Please read before you breed or buy from anyone other than a responsible breeder

[maggiesmom_2007]

http://showdogsupersite.com/kenlclub...al/k9j001.html

WHAT IS A ‘BREEDER’?



I apologize for the impassioned tone of the following piece, but it was in response to an e-mail from a person who objected to my comment that fortunately there aren’t a great many Pulik bred in back yards. It was apparent that this individual had no concept of what I think of when I refer to a ‘Breeder’. Most breed clubs have a code of ethics, but as a veterinarian I deal with all sorts of "breeders": with back yard breeders, who may not actually be puppy mills, with individuals whom I consider to be ‘Breeders’, and with a very few people who verge on being a better class of puppy mill than those we see on TV exposes. I wrote the following in the heat of the moment.


How do you define a ‘Breeder’? I will use the extremes to compare here: a ‘Breeder’ is a person for whom it is more important to perform a specific breeding of one special ‘right’ dog to a specific bitch, rather than a person who will breed any male of the same breed to their bitch in order to produce puppies. A Breeder doesn’t breed at a specific time of year for better puppy sales. A Breeder breeds for him or her self, because they are breeding to an ideal and not the "market". A Breeder may hold onto the puppies for longer than 8 weeks so that they are certain they have made the right ‘pick’ of which puppy to keep or to sell as a show dog, and by definition as a breeding animal.


A Breeder goes through absolutely hellacious torment every time a puppy is shipped by air. A Breeder makes you justify just why you think you deserve a puppy. On the other hand, a non-breeder, in the case of the worst puppy mills, breeds any dog which looks like it may belong a certain breed to whatever specimen of the same breed they can pick up. A non- breeder doesn’t choose the ‘best’ male for a given female. A non-breeder ‘lets nature take its course’ rather than doing everything within their power to ensure that the mother and the father, and eventually the puppies, are healthy, so that the breeding will be successful, so that it won’t seriously affect the health of the mother, and so that the puppies will be robust and healthy. A Breeder will perform all necessary tests to ensure that the mother and father of a litter are genetically healthy, and free of inheritable diseases to the best of their ability to check.


A Breeder will only register puppies with the correct pedigree. A puppy mill will use any set of ‘papers’ they can get their hands on, and which may not actually be the true pedigrees of the sire and dam. A Breeder will stay awake and with the litter for as many 24-hour days as are necessary to insure that no puppy is lost to ‘fading puppy syndrome’, or is squashed or misplaced by the new mother. A non-breeder will ‘let nature take its course’ - again.


A Breeder will handle every puppy several times every day, and help supplement the puppies feeding if necessary to save excessive drain on the dam. A Breeder will chart daily weights on the puppies, and identify each puppy in some way, so that they can keep track of each puppy’s rate of gain, so a puppy which is falling behind the others can be supplemented.


A Breeder will give the expectant mother Breyers Ice Cream, or pickles and peanut butter, if they are requested, and will sleep with her on their pillow, to reassure her she is special. A Breeder will stay home from work for as many days as necessary, in order to whelp the litter, help the bitch, and get the puppies off to a good start. A Breeder will supply the mother with a whelping box which keeps the mother and the puppies comfortable, and gives them a feeling of protection and safety. If the bitch chooses, however, she is allowed to begin the whelping process on the Breeder’s own bed, and to move to the whelping box once anxiety cools and the bitch is ready to keep at her job in another location. A puppy mill simply ‘harvests’ the puppies from wire bottomed cages like rabbit hutches when they appear to be about the age of consent for the airlines.


A Breeder will skillfully interview all applicants for adoption, and will provide the new puppy owners with a healthy, well adjusted, well vaccinated and wormed puppy. I know I could go on about this for a couple more pages, but the impression I want to give, is that breeding a litter and whelping and raising and placing puppies entails tremendous sustained effort, education, money and a good knowledge of applied genetics. It is anything but a casual undertaking. A breeding undertaken without this kind of effort may produce healthy, sound puppies, or it may not. One has no way of predicting, since the deck wasn’t ‘loaded’’ as good Breeders try to arrange it.


