What To Look For In A Breeder?

[Bluefairy]

Hi,

Either this year or next my family and I have decided to get another dog. We have done a lot of talking and research into different breeds and we have come down to two that we all love, but undecided as to which to choose. Its either a British Bulldog or a French Bulldog.

I have found lots of breeders contact details, I have seen a few web sites. Some are in my state of SA, most of them aren't. I would like to ask the breeder if its ok to come and see their dogs and any pups if they have any, not to buy yet, just to get an idea of size, temperament, etc....

I don't mind buying a pup from interstate, as I have done this before, but this time I want to see them up close first.

But what I want to know is how do you know the breeders are OK?

Is it better if a breeder breeds one breed of dog or lots of different breeds?......yeah I know sounds like a BYB, but I don't think so.

Do you think its ok to ask the breeder to see their dogs at the kennels?

I have checked out Dogs SA, and have asked the secretary for a list of approved and registered breeders, just waiting for a reply. I have heaps of questions to ask but not sure who to ask.....I can't find a forum for British Bulldogs at all, and the one here isn't used very often, but will ask just in case.

I'd much appreciate it if anyone can help me

Lynn

[macka]

See this thread:

http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=179286

[dancinbcs]

Also have a look at http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=186565

The best way to have a look at the two breeds is probably to go to a show. Get talking to the breeders (after judging) and if you feel comfortable with one ask if you can see the rest of their dogs some time.

Both these breeds require a lot of health testing so breeders should be able to discuss this openly with you. They are very difficult to breed so that you end up with sound healthy dogs so I would not consider a Bulldog from anyone who does not show their dogs.

As to the question of one breed or many? I have never met anyone who can successfully breed more than three or at the absolute most 4 breeds at a time. People with lots of different breeds are puppy farmers not breeders. Both British and French Bulldogs need a great deal of expertise and dedication to breed correctly so I cannot imagine that anyone could achieve this unless they only had one or two breeds. The best breeders are those that are totally dedicated to their chosen breed and who may have also decided to have an interest in one or two others. There is simply too much to learn to be able to keep up with more than a couple of breeds at a time.

[poodlefan]

For a pet, I'd go the French.. a bit more moderate. Big price tag though.

[Christina]

Hi,

Either this year or next my family and I have decided to get another dog. We have done a lot of talking and research into different breeds and we have come down to two that we all love, but undecided as to which to choose. Its either a British Bulldog or a French Bulldog.

I have found lots of breeders contact details, I have seen a few web sites. Some are in my state of SA, most of them aren't. I would like to ask the breeder if its ok to come and see their dogs and any pups if they have any, not to buy yet, just to get an idea of size, temperament, etc....

I don't mind buying a pup from interstate, as I have done this before, but this time I want to see them up close first.

But what I want to know is how do you know the breeders are OK?

Is it better if a breeder breeds one breed of dog or lots of different breeds?......yeah I know sounds like a BYB, but I don't think so.

Do you think its ok to ask the breeder to see their dogs at the kennels?

I have checked out Dogs SA, and have asked the secretary for a list of approved and registered breeders, just waiting for a reply. I have heaps of questions to ask but not sure who to ask.....I can't find a forum for British Bulldogs at all, and the one here isn't used very often, but will ask just in case.

I'd much appreciate it if anyone can help me

Lynn

Dogs SA can give you a list of breeders, but that is all they can do.

To register in SA you fill in a form, pay your fee & its done. There are no checks, no recommendations so approved just means they are registered.

I think its fine to ask to see the dogs at the kennels 1st. If refused I would really wonder why.

Its OK to have more than 1 breed, I breed/show cats too. It's the care, conditions they are kept in, attention etc that are important.

Due to the breeds you have chosen interstate may have to be the way to go unless you are lucky in timing or willing to wait

As these are high cost breeds that are not easy to breed you may have to have a short holiday & visit if you cannot get what you want here.

