Question for all Breeders???

[julietimothy]

I have a question, I have been breeding for about 5 years now. I have never shipped any puppies, or meet any one with a puppy. I have always wanted the buyer to come to my home. I have always want to show off all my dogs not just puppies. My question how many of you let people in your home or kennel where all your dogs are housed. So many has said no on this site before, saying they are keeping their dogs from getting sick. I have ask my 3 vets that I work very closely with and they have always told me as long as you keep your dog vaccinated they will be fine. That is why you Vacc. yearly. I do understand not wanting puppies handled before they have had shots. But why not let people in to see your dogs. Is it something that some breeders say to keep people out because they don't want people to see the way they house their dogs??? Just a question. You let people in or not and why??

[chattiesmom]

I, too, would prefer that people come to my home to meet the gang and see for them selves the parents of the pups and how the pups interact on their home terf. I refuse to ship. Period. Will not do it. However, I would be open to having a companion fly with a pup in cabin. And I have met a couple of YTers at airports and a few more at "between" places convenient to both parties.

My preference always would be for the new parents to come to my home.

[phfgkl]

Well, my breeding days don't start for another year or so, but, I doubt I will want anyone coming to my house, and not because I have anything to hide, but, with the economy like it is, and so many wierdos out there, and hubby traveling, to me, it's not safe. I think I would rather meet people at a place where there are other people around

[Micah my love]

Originally Posted by phfgkl

Well, my breeding days don't start for another year or so, but, I doubt I will want anyone coming to my house, and not because I have anything to hide, but, with the economy like it is, and so many wierdos out there, and hubby traveling, to me, it's not safe. I think I would rather meet people at a place where there are other people around

I have met people in public places many times to deliver a puppy & if they want to see the parents i take them with me.and i email pics to them of the pups & parents I have made many good friends through buying & selling.

Betty & Micah my love

[luckylady]

I have had just one litter so far, and I had no problem with the prospective buyers coming to my home. I too, prefer it that way. I chatted with the interested parties enough on the phone before they decided to come visit to get a "feel" for the kind of people they were. My husband was always home with me when they came. I think it's important for buyers to see the parents of the pups and the home conditions that they have been brought up in.

[phfgkl]

It's really unfortunate that it's too dangerous to have people coming to yuor houses anymore. Have you not heard of people coming back and holding up the owner of the pups? I just would never take a chance with expensive pups like yorkie and biewers, and biewers will be what I'm going to be breeding

[blueskies]

It is quite the predicament for breeders! On one hand it is scary to have people you don't know come to your home. As a woman, especially being home alone, it would be quite easy for someone to take one or several of your dogs and overpower you. I have felt quite nervous with some of my visitors, especially when they far outnumbered me. On the other hand if you don't allow potential buyers to come to your home, they feel as if you're automatically hiding something. Many would immediately look elsewhere, no matter how much you tried to explain yourself. I have really found no happy medium thus far. I have met several people halfway and shipped a few, but 3/4 of the time the buyers come to my home. I usually put my adults in separate rooms of the house and just have the puppies out in an xp or running around, depending on their age. If they request to see the parents I have them in the closest room so I don't have to go far from the pups. I never leave anyone alone with any of my dogs to go get anything, I make sure everything I need is on hand, and I keep my phone in my pocket. It's really the best you can do if you don't want to turn several potentially great buyers away. I don't mind people petting my adult dogs because they have been properly vaccinated, but yes something like parvo can affect even vaccinated dogs, and if they pet your adults and then you touch your puppies that haven't been vaccinated yet, they can easily get something. I am usually very careful to keep any puppies that haven't been vaccinated away from adults and older pups, and I ask that anyone coming into my home wash and sanitize their hands. I also ask that nobody come and see my puppies on a day they have seen others, and I don't like to show on weekends because that's when the "browers" come out. And finally I don't let anyone except me or my vet touch my puppies until they have had two vaccines.

[Sugar's Mom]

i was always very comfortable with people coming to my home and loved all the comments about how pretty my dogs are. How pictures don't do them justice and all. But, last year we had a case here in my county where some of a breeders dogs were stolen from her yard. She got a tip where they were and found them stuffed in dresser drawers at a persons house. the police arrested the thief and there was a big story in the paper and on tv about it. Well, I nearly died when I saw her picture and realized the same woman had been to my house only a couple of weeks before., i thought she was strange when she was at my house. She had called to look at a puppy I had for sale but she acted like she was casing my house and I never did hear from her again until she turned up in the paper. Fortunately, I am retired and am home almost all the time. My hubby and I are rarely gone at the same time. That being said, I have flown my puppies in cabin myself to their new owners. i have met people who have flown to me and I have also met people half way or near the interstate so they can get right back on and head home. i don't know if there is an answer. people are so quick to assume you are hiding something if you say you don't want people in your home. Especially on here. My puppies are fully vaccinated before I advertise them for sale. I DO NOT let anyone come to look at baby puppies. No one handles them except my hubby and myself until they have at least one shot, then the grandkids get to start holding them. my puppies are also never outside until they have had their shots or changed from the puppy room to the big dog room to socialize with the adult dogs..

