What Is A Reputable Breeder? - Page 2

Of course, I'd be flattered. Just toss credit to the author (yours truly) at the end, and I don't mind.

"Original post (c) J.C. Carroll, 28 April 08. Used with permission."

(con't)

Newspapers
1) multiple breeds listed to one phone number or address

2) adds that run for long periods of time for the same litter, with repeated reductions in price -- ie: $1,500 eventually down to $800. (why can't the breeder place these dogs?)

3) anything that makes it seem as if the breeder is trying to get rid of the pups as quick as possible

 

Websites
1) Any website that mis-spells their own dogs' names!
(if the breeder can't even proof-read their website, how careful do you think they really are with their dogs?) -- Example found on a "breeder's" website: The dog's name is Seigfreid not "Seigfeid," and his dam's name is Nena vom Winnloh, not Nena vom Innloh...

2) lack of physical address or means of contact other than e-mail

3) staged shots -- pictures of dogs inside in photo-shoots, but no pictures of dogs outside.

4) no adult pics, just puppies -- why aren't the adults shown?

5) websites that include the phrase "4sale" or similar in the domain name. It shows what the breeder's true objectives are in their program.
 

Never trust a breeder who makes you feel pressured to purchase a dog/pup. Good breeders will be happy to take the time to explain all the pros and cons of their breed, and be sure that potential owners are ready for the responsibilites thereof. Some breeds fit into certain lifestyles better than others.

There are of course more ways to evaulate a breeder and their program. Never under-estimate gut instinct. If something feels off about the person or their dogs, trust your instincts; when something feels wrong, it probably is.

Owning a dog, any breed, can be a wonderful experience. But it can also be very heart-wrenching if you don't do your research first. When in doubt, don't purchase the dog. And if you are considering breeding, first ask yourself: "why?"

(c) J.C. Carroll, 28 Apr 08

I personally agree with the above people. When I was looking three years ago for a German Shepherd puppy, I wanted to know the breeder was always going to be there for me and provide me with information. I had bought a black nine week old female who we named Shadow and I loved her breeder Ruth. Ruth provided me with everything. She would look up any questions I had. She would tell me about heats (when the rest of the litter went into one, so I could prepared myself as I also had a male). Ruth was the best. She was right by myside when Shadow developed pymetra and when another family had to take her. Ruth picked the other family out. She has been the best breeder I have dealt with so far.

But sadly, there are breeders out there who some know as back yard breeders are not reputable at all. There was a lady in Ohio, about four years, who appeared to be great. I was young and we were NEW to the GSD breed. We were just looking for a lovely pet and companion for our male. We bought a lovely black/red female, Dutchess, and she had the worst temperament I have ever seen in a dog before. Dutchess had crystals in her urine, which cost us, but the vet said that could of been the reason for her being such a you know what. We took care of that. (We got her at the end of Feb) By July, she bite my brother in the face, and was very aggressive. She attack our male, snapped at you. She was not child safe. We were talking to the breeder the whole time, and she told us to lay her on her back and blow in her face. Now at that time I was only 14, and knew better than that. I called dog behaviorists who visited and couldn't get in the house. After she bit my brother it was the end. Everyone told us to have her put down, even the vet. The breeder had another litter from the same mom coming up and wanted us to get one of them to replace Dutchess. Now, no dogs can be replaced. After dealing with my family crying about Dutchess, I decide to use the internet and see what I could find out about temperment. The more I learned, the more I knew Dutchess was not right in the head. Later on in an email the breeder explained to us that the mom was only 7 months old when had the pups. SHE WAS JUST A BABY! But I had pictures of the mom, well I thought I did. The mom we had saw was the grandmother, (who was pregnant). Dutchess was put down sadly. I still wonder what she could of been like, but nothing is worth my brother's face and life.

That is why I say, if the breeder will stand by you and be with you during the hardest times, for you and your new GSD, then in my book, the breeder has become a reputable breeder well along with what everyone else said. 500% emotion is all I can think about when typing this out. A reputable breeder brings a life into this world to better others not to cut them down. I personally will not be able to ever go back to breeder that has done you wrong.
 

The breeder from Sadie, the shepherd I have now, is not really there for me. I did myself wrong on that part but I now know I can email her and ask anything. I also still talk to Ruth sometimes. Sometimes we sacifice things for the better part of what we learn.  I would not ever change what I did regarding my dogs, especially Sadie.

Thanks
Nikki

A reputable breeder is someone who does the right thing by the dog/breed regardless of terms and conditions or profits to be made or money down the drain.

JC,

The only issue I have with anything that you have posted, is the address thing.

I live less than 2 miles from the Palm Beach County line, and they recently passed a mandatory spay/neuter law.  I do not necessarily want the government knowing where I live....

That said, my address is on my web page.....

regardless of a mandatory spay neuter law it does not apply to dogs used for breeding?? I'm pretty sure the county government is not searching this board for  non compliance??

When I wrote this I was thinking more about the online breeders that don't give any reference, city or in some cases even state, as to where their facility is located. It's been my observations that such clandestine opperations generally opperate under less than ethical terms insofar as animal care and business practices.

I had websites like this one in mind, and also this one when I put that part in -- except that they've added a physical address since then -- meanwhile other address-less websites, like barkinglot.com, have vanished. Generally it's the brokers masquerading as breeders that have this type of website.

I don't know, I'll let you know when I find one. Haven't had much luck over the years.....

I havent seen this topic in awhile.

While i agree with most of the "ideals" shared here,  everyone keeps forgetting one very important aspect.

The ethical or reputable puppy buyer!  Im sure if you took a poll of breeders and asked them about bad expierences with puppy buyers, you could come up with a novel of horror stories. 

You think its hard to find a reputable breeder?  Try to find quality homes for your pups.  Buyers can tell you all kind of stories, and only in a couple of months make you regret selling one of your pups.  Then you have to live with the knowledge that this dog is going to spend the rest of its life with them. 

Just a couple of words about some of the other things mentioned,

1- hip/elbow gaurentee's  are only as good as the paper they are written on (or in this case the reputation of the breeder/seller).  one can argue that it is a genetic thing, but other studies have been done to show that environment does play a role.

2- anything that is put into a puppy contract is just that, part of the agreement.  if you dont like it, talk to the breeder.  see if it can be changed.  if not, dont buy the puppy.  i.e. 50% refund,  spay/neuter with breeder consent, puppy buy back, etc.

just my couple of pennys

john

forgot one thing.

i started a thread about importing a puppy and was told from several people that you usually dont get a guarentee on these dogs.

so why is it the rest of the world doesnt do it, but we demand it? 

john