
- Over 15 years of experience breeding bearded dragons.
Consumer support and protection:
- Fairy Tail Dragons offer a 14 days guarantee on your pet’s health. The guarantee is stipulated on you providing the proper husbandry as outlined by their care guide. Fairy Tail Dragons request that you notify them if you have any health concerns for your dragon.
- Fairy Tail Dragons ships only via FedEx Priority Overnight and only ships Monday through Wednesday. The purpose of this is to avoid the consequences of possible delays, which may lead to your dragon spending the weekend in its box.
- Shipped bearded dragons are shipped in insulated boxes that are equipped with heat or cold packs.
Going the Extra Mile
Not available
Kids and Dragons
Located near San Antonio, Texas, Kids and Dragons offer various morphs, among which is their favorite morph, the tiger. They place a premium on offering good customer service.
Breeder profile and credibility:
Works with morphs that include:
- Tigers
- Hypo
- Trans
- Dunnre
- Leather
- Wit
- Zero dragons.
Consumer support and protection:
- Pride themselves in superior customer service.
- Kids and Dragons offer a 14-day health guarantee. However, you need to contact them immediately during this period if you have any concerns about your pet’s health. Additionally, the guarantee is stipulated on you having provided the proper husbandry.
- If the animal arrives dead, you need to contact Kids and Dragons within 30 minutes of the FedEx time stamp.
- Whenever possible, Kids and Dragons describe their dragon’s genetics, temperament, sex, and any flaws, such as scars.
Going the Extra Mile
- Kids and Dragons ask you to contact them immediately after placing your order so that they can make shipping arrangements with you. You can contact them through texts, email, Facebook, or Instagram. If they do not hear from you, they will text you with the shipping information.
Carolina Classic Dragons
With a B.S. in Biological Science and over 25 years of experience in herpetology, Carolina Classic Dragon’s owner David Freeman is a true expert breeder. He first began breeding bearded dragons in 2007. At the time, he focused on breeding Pogona vitticepts but then expanded his breeding programs to include other species. Carolina Classic Dragon specializes in breeding bearded dragons that have an outstanding temperament and amazing coloration.
Breeder profile and credibility:
- Owner David Freeman has a B.S. in Biological Science and over 25 years of experience in herpetology.
- In 2004, David Freeman won The Reptile Report’s Breeder of the Year. He also received mention in Reptiles Magazine for his unique morphs.
Consumer support and protection:
- Offers a comprehensive care sheet
- Shipped dragons are guaranteed to be healthy as long as they are signed for on the first delivery attempt.
- All shipping details will be communicated to you upfront.
- 100% satisfaction guarantee.
- Carolina Classic Dragons will send you multiple pictures of your bearded dragon before purchase.
Going the Extra Mile
- Carolina classic dragons opened up a brand new 1000 square feet breeding facility.
- Offer a reptile boarding service. The cost is $10 per day.
LLL Reptiles
LLL Reptiles’ owner, Loren Leigh, has been keeping and raising reptiles for over 24 years. LLL Reptiles has three locations in California in San Diego, Escondido, and Menifee. They also have a site in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Breeder profile and credibility:
LLL Reptiles’ owner, Loren Leigh, has been keeping and raising reptiles for over 24 years.
Consumer support and protection:
- Besides selling various bearded dragon morphs, LLL Reptiles also sells a large range of supplies, food, and vitamins to keep your pet healthy.
- LLL Reptiles will contact you within 24 hours to schedule a shipping day.
- LLL Reptiles guarantees the health of your pet for three days upon the arrival. The guarantee is void if you do not sign for the animal on the first delivery.
Going the Extra Mile
LLL Reptiles offers a price guarantee. If you can find an online commercial breeder that offers lower prices, LLL Reptiles will beat it by 5%.
Now Your Work Begins!
The information you have just read was intended to kick start to get you going with your own research. You must do your own research. This article cannot cover all breeders, nor does it address your own specific wants or needs. The following are guidelines for selecting a reputable breeder:
Read testimonials and reviews
Read testimonials and reviews from other customers. It is important to consider that some testimonials and reviews may be fabricated or written by paid writers. Also, every review site will have comments from those who can never be made happy. For this reason, read a range of testimonials and reviews and get an overall feeling of what is written.
Besides breeder websites, also check out Facebook and sites like Morph Market. Also, try googling the owner’s name, business name, phone number, and email address. You may find important information about the breeder as to whether they are reputable or not.
Owner’s Personality
You can tell a lot about a person by how they communicate. Is the owner of the breeding facility there to do good, or are they just to make money? If you want to check out a private breeder, reach out to them. You can contact them through social media, email, text, or phone and see what happens. Most reputable breeders will get back to you within 24 hours. When you ask your questions, see how they respond. Do they seem sincere and provide satisfactory answers to your question, or do they give you a rushed answer? Reputable breeders will be friendly and take their time to answer your questions concisely and thoroughly.
Quality of Husbandry
Ask the breeder how they care for their animals. You may ask them if you can see photos of their enclosures or facility. Some reputable breeders may decline to do so, but how they respond may provide you with useful information.
For example, they may provide you with good information about how to keep your bearded dragon. Additionally, many breeders provide care sheets on their websites. Compare the care sheets of the breeder with those of other breeders. This will give you an idea if they are following best practices. If the breeder makes claims that do not match up with other breeders, that may be a reason for concern. If they neglect to mention that UVB lighting is a necessary requirement or that you should offer your dragon a broad range of food items, that could indicate a problem.
Experience
Another criterion to evaluate a breeder is their level of experience. The more experienced the breeder, the more likely it that your bearded dragon will be healthy and well adjusted. When checking the breeder website, look for the breeder’s background. One good place to look for this information is the About Us Page.
Conclusion
It pays to take your time in selecting a breeder. You, as the consumer, have the upper hand as there is a lot of competition between breeders, and you have a wide range of breeders to select from. Research about bearded dragon care requirements, have your enclosure ready, select a reputable breeder, and you are set for a rewarding experience keeping this incredible lizard!