Question To Breeders

[Fleuri]

Just because someone knows the “right things” to say doesn’t mean it’s a good home.

I would imagine that alot of puppy farms would know the exact things to say/and have the money to pay whatever the price may be, just so they can get a dog to breed from.

[kyliegirl]

Bottom line is, what I am trying to say is I think people should have some knowledge in a breed they intend to buy. Not knowing what the temperament, energy levels etc, of a breed are is why so many dog end up at the RSPCA. I think it is VERY necessary for people to learn temperament, health etc of breeds before they look into buying one.

Learning what health checks are needed, are also important for people to ask about as not all breeders do heath check on their dogs and lets face it, not all breeders can be honest.

Not all breeders are open to discussing the problems in their breed and some just flat out refuse to believe there are problems.

A friend of a friend recently purchased a certain breed but had very little knowledge of the them, they just thought they were cute and bought one.

They had a landscaped garden and didn't bother to research what the breed was bred for (digging up truffles) and their whole garden was ruined, and the dog is now being rehomed.

thus why I would trust a breeder more than a website.. As I said, one website can say they dont need much exercise but then you hear from a breeder they need ALOT of exercise.

as for the second part I would be worried if a breeder isn't willing to tell you the good and bad and also the health problems in their breed of choice.

[Shaar]

I think everyone might be missing my point, I'm sorry I am not very good at conveying it.

You can talk to 3 or 4 different breeders and get 3 or 4 different answers.

But by looking at hundreds of websites you can get more of a general idea of what is expected from the breed.

And going in with a little knowledge you know the right questions to ask the breeder, rather than just let them tell you the virtues of the breed.

Bilbo, you are obviously responsible with your puppies, but sadly there are many out there who aren't.

[Shaar]

People need to know a little bit about health issues in the breed for their own protection as well.

Breeders who test for things like PRA for example freely discuss this with potential buyers.

But those who don't test are obviously not going to mention it at all.

So if you know PRA is a problem in the breed you are more likely to get a dog that is clear of the disease because you can ASK the breeder whether or not they test.

If you don't know about PRA then you run the risk the of getting a dog that may go blind.

[RallyValley]

I am not a breeder, but if I had a litter and someone had some questions about my rare breed- understandable.

However if someone came to me wanting to buy a pup because 'it's like a lab/golden but rarer' I would tell them to do some reading and contact me again if they seriously want a Chessie, same for any other people that have obviously done little/no research and are just ringing up because they see the word retriever.

[Bilbo Baggins]

People need to know a little bit about health issues in the breed for their own protection as well.

Breeders who test for things like PRA for example freely discuss this with potential buyers.

But those who don't test are obviously not going to mention it at all.

So if you know PRA is a problem in the breed you are more likely to get a dog that is clear of the disease because you can ASK the breeder whether or not they test.

If you don't know about PRA then you run the risk the of getting a dog that may go blind.

That is a good point Shaar. In my other breed, White Shepherds, I learnt so much from the breeder of my girl and am still learning, even about cavs.

The other day I clothes dryer fixit man expressed an interest in getting a cav. I told him to keep my number and I will talk to him when he is ready. Not necessarily sell him a pup as I may not have any, but put him on the right tram.

ETA. I also point people to other breeders when I do not have pups or do not have the right colour.

Edited May 14, 2010 by Bilbo Baggins

[Shaar]

as for the second part I would be worried if a breeder isn't willing to tell you the good and bad and also the health problems in their breed of choice.

I could give you some perfect examples to back up my opinion of this but it would be far too obvious as to who the people are so I can't.

[perth_girl]

I am a 'normal' pet owner. I have read and researched about the breed I am interested in. My point was, the certain breeders website had all the information about all the dogs. Test results, show results etc etc. To me, that means NOTHING. I assume a quality breeder will sell me a healthy, well bred dog. Why would i then go and ask the breeder via email what kinds of tests they do? The answer is right there on the webpage. What isnt there is a PRICE. That only thing I need to know before I decide for sure if I want to be considered for one of their dogs, and yet the breeders are reluctant to tell me?!?! What else is my initial email supposed to say other than what I want to know, the only thing that they website didnt tell me about their dogs (price), especially when I had to fill in a personal survey to accompany the email.

[Bilbo Baggins]

I am a 'normal' pet owner. I have read and researched about the breed I am interested in. My point was, the certain breeders website had all the information about all the dogs. Test results, show results etc etc. To me, that means NOTHING. I assume a quality breeder will sell me a healthy, well bred dog. Why would i then go and ask the breeder via email what kinds of tests they do? The answer is right there on the webpage. What isnt there is a PRICE. That only thing I need to know before I decide for sure if I want to be considered for one of their dogs, and yet the breeders are reluctant to tell me?!?! What else is my initial email supposed to say other than what I want to know, the only thing that they website didnt tell me about their dogs (price), especially when I had to fill in a personal survey to accompany the email.

Okay bit clearer now. I thought about putting the price in my DOL ad for the last litter but realized no one else did so did not. I will discuss it on Sunday and get back to you.

[Shaar]

perth_girl

If the info is on the website for all to see then obviously asking about health wouldn't need to be your first question.

My Crested breeder has her info up for all to see so I didn't feel the need to ask. My first questions to her were more related to breed type and temperament, then we moved onto health, and finally price.

In some breeds there are different breed 'types' For example in Chinese Cresteds you have Deer and Cobb type, I really liked the look of the Deer type so this is where I found my opening to start a conversation and discuss the breeders dogs.

