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khyorkies · 06-27-2008, 06:58 PM

So here is your:

© Puppy Buyer's Guide:

1. Attend a dog show. You can find upcoming dog shows in your area by going to InfoDog.com. Generally, about a week before the event, they will list the exact time and the ring that Boston's (or the breed you are searching for) will be there. Go to the show and talk to some of the breeders. But please be courteous, and don't interrupt them as they're going into the ring. Most of them will love to talk to you about their wonderful breed, and many have or know of other good breeders who may have puppies available. Keep in mind, that just because a breeder shows their dogs, does not mean that they only have show dogs to sell. Additionally, just because a breeder shows their dogs, does NOT automatically make them reputable.

2. If the breeder will only meet you in a store parking lot, you should wonder what they are trying to hide. You should ALWAYS be able to see the living conditions of both the puppies and the parents. The puppies and the mother (and their living/sleeping quarters) should be clean and dry, and they should appear completely healthy. Keep in mind that the mothers do look somewhat lean at this time as she's nursing the puppies, but their coat should be shiny, and their eyes bright and attentive. The puppies should appear healthy, be clean, playful, and well socialized. They should also LOOK like the breed they are!

3. The internet is a wonderful tool, though a deceiving one. Most responsible breeders do not need to advertise their puppies on an internet classified, nor do any that I'm aware of offer a "point and click" purchase of a puppy (and absolutely NONE accept credit cards OR PayPal!) Buying a puppy sight unseen (or just from photographs) is dangerous. What you see is not always what you get. If you cannot physically visit the breeder's home yourself, I highly recommend you locate a friend living in the vicinity to do it for you. Be sure that the friend you choose is aware of the proper questions to ask and what to look for while they are at the breeders home.

4. Is the breeder USDA licensed? If they are, that is a red flag to you that this breeder is a puppymill. Class A licensing is required by USDA for any breeder who sells puppies to a broker or pet shop. Puppymills and BYB's do NOT check for genetic problems, nor do they care. They only want your $$. Puppymills will generally breed a bitch her very first season, and she will unfortunately wind up living in a 3x3 cage her whole life being bred every single heat after that until she is either dead or doesn't produce anymore litters. Check out the puppymill link on my home page for more details on them.

5. You should be able to see both parents (at the very least, a picture...as some breeders do use outside males). Frequently, the puppies turn out very similar to the parents in size, temperament, and looks. Is that what you want?

6. Check out the pedigree. Any reputable breeder has a pedigree on their dogs, at the minimum a 3 generation pedigree. Look for inbreeding. That is when a brother/sister or father/daughter, mother/son have been bred together. Done correctly, this type of breeding can produce some outstanding dogs, but for the average backyard breeder who has no concept of lineage, or the role that genetics will play is taking quite a risk and can create some seriously ill puppies. Also, just because a puppy has some Champions in his background does NOT mean the breeder is reputable, nor that the puppy is healthy. There is quite a difference between Champion Sired and Champion bloodlines. Pretty much any puppy will have a Champion in there bloodline if you go back enough generations, but even Champion Sired is not a guarantee of quality or health.

7. Beware of breeders that advertise their puppies as registered with a dog registry other than AKC (American Kennel Club), CKC (Canadian Kennel Club), or UKC (United Kennel Club). Frequently they will advertise pups as CKC (Continental Kennel Club), and the unknowing buyer thinks they are getting a purebred dog. Chances are, you are not, but are paying a registered price. Almost any dog can be registered with the CKC (Continental Kennel Club), and there are numerous other registries popping up every day. AKC (American Kennel Club), CKC (Canadian Kennel Club), and UKC (United Kennel Club) require strict breeding records be kept, and while their system is not infallible (an unethical breeder can always find ways around a system), it works fairly well, and you can be rather certain that your puppy is purebred if not well bred.

8. You should also beware of breeders advertising their dogs as Champions, when they are in fact not. There are a few other registries that offer a Champion title for pets, and though a multiple Champion titleholder is nice, and can show that the dog is an all around Champion, if there is not an AKC title somewhere in the mix, chances are they're feeding you a line.

9. A preponderance of white on the head and/or body (in Boston Terrier's) and/or blue eyes is NOT a RARE Boston. Neither is a red, brown, fawn, blue, gray, etc. RARE. Studies have shown that the same gene that causes deafness, is also associated with the excessive white and/or blue eyes. The "off" colors are not an acceptable color for the breed standard. They can still be registered with AKC, but because of the risk in producing these health/non-standard problems, they should NOT be bred. While these "off" colors do still make wonderful pets, and even a good breeder will have them show up occasionally in a litter, a breeder trying to sell you a Boston as RARE because of their color, markings, or eye color is NOT a breeder to be trusted! They simply want you to believe that their puppy is worth the exorbitant price they are asking for it.

10. There is no such thing as "show markings" on a Boston. Don't fall for a breeder who advertises their dogs as show quality because of the markings. A Boston's markings are merely icing on the cake. If the dog is not structurally sound to begin with, no amount of markings are going to make him show-worthy. If you are looking for a Boston to show in conformation events, chances are you will not find it among a litter bred by breeder who does not show their dogs. You would be far better off locating a breeder who does show their dogs, and purchase a show quality puppy from them. If your interest is genuine, this same breeder will very likely become a willing mentor to teach you the in's and out's of the show ring, and assist you and your Boston in your quest to fame.