[Bluefairy]

Thanks for the replies,

The breeder I mentioned breeds - Staffies, Amstaff, Italian Greyhounds, Tenterfield Terriers, British Bulldogs and English Toy Terriers. I find it hard to imagine anyone breeding so many dogs, the pictures of the kennels, the grounds and even the Humidity Cribs for the puppies looks great......but I am apprehensive of it being a puppy farm. They don't show their dogs themselves, but the dogs go on to win heaps of ribbons and championships.

Yes I know the pricing of these two breeds I like are expensive, and because of the way they are delivered and health tested I understand and I am prepared to pay for a good quality pup, but I don't want to waste that much money on anything less than top quality. I also don't mind waiting any length of time for the right pup, or going interstate for one.

I have found good and bad points for these two breeds. The Frenchie is slightly smaller, half the weight, more lively, so all good qualities. The British Bulldog, is slightly taller, a hell of a lot heavier, more of a couch potato, so like us The two things putting me off the British Bulldog is the health issues and the size of them......my first Aussie Bulldog was more this size, its ok but if you need to grab them they weigh a ton.....

I live in the far north of whoop whoop so going to see a dog show will have to be organised into a couple of days holiday. I'll see if I can find any shows going around the time I next go into the city. But your right its a great way to see these breeds up close and personal.

For breeders should I ask the ANKC?

Can someone tell me what CC stands for, it was mentioned several times but I'm not sure of the abbreviation

Thanks again.

Lynn

Edited January 14, 2010 by Morgansacre

[poodlefan]

Thanks for the replies,

The breeder I mentioned breeds - Staffies, Amstaff, Italian Greyhounds, Tenterfield Terriers, British Bulldogs and English Toy Terriers. I find it hard to imagine anyone breeding so many dogs, the pictures of the kennels, the grounds and even the Humidity Cribs for the puppies looks great......but I am apprehensive of it being a puppy farm. They don't show their dogs themselves, but the dogs go on to win heaps of ribbons and championships.

Yes I know the pricing of these two breeds I like are expensive, and because of the way they are delivered and health tested I understand and I am prepared to pay for a good quality pup, but I don't want to waste that much money on anything less than top quality. I also don't mind waiting any length of time for the right pup, or going interstate for one.

I have found good and bad points for these two breeds. The Frenchie is slightly smaller, half the weight, more lively, so all good qualities. The British Bulldog, is slightly taller, a hell of a lot heavier, more of a couch potato, so like us The two things putting me off the British Bulldog is the health issues and the size of them......my first Aussie Bulldog was more this size, its ok but if you need to grab them they weigh a ton.....

I live in the far north of whoop whoop so going to see a dog show will have to be organised into a couple of days holiday. I'll see if I can find any shows going around the time I next go into the city. But your right its a great way to see these breeds up close and personal.

For breeders should I ask the ANKC?

Can someone tell me what CC stands for, it was mentioned several times but I'm not sure of the abbreviation

Thanks again.

Lynn

CC = Canine Control.. your state ANKC member body The SACA is yours.

Nope, too many breeds for my taste. I'd like someone who's been in the breed for some time and who produces the goods.. that I can see for myself. Why would a healthy pup need a humi crib??

You should factor heat tolerance into your breed selection. And as for breeder recommendations? I'd ask for PMs in the Breed thread in the breeds subforum or in Dog Breeds 101

Mjosa was a SA Frenchie breeder of long standing - is she still around?

Edited January 14, 2010 by poodlefan

[WreckitWhippet]

Run a mile and run fast.

[Dogsfevr]

12 June British Bulldog Club of SA DOGS SA Showgrounds, Kilburn, SA

This event is the Bulldog national so there will be dogs & breeders from all over Australia attending may will also breed Frenchies.

i would make a big effort to attend this

[Bully]

The breeder I mentioned breeds - Staffies, Amstaff, Italian Greyhounds, Tenterfield Terriers, British Bulldogs and English Toy Terriers.

