What Is A Reputable Breeder? - Page 4

Sorry-I'm not here all the time so I have to check back after being offline busy doing other things for a while.

For me, maybe 2 litters annually, IF everything works out, which it doesn't always; if I think a dog is having any issues or hurts itself or something seems awry, then I don't follow through with my breeding plans-plain and simple. I had a litter in January (5 pups), and I've got one due in about 2 weeks (not going to be a large litter-maybe 4 pups). I have three juveniles just getting ready to turn 1yr old who require alot of effort, money & time and I have one import I've been working toward getting her CD in competition this spring/summer (2/3 legs achieved). No further breeding plans or litters for us 2008, and I'm completely fine with that. I spend more time working with and enjoying my crew than making plans for breeding.

I like to see a breeder who has a long list of requirements for the BUYER.  When I bought my puppy from von Hayden Shepherds I had to sign the most detailed, well thought out contract I've ever seen coming from a breeder.  5 pages typed, single-spaced.  I was pleased to see the demanding requirements that I, as a buyer, had to agree to.  To me it shows that the breeder really cares about her dogs, and requires the highest standards of care.  I believe that both breeder and buyer have lengthy obligations to produce a healthy, sound GSD.

Furthermore, for me as a buyer, I believe a "RB" should be willing to admit that the dogs they produce are not perfect, and listen to their clients when they say, "We've got a problem."  A few years ago I bought a high dollar import that had some serious issues, but neither importer nor broker would acknowledge that there was a problem with the dog.  This is both insulting and demeaning.  In contrast, when I call my current pup's breeder with concerns, she has NEVER tried to deny or deflect blame.  She immediately focuses on problem-solving and brain-storming solutions.  Now this is a class act! 

Yvette

 To respond to Rainhaus.

I have one maybe two litters a years (of each breed cause we breed Airedales too). So the most we had was 4 in a year .

I personnaly don't think it's about how much litters you have but how you take care of the puppies and the new owners and the rest of the dogs.  We take responsability for each puppy we bring to this world and if they need to be replace we always take them back.  One year ago I took back a 8 1/2 year old gsd female and place her back at one of my friend.  They just love her and she adapt in a flash.

We also spay/neutered all the dogs that no longer are on the breeding program and find homes for them (or keep them it depends on the dog). We can't keep them all and I think they deserve to retire in a nice family in front of the fire place...not in a kennel.. 

1 litter, 2 years ago.

Rainhaus- my resonse was not directed at you, rather at the ads in the paper that read "german shepards for sale akc" and people who email me about a "shepard" puppy. No need to get defensive.

For me, 2 litters, possibly 3rd on the way. Titled parents, all three litters. After this I will likely not have another until 2010. I know the call names of every puppy and still see most of them from time to time. I have turned down inappropriate homes.  Puppies with disqualifying faults are sold on limited registration.

Rainhaus, what is a "test" litter? 

In answer to your question, one litter last year.  There will be no more for many years until I am retired.  As far as the quality and meeting breeding "requirements",  I would say yes.

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/search.html?main=db&index_in=All&results_in=10&string_in=walking+arrow

KCzaji,I am so sorry for spouting out like that.Forgive me "Everyone".I had a really rough day yesterday. Yes it is such a shame to see GSD's in the paper as well as other breeds just saying AKC as well as the breed mis-spelled.I have to admit that many times I mis-spell shepherd because my grandfathers name was shepard.Somewhat of a mental disfunction on my part.Thanks to everyone that responded in ref to litters per year. Kind Regards...Candace

A few statistics from the AKC:

In 2007, fewer than 4% of AKC breeders registered more than seven litters. This 4% accounted for 105,525 litters. In 2000, breeders registering more than seven litters accounted for 63,000 more litters (168,525) than in 2007.  AKC compliance did over 5,650 kennel inspections last year. Competing registries (UKC, etc.) are believed to be more attractive to some breeders than AKC due to lower litter registration costs. And, of course, some breeders have been banned from AKC for anywhere from a few months to life.

For those who think an AKC ban can be easily circumvented by registering the litters in a relative's name, the AKC has a surprise for you. This month there is an example in the Secretary's page of a breeder being banned for life and two relatives being banned for 5 years each for attempting to circumvent the breeder's original AKC suspension for false litter registration.

I got my Gazette yesterday, but these stats should be available on the AKC website as well, probably when the shelf life of the current issue expires.

Now, if your kennel raises more than 7 litters per year does that mean you are a puppy mill? Not necessarily. IMO, it depends on the quality of dogs you have and the quality of care you give them. Well trained, healthy, breed standard dogs on clean premises who all receive regular vet care, good quality food and regular exercise are probably going to produce healthy pups. Will these pups all be show quality? Of course not, not even if the parents are titled at both ends of their names. That's why there are legendary litters that produced multiple champions (breed or performance). These litters are legendary because they are rare.

A reputable breeder has a good contract covering most situations. Any attorney worth his law degree will tell you that you can't cover every possible situation, but you can cover the most common in a contract. A reputable breeder won't regard you as a nuisance if you want to visit first (or several times) before committing to buying a puppy, but may ask you to use a germicidal gel before handling puppies. A reputable breeder will answer your questions and will send photos or a DVD if you can't visit. You should be able to see the parents' registrations and pedigrees before you buy. If the sire is not on-site, you should be able to see his photo or his work on DVD. Breeders and buyers should follow their instincts: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. If something seems "off", it probably is. In that case, don't sell/buy the puppy or dog.  You should get the AKC or SV papers with the dog, although delays are not uncommon and sometimes happen for good reasons. If you sense the breeder isn't being honest about the paperwork, don't buy the dog. 

A sidenote: if you yourself lie a lot, you probably won't be able to tell if someone is telling the truth or not. If you fall into this category, you and the dishonest breeder deserve each other. But the dogs don't deserve either one of you.

Just my 2 cents.

Maybe it is just me but I find it wholly ironic that this thread was started by someone who lists a 22 month old Rottie for stud that is pre-lim'd fair (and no elbows pre-lim'd) to "bitches must be at least 18 months of age, Pre-lim OFA'd".

Again, perhaps it is just me but considering Rotties are #2 for elbow dysplasia with a dysplastic rate of 40.8% (and have a HD percentage of 20%), I consider a reputable breeder of that breed as one who A) does not offer a stud before 2 years so that its elbows and hips can be evaluated and B) does not allow their stud to be bred to a bitch with any less than that in testing.  Particularly when I consider a fair, let alone a pre-lim fair as being a less than stellar hip rating.

Just because a person owns the stud and might not be held accountable to the fate of the puppies, does not make them any less responsible for ensuring that litters produced by their stud are produced with the interest of the breed at heart.

Glad to see something positive going on to make a change in AKC.From my understanding those booted out of AKC...just switched registeries to CKC.I do have a question.Is it true that pups are being sold..Cant remember the "Pet Store" or whom owns it.The pups are checked out and immediatley registered with the AKC. I would appreciate feedback on this.