What makes breeder good?

RaeLee · 06-11-2005, 17:34

I don't know if I should be posting this or not

. It seems that there are many people who look for breeders here and not many say what they would like from a breeder. I thought it would be nice to see the otherside since it seems most breeders are expected to just trust that the buyer is "ok".

What I look for:

a breeder that does the health testing they should (eyes, diseases, hips, etc.) and supplies copies of certificates.

one that doesn't care if they get a call at 3 am about X pet getting sick and me not sure what to do.

one that doesn't take full payment until pup is ready to ship or is at least born

a breeder that takes the time to socialize the parents and puppies including introducing them to new situations early on.

a breeder that takes the time to put titles on the puppies themselves. While that may not indicate a "good" breeder it does tell me that they may have more of a genuine interest in the breed rather than a money interest. I know of a few other breed breeders that title their dogs to try to make the puppies "worth" more and still don't care about the puppies or where they go.

somebody that asks for and wants picture updates on their puppies they sell. Not just to check the overall health of the puppy but to also keep a conection with the buyer.

I like contracts or some sort of written agreement between breeder/buyer that outlines everyones expectations.

I want to know that if for some unthinkable reason things don't work out or I can no longer keep the puppy I can feel free to send the puppy back. I do NOT a breeder that tells me, " tough cookies! He/She is your problem now".

Somebody I can freely speak with about what we (pet and I) are doing
and ask for suggestions on what I should try differently. In my humble opinion I believe we all encounter challenges with our pets that we may be uncertain on how to handle...just as our own human children.

A breeder that is experienced enough with dogs to know what to suggest but that isn't so convinced they are always right and therefore not open to other suggestions.

While I may not be "The Best" or "The Most Experienced" person in the galaxy I still want a breeder that knows I am trying to do everything correctly. I WANT and NEED them to be a part of this without treating me like I am less than human for not knowing what to do in each situation.

A breeder that doesn't have more litters than they can possibly count in one year.

A breeder that is selective about potential owners.

a breeder that has no problem providing some references, even a written statement from their vet.

one that supplies copies of registration of both sire and dam including a pedigree

I like a breeder that if knowing I don't want to breed, they ask that they either alter the pet in their country or I alter here. If I alter here then I don't think it hurts to say to me, the buyer, that if I alter here I must supply written proof of the alteration. I don't think it's a bad idea for breeders to also mention that once the alteration is done then "X" amount will be refunded...that can act like a sort of an added bonus for some (doesn't bother me either way).

Some breeders in the United States tell their buyers that if they title their puppy then the can get $ back for each title. While that is a great idea it may not work for all. It does, in my humble opinion, encourage buyers to work more with their dogs and it can also help filter out people who have no true intentions of doing anything with their puppy. All in the same breath though, sometimes dogs just don't work out for titles because it's not part of "who" the pup is. It's my personal opinion that just because a pup looks to be cut out for conformation shows doesn't mean that is the best for the puppy/dog. No matter what is done with the puppy/dog it's happiness should be first. I look for a breeder that knows the difference.

Most of all...HONESTY

Ok, so this got a little long. I hope I didn't bore anyone LOL! There is so much more than I can put on paper. More that just has to be worked out between buyer/seller over time and more time.

RaeLee

06-11-2005, 17:34	#1
RaeLee Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 4	What I look for in a breeder I don't know if I should be posting this or not . It seems that there are many people who look for breeders here and not many say what they would like from a breeder. I thought it would be nice to see the otherside since it seems most breeders are expected to just trust that the buyer is "ok". What I look for: a breeder that does the health testing they should (eyes, diseases, hips, etc.) and supplies copies of certificates. one that doesn't care if they get a call at 3 am about X pet getting sick and me not sure what to do. one that doesn't take full payment until pup is ready to ship or is at least born a breeder that takes the time to socialize the parents and puppies including introducing them to new situations early on. a breeder that takes the time to put titles on the puppies themselves. While that may not indicate a "good" breeder it does tell me that they may have more of a genuine interest in the breed rather than a money interest. I know of a few other breed breeders that title their dogs to try to make the puppies "worth" more and still don't care about the puppies or where they go. somebody that asks for and wants picture updates on their puppies they sell. Not just to check the overall health of the puppy but to also keep a conection with the buyer. I like contracts or some sort of written agreement between breeder/buyer that outlines everyones expectations. I want to know that if for some unthinkable reason things don't work out or I can no longer keep the puppy I can feel free to send the puppy back. I do NOT a breeder that tells me, " tough cookies! He/She is your problem now". Somebody I can freely speak with about what we (pet and I) are doing and ask for suggestions on what I should try differently. In my humble opinion I believe we all encounter challenges with our pets that we may be uncertain on how to handle...just as our own human children. A breeder that is experienced enough with dogs to know what to suggest but that isn't so convinced they are always right and therefore not open to other suggestions. While I may not be "The Best" or "The Most Experienced" person in the galaxy I still want a breeder that knows I am trying to do everything correctly. I WANT and NEED them to be a part of this without treating me like I am less than human for not knowing what to do in each situation. A breeder that doesn't have more litters than they can possibly count in one year. A breeder that is selective about potential owners. a breeder that has no problem providing some references, even a written statement from their vet. one that supplies copies of registration of both sire and dam including a pedigree I like a breeder that if knowing I don't want to breed, they ask that they either alter the pet in their country or I alter here. If I alter here then I don't think it hurts to say to me, the buyer, that if I alter here I must supply written proof of the alteration. I don't think it's a bad idea for breeders to also mention that once the alteration is done then "X" amount will be refunded...that can act like a sort of an added bonus for some (doesn't bother me either way). Some breeders in the United States tell their buyers that if they title their puppy then the can get $ back for each title. While that is a great idea it may not work for all. It does, in my humble opinion, encourage buyers to work more with their dogs and it can also help filter out people who have no true intentions of doing anything with their puppy. All in the same breath though, sometimes dogs just don't work out for titles because it's not part of "who" the pup is. It's my personal opinion that just because a pup looks to be cut out for conformation shows doesn't mean that is the best for the puppy/dog. No matter what is done with the puppy/dog it's happiness should be first. I look for a breeder that knows the difference. Most of all...HONESTY Ok, so this got a little long. I hope I didn't bore anyone LOL! There is so much more than I can put on paper. More that just has to be worked out between buyer/seller over time and more time. RaeLee