Reputable Breeder
 

What does it mean to you? What do you look for in a breeder? What has one learned when researching a breeder? How much time does one take in researching a breeder? Do you know the pedigrees? Does one listen to recommendations?
These are just a few questions I have come up with that I'm interested in in what people think when wanting to find a reputable breeder for that next pet yorkie or show yorkie....

Donna

Good questions Donna, looking forward to reading answers.

Me too :)

I am no expert, but for Carlo I investigated for close to 6 months before I found my breeder. I taled to many breeders and asked questiones such as why do you breed? What do you do with your dogs as far as working them, showing them, titles, therapy, rescue, Good Citizen. WHo do you besically sell to? Who will you not sell to? A list of references? Do you, and how do you ship? Health Guarantee? Follow-up? Then I developed my short list. Called them back. Asked if I could come and visit. That narrowed the list down more. I then made 3 visits. One in AZ, one in Ohio, and one in IL. Fromn that list it came down to ne, and that is who I bought from. He had great dogs, worked them, the premise was clean, the adult dogs were obedient and well behaved, he had his little kids playing with and socializing the pups. He suggest a pup from a recent litter that suited me and what I was looking for. He asked me a ton of questions. What will I do with the dog, my home, my yard, kids, a bunch of questions. Price never even entered into it. Also, he only had one litter a year and there was a wait list, while other breeders had 3 litters on the ground, as well as into other breeds.

For Maxine, pretty much the same, but Marge handled it. While we have had her for 13 years and love her to death, we both realize she is no where near a show dog or the breed standard now,She has a belly that resembles mine, and shot legs. Well, we were not looking for a show dog back then or a breeding dog. We are totally happy with both of them.

But the breeder, then the pup!

This is wonderful!! Love it!

Well, I didn't know a LOT at the time I was looking for a breeder; but I did know that I didn't want to support a puppymill. I chose a breeder that keeps her dogs in her home; and only has a few litters a year. We corresponded by email; then spoke on the phone; and I waited about 6 months until she had a litter ready. She called my Vet for a reference before she agreed to sell me a pup - which my vet was very impressed with. She provided me her vet's name for a reference. We visited her home about 3 times before we chose any pup.

I didn't ask about pedigrees, etc because (well, I wasn't smart enough) and I was strictly looking for a pet. I did ask to see the parents.

I wasn't smart enough to ask about any genetic testing.

I think I got a good and kind breeder that cares about her pups and has a few litters a year. After being on YT, I would describe her as a hobby breeder; though I'm sure some would describe using a different term.

I was mainly looking for a local person that had cute dogs and treated them well. If I am being honest - that's exactly what I was looking for.

Now, I might ask some different questions and look for some additional qualities.

I must admit, my experience went along the same lines as Ringo1. I didn't find YT until after I had my girlie butt. I feel fortunate to have my girl, however, after being on YT for awhile now and learning from the reputable/knowledgeable breeders, I feel I would know more of what to look for in a breeder. Don't get me wrong, I would still only want pet quality, but, the genetic testing on male/female would mean a lot to me and steer me in that breeders direction.

I have 3 yorkies, Ruby, my 1st is from a puppymill/byb type breeder, Reno is from one of what I consider to be the best exhibitor breeders, and then we now have Razz, our parti yorkie, from a what would be considered a hobby breeder. I've also worked with rescue and been to numerous dog shows in the past few years, so I think that I have a unique perspective about what constitutes a reputable breeder.

I used to think that only exhibitor breeders could be reputable breeders and still think that is mostly true.....however, I've changed my mind somewhat after our experience with Razz's breeder. Now, I do believe that some hobby breeders are reputable breeders and every bit as good as exhibitor breeders.....you just have to be careful who you are dealing with.

With Ruby being my first, research was something I wasn't educated about with puppy purchases. Reno's breeder, I knew for over a year through another forum, also from reading about her show accomplishments. Razz's breeder I came to know through YT and had followed Livi's babies from their start.

Ruby's pedigree wouldn't matter, I do have Reno's pedigree and am aware of Razz's. Yes, I did listen to recommendations when it came to Reno. Originally, I was going to buy a girl from another well-known breeder. A friend that shows, told me not to get that girl (the pup didn't look well to her). IDK whether or not the puppy girl was healthy, but the breeder was having trouble with AKC and this pup wouldn't have been registrable, so the breeder did give my deposit back. Even though this breeder was having problems at that time, I still consider her to be a honest, reputable breeder.....I just think she sometimes sells to the wrong people, people that are not reputable.

Good perspective! :)

I see this phrase over and over again. Yes, it is of prime importance. However, testing only informs you that the breeding pair do not said diseases/afflictions, it does not reveal whether the dogs are carriers of such diseases/afflictions. So, testing the pups is of equal importance. Keeping in mind that whenever breeding such afflicitions can crop up at anytime. The difference between a reputable breeder and the not so reputable breeder is how they stand behind their breeding program. If they will be there for you.

