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by jc.carroll on 14 January 2008 - 18:01
While lurking on message forums I came across this post. No, it isn't not mine. The author is someone named "Muse," but I could find little information about Muse to identify who he/she/it? was. Still, I thought this was a decent post, especially in lieu of all the people getting scammed lately. Some of the information might be elementary, but other aspects seemed fairly well thought out. I italicized it and indented it, but those were the only alterations made to the post.
Regards,
~J.C.
When looking for a breeder, you can find lists of questions to ask to ask breeders in your search to find your new best friend, but I figured I'd toss down a few warning signs to help you avoid making the wrong decision:
Warning Signs of a Dispreputable Breeder:
The Breeder
1) the Hard Sell technique -- any breeder who makes you feel pressured to buy a dog from them and doesn't care about your questions or the pup's future home.
2) "clearence puppies" -- dogs sold for substantially less than their litter mates or dogs marketted as being "reduced in price."
3) the old "rare color" ploy -- most of these colors are outside the breed standard, and thus are not worth more. Same thing with the "exclusive bloodlines" scheme.
4) any breeder who will not let you visit their kennel upon request
5) breeders who are unwilling to discuss their breeding goals, or states goals that don't include temperament, health, working abililty/conformation to breed standard.
6) any breeder who cannot provide vet records, health certification (OFA, etc) or verification of the dogs' pedigrees upon request.
7) not being able to meet the mother of the pups -- sometimes the father isn't on premise, due to away breedings, but you should always be able to meet Momma-dog.
8) reluctance to talk about their dogs -- most breeders can talk the ears off a brass monkey when it comes the their beloved canines
9) repeatedly mentioning price if you haven't asked.
10) bait-and-switch techniques: you chose a pup, later the breeder says that pup was accidentally sold and offers you a different dog than the one you'd agreed on.
The Dogs
1) an unhealthy mother; look at her eyes, ears, etc. If the breeder isn't taking care of mom, what guarentee do you have of the pups' health?
2) puppies that look sickly, lethargic, underweight, or generally unwell.
3) not providing proof of puppy shots at time of sale.
4) skittish, aggressive, or otherwise unsuitable dispositions in the parents or the breeders other dogs.
5) puppies displaying similar issues as mentioned above
6) puppies / adults that seem skittish or improperly socialized.
7) if the breeder doesn't know the ages of his/her own dogs!
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 $700. (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 mispells 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: click here The dog's name is "Seigfreid"
by jc.carroll on 14 January 2008 - 18:01
Continued:
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?
I'm sure I can think of more, but these are just some of the immediate biggies.
by hodie on 14 January 2008 - 18:01
JC
These are indeed good things to remember when selecting a dog or pup. Unfortunately, all too often the buyers do NOT do even these things. One thing that seems obvious but apparently is not to people seeking pups is the issue of cleanliness. If one walks into an area where pups are that is covered in feces, or worse yet, the pups are, and the place smells of urine, this should be a clear warning sign and one should be headed out the door.
Another one, at least for my money, is how many litters one breeds per year. Some will want to say those who breed many litters a year can be reputable, and indeed, there are some. But all too many who breed more than 2-3 litters a year, at most, do so for one reason......it is a money making venture, not about the dogs.
by longhorns on 14 January 2008 - 20:01
I agree with most of the points. However, the breeder you picked out for misspelling the dog's name seems to breed to the world standard and has very nice dogs. I also have a website. I am a terrible speller, and even though I run spell check, I sometimes find incorrect phrasing months later. At times someone will call my attention to errors, and I appreciate that. Bottom line is that I don't think good grammar and spelling should even be a factor in whether someone is a good breeder or not or has good breeding stock. That being said, I would go elsewhere if they misspell the breed name, e.g. German Shepard. 
by jc.carroll on 14 January 2008 - 20:01
Longhorns,
agree, "German Shepard" is a pretty bad sign. I've also seen "Rotwieler" (or something like that) breeders out there. In regards to the breeder's website, I didn't select it, as I am not the original author of the above post. I just found the post, thought it had a few good points, and figured I'd toss it over this way incase other people hadn't seen it.
IMO, when in doubt of spelling, or if you know you're not very good at it, have someone else proof-read your stuff and look for errors.
Something that else that I think would be an indicator of a reputable breeder that isn't listed above is: "actively participating in dog shows, and being a member of a breed club or organization." I'd be a little wary of someone who was advertising conformation dogs, but didn't show parents or pups. If I'm looking for a working dog or a show dog, I want to see that the breeder participates in those activites. Anyone can buy a good dog, then sell progeny, but IMO that doesn't make 'em a show/working -breeder!-
by sdchargers on 14 January 2008 - 21:01
How about a breeder how has been breeding for over 50 years & the breeder is not even 50 years old?
by jc.carroll on 14 January 2008 - 21:01
*lol*
Artificial insemination and creative use of a time machine?
by Shelley Strohl on 14 January 2008 - 21:01
- Add to the list No list of references or previous buyers the prospective buyer may contact,
- unwilling to admit/discuss particulars of "less-successful" past matings,
- vague answers about what they do with dogs retired from breeding,
- several address/contact info changes in a too-short period of time with no explanation (instability)
Please do not add messy house that needs vaccuuming & dusting, muddy pawprints on carpets/floors, dog hair in bathroom and on furniture, devasted flower beds/landscape "features", dated vehicles, or tired-eyed, over-worked, fashion-apparel-free breeder. LOL
SS
by hodie on 14 January 2008 - 21:01
Shelly,
You just described my living quarters LOL (except I have no flower beds to speak of, and thankfully only my Suburban sitting around since I cannot go anywhere and have no life). But there is lots of sand and fur always (and paw prints when it is snowing or raining.....). Heck, the kennel building and kennel areas proper are cleaner than my rooms....LOL
by Shelley Strohl on 14 January 2008 - 23:01
When I get done with a vehicle, the only thing its good for is scrap. My kennels will always be 10x more orderly than my house, as long as the hubby stays out of the building, that is. ;-/
SS
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