ravenau1

While I understand the need for many questions and a great deal of communication between a potential buyer and the breeder, the 'home check' part of this process has me a bit concerned. If it isn't the breeder themselves doing the check would it be acceptable for me to ask to see a police clearance or the like before letting someone into my home? Or would it just be the yard they were checking? I have had a bad experience in the past when someone came out to look at something we had for sale (furniture) and was actually 'casing' the house and came back at a later date and broke in (many years ago though). I don't normally allow people I don't know into my house, and any tradesmen have to come from recognised, reputable companies and provide a clearance or reference. Would photographs or video be acceptable if the breeder wasn't able to visit themselves? Go for your life. Check with previous buyers. Hire a PI if you like. If you are prepared to go to that length to get a dog from me, at least that shows you are serious. But no, I wouldn't sign for anyone to do a police check. It would be easy for you to check to see if I was reputable in a business sense. Little more to it than that, but again, something I wouldn't put on the internet. Thanks for your reply Greytmate. I if the breeder themselves were doing the check I wouldn't have the problem, I would be be dealing with a reputable, registered breeder who I would also be asking questions of and would be in contact with them regularly and would have to feel comfortable with them before I got pup from them anyway. It was more if the breeder couldn't do the home check, the person they would ask to do it - if in another state etc. That is a good point. I had trained Home Visitors, we would never send a random person out. There is privacy legislation that anyone doing Home Visits does need to be aware of too. Ok, thanks There are obviously proper processes in place for this sort of thing. I'm learning all the time! I guess a character reference from an employer would be a start. When I applied to be a foster carer they wanted references from my vets, employer etc. A vet I can understand, but an employer? Wow, I couldn't imagine asking my work for a reference for a puppy. I'm pretty sure if I started asking for references they'd be thinking I'm about to 'jump ship' or something.

While I understand the need for many questions and a great deal of communication between a potential buyer and the breeder, the 'home check' part of this process has me a bit concerned. If it isn't the breeder themselves doing the check would it be acceptable for me to ask to see a police clearance or the like before letting someone into my home? Or would it just be the yard they were checking? I have had a bad experience in the past when someone came out to look at something we had for sale (furniture) and was actually 'casing' the house and came back at a later date and broke in (many years ago though). I don't normally allow people I don't know into my house, and any tradesmen have to come from recognised, reputable companies and provide a clearance or reference. Would photographs or video be acceptable if the breeder wasn't able to visit themselves? Go for your life. Check with previous buyers. Hire a PI if you like. If you are prepared to go to that length to get a dog from me, at least that shows you are serious. But no, I wouldn't sign for anyone to do a police check. It would be easy for you to check to see if I was reputable in a business sense. Little more to it than that, but again, something I wouldn't put on the internet. Thanks for your reply Greytmate. I if the breeder themselves were doing the check I wouldn't have the problem, I would be be dealing with a reputable, registered breeder who I would also be asking questions of and would be in contact with them regularly and would have to feel comfortable with them before I got pup from them anyway. It was more if the breeder couldn't do the home check, the person they would ask to do it - if in another state etc.

I got 100% :D Wazzat Xolo you can see the trainee WA Assistance Dogs in Perth City every 3rd Thursday as part of their training, they are wonderful to see

While I understand the need for many questions and a great deal of communication between a potential buyer and the breeder, the 'home check' part of this process has me a bit concerned. If it isn't the breeder themselves doing the check would it be acceptable for me to ask to see a police clearance or the like before letting someone into my home? Or would it just be the yard they were checking? I have had a bad experience in the past when someone came out to look at something we had for sale (furniture) and was actually 'casing' the house and came back at a later date and broke in (many years ago though). I don't normally allow people I don't know into my house, and any tradesmen have to come from recognised, reputable companies and provide a clearance or reference. Would photographs or video be acceptable if the breeder wasn't able to visit themselves?

I caught one at Perth Zoo when I was a kid, it bit me - not that I blame it

Hi Lambo My Husband had a smooth coat collie back home in the US (Copper still lives there with other family). He is a lovely dog, wonderful nature. Pretty happy to laze around indoors or run around outside. Very happy dog . However, he does tend to shed a fair bit, though that could be to do with the greater seasonal variations there (LOTS of snow, then to a warm-ish summer). He would bark at squirrels, raccoons and wildlife a bit but rarely at people. Edit: Spelling and more info

Not very friendly in here! But interesting to read about the different breeds.

The first big-ish dog I ever met that spent a lot of time inside was my Hubby's dog in the US. He was allowed outside unsupervised though, he has 10 acres of 'woodland' to run around in (the dog is still on the property, living with other family now). My experience with larger dogs was that they were 'outside dogs', well they always were when I was growing up, even though I used to sneak my German Shepherd into my room on a Saturday morning to watch cartoons with me when I was a kid! I thought that it was because of the snow, it snows a good portion of the year there and you can't put a dog out in the snow and of course he gets used to being inside. But I certainly did notice that even though Copper had the run of the property as well as the house other people we knew there only ever had their dogs outside when they were being walked. The new dog that we want will be the only mainly inside dog I've had since our little Schnauzer when I was a teenager, but he or she WILL be spending some time in the yard each day. My Malamute would spend some time inside each day but spent the vast portion of his day outside, romping around and playing - much more interesting smells, sights and sounds outside than in the loungeroom! I can't imagine a dog not being able to play in the backyard, or being crated for that long per day! While I think that, of course, you have to have due care and concern, and make the yard safe for them, there really is no need to 'molly coddle' a dog (particularly a full grown one!) and treat it like a human baby. No offence to anyone, but I wonder if these people ever let their kids ride bikes, or climb trees! I think that, in the end, it's your dog and you know what is best

Understandably. Just asking the price would be very rude and not a great way to start a relationship (that you would expect to last a long time!) with the breeder. It is something that I would have normally put in my initial email though, along with other questions and information about myself and my situation. It seems that there's a lot of people who are after dogs for breeding etc, I guess just to pump out some puppies and make some money sad, and I understand why you wouldn't want any of your babies ending up like that. I understand breeders asking questions, and I don't think I would entirely trust a breeder that didn't want to know anything about me and would just 'hand over' a puppy.

Interesting to get some breeders perspectives on this! After a long break from owning a dog I've been looking to get another one and frankly, I had NO idea how much my chosen breed would cost! Could have been $500 or $5000 for all I knew! By looking around at websites etc that do list prices I've been able to get a 'ballpark' figure. Not that the price would have ultimately been a huge issue, but it definitely impacts the amount of time before we actually get a puppy (ie: saving up etc) and it's been handy to have a bit of a guide. I would be very embarrassed to go through the selection process of a breeder only to discover at the end that we couldn't afford the pup right then and would have to wait a few more months or whatever. I would feel that I had wasted the breeders time.

That's a great idea!

Thanks oakeydoak1 and CW EW . I have access to fresh also but canned is probably more convenient.

I've read that a few people on here give their dogs sardines, is it the canned variety or fresh? Thanks