Topic for debate: puppy advertising - Page 1

How would you expect a reputable breeder to advertise pups?

--Kijiji.com, Freedoglistings.com, and other pet sales sites?

--Newspaper ads?

--Full page spreads in magazines like Dogfancy? *lol*

Or would a reputable breeder seldom have to advertise due to their dogs' active presence at shows and in the sport?... Word of mouth?



I was thumbing through the classifieds in Dogfancy this morning and started wondering. I have my views, but I want to see what other folks think. If you were looking for a new pup, what would make you look into or avoid a breeder before you'd even spoken with them?

The "reputable breeder" is a mythological beast, it simply doesn't exist.  What fantasized standards have been idealistically set forth to define the "reputable breeder", has become a contradiction, an impossibility.

Here's a few that have the opposite of their intended affect on my perception...

1. Use of the word "TOP" or "super" in their ad.
2. Pups are from "champion lines"
3. Stating pups are "100%" DDR or 100% Czech
4. Claiming pups can "do it all", suitable for sport, policework, SAR...
5. Claiming to utilize biosensor methods, or ENS
6. Offering "pick" of the litter.

Darylehret, I take it from your statement The "reputable breeder" is a mythological beast, it simply doesn't exist. that you think all breeders are unethical.  That being said, where do you get your dogs?
Judy

anywhere they choose to advertise.....!

Idealisticly a 'REPUTABLE BREEDER " would not have to spend a large sum of  money advertising! A reputable breeder would have established a firm foundation of ethics and knowledge in what type of dog they are producing!  specailty animals as such as we are dealing with are far different than the common dog breeder! No one uneducated in the line would go to a local pet shop or internet advertising forum! Once a reputation is established it is worth more than silver or gold! If your breeding program is ETHICAL you will adhere to the standards established ! Just as merchandise and medicines are patented to protect from copyright infringement so to is the german shepherd dog protected by the SV and the rules long ago established by the originator of the breed! to many breeders have long ago abandoned those standards in persuit of doing it their way! Dog magazines and periodicals such as those published by the usca and wda as well as the different club publications are acceptable forms of ads! Even ads placed on this site ! As long as those ads are paid for and the advertiser can be researched !

reputable breeder?...i'd be a tad bit skeptical of anything i saw in "DOG FANCY",but that's only because i know what type of pup i'd (personally)be looking for.(high drive,solid nerve,well socialized,environmentally sound),being an " avid fan" of dogsport and participant(club level) and living in the southeast,i can routinly see some of the best dogs and handlers...they don't buy puppies,and they rarely delve "too" deeply into the pedigree...they seek a proven competition "ready"dog(structure,ability)...yet they always wind up with a dog from proven working lines.many puppy buyers are mis-lead by the hyperboyle of "championship and schutzhund titles".as to the "AKC" types,they tend to stress"CHAMPIONSHIP,CGC,HIC" i don't put much value on a dog getting a "blue ribbon" for prancing around a ring..."CGC"...a good well balanced dog could get that in his sleep,"HIC",same thing..no biggie.having said that...i never fault the dog for his/her pedigree...i fault the breeders for making claims that are usually untrue.in an ideal world,a good breeder wouldn't even have to advertise,his/her proven combinations would sell pups by "word of mouth"!advertising may very well be a "necessary evil".....information is abundant in this day and age...would-be "puppy buyers" should arm themselves with this information.even better yet,go to an event (AKC CONFORMATION,GERMAN TYPE CONFORMATION,SCHUTZHUND TRIAL) and get up close and personal with the type of dog you desire.anyone who buys a pup on "IMPULSE" is just asking for trouble,and said pup is on the "fast-track" to the dog pound,when he just "magically" doesn't turn into "RIN-TIN-TIN or LASSIE" with no training at all.for some, the AKC CONFORMATION TYPE will be a more than suitable,some will prefer the GERMAN CONFORMATION TYPE,and yet others will only be satisfied with a pup from the traditional WORKING LINES.impulse buyers are the mainstay of the "shifty-eyed,slick talking,back of the truck breeders/puppy-pimps",they rely on the "OOOOH,THEY'RE SOOOO CUTE" factor...while the obvious maladies like demodex,ringworm,internal parasites are completly overlooked...when these buyers show up at their local schutzhund club,and compare their "poorly breed,low/no drive pup" to the "well bred"(purpose bred)pup...that's when the reaility of an impulse really hits home....either they'll be totally dissapointed and cast the pup off or resolve to do the best they can with what they have and go on from there.....

Better yet Judy, why don't you define "reputable breeder" for us, and I'll ask why you included this point, why you didn't include that point and so on, and we'll go from there.  And then, list every (if any) breeder you can that currently does and always has met your criteria.  Of course I don't think all breeders are unethical, but what's ethical for the owner doesn't equate to ethical for the breed or even the individual dog.  Ethical is a subjective term which certainly isn't synonomous with reputable.

WOW is the world coming to an end? I actually have to say that I agree with Raymond!!! What is the world coming to?!!! lol It is true though.As I was told when I was looking for a lawyer, don't go to the one that has a big fancy ad online or in the phone book.Talk to people you know and go by word of mouth by educated people that you can trust. Also look at Law papers that they print out about cases etc.Just like with a breeder...if they have the goods word will get around.
~L~

"Or would a reputable breeder seldom have to advertise due to their dogs' active presence at shows and in the sport?... Word of mouth? "

 So then how do prospective buyers not active in the world of shows and sport find a "reputable" breeder?
--Mary