[SET Yorkies]

One of the ways puppy mills and bad breeders stay in business is the secretive nature of their "facility." They offer to meet “halfway” as if to help buyers out. Another trick is to bring in particular puppies / parents for you to see. You faintly hear a barrage of barking from another room or building you can’t see and are not given access to because you might make the puppies sick….I’ve never known of a single case where handling puppies over 3 wks old born to well immunized mothers have become ill due to exposure. That is utterly red flag # 1 for me. Puppies born to well immunized females generally keep a natural immunity up to 8 weeks. If that is a concern, keep a bottle of hand sanitizer in your kennel or dog room. Buyers never mind using it.

I would never recommend buying from a breeder who would not allow buyers to inspect not only all of the dogs owned but the areas in which they live and her records (which should all be in order as per AKC anyway), the only exception being the whelping room. Keeping dogs’ area clean is a huge task and takes a lot of time and dedication. If a breeder isn’t proud of where her puppies are raised, there is a problem. For many buying a Yorkie, it is a once-in-a-lifetime deal and they deserve plenty of interaction and full inspection prior to the purchase.

I did not like the idea of strangers in my home. When that became a concern, we built a fully monitored kennel with all the comforts of home with some really great additions... pet doors for each dog. They can lounge in AC all day or play outside what ever they want, although my kiddos are pretty spoiled to the AC. Plus, the place is monitored 24/ 7 and probably more secure than our house. You have to be super careful about giving your address, ect… We have a little check list we go down with anyone who requests our physical address, kindly explaining the reason for so many questions. Most people completely understand. Those who don’t probably do not need one of our puppies anyway.

We always prefer our new families to come out for a visit; unfortunately, it simply isn't always possible with the advent of the internet. I have buyers as far away as New York and I really can’t expect those folks to fly here to pick up a puppy. We do ship and have been very happy with the results. However, it is a lengthy process since we must establish a bond with the buyer and make sure everyone is on the same page. Trust is a major factor on both parties part. Buyers must feel they will recieve what you have promised and sometimes it takes months to establish a relationship. Lots of emails, phone call, and pictures.....

I have to say, we have never had a puppy arrive ill, lethargic, ect due travel stresses or problems in transit. Several factors have to be taken into consideration like the puppy's size, age, and overall disposition. We have a kind of checklist we use and once all of the criteria have been met, the puppy can travel. I've been very pleased with the results. Feed back from buyers about the condition of their puppy upon arrival has been very good. The animal specialists at IAH (Houston) do an outstanding job, so in short, no complaints on shipping from me. Bear in mind, we have never used any other airline or transportation service, so I only have knowledge of Continental Airline's policies and procedures.

[SET Yorkies]

Be very careful if you are breeding out of your home... If that is the situation, you really cannot allow strangers access various rooms in your home (even the bathroom). I've had some really uncomfortable situations come up, thus the kennel...

[cj125]

Very interesting! Good posts SET Yorkies!

[julietimothy]

Thank you all for writing, I have enjoyed reading what everyone has wrote. I think I will always want people to come to my home. I keep puppies in my house with two that sleep with me. (my frist 2) And then alway let anyone see the parents and kennel. I am younger than most breeders I know. And I do always talk to the people before they come out and I am a big talker so by the time they get here, I feel I know them and they feel the same. It is always good to put the voice with a face. But I will say I live in the south and I do have guns in arms lenth just in case I need it. I do carry pepper spray sometimes. This makes me feel safer. But I have always had very nice people that has come. I want to thank you again for all the input. Sound like we have some very good breeders on the site. Good luck with your kennels and may you all be safe.

