Breeder Beware-Red Flags - Page 2

Kandi

Then you'll have to make sure you never sell to a breeder.

They, as a group, rehome dogs that they've owned  more often than any other.

Is it "hard" not to be impressed/influenced by the wealthy buyers vs. a working class buyer to whom you make a sale?

No. As long as the buyer appears to have the resources to properly care for their dog and loves it I am happy. I know too many people who work a job when they might not have to otherwise, just to be able to care for their dogs. Me for one.
SS

Take a look at a current post. This particular individual has had multiple dogs and shown each time via posts on this forum that he has no clue what he is doing. Someone sold him the dogs however, over and over. Why? Because when it comes down to it, regardless of these wonderful clues about red flags that most of you are posting, there will ALWAYS be someone who will sell because it is not about the dog for far too many people. It is about the money. When someone has no idea about what they are talking about, especially as concerns temperament, working ability, health, development, and/or structure and yet gives the impression they do know, when they say they want to do "X" with a dog but have no idea what is involved in doing "X" these are perhaps the most serious of all warning flags and encompasses much that has been posted here already.

I am sure there are a few here who have turned people away. But let us not forget that there are likely many who never have turned anyone away who has money in hand.

Lol-well put, Hodie. If we refuse, there'll be 10 others more than ready to replace us and STILL get a dog/puppy.

I had a guy contact me about an upcoming litter for which he wanted a female for breeding to his "nice male". This nice male, btw, has "import gandparents" which was what made him breed-worthy to this person. This person is also only about 20-30 minutes from me in location. So, I reply back and inform him that no, I do not feel comfortable selling him a female puppy, but as a compromise, I offered to sit down with him since he's somewhat local, look at his male's pedigree, figure out what kind of bloodlines he's got (saying they're imports means almost nothing nor does it automaticall constitute quality), and advise him on what bloodlines he has, which he should know before even considering breeding in the future (not to mention lots of other things that should be considered)-it was MORE than most people would offer to such but I was trying to be nice about the entire situation. And as a free American, I have the right to not want to sell a puppy for whatever reason to a person if I don't think its in the best interest of my puppy. I got a rude, butt-tearing email reply to my kindness, asking me why I advertise and have a website if I'm not gonna sell pups, and that "I'm gonna breed German Shepherds here whether its with one of your girls or not." Believe me, I'm not the slightest bit worried about such.  Well, it won't be with anything I have for SURE, but whew-where the heck did he come off with such a bad attitude when my offer to help him with what he has was more than gracious on my part? It's another reason not to sell someone a puppy-if they're moody or have a general pessimistic attitude about things-they're always going to find something wrong with their puppy. If you can't talk to me with respect, you don't need to ask about what I may have available because you won't get one. Period.

Good for you Katjo. I have had the same experience many times. If I was paid for all the free time I spend helping people who call me, email or come by and ask me about health issues, breeding, training, owning a GSD etc.,  I would probably be much better off financially. But you highlight the exact problem that I have now grown so weary of that I am simply giving up. There is so little integrity in the entire system to begin with, mostly because there are so many with little integrity who will use the system in any way they can to gain an advantage. We are killing the breed, slowly, but surely, by our constant manipulation for all the wrong characteristics. There are so few who really give a damn and think about to whom they sell, or care about training or anything else that I have come to the conclusion that it is hopeless. This board and some of what goes on here is a mere smattering of what goes on in the real world. 

It is no different than in society in general. We would like to blame our leaders for all the trouble we have in this country, when in fact, the average American has no work ethic, no ethics in general, is poorly educated and could care less,  and wants it all for themselves, regardless of how they get it. Screw the other guy is how they behave.

I must be getting too old because sometimes I don't even want to be here anymore.

I am in the process of buying a pup. I did my research and heard about an awesome breeding planned. I contacted the breeder as soon as I heard and placed a reserve  when the bitch first became pregnant. I went to the kennel and did a two hour interview, they interviewed me along with my asking them questions as well.  I let the breeder know I wanted a male and a certain color, due to me already having 2 females, and not wanting to add another in case of bitch fighting(my 2 are spayed).  The color I would like  is common in the line, so either it would be the color I wanted or another, which I told them up front I'd pass if the color was not the one I want.   Well, there are only two males in this litter, and the breeder in the beginning told me they were going to hold one male back.  I was the first one to request a male, but I am still not certain I will even get a pup from this litter,(they are almost 5 weeks, so I should know soon) but I understand, that if a match isn't made for me the breeder will pass on me. Luckily, they were the color I want, so that isn't an issue.  I think if most breeders would follow the integrety level and communications that the one I am working with does, then there would be no returns or blame placing for the pups life.  This pup will be on a limited registration and at two after I fulfill my end of the contract can be changed to full, and this is important for breeders to do as well, IMO.   I didn't see that on the list, but if potential buyers have a problem with this, then it could come back and bite the kennel's reputation in the butt if said buyer used the kennel's name to the breeders disadvantage.
 I would pass on a buyer who didn't want this in the contract, unless they were really worthy of upholding the kennels name.

My husband says that same exact thing of me, hodie-he says if I got paid for the effort and time I spend helping people(who often then end up turning on me and trying to GUT me), we'd be much more financially well-situated and calmer-minded. lol.

Alot of people lack general professionalism and honesty, I'm afraid. After 11 years, I wonder, too, about things.

by hodie.... "there will ALWAYS be someone who will sell because it is not about the dog for far too many people. It is about the money."

There has been someone posting here over the last few months buying a bunch of dogs. As soon as I saw the requests to buy, red flags went up. I went to his website recently and saw some "big-name" kennels had sold him puppies. They had to know and just not cared where they sent those pups.
As a potential customer, those kennels have most definietly been marked off of my list!

--Mary

We all know exactly who you are writing about. You were VERY observant Mary. Good for you. The breeders who sold to him could care less about selling to this guy who knows nothing about GSDS. He was honest about it at least and stated many times that he only wants to breed (without knowing the most basic things). He is buying dogs from all kinds of bloodlines without so much as a clue. It is about money for him and for those who sold out to him.

Do yourself and the breed a favor and select from a reputable, smaller breeder who cares where their dogs end up.

Good luck.

Ok, Hodie, I don't know who this is. In my view, there are several candidates for this person buying up dogs to breed. This isn't the guy in Alabame, is it?