06-27-2008, 06:58 PM	#6
khyorkies YT Addict Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NC Posts: 383	So here is your: © Puppy Buyer's Guide: 1. Attend a dog show. You can find upcoming dog shows in your area by going to InfoDog.com. Generally, about a week before the event, they will list the exact time and the ring that Boston's (or the breed you are searching for) will be there. Go to the show and talk to some of the breeders. But please be courteous, and don't interrupt them as they're going into the ring. Most of them will love to talk to you about their wonderful breed, and many have or know of other good breeders who may have puppies available. Keep in mind, that just because a breeder shows their dogs, does not mean that they only have show dogs to sell. Additionally, just because a breeder shows their dogs, does NOT automatically make them reputable. 2. If the breeder will only meet you in a store parking lot, you should wonder what they are trying to hide. You should ALWAYS be able to see the living conditions of both the puppies and the parents. The puppies and the mother (and their living/sleeping quarters) should be clean and dry, and they should appear completely healthy. Keep in mind that the mothers do look somewhat lean at this time as she's nursing the puppies, but their coat should be shiny, and their eyes bright and attentive. The puppies should appear healthy, be clean, playful, and well socialized. They should also LOOK like the breed they are! 3. The internet is a wonderful tool, though a deceiving one. Most responsible breeders do not need to advertise their puppies on an internet classified, nor do any that I'm aware of offer a "point and click" purchase of a puppy (and absolutely NONE accept credit cards OR PayPal!) Buying a puppy sight unseen (or just from photographs) is dangerous. What you see is not always what you get. If you cannot physically visit the breeder's home yourself, I highly recommend you locate a friend living in the vicinity to do it for you. Be sure that the friend you choose is aware of the proper questions to ask and what to look for while they are at the breeders home. 4. Is the breeder USDA licensed? If they are, that is a red flag to you that this breeder is a puppymill. Class A licensing is required by USDA for any breeder who sells puppies to a broker or pet shop. Puppymills and BYB's do NOT check for genetic problems, nor do they care. They only want your $$. Puppymills will generally breed a bitch her very first season, and she will unfortunately wind up living in a 3x3 cage her whole life being bred every single heat after that until she is either dead or doesn't produce anymore litters. Check out the puppymill link on my home page for more details on them. 5. You should be able to see both parents (at the very least, a picture...as some breeders do use outside males). Frequently, the puppies turn out very similar to the parents in size, temperament, and looks. Is that what you want? 6. Check out the pedigree. Any reputable breeder has a pedigree on their dogs, at the minimum a 3 generation pedigree. Look for inbreeding. That is when a brother/sister or father/daughter, mother/son have been bred together. Done correctly, this type of breeding can produce some outstanding dogs, but for the average backyard breeder who has no concept of lineage, or the role that genetics will play is taking quite a risk and can create some seriously ill puppies. Also, just because a puppy has some Champions in his background does NOT mean the breeder is reputable, nor that the puppy is healthy. There is quite a difference between Champion Sired and Champion bloodlines. Pretty much any puppy will have a Champion in there bloodline if you go back enough generations, but even Champion Sired is not a guarantee of quality or health. 7. Beware of breeders that advertise their puppies as registered with a dog registry other than AKC (American Kennel Club), CKC (Canadian Kennel Club), or UKC (United Kennel Club). Frequently they will advertise pups as CKC (Continental Kennel Club), and the unknowing buyer thinks they are getting a purebred dog. Chances are, you are not, but are paying a registered price. Almost any dog can be registered with the CKC (Continental Kennel Club), and there are numerous other registries popping up every day. AKC (American Kennel Club), CKC (Canadian Kennel Club), and UKC (United Kennel Club) require strict breeding records be kept, and while their system is not infallible (an unethical breeder can always find ways around a system), it works fairly well, and you can be rather certain that your puppy is purebred if not well bred. 8. You should also beware of breeders advertising their dogs as Champions, when they are in fact not. There are a few other registries that offer a Champion title for pets, and though a multiple Champion titleholder is nice, and can show that the dog is an all around Champion, if there is not an AKC title somewhere in the mix, chances are they're feeding you a line. 9. A preponderance of white on the head and/or body (in Boston Terrier's) and/or blue eyes is NOT a RARE Boston. Neither is a red, brown, fawn, blue, gray, etc. RARE. Studies have shown that the same gene that causes deafness, is also associated with the excessive white and/or blue eyes. The "off" colors are not an acceptable color for the breed standard. They can still be registered with AKC, but because of the risk in producing these health/non-standard problems, they should NOT be bred. While these "off" colors do still make wonderful pets, and even a good breeder will have them show up occasionally in a litter, a breeder trying to sell you a Boston as RARE because of their color, markings, or eye color is NOT a breeder to be trusted! They simply want you to believe that their puppy is worth the exorbitant price they are asking for it. 10. There is no such thing as "show markings" on a Boston. Don't fall for a breeder who advertises their dogs as show quality because of the markings. A Boston's markings are merely icing on the cake. If the dog is not structurally sound to begin with, no amount of markings are going to make him show-worthy. If you are looking for a Boston to show in conformation events, chances are you will not find it among a litter bred by breeder who does not show their dogs. You would be far better off locating a breeder who does show their dogs, and purchase a show quality puppy from them. If your interest is genuine, this same breeder will very likely become a willing mentor to teach you the in's and out's of the show ring, and assist you and your Boston in your quest to fame. __________________ It doesn't matter where you go in life, what you do or how much you have...it's who you have beside you....I'm glad I have my babies~Chico~Cookie & Foxy~ beside me.