Should a breeder allow you to visit kennel?

[carmen in nj]

Originally Posted by bchgirl

I didn't say they can tour my bedroom. The beds probably not made. Lol.

mine will be adorned with a few dogs sleeping on it.. LOL

[alaskayorkie]

Great responses, thanks! I honestly can see both sides, but it's good to hear all the arguments explained. I appreciate it.

As a buyer, I just want to see how the puppies will be living during those important first 3 months of their life. If it takes wearing shoe covers and rubber gloves, I would be more than happy (and appreciative of the forethought of the breeder) to do so.

But, again, I can't fault a breeder for wanting to protect their pups. Maybe pictures of the facility would help in cases like that.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by alaskayorkie

Great responses, thanks! I honestly can see both sides, but it's good to hear all the arguments explained. I appreciate it.

As a buyer, I just want to see how the puppies will be living during those important first 3 months of their life. If it takes wearing shoe covers and rubber gloves, I would be more than happy (and appreciative of the forethought of the breeder) to do so.

But, again, I can't fault a breeder for wanting to protect their pups. Maybe pictures of the facility would help in cases like that.

We had a thread on Yorkietalk and someone posted a breeder's "facility". They showed the cutest little house with baby cribs inside, each puppy in its own crib, stuffed animals lined the shelves and it was adorable. One of the breeders here said, that can’t be the kennel, the mother is with the pups the first months of life, they aren’t separated in separate cribs. (Duh, we non breeders didn’t think of this. ) Anyway, it turns out it was the “store front” for buyers wanting to see the kennels. A satellite picture showed other kennels that were not so cute, and after further checking, a puppy mill group also had close-up pictures of the real kennels, that was really bad. I think Yorkies are one breed that definitely need air conditioning and heating and don’t do well in outside open air kennels.

[Yorkiedaze]

Originally Posted by alaskayorkie

Great responses, thanks! I honestly can see both sides, but it's good to hear all the arguments explained. I appreciate it.

As a buyer, I just want to see how the puppies will be living during those important first 3 months of their life. If it takes wearing shoe covers and rubber gloves, I would be more than happy (and appreciative of the forethought of the breeder) to do so.

But, again, I can't fault a breeder for wanting to protect their pups. Maybe pictures of the facility would help in cases like that.

Mike, you could also ask them to give their Vet. permission to let you know how they take care of their dogs and puppies, especially if you aren't allowed in to see how they live. They may want your Vets. number as well.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Not all vets are as credible as maybe you would like.

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by Yorkiedaze

Mike, you could also ask them to give their Vet. permission to let you know how they take care of their dogs and puppies, especially if you aren't allowed in to see how they live. They may want your Vets. number as well.

THAT is a winning solution!!! (Thank goodness, I am vet recommended, the ONLY breeder, of ANY breed, that my vet recommends!)

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

Not all vets are as credible as maybe you would like.

I agree, they sign off on many puppy mill dogs. They know how these dogs are being treated, but the law doesn't really protect vets, and in most states they can be sued by the breeder. This just isn't the same as visiting the home.

[shelimcallister]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

I do not allow it. I am not a commercial breeder with a "facility" or a "kennel"...this is my home, and I do not allow tours of my home any more than you would allow strangers into your home for tours. I have experienced people bringing parvo into my home when I USED to allow the buyers to come visit with puppies and walk around. There is not only a real and present danger from diseases being spread all over your property on shoes that have walked goodness knows where, there are personal safety issues! People come to case out your home, what you have, where it is located, and by questions asked, they can even determine who is home and when! THEY STEAL THESE DOGS RIGHT OUT OF YOUR ARMS!! They would have NO qualms doing home invasion and taking your dogs from your home! I establish a "close" relationship with my buyers and they can tell from the application interview, my visits with them, my relationship with my buyers - prepurchase, during purchase, and on going after purchase for the life of that baby, as well as what my babies look like, this is not a puppy mill operation. I only have 2-3 litters per year, I own the parents, and my babies are usually sold before they are born! Most (80%+)of my parents are referrals or repeat parents, back for a sibling for the baby they already have...my reputation is solid and I work VERY hard to maintain it. I will not jeopardize my safety, my family's safety, or the health and safety of any of my dogs, by allowing "facility tours"....I will stop breeding before I do that again! PARVO IS ALIVE AND WELL AND EVERY WHERE.....BUT NOT ON MY PROPERTY!!!!

