Vetting Potential Owners

[Wazzat Xolo]

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.

An example of some breeds require constant companionship and a lot of socialisation is the Xolo All breeds are different have a read up on the Xolo ( NO XOLO breeder worth their salt anywhere in the world would sell a Xolo to a home where someone is not home for the most part of the day or have a creche/ day care in place) The pupies need people contact for at least six/eight months, this is not the temperament produced by a breeder this is the breeds critical socialisation period.

My breeder has been in the game for 30 years and I am sure ( being regarded as the best in the world ) her breeding practices with this breed are sound and well ahead of any other Xolo breeder in the world, but then again the Xolo breed is primitive and unless you have experience and research with this breed there is no need to worry as very few people would be suited to the breed and thankfully very few people will be.

Not everyones cup of tea for so many reasons, this post is related to the Xolo breed itself, but I am sure there may be other breeds that may be similar.

[Guest Tess32]

Not everyones cup of tea for so many reasons, this post is related to the Xolo breed itself, but I am sure there may be other breeds that may be similar.

Like?

[Wazzat Xolo]

Not everyones cup of tea for so many reasons, this post is related to the Xolo breed itself, but I am sure there may be other breeds that may be similar.

Like?

I dont know I can only comment on the breeds I know, possibly others on DOL that are experienced in their breed may care to comment!!

Edited June 17, 2010 by Wazzat Xolo

[Gayle.]

I don't want any more dogs thanks. Not right now anyway. I already have 3 pedigree pooches from breeders who care very much about the digs welfare, who didn't need to know that I worked. In fact the pup I now have is co-owned with the breeder and I believe she's more than happy with the home m providing and the level of care he's receiving.

These are highly respected, ethical breeders of fabulous dogs.

Edited June 17, 2010 by GayleK

[Wazzat Xolo]

I don't want any more dogs thanks. Not right now anyway. I already have 3 pedigree pooches from breeders who care very much about the digs welfare, who didn't need to know that I worked. In fact the pup I now have is co-owned with the breeder and I believe she's more than happy with the home m providing and the level of care he's receiving.

These are highly respected, ethical breeders of fabulous dogs.

I am very pleased you have an ethical breeder and you are pleased!! Co ownership is a wonderful invention!!

[Whipitgood]

An example of some breeds require constant companionship and a lot of socialisation is the Xolo All breeds are different have a read up on the Xolo ( NO XOLO breeder worth their salt anywhere in the world would sell a Xolo to a home where someone is not home for the most part of the day or have a creche/ day care in place) The pupies need people contact for at least six/eight months, this is not the temperament produced by a breeder this is the breeds critical socialisation period.

My breeder has been in the game for 30 years and I am sure ( being regarded as the best in the world ) her breeding practices with this breed are sound and well ahead of any other Xolo breeder in the world, but then again the Xolo breed is primitive and unless you have experience and research with this breed there is no need to worry as very few people would be suited to the breed and thankfully very few people will be.

Not everyones cup of tea for so many reasons, this post is related to the Xolo breed itself, but I am sure there may be other breeds that may be similar.

I totally agree. Every breed has different temperaments and needs. There are some breeds that are just not meant to be left on their own all day every day. I will not sell any of my babies to people who work fulltime. Never have and i have never had problems finding homes for them with families that work part time, stay at home mums whos dads work, retirees, working from home people. Thats my personal choice, my puppies, my right to choose. Saying that the breeder is breeding emotionally and physically unsound dogs because they wont allow them to go to familes that work fulltime is utterly ridiculous and has no merit what so ever (comment from a pervious thread on this topic). I dont have to justify to anyone who my pups go to and if potential owners have a problem with my criteria, then they are more than welcome to go elsewhere! No loss for me! My dogs are all very well socialised, physically and mentally sound, outgoing and very well adjusted. I am sure there are plenty of whippets that go to homes who work fulltime. Not mine and thats my choice.

It is no different to breeders who wont allow their breed to go to homes with small children or toddlers. I dont have a problem with this, some breeders do. Every breeder has the right to choose who their puppies go to and they do not need to justify to any potential owner why this criteria is in place.

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.

Again, I agree.

Edited June 17, 2010 by Whipitgood

[Gayle.]

And that's absolutely right and as it should be. Definitely your prerogative to sell your babies to whomever you see fit to own them.

But by the same token, just as you assume a person working fulltime can't provide a good home, it's the prerogative of the prospective buyer to assume that breeders who won't consider full time workers to be suitable owners, arent breeding dogs of sound mind. Dogs that are capable of being left for extended periods without anxiety.

Edited June 17, 2010 by GayleK

[Wazzat Xolo]

And that's absolutely right and as it should be. Definitely your prerogative to sell your babies to whomever you see fit to own them.

But by the same token, just as you assume a person working fulltime can't provide a good home, it's the prerogative of the prospective buyer to assume that breeders who won't consider full time workers to be suitable owners, to assume that those breeders arent breeding dogs of sound mind. Dogs that are capable of being left for extended periods without anxiety.

I assume and I know with MY BREED that they cant be left alone and ITS NOT the fault of anyone its just the way the breed is. One day when you meet one you may understand!

and for the record I would never ever sell to someone who cant confrom to what I require, which includes not working full time, or having alernative arrangements in place as I mentioned earlier.