[Sugar's Mom]

Originally Posted by Sugar's Mom

i was always very comfortable with people coming to my home and loved all the comments about how pretty my dogs are. How pictures don't do them justice and all. But, last year we had a case here in my county where some of a breeders dogs were stolen from her yard. She got a tip where they were and found them stuffed in dresser drawers at a persons house. the police arrested the thief and there was a big story in the paper and on tv about it. Well, I nearly died when I saw her picture and realized the same woman had been to my house only a couple of weeks before., i thought she was strange when she was at my house. She had called to look at a puppy I had for sale but she acted like she was casing my house and I never did hear from her again until she turned up in the paper. Fortunately, I am retired and am home almost all the time. My hubby and I are rarely gone at the same time. That being said, I have flown my puppies in cabin myself to their new owners. i have met people who have flown to me and I have also met people half way or near the interstate so they can get right back on and head home. i don't know if there is an answer. people are so quick to assume you are hiding something if you say you don't want people in your home. Especially on here. My puppies are fully vaccinated before I advertise them for sale. I DO NOT let anyone come to look at baby puppies. No one handles them except my hubby and myself until they have at least one shot, then the grandkids get to start holding them. my puppies are also never outside until they have had their shots or changed from the puppy room to the big dog room to socialize with the adult dogs..

i need to clarify that I don't let people handle or view my newborn babies. I only have five dogs and they stay in my house. if i were younger, I "might" build a nice kennel outside but I never want to be that big that I have to keep them out there. I am, by nature, not an outdoors person. This way in my house, I am with my dogs 24/7.

[ChantalB]

I think it is important for the buyer to see the parents of the puppies they will buy. I never had to ship a puppy yet, So All potential buyers come to my house.

[blueskies]

Originally Posted by SET Yorkies

One of the ways puppy mills and bad breeders stay in business is the secretive nature of their "facility." They offer to meet “halfway” as if to help buyers out. Another trick is to bring in particular puppies / parents for you to see. You faintly hear a barrage of barking from another room or building you can’t see and are not given access to because you might make the puppies sick….I’ve never known of a single case where handling puppies over 3 wks old born to well immunized mothers have become ill due to exposure. That is utterly red flag # 1 for me. Puppies born to well immunized females generally keep a natural immunity up to 8 weeks. If that is a concern, keep a bottle of hand sanitizer in your kennel or dog room. Buyers never mind using it.

I would never recommend buying from a breeder who would not allow buyers to inspect not only all of the dogs owned but the areas in which they live and her records (which should all be in order as per AKC anyway), the only exception being the whelping room. Keeping dogs’ area clean is a huge task and takes a lot of time and dedication. If a breeder isn’t proud of where her puppies are raised, there is a problem. For many buying a Yorkie, it is a once-in-a-lifetime deal and they deserve plenty of interaction and full inspection prior to the purchase.

I did not like the idea of strangers in my home. When that became a concern, we built a fully monitored kennel with all the comforts of home with some really great additions... pet doors for each dog. They can lounge in AC all day or play outside what ever they want, although my kiddos are pretty spoiled to the AC. Plus, the place is monitored 24/ 7 and probably more secure than our house. You have to be super careful about giving your address, ect… We have a little check list we go down with anyone who requests our physical address, kindly explaining the reason for so many questions. Most people completely understand. Those who don’t probably do not need one of our puppies anyway.

We always prefer our new families to come out for a visit; unfortunately, it simply isn't always possible with the advent of the internet. I have buyers as far away as New York and I really can’t expect those folks to fly here to pick up a puppy. We do ship and have been very happy with the results. However, it is a lengthy process since we must establish a bond with the buyer and make sure everyone is on the same page. Trust is a major factor on both parties part. Buyers must feel they will recieve what you have promised and sometimes it takes months to establish a relationship. Lots of emails, phone call, and pictures.....

I have to say, we have never had a puppy arrive ill, lethargic, ect due travel stresses or problems in transit. Several factors have to be taken into consideration like the puppy's size, age, and overall disposition. We have a kind of checklist we use and once all of the criteria have been met, the puppy can travel. I've been very pleased with the results. Feed back from buyers about the condition of their puppy upon arrival has been very good. The animal specialists at IAH (Houston) do an outstanding job, so in short, no complaints on shipping from me. Bear in mind, we have never used any other airline or transportation service, so I only have knowledge of Continental Airline's policies and procedures.

Wow, should I be offended? I mentioned several of these things in my first post that I do, and I am certainly not a puppy mill, but I would rather keep my dogs safe by putting them in other rooms of the house when people come. It makes for less clutter and noise, and I know where everybody is after the person leaves. I have also met halfway, but not because I didn't want people to see my home, I was just more comfortable meeting in a public place. I don't think you are automatically a bad breeder or a bad person for doing these things to keep your dogs safe, especially since there have been many cases where people have stolen dogs from breeders or done other horrible things. For me, a kennel is not something I could do, both for the sake of my dogs and lack of space. I prefer to have and raise mine in my home, so as you mentioned in your second post, it does make it quite difficult to have people going through your home and looking in your private bedrooms and bathrooms (where most of the dogs are kept when people come over).