After selling the puppy, a good Breeder will follow up with all needed assistance to the new owner. A Breeder will be prepared to take a puppy or adult dog back into their own home if needed - for whatever reason. This means that a good Breeder must be able to provide for an extra dog or two at a moments notice, and inconvenience isn’t an admissible excuse. A good Breeder considers him or herself the "parent" of a puppy from birth to grave. The responsibility for bringing new puppies into the world includes making certain, to the extent possible, that these puppies will go on to have happy lives, and never become homeless. All contracts for puppy sales must include that any transfer should occur through the breeder, or be approved by the breeder.


The bumper sticker proclaims that "A Puppy is for Life", and that’s true, for both the buyer and the breeder. While ‘back yard breeders’ may not be guilty of the sins of puppy mills, neither are they, by definition, cognizant of the procedures and efforts necessary to earn the title ‘Breeder’.

[Abby08]

Some may not like what you have written there, but I think you 'got it right'

[Nancy1999]

Love it, and just want to add that I have so much respect for good breeders! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!

[alaskayorkie]

Wonderful definition. Thanks for posting. I wish it was easier to identify Breeders who live up to that.

[maggiesmom_2007]

Originally Posted by Abby08

Some may not like what you have written there, but I think you 'got it right'

Thank you , Although I can't claim writing this. But I can say I strongly believe in what this article says. I do want to add that I have long since cared whether people like what I say or write.

[maggiesmom_2007]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

Love it, and just want to add that I have so much respect for good breeders! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!

So do I.

[maggiesmom_2007]

Originally Posted by alaskayorkie

Wonderful definition. Thanks for posting. I wish it was easier to identify Breeders who live up to that.

No Problem. It won't be easier if people don't take their time in looking for the right dog for their lifestyle. This is why it has been said time and time again you have to know your breeder. Call them on the phone , talk to them ,ask questions, Visit , and you will know if the breeder you have chosen lives up to what a responsible breeder should be. Once you find your breeder then let the pup choose you. Out of the 5 dogs we have 3 of them chose me and 2 chose my husband.

[alaskayorkie]

Originally Posted by maggiesmom_2007

No Problem. It won't be easier if people don't take their time in looking for the right dog for their lifestyle. This is why it has been said time and time again you have to know your breeder. Call them on the phone , talk to them ,ask questions, Visit , and you will know if the breeder you have chosen lives up to what a responsible breeder should be. Once you find your breeder then let the pup choose you. Out of the 5 dogs we have 3 of them chose me and 2 chose my husband.

Excellent point. I think visiting the kennel is key. I was looking for a pup a while back and asked to visit the kennel, and the breeder (lowercase) refused. She brought them over to my house. It told me nothing of what kind of life they had. Fortunately, I decided against that breeder. Too many red flags after speaking to her.

I wonder, in general, if responsible breeders do open their kennels up for visits from prospective buyers.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by alaskayorkie

Excellent point. I think visiting the kennel is key. I was looking for a pup a while back and asked to visit the kennel, and the breeder (lowercase) refused. She brought them over to my house. It told me nothing of what kind of life they had. Fortunately, I decided against that breeder. Too many red flags after speaking to her.

I wonder, in general, if responsible breeders do open their kennels up for visits from prospective buyers.

Good for you, too many people think if the person is "sweet" or "nice" they don't have to check out the kennel.

[maggiesmom_2007]

Originally Posted by alaskayorkie

Excellent point. I think visiting the kennel is key. I was looking for a pup a while back and asked to visit the kennel, and the breeder (lowercase) refused. She brought them over to my house. It told me nothing of what kind of life they had. Fortunately, I decided against that breeder. Too many red flags after speaking to her.

I wonder, in general, if responsible breeders do open their kennels up for visits from prospective buyers.

