No one ever suggested you shouldn't do this. This is prescreening, but at some point, you have to either feel comfortable enough with this person to allow them to see you home, or don't sell them a dog. The OP question was, "What would be a substitution for kennel inspections"; my answer is . . . "There are no substitutions".

I can't tell you when that point of comfort comes in, but I can usually tell within the first few minutes of conversation, just by a few key questions I ask. The answers that are given tells me whether or not I want to continue the conversation. And then I never reveal whether I have puppies available (which I usually don't). Not having puppies available usually helps in deciding whether to proceed in the interviewing process, develop a relationship and put them on a waiting list. In other words I have time on my puppies side. But, bottom line, I'm still hard line, I have a criteria. Whether or not people want to meet that criteria??????? and they're still my puppies.

Oh! I have no kennel, it's my home, so there are no kennel inspections.

All excellent suggestions! Some breeders have a specific area where dogs are kept or groomed, some don't. I guess it depends on how many dogs you have. The term "kennel inspection" is generic, kennel just mean the dog's shelter, or where he lives. Doesn't the AKC have "kennel inspections" even though the dogs live in the breeder's home? That's how I was using the term.

Yes, The AKC does inspections, but for the most part they're checking to see if your dogs are properly identified and your records are up to date. And since my dogs are part of the family they pretty much have the run of the house, so I don't call it a kennel. They have a whole bedroom of their own where each has their own crate which is only used at night to sleep in. Potential new families really don't come to inspect your home, they come to see your puppies to see that that they are clean and cared for. Since my puppies are kept in my bedroom with their mother, in a puppy play pen until the day they go home. Puppies are brought out into a sectioned off area of my living area, where the new families sit on the floor to play with puppies.

The OP simply asked for any reviews on this breeder. There is nothing wrong with that - infact, that's what we've all been told to do before buying a puppy.

I didn't feel anyone was being "raked over the coals". Opinions were given regarding her response. It was very nice that the breeder came on here to explain why she doesn't let people come to her house. Understandable. But you need to remember that the majority of people here don't know you or her. Her website doesn't have too much information about her or her dogs. I know that a lot of show/breeders/exhibitors don't even have websites - they only sell through word of mouth. Then, obviously, there's no need to "inquire" about the breeder and their practices because you already know about them.

I guess what I'm trying to say is - if you're going to put up a website and sell puppies then you really need to be prepared for people to ask questions.

If that't not your thing, then maybe you need to reconsider how you sell your puppies. Like Mary said... there is usually a waiting list for puppies from breeders who people know about.

I didn't know my boy's breeder but I did ask about her. I saw her dogs and loved them. How else was I going to learn about her? When I finally got through a couple of ladies (and you know who you are) I then had the honor of talking with my breeder throughout the 3 months prior to getting my boy. And what an honor it's been! You know she even offered for me to stay at her house when I flew down to get my boy. There's no substitute for having a relationship with your breeder but both parties have to participate in it.

I'd love to see you both come here more often. We all learn something new everyday. Your point of view on customers coming to your house is understandable and I hope that new solutions are found to protect both parties involved.

About 95% of my puppies ARE sold by word of mouth or private referral. And yes I usually do have a waiting list.
Honestly I do not come on here very often because I have witnessed way to much bashing of people. (Please do not spam me for my opinion) It is rare that I see a person's mind changed....what they think in the beginning is usually the way they think at the end of a thread.....no matter how much explaining has occured. It all seems like a waste of time to even try and post true statements. Sorry I don't mean to offend....but that's what I see on this group. But on the other hand sometimes I must admit it is entertaining to read the posts. I just don't need this much stress in my life. LOL

getting to know you
 

This is exactly the point that HappyJack was making. The OP had written me precisely two emails. I answered and had not had the chance to even talk to her on the phone at all. No decision had been made on either side. I do not retouch pictures of my dogs at all. They are what you see. IMO, the post to ask about me was premature, but most of all I believe that too many people are far too willing to jump on anything and show it in the worst possible light. It is very like trying to define a puppymill, often it is simply someone with one more dog than you have or a term used to inflame people against someone you do not like. We all need to be more careful. It is easy to throw stones and far more difficult to walk in someone's shoes and find out the facts for yourself. Please bear in mind that a breeder is not required to put her safety on the line to sell you a dog. She also does not have to give up every shred of privacy to satisfy a casual shopper's curiosity. Questions about a breeder's records and litter sizes and so on are not appropriate. They are also not public record. I have belonged to this forum for more than four years. I rarely post just for exactly these reasons. I appreciate those that attempted to be a voice of reason and thank them very much. For those that find fault, that is your priviledge and you certainly need never buy from me.

