Wags

Absolutely, Wags! The genuine dog lovers will respond with warmth & empathy to this. And with gratitude that their 'likely' puppy has got such a wonderful start in life. A breeder who cares about her pup's future welfare, is a breeder who cares about her breeding decisions and the health & temperament of her dogs. Those applicants who don't respond but whose focus remains just on 'buying' the pup, right now, would need a bit more looking into. A breeder who cares about her pup's future welfare, is a breeder who cares about her breeding decisions and the health & temperament of her dogs What a fabulous way of putting this - well done !!

The breeder I bought Benson from asked me exactly this question. My reply...."My last dog died two months ago, she was 14 years old and it was nowhere near long enough". I think that clinched it. The small problem with pop quizzes is that people who lurk on forums know what to answer even if it isn't the truth. If I were ever to source a dog from rescue, or some breeders, for example, I would never admit to working full time. Firstly, it's none of their business, and secondly in some cases, it's an immediate dismissal. I reckon you've made 2 excellent points. First, information on a person's past history as a pet owner, is pure gold. (And with references or documentation that supports what they tell.) People's behaviour tends to be consistent. Good pet owners continue to be good pet owners. Ditto for the opposites. Simply encouraging people to speak freely....as part of a general 'chat'...about the pets they've owned, can be illuminating. People tend to be less guarded & more spontaneous when 'chatting'....unlike how they think before answering a written questionnaire or being asked what sounds like a stock question. (I'm not saying breeders shouldn't use both of those, too. Just saying include the informal 'chat', too.) Second, people can tend to answer written or spoken questions with what they know (or believe) the questioner wants to hear. One way to double-check.....is to ask for the same information twice.....but from a different angle. Also asking for references (& checking them out) or for some kind of independent documentation, will help. How people respond to this, is a good test in itself. The good responsible pet owner who understands how important the future of the little pup is, to a breeder, will comply. Anyone who starts to fuss or get defensive or seriously annoyed about 'being asked too many questions', cancels themselves out, IMO. Absoluely agree with all this. We've had responses to these questionnaires that consist only of flippant content. That's enough of an indication for us that they're not suitable new owners. But conversly, we mostly get loads of information which we then follow through on. This is only our first step and one designed to sort out the, for want of a better word, timewasters from the genuine. We mostly find that the effort of completing the questionnaire means that respondees are those who are more open and honest an informative, as the form is designed to allow a lot of information. There are exceptions and one does have to keep an eye out for them of course. We also get contact by phone or email and while we respond to these, they are always directed back to completing the sheet prior to being considered for a puppy. It is also helpful with our record keeping files as the form can then be filed with our litter paperwork. We find that it has the affect of letting prospective puppy owners understand that we do value our little babies and are concerned for their future lives (which we do and are) and also implants the need to be responsible for same. It also educates puppy seekers that it's not a 'shop' where the goods are for their choice only.

Here's our (always evolving) questionnaire.

The breeder I bought Benson from asked me exactly this question. My reply...."My last dog died two months ago, she was 14 years old and it was nowhere near long enough". I think that clinched it. The small problem with pop quizzes is that people who lurk on forums know what to answer even if it isn't the truth. If I were ever to source a dog from rescue, or some breeders, for example, I would never admit to working full time. Firstly, it's none of their business, and secondly in some cases, it's an immediate dismissal. Yes, I agree, the ones who are seeking to replace a long time friend are usually the best ones aren't they. And I also agree that some people will not give the whole truth, or even lie verbally or in writing, that's why the way we approach them is so important. It's amazing the anomolies that can be picked up in general conversation, or indeed, how questions are asked, either verbally or written. We've had a person doing the rounds here lately and in each case, as she purports to want to start breeding, any questions in regard to membership or prefix applications have produced a wriggling that any worm would be proud of. Oddly enough she's complaining about how hard it is to get a puppy on main registration.

The longer you breed, the more questions one has. Situations that occur along the way create the need for additional questions and let's face it, we have people from all sectors approaching us for puppies, including showers and breeders, so we need to cover all sectors with our questioning. We have developed an initial questionnaire that endeavours to cover a basic introduction from all sectors which we require to be completed before any further discussions occur. Why? Well if there is reluctance to complete the questionnaire, or put anything in writing, then the applicant has failed our first line of screening - end of story. There's a lot of effort involved in owning a puppy and if they're not prepared for the first effort, then are they prepared for the rest of it? No in our opinion. We give and require complete honesty and it is the contents and communicativeness of the responses to the questionnaire that will stimulate further contact between us and the new family. Most will be only too glad to provide the information. It is the ones that are reluctant that start ringing alarm bells. A lot of anomolies are picked up through the questionnaire that assist in directing further questioning. Sounds like a drill? Well, yes it is in a way, but a drill with a purpose and that is to go as far as possible towards ensuring that our kids have as happy and healthy a life as we can provide for them.