It is, I look at it this way, I would rather a buyer come to my house see my dogs interact with each other and if they have another dog then I ask they bring the other dog with so I can see how their dog acts towards the new pup. Not to mention it is great for added socialization for the pups. I do have them remove their shoes, use hand sanitizer , and the dog they bring has to be up to date on their shots or have regularly been seen by a vet. I also only start allowing visitors after the pups have had their first vaccinations. Not everyone does it the same way I do but this gives me some piece of mind as to what type of home it will be.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by maggiesmom_2007

It is, I look at it this way, I would rather a buyer come to my house see my dogs interact with each other and if they have another dog then I ask they bring the other dog with so I can see how their dog acts towards the new pup. Not to mention it is great for added socialization for the pups. I do have them remove their shoes, use hand sanitizer , and the dog they bring has to be up to date on their shots or have regularly been seen by a vet. I also only start allowing visitors after the pups have had their first vaccinations. Not everyone does it the same way I do but this gives me some piece of mind as to what type of home it will be.

Every potential new owner must come to my home. I must meet them in person before I decide whether or not they are worthy of having one of my pups. As a matter of fact several visits are required prior to me making my decision.

However, one of my first questions to a potential new family is: May I visit "your home".....so, you see it's a two way street. It's the new family picking the "right breeder" and the breeder picking "the right family" for their pup. Bottom line it's about the dog.

[maggiesmom_2007]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Every potential new owner must come to my home. I must meet them in person before I decide whether or not they are worthy of having one of my pups. As a matter of fact several visits are required prior to me making my decision.

However, one of my first questions to a potential new family is: May I visit "your home".....so, you see it's a two way street. It's the new family picking the "right breeder" and the breeder picking "the right family" for their pup. Bottom line it's about the dog.

I am the same way Mardelin. If you can't come to my home then your not right for my pups. I had a lady that was interested in a pup and she lives 8hrs away. But when I told her she would have to come see the pup and then If it was a good fit then I would deliver the pup to her so I could see where the pup would be living. Never heard back from her. Her loss. I don't care how much money someone is willing to spend or how sincere they sound If my gut says no way then so do I. I will be asking to visit potential new owners homes with my next litter sometime next year.

[MyTrixie143]

Originally Posted by maggiesmom_2007

I am the same way Mardelin. If you can't come to my home then your not right for my pups. I had a lady that was interested in a pup and she lives 8hrs away. But when I told her she would have to come see the pup and then If it was a good fit then I would deliver the pup to her so I could see where the pup would be living. Never heard back from her. Her loss. I don't care how much money someone is willing to spend or how sincere they sound If my gut says no way then so do I. I will be asking to visit potential new owners homes with my next litter sometime next year.

I agree!! I've had new owners fly in or drive several hours away to see my pups because I wanted them to come to me. I want them to see the puppy's environment, their litter mates, their parents, how they are raised and interact with each other. I've even required several visits when possible as I want to get to know them as much as possible and see how they interact with the pups before they get them. When someone just wants to meet you somewhere you don't get to see any of that.

[alaskayorkie]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Every potential new owner must come to my home. I must meet them in person before I decide whether or not they are worthy of having one of my pups. As a matter of fact several visits are required prior to me making my decision.

However, one of my first questions to a potential new family is: May I visit "your home".....so, you see it's a two way street. It's the new family picking the "right breeder" and the breeder picking "the right family" for their pup. Bottom line it's about the dog.

That's really refreshing to hear. The most a seller has ever asked from me is to fill out a questionnaire. That's better than nothing, but I've often wondered how seriously they took my answers. I would feel much better about a seller if I could tell they were truly interested in the dog's well-being, and not just the money.

[licricket]

Originally Posted by maggiesmom_2007

http://showdogsupersite.com/kenlclub...al/k9j001.html

WHAT IS A ‘BREEDER’?



I apologize for the impassioned tone of the following piece, but it was in response to an e-mail from a person who objected to my comment that fortunately there aren’t a great many Pulik bred in back yards. It was apparent that this individual had no concept of what I think of when I refer to a ‘Breeder’. Most breed clubs have a code of ethics, but as a veterinarian I deal with all sorts of "breeders": with back yard breeders, who may not actually be puppy mills, with individuals whom I consider to be ‘Breeders’, and with a very few people who verge on being a better class of puppy mill than those we see on TV exposes. I wrote the following in the heat of the moment.


