Vetting Potential Owners

[shapeshifter]

I haven't read all the replies or comments yet and I might not fully understand what people have said so far, but are you telling me that when my dog of 14 yrs so far dies I have to get references off other people, god knows who as I don't know a lot of people, to be able to buy another purebred dog???

[MolassesLass]

I have a questionnaire to go on to my waiting list, I then have many informal chats to the potential owners when a litter is due. The questionnaire is more about seeing what knowledge needs improving rather than counting people out - though there are some questions that are.

Makes it easier to pick liars when questions are asked a long time apart. Anyone who lies is out, no matter the lie - like GayleK saying she'd lie about her working hours, I wouldn't discount someone purely on working fulltime but I would for lying about it.

Questions include:

- breed specific things to see if they've researched the breed

- questions to see if they know their local council laws

- renting vs owning

- previous dog ownership (including any death reasons)

- Why they want a dog and specifically a BC

- Details of other animals owned and children

- Yard size, fence height, house flooring, any stairs

- Where the dog will be sleeping, eating, kept when alone etc.

Nothing personal or OTT IMO.

[Wazzat Xolo]

I haven't read all the replies or comments yet and I might not fully understand what people have said so far, but are you telling me that when my dog of 14 yrs so far dies I have to get references off other people, god knows who as I don't know a lot of people, to be able to buy another purebred dog???

Read all the replies as everyone is different in what they require, best to contact the breeder and take it from there, some have questionaires, all will interview you on certain topics but I am sure ALL only want whats best for their puppies

[Gayle.]

like GayleK saying she'd lie about her working hours, I wouldn't discount someone purely on working fulltime but I would for lying about it.

I never said I'd lie.

[MolassesLass]

Just going by your post, maybe I misunderstood.

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.

How would you answer the question "Do you work full time?" or "How many hours per week do you work?"

[shortstep]

Jed !!!!!!!!!

Super, fantastic, terrific, this has made my day!!

It is so so good to see you posting again!!!!!!

Welcome back!!!

[~Anne~]

Huh?

[Vickie]

I haven't read all the replies or comments yet and I might not fully understand what people have said so far, but are you telling me that when my dog of 14 yrs so far dies I have to get references off other people, god knows who as I don't know a lot of people, to be able to buy another purebred dog???

I think it's only reasonable that breeders make sure you are capable of handling & owning their particular breed and that you do not have misconceptions about what is required to own them.

I met someone with a 10 week old Beagle yesterday. I asked them if they would go to training. She asked me if they were a hard breed to train...

you must admit that if, for example, you owned a maltese for 14 years, you would need to be differently prepared to purchase & raise a working line malinois...

[Gayle.]

Just going by your post, maybe I misunderstood.

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.

How would you answer the question "Do you work full time?" or "How many hours per week do you work?"

I simply wouldn't answer it. It's no ones business but mine and if that meant I wouldn't be considered for a puppy from that breeder, then I probably wouldn't want one.

By the same token, if they wanted references, whether they be from vets, employers (god I still can't believe that particular requirement), friends, dog trainers.......I'd look elsewhere.

[Dee_al]

Just going by your post, maybe I misunderstood.

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.

How would you answer the question "Do you work full time?" or "How many hours per week do you work?"

I simply wouldn't answer it. It's no ones business but mine and if that meant I wouldn't be considered for a puppy from that breeder, then I probably wouldn't want one.

By the same token, if they wanted references, whether they be from vets, employers (god I still can't believe that particular requirement), friends, dog trainers.......I'd look elsewhere.

True. Why should it matter how many hours you work? Im and work for 9 hours a day, and yet my dog is perfectly loved, carde for, looked after, excersied etc. he is devoted to only me. dogs sleep all day when we arent around most of the time. theres no perfect world where people can spend the every waking minute with their dogs. these days people are working mor and more hours to be able to afford things, doesnt mean we love our dogs any less.

[Zug Zug]

I have spoken with a few breeders in the past few months. One did shoot off a long list of requirements that was pretty off-putting. The others have been very generous in talking about their breed, what they need, etc. And during the course of those conversations (in both cases quite long chats) I gave plenty of information about my background, our home situation, what kind of dog owner I am, etc.

I have no objection to answering questions and providing information, because there are things I want to know too. I prefer the style of letting it all come out of a natural discussion, because for me that seems more natural and comfortable. But if a breeder would prefer I tick boxes on a sheet of paper I don't think that would bother me greatly.

Things I would be happy to be asked would include info about other pets and people in my household, breeds and dogs I've owned before, what I want the dog for (e.g. dog sports, pet etc.), do I understand what grooming is needed, holiday arrangements, fencing, and the list goes on. These are all things that are directly relevant to how well equipped and prepared I am to looking after the puppy as it grows up.

I will also ask questions about testing, breeding, temperament, contracts/conditions, etc.

[MolassesLass]

Just going by your post, maybe I misunderstood.

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.

How would you answer the question "Do you work full time?" or "How many hours per week do you work?"

I simply wouldn't answer it. It's no ones business but mine and if that meant I wouldn't be considered for a puppy from that breeder, then I probably wouldn't want one.

By the same token, if they wanted references, whether they be from vets, employers (god I still can't believe that particular requirement), friends, dog trainers.......I'd look elsewhere.

True. Why should it matter how many hours you work? Im and work for 9 hours a day, and yet my dog is perfectly loved, carde for, looked after, excersied etc. he is devoted to only me. dogs sleep all day when we arent around most of the time. theres no perfect world where people can spend the every waking minute with their dogs. these days people are working mor and more hours to be able to afford things, doesnt mean we love our dogs any less.

