Your thoughts please on websites and pictures
 

I would like to have some input on websites and pictures. So here it goes.
I am picking your brains on what you do or do not want to see. This helps give me a reality check.

A short time ago I had negative feedback and was told that it was wrong for me to have newborn pictures on the site. At that time I thought that I wanted this persons approval. After a lot of thought- It just made me mad that the person was not looking at the entire picture and I felt was overstepping the boundaries telling me "nicely" LOL to make changes.

Pictures- do you want to see pictures of newborn puppies?

When is too soon to say a puppy is for sale? For exapmle - I have just had a litter of three males- I may intend to keep one of these boys. Am I being wrong to say that I am going to place 2 of the boys? I know that I only have room for one fella.

Puppy for sale page- will show a newborn picture and then pictures of the baby as it has grown. Original picture of it may be of 7/4/05 when born current picture may be three months later. Evertything clearly states babies are to be at least 12 weeks of age before placed. Does this make me look like a " bad breeder" by having the newborn picture in there? Or do you like seeing the picture.?

Thanks for your thoughts this gives me a start at what I need. As you all know I am not good at the computer and have to help with the Website. I am blessed that my dear friend and partner in crime Kim has taken
this task on. I just want and need your imput to help me make my site reflect
who I am and what I am.


Thank you

Regards

I love seeing pictures of the little babies. It makes you feel like you are already a part of the new puppy's little life. I wish there was a way to set up a webcam too! lol. I think it's wonderful putting the pictures up in order. I guess you could put the disclaimer up about their age if you want to. Just write on the bottom 2 male puppies will be available on such and such date.

To me, a pic of newborns is not a measure of a bad breeder. Dogs in cages, unhealthy, and in bad conditions are what a bad breeder is. Breeders websites always speak for themselves. I guess the best way to explain it is that you can just tell how much love and care is put into the dogs through the pictures and the content such as the health guarantee. Good luck in whatever you decide, and merry chrismas!

Kathy,

I, too, love to see pictures of newborns, and I like to see them as they are growing up. (I love to see their weights are they grow, too.)

I don't think it's too soon to say you are planning on placing two of the little boys. This will give their new prospective Mom's a chance to bond with them, through pictures.

I think your web-site is just lovely.

Sheila

Kathy - I personally love seeing pictures of puppies from birth till they're ready for their new homes - it shows the breeder has taken the time to document the process and how much they change...and gives people a sense of being able to watch them grow in pictures -

I don't see any reason for someone to be upset with that at all ! IF I were looking for a puppy I would love being able to see them from a tiny little baby till 12 weeks old - I think your website is great and you've put alot of work into it - Keep it up !!

and that first pic on the home page is the MOST Darling - love the expression of your baby on the left !!!

Kathy,

When I am interested in a puppy for sale I can’t get enough information or pictures. What could be more wonderful for the perspective parents than a chronological photo gallery? I say the more information the better.

Sue

I agree with the comments that have been posted before mine.

Perspective purchasers or those simply doing research and visiting the websites of breeders need all the information that they can obtain.

One thing that I would like to see more of is a documentation through all the stages of a yorkies life. I think I've only seen it on one website before. I think it would help to educate those researching the breed to have photos that show the progression from hours old until a yorkie is 3 or more years old. It would help viewers to understand that the cute little pup they take home at 12 or more weeks old will not stay looking exactly like they are when they receive it. This is one of only a few breeds whose coat actually changes colors (many times).

Just my thoughts on a chilly Christmas morning.

Aimee

HI Kathy,

I would say the more the better...I personally agree with the others and would place early pics on as well....it shows the growing process and is a good way to help us pic a pup....as for when to start "selling" again the earlier the better people can start a "bonding" process early and that too is good for the puppy and for the new owner....

I will have to go check out your site....Merry Christmas

My, oh my, who doesn't like to see pictures of newborn babies? I am not in the market to purchase any puppies, but I just love to see all the new babies that come along. And to see pictues of them as they grow. It makes you feel like you are part of their life. I think most of us on this site sort of feel like we have a vested interest in ALL the others yorkies, whether they are going to be for sale, or just are going to grow up in their original family. I love to see Eddie's escapades in the snow. I love to see Villette's Spy Girls in their adventures. And I love to see and hear about new litters coming along.

I also think it is great that you let people know that you might be keeping one (or however many) that might become a show prospect. And that X number will be available for sale or adoption at a later date. That way I can watch the progress of the show prospect and eventually root for him in the show ring. I may not be able to actually attend the show, but I can see how he does from the posts. It makes me feel like I am a part of the process. And even if they are not being kept for a show prospect, if they are to become a part of your family it is still nice to be able to watch the growing up stages.

Please keep posting pictures of new litters, so that I can feel like a proud aunt, or, at least, good friend of them. :yorkiesar

Oh I most certainly love to see newborn puppies on websites or anywhere. They are sweet and innocent. The look so different when they are first born and wow are they cute. I'm not understanding the reasoning behing the person writing that to you?

I love pics of the babies, and pics of all Yorkies, for that matter!! Don't understand why someone would be upset by them. And your website is great!!!!! ;)

Oh, by the way....
 

Your website is great. Kudos to Kim for all her hard work.

And I checked out your sires pedigrees. Wow! I was blinded by all the red print! LOL

I like to see newborn pictures even if they do all look alike and I especilly like the "progress" pictures. I think the way you described your site is wonderful. My husband breeds Beagles but we don't advertise them for sale until they are three or four weeks old and that is when we take deposits. To much can happen to a newborn and then we would have a lot of disappointed people and have to pay back deposits. We would love to have a website for them and definately when I have yorkies for sale but we are computer illiterate. There are a couple of places online that we place ads for our beagles though.

