Breeders: How Do you Choose a Puppy Owner? - Page 1

This question is an offshoot in response to a different thread dealing with the neverending number of animals who need rescue, and/or are necessarily PTS.

How much of this responsibility resides with the proper vetting of a potential puppy buyer by the breeder? As a breeder, what do you feel constitutes having done your due diligence in finding your puppies a safe, and healthy environment as their home?
 

Well I had only one dog come back to me due to death of the owner. I have small amount of litters and I am really picky as where they go. If I have a pick of a female/male that I see something great about and I have no buyer I have a friend who will take him, train him/her and  they will be sold later and he gives me the puppy money left over. I know the dog is going to be worked and I recover my puppy loss. If I have a pet quality dog I will sell the dog on a pet contract and I reduce the price. So far pretty good homes... pretty good. Actually I am impressed with my luck with picking good households.

If a dog comes to me totally ruined I would PTS.. I am ot going to be happy but I also can not take the chance of people being bitten or dogs being bitten as I don't live on 150 acres in the middle of nowhere!.

I had to do that in Europe where some idiot returned a dog with severe health issues equired after a rat poisoning. I PTS because the dog had no real chance for a good life.

Not too bad but I breed very few litters and I have no desire to do more.

I pick them based on "gut feeling", sounds weird..well it has worked. I once got blinded by money and I am kicking myself untill this day! So I stick with my gut! lol

Beetree,

I completely agree.  The process begins with a breeder properly screening puppy-buyers.  That would include, just as for a buyer, doing an internet search, asking for references, actually checking the references, asking others who may know the person (club members, etc.), checking on their experience (how previous dogs were handled, care, vet references,  etc).

Ask them personal questions, like do they work, see how they act when they get the dog or ask them what is the pupose of geeting that breed of dog, do the have kids, do they live in a home or apartment, do they work all day and night, feel them out and your heart will tell you if its a good fit or not. Ask them is they have any other animals at home or have they ever had a pet before and what happen to it"if it died"......

When i got my female GSD i had to bring my hole family and they went threw a gang of questions,  but i know they cared deeply for the pup  and saw how my puppy was brought up and got to see the parents...But I screwd myself on the MALE GSD, something did not feel right about the breeder and now I am stuck with a great dog with some health issues do to over breeding.............WTF we live and learn and move on!!!!!!!!

I have never sold a puppy to a complete stranger. They have always been friends or friends-of-friends who have seen my dogs-- and have seen my dogs work, so they know what they're getting into. Of course, I only do one litter every three years. No way do I produce puppies just to produce puppies. If I don't have buyers lined up, why do a litter at all? 

I was impressed with the rescue who actually called my vet, to check our references. That would seem to be a simple place to start, to verify a history of proper care, especially if you are dealing with a stranger. Also, they made it clear that they considered 7 years, boarderline age for children in a household for taking on the responsibility of a GSD puppy. They prefered an older child.

Surprisingly, or not, perhaps, that the multitude of breeders, be they hobby, or  BYB, or large kennel business; they don't feel like weighing in on this subject. How many breeders, once that check is cleared and the puppy is out of sight, can feel confident  knowing a good future awaits the puppy they brought into this world. Compare that number to the one's who just don't care, except for the weight of their wallet.

Well, when you keep most of the puppies to raise and train yourself, most go to firiends of friends. The people who buy puppies from me come recommended by good friends, K9 trainers and K9 handlers. The ones I raise and train are sold to PDs or Military and the puppies that leave at 9 weeks I become friends with many of their new owners. I have only had one returned, which is a long story itself but after 6 months of trying to get her back they willingly signed her over. She was spayed and placed in a very nice pet home. Not only GSD, but I have accepted a few owner surrendered labs and lab mixes and also placed them with PDs. Some people's guts are more instinctual then others. LOL.

Melissa

I talk to them via e-mail first, then phone, and I get a good feel of what they are looking for, why they want this breed, what they plan on doing with the dog, how much exercise, training, socialization they plan on giving the pup even if they don't plan on "working" the dog - if they have kids, other dogs, cats, where the dog would live (I only sell my pups into homes where they will be a part of the family, even if they are going to working homes).  If they have a fenced yard or not - I get an idea by talking if I feel they are ready for a pup such as the ones I breed, or not.  If they have "alterior motives" I can usually figure it out by communication.  If they are looking for a "big black male" then usually it's an instant turn-off, as is any mention of a previous young dog dying from unexplained reasons - or their plans don't mesh with mine for my pup.  I also do check their references (vet, trainer) unless I know them or of them personally.   I normally either feel comfortable with someone or I don't.  If I do, I keep the conversation going - if I don't, I refer them to another breeder or tell the people I don't have a pup avaialble that would fit their lifestyle/wants/needs. 

I also keep in touch with all of my puppy owners - for the long term.
molly
Eichenluft
http://workinggermanshepherd.com