How do you define a ‘Breeder’? I will use the extremes to compare here: a ‘Breeder’ is a person for whom it is more important to perform a specific breeding of one special ‘right’ dog to a specific bitch, rather than a person who will breed any male of the same breed to their bitch in order to produce puppies. A Breeder doesn’t breed at a specific time of year for better puppy sales. A Breeder breeds for him or her self, because they are breeding to an ideal and not the "market". A Breeder may hold onto the puppies for longer than 8 weeks so that they are certain they have made the right ‘pick’ of which puppy to keep or to sell as a show dog, and by definition as a breeding animal.


A Breeder goes through absolutely hellacious torment every time a puppy is shipped by air. A Breeder makes you justify just why you think you deserve a puppy. On the other hand, a non-breeder, in the case of the worst puppy mills, breeds any dog which looks like it may belong a certain breed to whatever specimen of the same breed they can pick up. A non- breeder doesn’t choose the ‘best’ male for a given female. A non-breeder ‘lets nature take its course’ rather than doing everything within their power to ensure that the mother and the father, and eventually the puppies, are healthy, so that the breeding will be successful, so that it won’t seriously affect the health of the mother, and so that the puppies will be robust and healthy. A Breeder will perform all necessary tests to ensure that the mother and father of a litter are genetically healthy, and free of inheritable diseases to the best of their ability to check.


A Breeder will only register puppies with the correct pedigree. A puppy mill will use any set of ‘papers’ they can get their hands on, and which may not actually be the true pedigrees of the sire and dam. A Breeder will stay awake and with the litter for as many 24-hour days as are necessary to insure that no puppy is lost to ‘fading puppy syndrome’, or is squashed or misplaced by the new mother. A non-breeder will ‘let nature take its course’ - again.


A Breeder will handle every puppy several times every day, and help supplement the puppies feeding if necessary to save excessive drain on the dam. A Breeder will chart daily weights on the puppies, and identify each puppy in some way, so that they can keep track of each puppy’s rate of gain, so a puppy which is falling behind the others can be supplemented.


A Breeder will give the expectant mother Breyers Ice Cream, or pickles and peanut butter, if they are requested, and will sleep with her on their pillow, to reassure her she is special. A Breeder will stay home from work for as many days as necessary, in order to whelp the litter, help the bitch, and get the puppies off to a good start. A Breeder will supply the mother with a whelping box which keeps the mother and the puppies comfortable, and gives them a feeling of protection and safety. If the bitch chooses, however, she is allowed to begin the whelping process on the Breeder’s own bed, and to move to the whelping box once anxiety cools and the bitch is ready to keep at her job in another location. A puppy mill simply ‘harvests’ the puppies from wire bottomed cages like rabbit hutches when they appear to be about the age of consent for the airlines.


A Breeder will skillfully interview all applicants for adoption, and will provide the new puppy owners with a healthy, well adjusted, well vaccinated and wormed puppy. I know I could go on about this for a couple more pages, but the impression I want to give, is that breeding a litter and whelping and raising and placing puppies entails tremendous sustained effort, education, money and a good knowledge of applied genetics. It is anything but a casual undertaking. A breeding undertaken without this kind of effort may produce healthy, sound puppies, or it may not. One has no way of predicting, since the deck wasn’t ‘loaded’’ as good Breeders try to arrange it.


After selling the puppy, a good Breeder will follow up with all needed assistance to the new owner. A Breeder will be prepared to take a puppy or adult dog back into their own home if needed - for whatever reason. This means that a good Breeder must be able to provide for an extra dog or two at a moments notice, and inconvenience isn’t an admissible excuse. A good Breeder considers him or herself the "parent" of a puppy from birth to grave. The responsibility for bringing new puppies into the world includes making certain, to the extent possible, that these puppies will go on to have happy lives, and never become homeless. All contracts for puppy sales must include that any transfer should occur through the breeder, or be approved by the breeder.


The bumper sticker proclaims that "A Puppy is for Life", and that’s true, for both the buyer and the breeder. While ‘back yard breeders’ may not be guilty of the sins of puppy mills, neither are they, by definition, cognizant of the procedures and efforts necessary to earn the title ‘Breeder’.

Excellent! This should be on the opening page of YT. Thank you for taking the time to explain things so clearly!