lappiemum

I agree. With respect to multiple listings, what is wrong with that? You don't know whether the breeder will have a puppy that meets your requirements (I'm not interested in just getting any puppy of breed X, I have very specific requirements). As such, surely listing with a few breeders is a good idea? I won't deal with breeders who have a list of approved buyers and then if they have, say 5, puppies, assign the pups to the first 5 people on the list. Rather, I'm interested in breeders who assign the right pups to the right people, even if that means someone who would be a great owner who has been on the list for a while misses out, simply because there isn't a pup that meets their requirements. There is nothing wrong with being on the lists of multiple breeders - but be upfront about it. Nothing is worse than (as happened recently) where I contacted a puppy person, who had sounded lovely, about a puppy in the litter - they said wonderful, thanks very much we would like that puppy. I asked for a deposit (which is normal) - and waited. After a week I was a bit concerned so tried contacting them again. In the meantime, I'm telling other people, no sorry, I don't have anything available. After another few days and still nothing, I hear through the breeder grapevine that this person has gone elsewhere. Finally, after another email I get a response - along the lines of 'Hi, thanks for all the pics and info you've been sending us of the puppy, he looks really cute but now we're getting one from someone near the OH's parents. We forgot to email you sorry". Now, I have no problem whatsoever with people going elsewhere - I often refer people on to other breeders, and thats fine. What is disappointing is that I was telling other potential owners that sorry, I couldn't help them, for several weeks. So, if you have got your name down with multiple breeders, PLEASE be upfront about it (its ok, we don't mind!), and PLEASE tell us as soon as you take a puppy elsewhere. Finally, if you agree to a puppy, but then keep 'shopping' and not tell the original breeder of this, its going to make us a tad cranky (and many of us are a little sleep deprived already!) LOL

I agree that every puppy buyer is different - and that every breeder is different, and every puppy is different ;) Ofcourse a good breeder asks a puppy buyer what they are looking for, and there is discussion about options etc - but when you have puppy buyers who simply demand a particular puppy, based on just a photograph or 30 second encounter, thats not going to work either.

I think its bloody gold....LOL Especially the bit about breeders talking to each other - and the mulitple list thing....having just gone through it recently, its very frustrating, especially when you literally spend hours talking to these people, taking the dogs out so they can meet them, doing all the supportive email and phone stuff, send them breed information etc etc and then find out that they have taken a puppy from elsewhere - and don't bother to let you know until you hear from another breeder. Its just bad manners, really. And while its probably best then that you didn't send a puppy to them, you have turned away others in the meantime. But then, you get the opposite - you get WONDERFUL puppy people who are considerate, friendly, enthusiastic, who understand the selection process, who are willing to wait for the puppy that is right for them, and who will be just fabulous owners/puppy parents. These people make it all worth it then - and they are worth their weight in gold! I know there is a mentality out there in the general public that you go to the petstore/online puppy farm website/backyard breeder and see the puppy and 'bond' with it (in a process that takes often less time than it takes to make a cup of coffee). it is also why there is such a high rate of surrenders, when the puppy doesn't 'work out'. Its a matter of education I think - people need to learn that puppies are not pizzas( that you can order what you want and its delivered in 45minutes or its free LOL). This is a living creature that, all going well, will be with you for many many years and brings a hell of a lot of responsibility. Our kennel club organisations are working on this , and so are many breed clubs and breeders, but ofcourse, there is always more to do. I think this blog is great. WHile I do respond to every call and email, there are some you think, quite frankly, why bother. But then there are others that you get really excited about as potential puppy owners and you really hope that it works out and you will have their puppy, as they are such lovely people. People are people, I guess, but those that read this blog, and get it, will be fantastic owners and I would love to have them as parents to one of my guys ;)

Commercial breeders are required to chip via a separate piece of legislation than the advertising one. They have extra laws regarding notification to councils of puppy purchasers as well and are, in theory, closely monitored to ensure they abide by all their rules. That is most of the reason for the difference under the advertising legislation. Not saying the rules are perfect, not by a long shot, just pointing out that there is no particular advantage under the actual legislation. They still have to have the puppies chipped before advertising, but most of them chip/vaccinate at five or six weeks so that the pup is out the door at the minimum allowable 8 weeks. Unfortunately, the legislation won't work unless it is properly enforced and that's not very likely.... Then why does this legislation specifically exempt the commercial breeders, saying that they can just put in their licence number?