Anyone who wants my breed can assume all they like I can only state the facts with this particular breed as I KNOW to be fully correct!! lol

Anyhow it would never happen as only people who had done homework on the breed would ever be able to own one ( from my kennel anyhow)

[Whipitgood]

it's the prerogative of the prospective buyer to assume that breeders who won't consider full time workers to be suitable owners, arent breeding dogs of sound mind. Dogs that are capable of being left for extended periods without anxiety.

Well a minority of narrow minded people who have never met my dogs before may think that way and good luck to them!

Hopefully those people will one day come to realise that every breeds temperament is different and that there are certain breeds which are happier with the company of their owners most days. I am sure those who work fulltime, will go on to do more research and find a breed that does suit being left on its own all day, every day.

[lanabanana]

being left on its own all day, every day.

That sounds very negative....full time work for 8 hours is hardly ALL day, EVERY day.

Shouldn't it be more about the quality of the time spent with the owner? You may get someone who is home all day but barely looks at the dog. or someone who works full time but then spends every minute at home purely stimulating the dog by playing, training etc.

I understand some breeds are a tad more needy than others but dogs are fairly adaptable creatures and providing the time spent with them was high quality most dogs would adjust to being left home alone while the owner went to work surely (that's what I have generally found in my experience).

Also, what about situations where there is another dog? That is not at all the same as being left at home alone.

[Guest Tess32]

I've heard "my breed isn't good alone all day" from so many breeds that it's a wonder any dog owner works full time.

While there are some rare breeds who need care beyond what the average owner will give, MOST puppies will adapt easily to the lifestyle they find themselves in.

[Gayle.]

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.

--------------------

I tried to answe this from work on my iPhone but it doesn't do edits very well.

Firstly, I don't believe breeders who are selling pups should be asking about peoples work circumstances......it's not relevant in the vast majority of cases (Xolo's apparently excepted).

It's not withholding important information, it's someone asking irrelevant questions.

If I were seeking a puppy from a breeder I'd never met before, I would expect to be asked about where the pup would be housed, what it would be fed, what activities I had in mind (dog sports, showing etc), previous dog owning history etc.

And these are questions I was asked when I bought my dogs.

I would not expect to be asked about my work, my income, my employer, my friendships, my relationships....because that has absolutely nothing to do with the level of care I can and do provide a dog. Any dog (Xolo's excepted).

There are loads of people who don't work, who own dogs and never let the dogs inside, never take them anywhere, feed them cheap crappy food, don't groom them. I am not one of them. Nor are a lot of other fulltime employees.

It's not about being evasive, it's about relevant details.

Edited June 17, 2010 by GayleK

[Moselle]

* Are you prepared for the fact that puppies do grow up into dogs and live for a long time?

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.

That is exactly what went through my mind. Some people are very capable and cunning liars and know exactly how to say the very things they know you want to hear. It still pays to ask questions and hope that you are dealing with the truth.

[Moselle]

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.

--------------------

I tried to answe this from work on my iPhone but it doesn't do edits very well.

Firstly, I don't believe breeders who are selling pups should be asking about peoples work circumstances......it's not relevant in the vast majority of cases (Xolo's apparently excepted).

It's not withholding important information, it's someone asking irrelevant questions.

If I were seeking a puppy from a breeder I'd never met before, I would expect to be asked about where the pup would be housed, what it would be fed, what activities I had in mind (dog sports, showing etc), previous dog owning history etc.

And these are questions I was asked when I bought my dogs.

I would not expect to be asked about my work, my income, my employer, my friendships, my relationships....because that has absolutely nothing to do with the level of care I can and do provide a dog. Any dog (Xolo's excepted).

There are loads of people who don't work, who own dogs and never let the dogs inside, never take them anywhere, feed them cheap crappy food, don't groom them. I am not one of them. Nor are a lot of other fulltime employees.

It's not about being evasive, it's about relevant details.

I agree. I have come across people who are well off financially yet choose to buy the cheapest food and would be baulking at spending a few dollars at the vet. There are no guarantees in life unfortunately.

[~Anne~]

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.

--------------------

I tried to answe this from work on my iPhone but it doesn't do edits very well.

Firstly, I don't believe breeders who are selling pups should be asking about peoples work circumstances......it's not relevant in the vast majority of cases (Xolo's apparently excepted).

It's not withholding important information, it's someone asking irrelevant questions.

If I were seeking a puppy from a breeder I'd never met before, I would expect to be asked about where the pup would be housed, what it would be fed, what activities I had in mind (dog sports, showing etc), previous dog owning history etc.

And these are questions I was asked when I bought my dogs.

I would not expect to be asked about my work, my income, my employer, my friendships, my relationships....because that has absolutely nothing to do with the level of care I can and do provide a dog. Any dog (Xolo's excepted).

There are loads of people who don't work, who own dogs and never let the dogs inside, never take them anywhere, feed them cheap crappy food, don't groom them. I am not one of them. Nor are a lot of other fulltime employees.

It's not about being evasive, it's about relevant details.

I aksed some questions about employment as there are dogs that require more company then others. If someone was, for example, the National Sales Manager for a large multinational, they may be required to travel frequently or spend long hours away from home.

However, my questionnaire was wirtten in such a way that I didn't intrude on personal information where possible. The questions asked, that were relevant to this were : Are you employed (with appropriate 'please circle' answers such as full-time, part-time) and How many hours a day will the dog(s) be left at home alone.