I absolutely agree!

Donna

Good questions, good answers, nice thread
 

There is no simple formula for identifying a "reputable" breeder. You need to get a sense of whether a person's heart is in the right place, what motivates them and what the objectives are in the breeding. You need to feel the breeder's animals are cherished and all their needs met, no skimping. It is important that the breeding dogs come from known and verifyable places that also are reputable. I think it's less important to count the number of litters produced in a year than to learn about the supports and safeguards the breeder has in place to ensure the happiness and welfare of all the dogs in their care. Find out what specific things a breeder does to better the breed. Club affiliations can be very passive. Are they actively showing and advancing? Are they participating in the research studies on the diseases that affect this breed? Are they involved in rescue? There has to be more there than the desire to sell a puppy.
Don't be shy about asking for references from their vet, clients, other breeders. Ask what medical testing do they do on their breeding animals and puppies, as well as why and why not. Ask what their preferences are in a puppy buyer, and do ask if they've ever turned anyone away as unsuitable.

I guess as buyers we hope we know enough to select the right breeder. I find this a hard topic. I was VERY concerned with LS issues and I wanted to know who tested their parents and whether LS ever cropped up in breeding programs and what they would do if it did. All the breeders I spoke to answered the questions I had in a satisfactory way. I learned about the YTCA from someone I think gave me good information and I changed direction in my search. This person made further suggestions and I heeded them. Did I do enough research? Time will tell but so far in two years I feel pretty good about it. My two dogs from the puppy mill have defied the stacked odds against them so I guess I knew that I could and would compensate for anything that cropped up in the purchase of another. When your bar is so low and you've got two from The Mill including one seriously sickly for 10 years, you tend to just want something better, whatever that is. But I think that is the dangerous part, and that is why I felt that going with a YTCA breeder was my personal best option.

I think another great thread would be what Breeders should ask buyers because there were FEW questions asked of me. I admit to writing a short intro and sending photos of my two yorkies and offering relevant information so maybe they got what they needed to satisfy themselves. But no one bothered to ask me if I'd dump their dog in a ditch some day if I couldn't afford the care the dog needed and no one asked for my vet's number. I think more scrutiny of buyers is needed as we also ponder the scrutiny of breeders.

Wow, it's wonderful that you really took your time to find a great breeder, I wish more people were like you, so many people are too excited and anxious, and just want a dog NOW.

I talked to many people before I found Joey's breeder, I was even willing to buy different breeds because I was really looking for a person who had special qualities. Most of my friends and family said there was NO breeder who was as altruistic, as I wanted. So then I just concentrated on someone who really knew the health issues with the breeds they were breeding. Along the journey I found Yorkietalk, and someone recommended YTCA, and for me, it was a whole new world opening. I can't remember exactly what Joey's breeder said, when the light went off, I knew I had found the person I was looking for, and then all I had to do was convince her I was the right person. Lol, this was no easy task, but I agree with everyone who says find the breeder first, and then the dog.

:thumbup: :thumbup:

My story
 

Most of the regulars here know my story, it's come out in bits and pieces over my time here.

My breeder is also my trainer of my BRT;s, and I trained with her Yorkies and "my" breed for almost three years.

Over those years I got to see her Yorkie's personalities, and their abilities. I became fascinated, and always wanted an agility dog. As well my sister was asking for a small dog to love and to walk. I think the watershed moment for me, was one day at a show, we were sitting after our BBQ dinner, chatting and laughing, and one of her girls, just leapt up in my lap, for a snuggle.
Such a fearless brave wee thing. My heart was now officially stolen.
When you train with someone, once or twice a week, go to shows with them, you get to actually "see" their ethics and their commitment to their breed.

I knew Razz's mom, had seen her work. I did not look around for other breeders for my Yorkie. But I did come, with a list of questions, health concerns, and spoke now with my trainer who would shortly become my breeder of Razz.

And she was prepared, all health concerns addressed, all info on health problems within her lines. The temperament test results. Her health guarantee for me to review. The hardest part for me was after the discussion, she let me meet her pups. OH my God I had a choice between two!.

The decision was agonizing. We watched them play. She stacked them. She reviewed their test results. She put one by one in my own arms to examine. I put each pup down again. Watched some more play.

Went down on the floor, to watch some more. Then Razz man came up to me. Freely on his own, curled up in my lap, with his wee head on my lap.
I picked him up and cuddled him to my chest. There was an immediate heart response.

I waited some more. Watched the other pup, who did finally come to me. Sat on me, let me pet him. I cuddled him to me, and while of course every pup is cute, there was not the immediate heart response.

So now we had some tea, and a great Russian Cake. The pups were at our feet and playing around. And she said have you made up your mind?