I wanted to sound like I knew what I was talking about and show her that I had done my research so I could be taken seriously.

Again, I'm not saying you have to know everything... I'm still learning as well, but if I had 1 dog to sell and 2 potential homes that would care for the dogs just as well as each other... my preference would be to the one who had done more research.

[Primedogs]

Well said ncarter, that is my feeling as well.

The first things someone should want to know about your kennel is what health tests your perform etc.

If an e-mail said:

"Hi, I was wondering how much you charge for your puppies. My wife and I have been looking at getting one for a while now - Cheers, Mike"

Then that would go in the junk folder

If an e-mail said:

"Hi, I have been looking around at some breeders and really like the look of your dogs. I was wondering what health tests you perform on your dogs? Would you also be able to give us a rough price range for puppies - Thankyou in advance - Mike"

That one would go into the 'consider' folder and get a sensible reply.

I think this is a bit unfair as this except worded a little bit different and I included a bit inquiring if they had any litters planned for later this year or early next year is the email I was planning sending to a breeder. I am serious about this though not entirely 100% decided on a breed though I had researched the breed quite thoroughly and would have hated to have been put in the junk pile and have been forever ignored just because I was inquiring in the price. As a first time buyer buying from a registered breeder I didn't see anything wrong with my email, I thought it was polite and to the point so I wasn't wasting any of the breeder's time.

[cannibalgoldfish]

I can only comment on my side of the coin, as a puppy buyer contacting a breeder. I know what breed I wanted and spent a couple of years on and off researching it. I did a lot of my research from the internet. It was the easiest place to find the information. I wanted to know if my chosen breed really would fit into my lifestyle? When eventually the timing was right I emailed a few breeders. It was years ago but I probably asked them how much as well. I basically said how I had looked into the breed and was interested, were they planning any litters sometime that year... ect.

I got a few replies and went with the ones that suited me. Some didn't have any litters planned, others just felt "better" if that made any sense? Some times I read these threads and think "wow, I cant believe anyone even replied" But luckily two did and now my home in infested with two of the little buggers

[Shaar]

I think this is a bit unfair as this except worded a little bit different and I included a bit inquiring if they had any litters planned for later this year or early next year is the email I was planning sending to a breeder. I am serious about this though not entirely 100% decided on a breed though I had researched the breed quite thoroughly and would have hated to have been put in the junk pile and have been forever ignored just because I was inquiring in the price. As a first time buyer buying from a registered breeder I didn't see anything wrong with my email, I thought it was polite and to the point so I wasn't wasting any of the breeder's time.

I never said you get put in the junk pile because you inquired about price, my beef was with people solely asking about price and nothing else. Your breeder may not have a problem with that, I'm just saying what I would look for.

I have found that many people who just want to know the price of a pup above all else are just shopping around for the "best buy"

I know not everyone who does that is looking for the cheapest pup, but many are and if you are just after a cheap dog then I really don't want to deal with you.

My mum has had countless people calling her about poodle puppies a lot of the conversations go like this:

Mum: Hello

Buyer: Hi, I got your name through the TCA, Was wondering much do you charge for puppies?

Mum: They are $1,000 on limited register

Buyer: Oh that's too much, I'll try somewhere else

*click*

I'm not saying you have to be rich to own a dog, but with ANY breeder you need to have about $2,000 set aside give or take.

If the dog is a bit more, then you don't have much more to save. If it is less, then hooray, use the extra to go on a holiday.

I personally wouldn't inquire about a dog with any breeder unless I had that cash set aside so price really doesn't make much difference to me.

[Shaar]

I can only comment on my side of the coin, as a puppy buyer contacting a breeder. I know what breed I wanted and spent a couple of years on and off researching it. I did a lot of my research from the internet. It was the easiest place to find the information. I wanted to know if my chosen breed really would fit into my lifestyle? When eventually the timing was right I emailed a few breeders. It was years ago but I probably asked them how much as well. I basically said how I had looked into the breed and was interested, were they planning any litters sometime that year... ect.

I got a few replies and went with the ones that suited me. Some didn't have any litters planned, others just felt "better" if that made any sense? Some times I read these threads and think "wow, I cant believe anyone even replied" But luckily two did and now my home in infested with two of the little buggers

That sounds like the approach I would be looking for cannibal.

[cannibalgoldfish]

Dont tempt me Shaar... I have a strange fascination with cresties....

[Shaar]

Haha, I'm a few years off being a breeder yet, but when I do, give me a call, I'll talk you into one

[cannibalgoldfish]

I will swap you a mad neurotic basketcase totally normal loving shiba.

[Shaar]

Sounds like a deal

[dancinbcs]

I have no idea where all the secrecy about puppy prices started. I remember a time when our breed club put out a recommended puppy price and everyone stuck to it. So it didn't matter which breeder you went to, they were all the same price. They also did the same with stud fees back then. Now breeders tend to ask around and they still end up charging pretty much the same price, which for BCs at the moment is around $1000 from fully health tested parents. And yes, buyers now ask for the health results.

The only problem I see with putting a price on a website is that puppies for export are usually sold at the going rate for the country they are going to. In some breeds this can be double the local price, so breeders may not want international buyers to know how cheaply the puppies are sold here. Puppies being exported should be more expensive because they are worth the higher price in the destination country and they are being lost to the gene pool here.

The main problem with price secrecy seems to be in the more expensive breeds where prices seem to vary widely.

[cannibalgoldfish]

Sounds like a deal

Sucker .... mwa ha ha!!!!!!