Yes, I thoroughly agree with Steve's comments. As breeders, all we can do is try our best with testing for known inherant faults and diseases, research our lines and hope that nature doesn't decide to throw in a glitch in so far as giving our puppies as healthy a life as possible. Once the puppies leave us, although each breed has basic personality expectations, these are influenced by the puppy's treatment and experiences once they've left our care. Often new families are causing their own problems in the way they are training or interacting with their pet, without even realising they are. Choosing a breeder is a little like choosing your own doctor, dentist or any other personal service. It is partly research and partly intuition. A lot comes down to trust (on both sides) and the comfort and rapport you build up with the breeder will lend greatly towards how trusting either party is. You should ask questions that should be confidently answered, and honestly. Ask whatever is on your mind without being ridiculous or goading and the breeder will be happy to answer. You should also be aware of what is being asked of you as well. A caring breeder will want to know about you and the puppy's future life. She/he will also emphasis a need to keep in contact with you and will also seek that you come back with any problems you may have either with the puppy's health or behaviours. This is not only to help you, but also assists the breeder to know the results of her breeding programme. If a breeder is going to be responsible about any inherant developments relating to a puppy after it is adopted out, then no contracts or guarantees are required, simply communication with the breeder who will respond appropriately.

Fabulous news !!!!! Well done Jed !!!!! Will pass the news onto Happy Days !!!!!

WOW !!!!! Not sure they've got all their facts straight as to the origins of the supply of puppies to pet shops, but at least they're willing to try to confront the problem. Mind you, we have a local pet shop owner who flaunts her puppies for sale on the front footpath in cages, who professes to have been a registered breeder and shower of dogs prior to owning the pet shop !!!!! I would have thought that this would have made her less likely to be practicing the sale of unregistered puppies. Perhaps I'm just naive in my sincerity of purpose with my breeding programme

Updates and photos are a very important part of breeding. Not only are they reassuring, but they allow the breeder to view each puppy and how it matures, allowing a thorough assessment of the success of the litter and breeding programme. While some families have been known to consider requests for updates intrusive (I've seen posts on this forum to that affect), the majority love sharing their delight in their new puppy. We always strongly encourage continued contact from our families, and indeed have made some firm friends over the years. While the number of updates does decrease over time, we generally encourage updates on the puppy's birthday, and Christmas and have not been disappointed by the response.

Yes I got one too and contacted the RSPCA about it as I foster for them. They advised that it is to do with the puppy mill who recently had an enormous amount of dogs seized. They are onto it.

Bug I have a tendency to agree with your sentiments. I have known other breeders to cop a hiding based on unfounded information or misunderstandings. It may well be that this is merely a very heated misunderstanding and ought to have both sides of the story before judgment is made. It might be more pertinent to answer the questions on the basis of the question itself, rather than add judgmental comments.

Will we be doing the padding, or just preparing the topside of the square?

Yes, I couldn't agree with you more Whenever one deals with the public, you get the bad with the good, but it's usually the good that makes the biggest impression and makes one realise that doing what you're doing is really worthwhile. We also have 'families in waiting' and it is those families that make the process so exciting and happy. Questions are rife, photos of 'layettes' often arrive or even the family members bringing their goodies when they visit to have their choices 'approved'. Honestly, there are times when we firmly believe our babies are the most spoilt babies in the world. Puppy collection day is also rife with mixed feelings, but the excitement of the families collecting their new little charges far outweighs the 'empty nest' sydrome that follows. Once the flight puppies have reached their destination safely and we know all babies are tucked up in their new fleecy blankies and being kizzed and cuddled constantly, we then relax - well, for a few days - before following through in a few days time. We encourage and receive many regular updates (including photos) from our families and have made many close friends over the years. It can certainly be a wonderful world. We have also found that requiring a pretty thorough questionnaire to be completed as the first step of getting to know inquirers about adopting a puppy, has filtered out a lot of the rifff raff and we're generally left with a core of genuine families to carry on with.

Yes, I'd agree with this comment. There are people who are buying a puppy purely on pricing, with no consideration to the puppy's lineage or health, or the requirements and responsibilities of owning a puppy. This may be fine for the pet shops, or puppy mills, but most registered breeders are protective of the bubs they bring into the world and will make every effort to ensure that the rest of the puppy's life is a happy, responsible and caring environment. Buying the puppy based on price doesn't lend to reassuring the breeder that her puppy's future is going to be as she is endeavouring to make it. As they will make every effort to ensure that breeding programmes are responsible, producing happy, healthy and true to type babies. I usually give a range, but add that it really depends on the litter and the individual puppy as to the final asking price. As to making a profit ...... yes well, my experience is that any funds that are excess from any litter more than likely go towards circumstances surrounding the next litter. Plus, there is the proper upkeep of all our dogs, regular and unexpected vet bills, etc. etc. to be taken into account. I don't think any breeder is going to end up a millionaire - not if she's responsible about her dogs she won't. Being able to provide what all our dogs need when they need it is perhaps the most one could ask.

This is indeed the negative reason given to me when I encourage entrance into the show or breeding fraternity. I seems that even outside the fraternity the negative notariety is rife and it is becoming one of the things considered by prospective puppy purchasers too. It seems that in many cases, the prospective puppy purchaser is being affected by 'attitude'. Such a great pity all round and one that leads to assisting the encouragement of puppy mills and pet shops unfortunately.

There is a DOL'r who's also a fabulous oil painter who did a painting of our old Rottweiler after he'd passed on. It is as if the painting carries my boy's spirit. I'm sure she'd be able to do the same for Jed.

I defy any breeder to put it into better words than these.

Best wishes to Jane for a speedy recovery. Absolutely devastating chain of events for anyone to endure. May the strength of the support given by all of us help her through what has been and her recovery in all ways. Our thoughts are with her every day.