YIKES!!!

[BoStoNmAdNeSs]

The breeder I mentioned breeds - Staffies, Amstaff, Italian Greyhounds, Tenterfield Terriers, British Bulldogs and English Toy Terriers. I find it hard to imagine anyone breeding so many dogs, the pictures of the kennels, the grounds and even the Humidity Cribs for the puppies looks great......but I am apprehensive of it being a puppy farm. They don't show their dogs themselves, but the dogs go on to win heaps of ribbons and championships.

Doesn't sound like a breeder to me - sounds like a company that should be listed on the stock exchange

[Bluefairy]

Thanks,

12 June British Bulldog Club of SA DOGS SA Showgrounds, Kilburn, SA

This event is the Bulldog national so there will be dogs & breeders from all over Australia attending may will also breed Frenchies.

i would make a big effort to attend this

I have just planned a special trip into the city for this

Yes I was shocked they bred so many dogs...how on earth could anyone manage them all. I sent an email asking a load of questions, one being can we come down and look at your BB...she emailed me back asking me to ring her mobile.....I then got sus and wondered if they didn't want written records. But I'll stay right away from them.

I remember asking about Frenchies a while ago, and Mjosa came up, I might check out their web site and ask them a few questions.

Thanks again for helping me avoid a disaster. Hubby thought they were ok....off to tell him I have stuck them off my list.

Lynn

Edited January 14, 2010 by Morgansacre

[shells]

Hi Morgansacre

On the other forum we belong to there was a lady in Perth who bought a British Bulldog from the breeder you are talking about. There was a huge thread on it maybe you could go and search for it - Ker should remember it too.

I also noticed they export heaps of puppies OS.

[BJean]

As to the question of one breed or many? I have never met anyone who can successfully breed more than three or at the absolute most 4 breeds at a time. People with lots of different breeds are puppy farmers not breeders. Both British and French Bulldogs need a great deal of expertise and dedication to breed correctly so I cannot imagine that anyone could achieve this unless they only had one or two breeds. The best breeders are those that are totally dedicated to their chosen breed and who may have also decided to have an interest in one or two others. There is simply too much to learn to be able to keep up with more than a couple of breeds at a time.

I don't think you can make that assertion fairly. Some breeds go together well, some owners may have the land, financial resources and the time to own a few breeds and breed them very well.

I'd even go so far to say that sometimes you learn more having more than one breed to compare.

I have Central Asian, Anatolian, Kangal

there'll be a time when I consider South Russian and Estrela, maybe Caucasian

I'd argue that the breed collective teaches me more about the total dog than the breed singular. I'm fascinated by dog mechanics, behaviour and their natural interactions.

It certainly doesn't make one a puppy farmer.

Edited January 14, 2010 by lilli

[Jed]

Lilli, I'm feeling argumentative tonight!! Unfortunately, 4 - 5 + breeds usually signals a pf, or a volume exporter. I don't think people who keep 2 bitches and breed a litter every 10 years are better, they've often worse because they have insufficient experience. 40 years = 8 litters.

However, we do need some easy method for the novice to distinguish good from not so good. Most GOOD breeders, like you, have a max of 3 or 4 breeds, and sometimes they are similar breeds. I have 3, and I wouldn't mind trying a couple more either.

Novice puppy buyers have no way of judging, so we need to give them a bit of a hand. If a simple rule of thumb such as "not keeping too many breeds", helps them, that's what we need.

The number of buyers who think they have done their research and are armed with the right questions are legend. I can spot 'en a mile off!! If interested in Cavs, they ask has the puppy's heart been tested. If I was Shonkypaws,, I woulf say, "yep the vet tested his heart last week, it was fantastic", and that is exactly what the wrong breeder would say, and the buyer would buy the pup, and be happy about how knowledgable he appeared to the breeder, and how he was too switched on to be shonked.