I don't have a problem with microshipping, and if I need to put it in the advert so be it. What really peeves me however, is the exemption from having to put the microchip numbers in for 'commercial breeders; (ie puppy farmers). They only need to put in their commerical licence number. You would assume that they would still microchip as it is now required by law, but it does given them an advantage over the small registered, hobby breeders (you know, the ones who actually give a damn about their breeds) who wait until the pup is mature enough for the chipping. But hey, when has this state government NOT come up with a reactive (you could say knee jerk) and poorly planned piece of legislation when it comes to dogs.....!

Hey charley101 - I have PMed you some information :) - also drop into the spitz forum, thats where most of the lappie people hang out here on DOL ;)

newspapers ..... LOTS of newspapers! If you dont have enough and you're in a pinch, then you can order butchers paper from Office Works - it's about $60 for 600 sheets or something. I do a layer of plastic sheeting on the bottom of the whelping box, then newspapers, then puppy wee pads - they absorb a lot of moisture and will help to keep everything drier (I spend $4 for a packet of 8 from mylocal $2 shop) - then vetbed on top. However to start with I just have the newspaper down, as my puppies tend the think the vet bed in mum.....LOL Temp wise, you are more likely to have an issue with puppies that are too hot right now then puppies that are too cold - you know they are hot when they spread out and are very vocal, and can't settle down - you rectify that by wetting a towel and putting that in a corner of the box - if they are hot they will lie on it, if they are ok they will crawl off elsewhere. Another tip for overheating puppies is to gently wet their tummies and their paws - you will find it cools them nicely and they settle down very quickly. You will need something like nappiesan to soak the vetbed in when it needs changing (I then usually spin dry it) and a good quality disinfectant to keep the box clean. Finally, a lot of breeders (including myself) bunk out in the whelping room for the first week or so - just to make sure everything is going ok. Sometimes mums are a little bit clumsy about where they park their butts when feeding, even with crush rails up in the box - so its better to monitor things for the first few mights as a minimum.

very sorry to hear that Rysup - RIp Sarah

They all have bluish eyes at the moment - their eyes darken around 4 - 5 weeks. :)

thanks Kadbury - they are quite kissable, I admit LOL

orange collar girl purple collar girl red collar boy yellow collar girl

two week pics :) black collar girl blue collar boy brown collar girl green collar boy

Hi Mirawee - we will be inside ;) We're sorting out ring allocation at the moment, but on the same day is the spitz club show (which we are holding our show in conjunction with) and the Cavie show - I think there may be another show but would have to double check that. We will be posting up the schedual shortly (just getting the last lot of paperwork sorted with DogsVic) but I can tell you that its going to be a big weekend As for the food, yes, it is expensive, although edible ;) - the Club is not allowed to set up a food stall to sell food in competition, but individual and communal lunches are common (and can get rather fancy!) ;) We will also be having a catered function after the show for all the Lappie exhibitors (again, details to come out shortly) and there are other things planned, so its going to be a mega huge weekend.

hope there will be enough to attend! We won't be there - Sohvi had 8 lovely babies a week and a half ago, so we are all chillin out at home right now!

Awwww - how gorgeous is that??? Big congrats!!! Sohvi initially tried to have the litter on the fold out futon that I sleep on in the whelping room....that was definately at NO...! Enjoy the babies RoseRed!!!

LOL I think its along the lines of "They didn't tell me they get TEETH" :laugh:

Well done troop!! Congrats!! Yes - they are all very kissable LOL - they get quite a bit if that already - esp with miss 12 home on holidays LOL

Some pics of the Bierdini Litter ;) Group shots Individual shots blue boy green boy black girl brown girl purple girl red boy orange girl yellow girl :)

cute as, angelsun!

Will post better pics once Evolving comes around with her flash new lens on Thursday

when I made them bigger to get a better look they went blue. Sorry - bad lighting in the whelping room. I've got a friend who takes better pics coming out on Thursday so should have nicer pics then! They are cute though - you'll just have to trust me on that one! LOL

The sound like guinea pigs too LOL Here are some pics taken this morning - all seem to be going well and Sohvi is being a great mumthus far. They should be fluffy in a few weeks - but at this stage its definately easier to keep those collars on - and I'm going to need them!

they are guinea pigs right now - hungrey little guinea pigs

Um once I clean up a bit - it got a bit hectic here for a bit!

Hi all - has been a rather eventful afternoon for us but the shorthand version is 8 Lappie pups (a big litter for us although certainly not the biggest!) - 4 boys & 4 girls - 5 creams & 3 dark (prob tri colour although 1 may be black - will have to wait and see ;) ). Mum is doing well ;)