You sound like a solid person and reputable breeder. Very nice to hear your perspective!!

[KazzyK810]

I've never had any dealings with a breeder that had a "kennel"...and never would. Any breeder I've bought from has always had her dogs in her home.

I do understand the fears of inviting someone into your home, but as a breeder is a home-based business it should be expected and planned for, as with any home-business and necessary security measures should be in place.

[gemy]

I agree Kazzy. I don't let in "walk by" traffic or phone calls that say' Oh we are looking for xyz Puppies, I see you are a breeder may I come by to visit?

[tjdmom]

I allow people here to my home, it's not a kennel but it's where we raise our puppies. But not to visit newborns. I prefer it to be after they have had their first set of shots and I always ask people to make sure they don't visit someplace like a pet store or a dog park just before coming to limit the chances of infecting my pups with something. But sometimes I can understand the other side too where people may have had a bad experience and might be afraid to have someone at their homes.

[DBlain]

Before I even knew of YT I have always agreed with this statement,
A Reputable Breeder Will….
* Want to know as much about you as you do
about them. They are concerned with the
well-being of their puppies and making sure the
puppy is a good fit for you.*Will be knowledgeable and open about the pros,
cons and health of the breed. Will discuss spay
and neutering.
*Will not sell a Yorkie puppy prior to 12 weeks of
age, because of problems that may occur with a
younger puppy.

so with that being said at that point it should be a little safer to show a prospective buyer a puppy, and it is only fair to let them see the general area where the pup was raised. For me all new born yorkies look like little rotweillers so I would never make a buying decision until the pup is close to 12 weeks. Yet many breeders are asking for and getting a deposit before the dog is even born, doesn't that fly in the face of making sure the puppy is a good fit for you. So Perhaps if breeders waited to show the pups to buyers when they were closer to the age when they should be sold, the puppies would not be as prone to picking up an infection. I do agree with breeders taking lots of precautions and if I was one I would have rules posted at the door and sent out in advance so there was no discussion and the buyers were prepared. I would call it. Nursery Visiting Protocol . Things like please come freshly bathed and in clean clothes, upon arrival you will be given booties, and will be asked to scrub your hands, this is for the safety of all our dogs including your new puppy. Anyway I am not a breeder but those are my thoughts

[maggiesmom_2007]

I have guidelines that must be followed before anyone comes to see puppies. First visits are only after they have had their first set of shots preferrably the second set as well. Shoes come off hands get washed and hand sanitizer is used. I have them come throught the side door so that they can do all this before seeing the pups. Also before any visit I have usually talked to the person on the phone, received the questionaire back . I would have already talked to their vet if they have one. if not I require references 2 personal and 1 business.

[alaskayorkie]

Originally Posted by maggiesmom_2007

I have guidelines that must be followed before anyone comes to see puppies. First visits are only after they have had their first set of shots preferrably the second set as well. Shoes come off hands get washed and hand sanitizer is used. I have them come throught the side door so that they can do all this before seeing the pups. Also before any visit I have usually talked to the person on the phone, received the questionaire back . I would have already talked to their vet if they have one. if not I require references 2 personal and 1 business.

That sounds great!

[Lorraine]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I agree with the YTCA on this and this is what they say.



I hope breeders who are concerned about allowing strangers into their homes, get to know the people well enough and have plenty of references so that they are not "strangers". You wouldn't want to sell a puppy to someone who you didn't trust enough to have in your home. Also, there are precautions you can take so that the clients are not spreading disease. I know one breeder who makes people take off their shoes and wash their hands before they can touch a puppy. This is one of the best ways pet buyers can stop supporting puppy mills, if a breeder wouldn’t let me see her home, I’d guess she had something to hide, I might be wrong, but I wouldn’t take a chance. Closing down puppy mills should be a priority for all of us, pet owners and breeders alike.

Nancy, what you described is exactly what I do, screen and check backgrounds and references beforeI go any further.I f I am not comfortable having someone in my home who wants a pup from me, I will not be selling them a pup int he first place.
My living room is right inside my front door, I seat them there, then go get a puppy that is available. If there are a couple of puppies available I have a pen set up. As we chat and if I am happy enough then I go get the mother and sire if I own him. If I dont own the sire I show them a picture.
A prospective buyer coming into a home would hope to experience a clean home, no smells of dogs and pet urine, clean puppies and parents.