We went over the temperament again. I sat on the floor for the last time. Examined each one, one more time. Used a toy with each. But the decision had been made in my heart. Razz was mine!

I love the fact that my breeder is also my trainer. She is my mentor. She is my friend.

I did not ask for references from her vet, or from other breeders. But my situation was pretty unique.

Totally agree! I had several conversations with my breeder, requested contact info for past sold puppies, ask that she provide my email address and/or phone #, as I wanted to talk with previous owners. This occurred after several talks with breeder, I'm sure after I was thought to be a good forever home. She was as thorough questioning me, as I was with her. I spoke with 3 other buyers, saw photos, talked pet history, and some additional ones by email. I spoke with her vet, and she has already contacted mine. Zhoie has been back twice in her 1.5 to visit which is 4 hrs away. We are encouraged and welcomed at any time. We stay in touch via email and she wants updates on Zhoie along with photos going on her maturing stages. I do believe I could call day or night and she would be there for me.
As I'm typing this, she may be a hobby breeder.....all in all, a darn good one.
Thanks for making me realize it.

This, to me, is one of the main problems in dogs being dumped. I love the line I often get from people: It is easier to get a dog from a breeder. Yes, sadly it often is. It should not be that way.

It's actually hard to get a pup from me and I'm gonna make it even harder...of course that is when I start back to breeding.

I don't know about this---
 

For the most part people coming here for puppies are highly educated professionals with a long history as pet owners. They often talk very lovingly about a dog they just lost to old age. We establish common ground for a conversation and decide about a puppy based on a feeling of mutual trust. If I felt the need to phone someone's vet I would not even consider letting them have my puppy. I always do ask them to tell me about their past experience with pets, and you'd be surprised how often people will tell about how bad they felt last year when they had to give their Cocker Spaniel to rescue because it was untrainable. No, they don't get my puppy after that.

I must say this does not surprise me. I see many yorkies in rescue that should never have been sold in the first place to the individuals who purchased them.

I can tell you that I have met the nicest people and had conversations with them about the wonderful care they give their pups....only to find out when I do the vet check that they don't even vet their dogs at all. This has happened MANY times and is why I ALWAYS call the vet first. I am thinking you have no idea how many yorkies are ending up in shelters and/or rescues. There is an epidemic right now.

Gotta dispel the myth here...
 

I'm a highly educated professional - I can tell you that not all people in that category measure up to be the pet owner you think they are on the face. Our degrees do not include a designation in Good Dog Ownership - that is something you feel inside about your pet and the way you act on the outside in its best interest. There is no degree that gives you that, I'm sorry. Calling the vet or tasks such as these give objective information about the potential buyer that a set of characteristics one may erroneously interpret while hoping for a sale may not. It just gives you a little extra assurance that your gut was right on. Then you'd know for sure if they are who they say they are and if they do what they say they do.

:thumbup: I don't have a college degree and I'm just a receptionst at a school but my love for animals is in my soul not in a degree or my level of professionalism....

As a breeder, calling a vet does give you insight as to what type of pet owners potential clients are. It reveals to you whether their dogs receive the right medical, routine care.

I agree with Donna...education and money does NOT tell you how a person will care for their pups.
I have been shocked at the things I have seen people do to their pets. And often it is the people with the wherewithall who could do better who do the meanest things. Others with less would pitch a tent and live in the woods if they had to in order to provide the best for their beloved pups.

my dogs come before me or my husband and my husband KNOWS not to ask me to give this up, he knows he'd be gone before they would!

hahah I hear that...my ex told me one day that I replaced him with yorkies...
yep no doubt :)
Nothing like that unconditional love.

mine would be an ex if ever he gave me a choice LOL...you are absolutely correct nothing better than unconditional love they give!! Is why I love them more than most humans!

Hahaha my hubby complains to my puppy parents and potential puppy parents, saying how they eat before him and I cook for them before I do for him. He also says how I have more pictures of them on my phone and pc's than I do of my own skinkids and family. We are looking to upgrade to a King size bed just so I can fit everyone comfortably in bed! Lol

In years past I would probably not have had what you consider a good vet reference unless you spoke to my cousin who was our vet but moved to another part of the country. We always had large breed dogs and I gave the immunizations myself after being shown. I don't use regular heart worm meds either due to what he taught me to use. When you have horses and dogs you quickly figure out that it is much more cost effective and quite easy to do most things yourself with training. They only went to the vet for a check up or if something was wrong or needed like spay & neuter. I will admit though I am not as bold with these lil guys when it comes to their shots, I don't do them myself but I still pre-treat with Benadryl before we head to the doc's and will stay on a 3 year protocol.

How would you judge someone interested in your dogs with that background? I just hate paying someone to do something I can do myself lol. I still change my own oil too :)