I tell the buyers that it is the hearts of the parents which need to be tested, and I explain why. I also tell them that the pup will have had his heart checked, as CM is not detected in 8 week old pups. Id they don't buy from me, at least they go away a bit sharper than they came

Knowing of a couple of dol members who have been ripped off by winning kennels (that I would have thought were ok), I know how difficult it is to direct people to the right place without making defamatory statements, so I think every little thing helps

If they want one of your breeds, we can say "oh, Lilli's got 50 breeds, but she's ok". :D

I know a kennel with about 200 (?) dogs, 2 breeds, and I send people there in a heartbeat. They faint when they see how many dogs they are, but they are always happy with their pup, and if they know enough, they see the dogs are in prime conditon, physically, mentally and psychologically.

We need as many pointers for newbies as we can get.

Gotta go, the stud muffin has decided the dining room is now the toilet. I said he was healthy, not smart!! He'll be sorry

[BJean]

If they want one of your breeds, we can say "oh, Lilli's got 50 breeds, but she's ok". :D

lol okay

[dancinbcs]

As to the question of one breed or many? I have never met anyone who can successfully breed more than three or at the absolute most 4 breeds at a time. People with lots of different breeds are puppy farmers not breeders. Both British and French Bulldogs need a great deal of expertise and dedication to breed correctly so I cannot imagine that anyone could achieve this unless they only had one or two breeds. The best breeders are those that are totally dedicated to their chosen breed and who may have also decided to have an interest in one or two others. There is simply too much to learn to be able to keep up with more than a couple of breeds at a time.

I don't think you can make that assertion fairly. Some breeds go together well, some owners may have the land, financial resources and the time to own a few breeds and breed them very well.

I'd even go so far to say that sometimes you learn more having more than one breed to compare.

I have Central Asian, Anatolian, Kangal

there'll be a time when I consider South Russian and Estrela, maybe Caucasian

I'd argue that the breed collective teaches me more about the total dog than the breed singular. I'm fascinated by dog mechanics, behaviour and their natural interactions.

It certainly doesn't make one a puppy farmer.

You will notice that I said "I have never met anyone". I have had show dogs since 1983 and I can only think of one breeder that I know of that successfully produces 3 breeds to a what I consider a high standard. Even then the third breed is one she only dabbles in occasionally. The other two are her main breeds. I do know of breeders who have successfully had many breeds but not all at the same time. One comes to mind that likes to import new breeds, gives a lot away to get them established and then finds another new breed to concentrate on. Whichever breeds she has are always of he best quality but there are only 2 or 3 breeds at one time being bred. Lots of breeders have an extra breed or two to show but they don't always breed them.

Rare breeds, like yours, are a bit different and not something that puppy farmers tend to get into. With the current price of Frenchies in particular, alarm bells would ring if the breeder had lots of breeds, especially if they are very different breeds and popular ones.

[Bluefairy]

Thank you for the replies,

I appreciate your honesty and your wisdom. And yes us newbies, even though I have owned several pure bred dogs over the years, its as hard to pick a breeder now as it was years ago.....

Shells - Thanks, I'll go do a search for them, I remember now she posted pics of her gorgeous Bulldog. Thanks for reminding me.

If only we were more in tuned to those warning bells going off when searching for a breeder....

Lynn

[Rysup]

I too know which breeder you were referring to. Not sure I would go down that road.

A lot of BB breeders also dabble in FB, or vice versa so dont be surprised to find a lot have both breeds.

I have 3 breeds, but I "breed" one, dabble in breeding in the other, and own the third with no plans to ever breed. So it is not always as it seems.

[Bluefairy]

After much talking, our family has decided to go with the French Bulldog. I have contacted Mjosa as she is in SA, and as she was recommended by people on here, I'm happy with that

At least I don't have to keep searching anymore......

Thanks again everyone for your great help.

Lynn