What Is A Reputable Breeder? - Page 3

A reputable breeder should not need to make quarantee's.  

Beside's a guarantee means little.  

A reputation means everything.

Ha ha, good point, John.

If we import a puppy from a proven kennel in Germany because we wanna close down some degree of the "crapshoot" puppy situation, what kind of guarantee are we given? None. I got puppy, and registration papers arrived like 3 months later. No contract, no written guarantee, nothing. But I assure you, my puppy came from a top German kennel and I adore my puppy's breeder and have the utmost respect for him and his work over the decades as a trainer and breeder.

With that said, puppies here in the US are often sold 3-4X LESS than what I paid for my import puppy, but they're expected to be accompanied with hip guarantees, licensed vet checking, health guarantees, full breeding rights, tattooing and/or microchipping, similar quality bloodlines, etc. While yes, a breeder should have quality and be able to stand behind what they breed and have quality (and not be offended if someone asks for such!), we do not all have the same expectations from abroad as we do here. Why is this? Mediocre breeding can come from Germany, Hungary or anywhere else just like it can come from the US.

In contracts, a RB should have a place which clearly says-at any time in the puppy/dog's life, if a situation arises for the buyer that the dog/puppy can no longer be taken care of, that the dog/puppy is welcomed to be returned- even go get it if necessary. Even if its spayed/neutered, etc. It should be part of the signing of the purchase agreement and contract, so the buyer is acknowledging to notify the breeder if anything ever happens where one of the breeder's GSDs is thrown into a situation.  RBs do not want any of their puppies or dogs in shelters, either."

ALSO, I personally have a section in my contract that states, if someone BOARDS a dog or puppy produced by me and doesn't pay their boarding bill and subjects that dog/puppy  of mine to confiscation by the boarder and I am notified of such a situation taking place (due to my kennel name or tipped off), then I will use my copy of the contract as proof of mutually agreed authority to go and RETRIEVE my puppy/dog from the boarding premises, pay whatever is needed, and then deal with the owner in court. The owner will forfeit all rights of ownership to the dog and has to return the AKC papers if I have to do such, and our contract clearly states it and that the buyer agrees to it. We had this happen once and lost the puppy involved; all because someone was STUPID and IRRESPONSIBLE with a precious life I had produced, and I didn't find out about it (I was lied to) until the mess was done caused and the puppy was done gone. It was a horrible nightmare of a situation that I will NOT go through again. [If you're reading these posts, and I have a feeling you are, I have not forgotten!]

You're right; some BUYERS and "owners" are real irresponsible inconsiderate turds, too.

When my children were born our doctor did not give us any guarantee's.

I had a guarantee on a car once but for it to mean anything I had to hire a lawyer and go to court at great expense and there were no guarantee's I would win the case.

buyers AND owner's, thats an important thought.

Yes indeed Brent. Everyone that has bred and bred over the years whether reputable or not are being tagged by government agencies.Simply put because of the over breeding of any breedwhich results in such a population that is out of control!I am only hoping that no one knocks on my door and by LAW I have to neuter my three shepherds and we can survive this mess of politics.We survived during the mandatory Rabies vaccination.Just curious,To everyone that responded to the original poster.How many litters per year do you have?I'll bet no one answers that question.If you do I will be very suprised.

My personal favorite red flag of all time, applies to "breeders" and prospective buyers: When they spell the breed GERMAN SHEPARD! FFS people, learn to spell it if you want to buy it, but especially if you're going to breed it!!

Instead of questioning my spelling...Do answer the question?Red flag are to those that won't...Wonder why??? I rarely breed.I have done just two test litters.In ref to buying I have no interest...so forget that.I am very hopeful to be gifted with a pup by "Degen" if all works out well.I highly doubt that you know of this dog and his history.If you do then Please share your almighty knowledge.Be sure to use "spell checker" haha.I could give a rats about my spelling and puncuation..verbs/adverbs etc.

Instead of questioning my spelling...Do answer the question?Red flag are to those that won't...Wonder why??? I rarely breed.I have done just two test litters.In ref to buying I have no interest...so forget that.I am very hopeful to be gifted with a pup by "Degen" if all works out well.I highly doubt that you know of this dog and his history.If you do then Please share your almighty knowledge.Be sure to use "spell checker" haha.I could give a rats about my spelling and puncuation..verbs/adverbs etc.

first litter was many years ago, accident.

last year 2 litters,

this year 1 litter.

anymore questions?

john

Thank you John.I hope you and your dogs are well and happy.I am still waiting for a response from the rest.

I think the bottom line is no matter how good of a breeder you are or how many years experience you have there are no real guarantees and things happen beyond your control unexpectedly.  The true test to a "reputable breeder" is how they handle these situations when they arise.  Do they communicate and cooperate to rectify the problem or do they sell you the dog, take your money and never return an email or phone call?? 

You can't make everyone happy all the time; some people are never happy no matter how much you bend over backwards for them- you take it for what it's worth that you tried to do the right thing.

We as consumers have a tendency of telling everyone we know and even those we don't know (lol) about all the "bad breeders" or people who we feel wronged us but we do not give credit to all of the really good ones who do still conduct themselves with honesty and integrity.  Even the best breeder or most reputable has had some bad dealings; may or may not have been their doings because we seldom hear both sides of the story, and when we do more often than not both the buyer and the seller were screw balls so it's expected.

I value one's honesty and you can only tell that about a person when they are not trying to "sell" you anything and can tell you the negative factor's along with the positive so that you can decide if it's the right fit for you. 

Communication is the key; when that stops then everything goes to hell.  We're all human, we make mistakes, the true test is when it's time to man up and make it right.  If you aren't willing to make it right or at least try to then you're pond scum like the rest.  Just my .02