Before I start today's entry, I'd like to tell you a little story about a dog breeder that my mom and dad dealt with years before I was born. Mom and dad decided that they would like to get a new puppy to replace a Poodle who had recently passed away. They looked in a book about dog breeds and decided that a Bichon Frise would be the dog that they should get. They checked the local pet stores and none had a Bichon for sale. A check of the pet section of the local paper revealed one breeder with puppies for sale. Mom and dad phoned the telephone number listed in the advertisement and were told that there was only one puppy available, a female. The rest of the litter had been sold. Mom and dad found out that the breeder lived hundreds of miles away, but that she would be in the city mom and dad lived in visiting a relative. An appointment was arranged and mom and dad went to look at the puppy. It was white, cute and had a good personality. Mom and dad asked if it had any genetic defects and the breeder said that it didn't.
They agreed to purchase the puppy and paid the breeder the requested fee. Several weeks later, they noticed that “Brandy” was limping a bit on her left hind leg. They kept an eye on her and as the days passed, the limp became more noticeable. They took “Brandy” to the veterinarian and he advised that she had hip dysplasia. Mom and dad contacted the breeder to advise her of this problem. The breeder replied, “You bought a dog, not a car or an appliance, they come as is, so she's all yours,” and slammed down the phone. Mom and dad didn't want a refund, they just wanted to let the breeder know that her bitch or stud had genetic problems. Needless to say, they informed all the pet stores, veterinarians and people they knew that this breeder was selling dogs with genetic defects. This lady was not a GOOD breeder; she was only interested in making money from her dogs. Now, on to today's post.
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So you have decided you want a puppy? You have done all your homework to decide the breed you want and you know you have the finances, time and energy to take care of it. Next step is to find a breeder and purchase a puppy.
Be warned, purchasing a puppy from a breeder can be fraught with risks. As in any business there are those breeders who are genuine, who care for their animals and whose reputation is important to them. Others, often known as backyard breeders or puppy mill owners, are only interested in making a fast buck. It is now up to you to find a reliable and honest breeder. Fortunately, because of the Internet, it is much easier today to conduct this research than it was prior to the introduction of this electronic marvel.
Do some research before contacting any breeders. Contact the kennel club of the breeds you are interested in and request a list of their breeders. The Internet can also be a good source to find and research breeding kennels. Ask friends who have dogs of that breed where they purchased them from and if they are happy with their chosen dog.
Shows are another place where you can meet breeders and see their animals, both in a show environment and in kennels before and after the show. Just remember this is a busy time for the breeder and they may not have a lot of time to chat. Get their details, observe their animals and contact them at a less busy time.
Visit the breeder’s facilities before choosing a puppy to see how the animals are cared for. Do not buy the first puppy you see. A good breeder will want to ensure you are a suitable owner just as much as you want to ensure they breed quality animals. Look for clean facilities with healthy, clean dogs that are free of parasites. The dogs should behave in a manner you would wish your future dog to exhibit, e.g., if the majority of the dogs appear to be timid and afraid it is a safe bet any pups will be of a similar disposition.
Ask the breeder questions such as:
- How long have they been breeding dogs?
- What is the pedigree of the animal you are considering purchasing?
- Are both parents at the kennel?
- Are there veterinary certificates available for both parents and offspring?
- What screening has been done for any common health issues for the particular breed?
- What guarantee will they offer if the pup proves to have any major health issues within a short time of purchase?
The breeder should also ask you questions like:
- Do you have a house/yard suitable for the animal?
- Do you have the time to care for a dog?
- Are you fully aware of what is required to care for the animal?
- Will the dog be a pet or for breeding/showing?
- Do you have children and if so, what are their ages?
Breeders are well within their rights to refuse to sell a pup to anyone they consider not suitable as an owner of their dogs.
A sales agreement should be signed by both parties outlining the obligations of both purchaser and seller.
The good breeder will usually offer advice on feeding, grooming, health care and list any equipment you may need, as well as a schedule for all necessary immunizations.
A reputable breeder will also ensure you do not take your puppy home too early, to ensure it gets early socialization with its siblings. A puppy removed from its litter too early may fear other dogs for the rest of its life. While six weeks is the time many puppies are taken to new homes, many breeders prefer to retain the pup until they are around nine weeks old.
Once you have collected your puppy keep in touch with the breeder as they will be a fountain of knowledge for you regarding your new dog and they often like to keep track of their animals.
If you do all your homework and purchase from a reputable breeder, you will have a dog that will be a wonderful part of your family for the next 12 to 15 years.
Until next time,
Teia
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