Righto then, I was wrong - you wouldn't lie. But I'll have to add to my previous statement that refusing to answer perfectly reasonable questions as well as lying would mean I wouldn't sell that person a puppy.

Why does it matter? Same reason any of the questions matter; because it helps me assess whether a puppy of my mine would suit your family and which specific puppy would suit best.

[lanabanana]

Somebody said they would ask about people you knew in the dog world, trainers etc.

What fi you didn't know anyone in the dog world for the breeder to go to to ask about you?

Sorry - Cant remember posters name

[Wazzat Xolo]

Just for teh recod My breeder asked If I worked full time and with good reason as the Xolos could not be left alone for any great lengths of time and needed 6 hours of social and training per day, this is the breed so I would assume not all are the same..

I have had to take a year off work to get this breed settled and socialised in order to be able to show them here in Australia, as they are a breed that requires a lot of hands on work due to the breed being primitive in nature and so many other ways lol

Not sure on other breeds but maybe thats why breeders ask the question, I was aksed it and I will ask it of every puppy buyer!

J

[Gayle.]

Working fulltime doesn't mean working 24 hours a day.

If a breeder truly thought their dogs couldn't be alone for extended periods, I would not want a dog from them, it's that simple. I would want a dog who is resilient and balanced....capable of being alone and not suffering anxiety or fear.

If they have to make an assessment of potential owners based on their work hours, I would seriously question the types of temperament they are producing. And I would not buy a dog from them.

[Staranais]

I would be disappointed if a potential breeder didn't ask me a lot of questions about myself. I don't mean anything overly invasive since some things are none of their business, but if a breeder didn't ask about my handling experience & my goals for the dog then it would suggest to me they were not responsible & didn't care where their dogs went. It would also suggest to me that they didn't intend to put a lot of work in trying to match me up with the right puppy for my goals & situation.

So overall, not a breeder I'd be interested in.

[Gayle.]

I would be disappointed if a potential breeder didn't ask me a lot of questions about myself. I don't mean anything overly invasive since some things are none of their business, but if a breeder didn't ask about my handling experience & my goals for the dog then it would suggest to me they were not responsible & didn't care where their dogs went. It would also suggest to me that they didn't intend to put a lot of work in trying to match me up with the right puppy for my goals & situation.

So overall, not a breeder I'd be interested in.

Who isn't?

[Staranais]

I would be disappointed if a potential breeder didn't ask me a lot of questions about myself. I don't mean anything overly invasive since some things are none of their business, but if a breeder didn't ask about my handling experience & my goals for the dog then it would suggest to me they were not responsible & didn't care where their dogs went. It would also suggest to me that they didn't intend to put a lot of work in trying to match me up with the right puppy for my goals & situation.

So overall, not a breeder I'd be interested in.

Who isn't?

A potential breeder who didn't ask me lots of questions about myself & a potential breeder didn't ask about my handling experience & my goals for the dog, is a breeder I would not be interested in. As in any potential breeder who did not do these things. A responsible breeder doesn't just hand out working line malinois to anyone who puts their hand up.

[MolassesLass]

And I would not buy a dog from them.

Good. No breeder wants a person to buy a pup from them if they are not compatible people - that's why it's so important not to lie or otherwise acquire a pup through deception.

Find a breeder who asks the right amount and type of questions for you and you will get along - whether that be the breeder who asks "Male or female?" and "Got the money?" or is the one who asks for references, credit checks and DNA samples. Lie and get a dog from someone who wouldn't have wanted to sell to you and you create bad blood and most likely will have your named sullied (breeders share). This isn't about who's better than who or anything. It's about matching people for healthy, productive, relationships. Not everyone is suitable for everyone (and yes, some aren't suitable for anyone).

Have the non-breeders ever considered what it would be like? Imagine if you woke up one morning and were suddenly severely allergic to your dogs. The only solution is to rehome them to strangers - who may send you a photo and a story occasionally in the first year but maybe not, either way everything is out of your hands after that decision is made. You'd have questions to ask, specific things that you feel are important to the welfare of the dog(s) you know so intimately, wouldn't you? Maybe they'd seem a little crazy/invasive to others but all that matters is you making the correct decision for your dog surely.

[Greytmate]

Working fulltime doesn't mean working 24 hours a day.

If a breeder truly thought their dogs couldn't be alone for extended periods, I would not want a dog from them, it's that simple. I would want a dog who is resilient and balanced....capable of being alone and not suffering anxiety or fear.

If they have to make an assessment of potential owners based on their work hours, I would seriously question the types of temperament they are producing. And I would not buy a dog from them.

It may be that out of a litter, or out of a number of adult dogs available, some of those dogs are obviously more suited to being left on their own for longer than others.

And this information can be only be really known by people that spend a fair amount of time with the dogs that they are selling. People that do care about the temperament they are producing.

That is why I always asked potential adopters how many hours a week on average the dog will be left alone.

It may have nothing to do with the quality of the dog and everything to do with ensuring the dog will be happy in its home.

So by refusing to disclose important information about the way the dog will be kept, you basically exclude all the ethical breeders and rehomers. And you will have to get a dog either from people that already know you, or people that don't care how their dogs will be kept.

I would be seriously concerned about the quality of dogs coming from a source that didn't care how long the dog would be left alone for.

You can take a stand on your right to privacy all you like, but it will severely restrict the choice of good dogs available to you. Nothing puts ethical dog sellers off than evasive buyers, it really is a red flag.

Unless you have an embarrassing job, or maybe you work for Asio, why would you want to hide what you do? You have told the whole internet that you work, why not a dog breeder? I am really having trouble understanding why anyone would be so evasive when buying a dog.