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I didn't know my boy's breeder but I did ask about her. I saw her dogs and loved them. How else was I going to learn about her? When I finally got through a couple of ladies (and you know who you are) I then had the honor of talking with my breeder throughout the 3 months prior to getting my boy. And what an honor it's been! You know she even offered for me to stay at her house when I flew down to get my boy. [I][QUOTE]

Now Connie are you referring to the grilling I put you through before I gave you her information and then called her and told her you passed the muster?

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[I]I didn't know my boy's breeder but I did ask about her. I saw her dogs and loved them. How else was I going to learn about her? When I finally got through a couple of ladies (and you know who you are) I then had the honor of talking with my breeder throughout the 3 months prior to getting my boy. And what an honor it's been! You know she even offered for me to stay at her house when I flew down to get my boy. [I]Of course I am Mary! LOL! :D You were the hardest out of them all!
I'm stil in such awe of her that my hubby thinks I act like she's a movie star or something. :) LOL~

[quote=cj125;2679884][quote=Mardelin;2679702]In awe of her, I'm scared of her......she still has the ability of making me mute. She is a wonderful Steel Magnolia. I'm really lucky to have her as my mentor, friend and adopted mother.

just an opinion of my own...
i think if someone has a real interest in the breed they should attend dog shows for that particular breed and this way they can meet the breeders and learn more about the breed from the breeders before deciding and purchasing a dog.:animal-pa

I applaud you for this post. So many people will call or email with their "list" of questions (that someone on here has thought up that shows you are a good breeder). most of the questions are inappropiate. I generally try to answer them when I really want to say it's none of their business. Breeders don't have to give their lives over to people wanting to buy pups. My personal life is none of a buyers business. I am always willing to answer questions but sometimes I just shake my head at how silly the questions are. of course if you don't answer them that is a huge "RED FLAG". according to the powers that be on this board. I am also so sorry someone had the audacity to google your address and post your private residence on here. That served no purpose at all except trying to dig and find out all the dirt they could when it was really none of their business. That is what upset me so bad yesterday. The extremes that some people will go to in order to stick their nose into someone else's business. people that have no interest in buying your puppies and have no experience with you have no right to go to that extreme. Needless to say, my ignore list grew yesterday. and I'm sure I got added to a few also. LOL Good luck selling your puppies. i wish you would put more pictures on your website tho. I love to look at nice dogs.

Thank you Dee. The funniest part is that the addy posted truly is not correct. That is a part of town as you come in from the freeway and is quite industrial. At this time, I do not have any puppies for sale at all. The OP was looking for around December and I only told her I "might" have something then but could not promise.
As to my website, I always have good intentions but not so much time. I really will try to update it soon. I am techno challenged with it so doing anything on there takes me forever. We are hitting the show season now so I will be pretty busy with that this summer and well into the fall.

The fact that someone posted an out building (that was not your property) isinuiating the possibility of a Puppy Mill. I don't think that people are aware that many big time reputable breeders do have a "true kennel", with a grooming room, whelping room, puppy room, kitchen, excersise area and indoor rings for training. How do you think they have as many Champions as they do. These kennels are state of the art with kennel help, with a vetenarian on call at all times. Dogs are still loved, well taken care of. I don't know where along the way it was decided that if you housed your dogs in a detached building, you were a puppy mill.

