You are absolutely right Nancy. Many breeders particularly working dog breeders don't breed until we have pre-approved homes.
Part of the "homework" of the show breeder, is to go to a show, like we did this weekend, Saturday we did a Fun sanction Match with our puppy, Sunday we just visited around. WE ran into some more BRT owner/breeders out with their puppy to do the same thing. Much looking back n forth, advising on this that or the other thing. My grooming of Dara was "off", so we discussed how I tell my pro groomer what to do.
We ran her by two professional handlers, each who have agreed to show her. And believe you me, they know dogs! And of course they put their hands all over her. Evaluation: Ready to be shown, nice angulations, great movement, sweet girl ! We of course watched these handlers in the ring, making sure they had not lost their edge, before we approached them. And of course they know me. I pulled Zoey from the show ring, as in my judgement she was NOT a Good example of the breed. I pulled Magic when he was 5yrs old for health reasons. So they know this, they know my standards.
By the time we had finished our two hours around the show ground, Dara had met about 100 ppl, and my card was handed out to six pretty interested folks. I had one potential puppy buyer who stayed on my list for *three* years, as he was waiting for a pup from Magic my male. Alas as you know I retired him from breeding, and needed to let that faithfull man go; how-ever I sent him with high recommendations to a breeder friend with an interesting litter on the ground.
In two weeks time she goes for her first TT - Temperament evaluation Test, and will meet a whole lot more folks.
In this way, in the way I prefer, I get to educate the public about my breed, let them see my up and coming gal, let them know the health tests that she will need to pass first before breeding, my plans on her showing and training. These folks, get to meet her, put their hands on her, see her move (as a puppy of course). I tell them what shows we are likely to be in etc. I as a breeder also get to see how they interact with dogs, and get a prelim assessment of their experience with dogs.
I don't have a Website, I guess maybe I should have, but have not got there yet. I don't know how to monitor my website so that it doesn't show up on less than savoury sites.
But I do have full puppy educational packets, full questionnaires, full documentation that is able to be independently found. I do support my puppy buyers over their dogs lifetime.
Anyhoo I ramble on. Soon time for some grooming
