Rehoming a breeder's 5 year old female

[richards6402]

I have an opportunity to purchase a breeder's 5 year old female and I'm not sure what questions to ask. She is around 6 lbs and with the last litter had to have a C section so the breeder had her spayed. Right now she is still nursing her 2 puppies. The breeder is asking $150 for her. What questions should I be asking? The breeder is the one I purchased my dog from and I know her. Any help would be appreaciated.

[nanahas3]

I am not sure other than health questions but wanted to say that I hope you get her and that she can have a wonderful rest of her life with you and your family.

[richards6402]

Thank you for answering me Nanahas3. I was starting to wonder if I had asked a question that was off limits in this section. I have gone back and asked the breeder how many litters she had and hopefully she will tell me the truth.

I was more surprised that she asked $150 for her. If she had said I could have her for free as long as she went to a good home, I would have taken her right on the spot.

What do most breeders do when their females no longer can have litters? Do they try to sell them or give them away? Do they keep them as pets themselves? I really never thought about it.

I know her teeth are probably in pretty rough shape. I asked the breeder to send me a couple pictures of her knowing if she is still nursing her pups she will not look her best. Don't know if all breeders do this but this one keeps her females very short all the time.

[lisaly]

I would probably ask her the general questions relating to her breeding program and what health tests were performed prior to breeding. I would also want to know how she spent her life at the breeder ---part of the family, crated separately, etc. and how much exercise she got. All of these things will help you to make the best adjustment for you and her. Katie was three years old when we got her in May. She had been bred twice. I knew she had been socialized well because she was shown to her championship when she was young, and her breeder is also a trainer who always works with her dogs. Katie was part of the family with the breeder and had many siblings, but she made an amazing adjustment with us. I can tell that she is really happy, and we couldn't be happier with her. Good luck if you get this litte girl. We are so very blessed that Katie's breeder entrusted us with our precious little girl. It was a real heartbreaker for her to give Katie up, but she know that we are devoted to Katie and that we love her dearly.

[lisaly]

The fee that she is asking just covers the cost of her spay, which is pretty normal I think.

[Verbena]

Sorry sometimes posts get lost

To help answer your question. I would ask a lot of the same questions I would ask for a puppy. I would ask to see the vet records. Or ask to talk to the vet. Has she been shown? How many litters has she had? Is she pad trained or outside trained.?Have you seen her environment. Is she socialized? I hope this helps. Good luck

[richards6402]

Thank you so much for your answers. I have e mailed her asking how many litters she has had so far and haven't heard back. Is it true that for every time a dog goes in heat their chance for developing cancer goes up 10%? That is one of my main worries.

[gemy]

Originally Posted by richards6402

Thank you so much for your answers. I have e mailed her asking how many litters she has had so far and haven't heard back. Is it true that for every time a dog goes in heat their chance for developing cancer goes up 10%? That is one of my main worries.

I don't think it is as high as that. But a phone call to your vet would be ideal to ask this question of. I do have some stats, just not at my fingertips right now.

For me what I would ask is 1) reason for the spay? What went wrong in labour if anything?
2) Her last dental and if none - what are her teeth like?
3) What health tests has she been pre screened for. Most especially BATS. What are her knees like - does she have LP?
4) And now numerous questions about her temperament. Is she socialable? Friendly, inquisitive. Good with people and dogs? Does she have her CGC Canine Good Citizen? No problems with snapping snarling growling?
5) Training - is she good on a lead? Does she know the basic obedience commands?

For me I would encourage you to prepare a written list of questions, and then give her a call. Late Saturday afternoon or after dinner hour today might be a good time to reach her at home. That is if she is not a show breeder. Often times show breeders are out shows on the wkends, then Mon or Tues evening would be a better time to call.

I would not ask any of the above questions in a challenging way; but along the lines of; oh I just want to know a little more about your sweet gal. $150 is a very reasonable rehoming fee and I do want to be as prepared as I can be if I add her to my family.

I would also look at getting pet insurance - call up some insurers and see what the monthly insurance fee would be. Be up front about the age of the dog, and that she has been bred before, and the breeder is looking to re-home her.

I do so hope she comes from a well loved environment, and hasn't spent the majority of time in her crate! This you should really try to suss out.

This is not to say that if she has, that you should not get her; just be prepared for a couple of years of gentle loving and exposing her gradually to grass, the outside, strangers/humans, and other dogs. She may not know how to play (something I find incredibly sad), but she can Learn!

Yorkie females are often retired between 5 and 6 yrs old. So this female is well with in that age range.

I would ask for all the vet records be ready for pick up by you (if you decide) to accept this female.

I hope this helps and good luck!

[richards6402]

Thank you Gemy for your insight on this.

This lady is not a show-breeder and I still have not heard anything from her. She is located not far from me so I can go see the dog before I make any decisions. I am planning on sending her another e mail with more questons and will just wait to see what she says.

I'm afraid once I see her I'll take her no matter what her circumstances are.

[joannscpo]

gemy, you gave some very important info to Richards 6402. The history of the fur babies is very important.
I learn so much on this site. My baby Gigi is almost 18 months old, and don't know how I have lived without her.

[gemy]

Originally Posted by richards6402

Thank you Gemy for your insight on this.

This lady is not a show-breeder and I still have not heard anything from her. She is located not far from me so I can go see the dog before I make any decisions. I am planning on sending her another e mail with more questons and will just wait to see what she says.

I'm afraid once I see her I'll take her no matter what her circumstances are.

Oh do I know that feeling. Just do it with your eyes "wide open". But also of course ask yourself if you have the commitment, the willingness to deal with some social issues of varying degrees of complexity. In particular if she has almost always been in a crate. There is no judgement here, just my hope for a good match for both your sakes.

For me I have helped in rescue (twice) with our very large breed; and I know at this point I could not deal effectively in a long term way to re-socialize an adult BRT who might weigh in at over 120lbs. I can and do assess temperament and can deal and intervene for a short while, but a large dog with aggression issues should that be the problem is not something I'm prepared or willing to deal with over the life time of the dog.