I don't know either Mary, but the truth is that, like you, my dogs are in my house, any puppies that I whelp are whelped in my house, dogs sleep in my bed and beside my bed and when i am gone, they are crated for safety with the exception of an old rescue girl I have that rules the roost anyway. I will never be one of the "big" breeders but certainly some of them have very state of the art facilities and have made major contributions to the breed

If one would just think about how many dogs are Championed in a year from a well known reputable breeder. It can't be done with one or two dogs. I know of several breeders that have these type of kennels.

i agree, Mary but I think what really got to me is the fact that this person was just trying to dig up something nasty about a transaction that was none of her business. BTW, I personally know someone in Texas that has met your mentor. Actually sat down and talked with her about using a stud she has for about two hours. Toured her grounds and etc. Said she was a super nice lady.

My mentor is a big 81 today. She's slowing down her program, as her husband (unpaid kennel help) is 90.

She is a super nice lady. She is someone that I totally enjoy talking to when I see her at shows. I only wish I lived closer so that I could see her more often. She is a wealth of information about the breed and just purely a lot of fun

Yep! A tough ole bird, but if everyone knew how many exhibitor breeders she started. At anyone given dog show, yorkies in the ring, are somehow from her line.

My Word!!!!!!!!! and here I am at 62 thinking about quitting already!!!!!!!

Yep! They're both amazing.

I just called to sing "Happy Birthday" to her, but she's already out and about shopping with her daughter.

I called and sang to her too. I know she appreciated being thought of on her BD, but definately didn't care for my singing.....

I'll call later on to wish Papa a Happy Father's day.

Tell Phil, CJ says Happy Father's Day. Oh! and he does look good in yellow.

I really feel like some of you are giving me a bad rap, the pictures were posted because you could not rule out a commercial facility in this area. While of course, some commercial facilities are state of art, we all should know that most are not. I'm not sure if some of you have buried your heads to the puppy mill situation, and think it's just a bunch a fanatics making a big deal out of nothing. We pet buyers, in general, are dog lovers, and we do think it's important to try to protect all dogs. Many of us are advocates for shelters and rescues, but if a person decides to buy from a breeder, only the best breeders should be supported.

A point some of you seem to be overlooking is that: The breeder was willing to go to the buyer's house, the buyer could not come to her house, and that what made me suspicious, if the breeder were really fearful, would she have felt safe going to someone else's home? I wouldn't. Why would you feel safer going to someone else's home? This is the same excuse puppy millers give, so of course, I did more investigating, not "to dig up dirt" as some of you suggest, but to learn more about this breeder, and her location clearly showed a possibility of a commercial breeder.


If the OP had said the breeder first wants to come to my house, and after she gets to know me I can visit the dogs at her house, my answer would have been totally different. I never said that you should only check out those breeders who you suspect of being a commercial breeder. You should thoroughly check out any breeder you intend to buy from.

Too many people are willing to recommend a breeder because they have a beautiful dogs, or they seem like a nice person without knowing one thing about the person's breeding program, I've read dozens of posts from breeders who were mislead by other breeders, this isn't something that just happens to the naïve public.

I dont see anyting wrong with a buyer thoroughly checking out the breeder. The breeder is thoroughly checking out the buyer so whats the difference. The Op asked for opinions on this breeder and opinions and information was given. Thats what this forum is for.

I know Mary's mentor too. The most pleasant time I've had since I've been in Yorkies was visiting the grand lady. Her knowledge was/is vast. It was inspiring sitting there among the pictures of all her Champions and listening to her talk. Inspiring! She introduced me to most of her Yorkies. Dogs that I had admired the pedigrees for years. Her impact on the Yorkshire Terrier breed will remain for many years to come.

Oh my.....I hope she has a wonderful BD.

Nancy we still love ya!!:)

I know many breeder/exhibitors of many different breeds that have their dogs kenneled in a separate building. I see nothing wrong with that. But what I have seen, especially on Yt, is a misconception that a detached kennel automatically make you a puppy mill or a byber or just an all around bad breeder. Most of the people with these "views" of dog breeding have never even bred a dog and are only pet owners. The have no clue as to what is involved in breeding and the amount of work and dedication it takes. These are also the people that fuel the flames for Peta and Hsus making it harder for the good breeders to trust anyone and therefore "go into hiding", so to speak. Alot of my puppy buyers have been people that I have met at dog shows. Its nice to get to know someone that actually takes the time to look at a breed before they choose to buy one.