I also love to see pics of the puppies. And i love to see the pics that show their progress. I love your website. :thumbup: :)

I love to see pictures of newborn babies with their mothers and then when they grow up .

Comming from a woman who is currently buying her pup online from a breeder may states away.... That website is all I have! Well, and the phone... I could not visit! I could not hold, I could not get a real idea of what my girl is like without the website and the updates pictures she sends... I have not seen "baby" pictures of her... what a shame, what will I use in her scrapbook?? I wish she had posted Newborn pics! I would have them to print up and add to her brag book!

Things I would have liked to see when I was looking for my girl.....

A Bi weekly photo.... that would mean 6 pics at 12 weeks for each pup listed! along with their asking price and deposit amount and date they will be avalible. And a SOLD sign if they have been spoken for!

Bi weekly weights printed at the bottom of each photo.

Action shots! And pick from the side, showing the full stance and body!Puppy faces are very cute... but you are looking at buying a whole dog, not just a head : )

A page dedicated to the testing and whatnot you have done on the dams and sires... broken down to each one... so its clear who has been tested for what!

A full list of what your pup will include at time of pick up... like tests, Vac's, microchipping, paperwork, contracts, and any extras.



It was very hard for me to make a decision when picking a breeder... And even once I did I was told stories that made me question my decision. Its not easy if your going out of state for a pup. But the website really helped... being able to see the home, the dogs, the puppies of past and read all of the info... Its a great tool to get to know you as the breeder and it also saves you from ansering alot of questions that you could cover in print on your site before you ever talk to a buyer.

Oh, and decideing that you have two pups avalible so soon is AWESOME! It will give your buyer more time to decide, prepare, and most of all bond with them through pictures and updates! And posting the picks of the third pup with the note that you are holding him back for possable show, is even better, it speaks to the quality of your litter and lets the buyers watch the "Pick" progress as well! And if you decide to let your "Pick" go at some point, you will have a great many people who will be ready to snach him up as they have watched him grow and have maybe been hoping you will offer him up!

Just my thoughts! You know I am looking for a future show girl... I will keep my eye on your site!

oh!!! What about a page where you can display letters from people who have bought your puppies in the past? That would be very nice! Maybe some would be willing to put contact numbes up?? I know I would for the pup I am getting and will be offering this to the breeder!

This would have been huge when looking for a pup!

I love seeing the new babies! They are so adorable with the new mother taking such good care. Your site is great and very educational. I liked looking at the developmental stages of the puppy.

I absolutely love your website. It makes me want one of your pups. If I had only known how great Yorkies were, I woulda had Yorkies instead of kids..just kidding..:-) Seriously, though, it's one of the best I've seen. I think one thing I really like on other breeder's sites is pictures and excerpts of letters from people who've gotten puppies from you. It's fun to look at them at their new homes and keeps you in touch with where your babies are. I email pics of Scout to his breeder all the time! It would be great to see how his brothers and sisters are getting along. GREAT SITE just the way it is, though. The newborns are lovely and it shows what nice mommas you have too.

I love being able to see the new babies when they're born! Especially when you plce pictures as they grow. Why do we show newborn pics and on up to friends and family as our children grow? Is that wrong? There will always be people who have their own opinion, but personaly I like seeing the brand new babies.

And it's not wrong to say you'll be keeping one and placing two. If you fear what someone might say, just say you have two babies and when they will be ready. No one has to know there is a third and you're keeping it. Even if they do know, you are the breeder. It is your right to do with the puppies as you choose. Be it keep them or sale them.

In the end, all that matters is the babies are being well taken care of (which I trust you are a fantastic momma!). And if someone wants to be that nit-picky about your website...well let them be. lol It's rediculous for someone to get upset over something such as you posting newborn pictures. There will always be someone to criticize. I do like what Kathryn V had to say though. Those were great suggestions!

P.S. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Kathy, I think that photos of new born puppies are just fine, there shouldn't be a reason why someone wouldn't want to see pictures of the ones you have. It just shows that your taking interest in finding them the best home possible. Like, you could show all threee males but be honest and say that one will be kept for you. Then you could give the first one say, first and second pick, that way if one of the puppies they choose is the one you keep they still had their second pick to take home. Letters from previous owner/buyers would be great and even contact numbers privately if you think that they are really yorkie worthy :) Sometimes the only thing that drives me crazy is certain music, especially if you can't shut it off!...

site
 

I like your web site very much..well done and tasteful.

I like your website very much as well. And since I have met 2 of your babies that my cousin now owns, I can vouch for how truly beautiful your pups are too.

I love when breeders display early baby photos including the mom with them. It makes a potential buyer feel more familiar and bonded with the pup before they come home. It also shows a buyer who may not be able to visit your home, the kind of surroundings and care the puppies and mother are receiving while in your care. Speaking from a pet owner's point of view, I can't see any reason why you would be criticized for doing that. It's also nice to see grown pics of pups from previous litters.

When I picked up my Tinkerbell, a precious gift I received from my cousin (her breeder) was a baby book with weekly baby pics inside. I loved recieving them and i was so happy to have been able to see her and her siblings grow and change during the time she was not with us.

Who wouldn't want to see photos of their puppy growing up? When I had puppies for sale I had their photos posted on my website and the new owners where also sent new progress reports and photos every Sunday. Everyone loved it! In fact one new owner even made a puppy growing up photo album - an adorable item she never could have had if I had not taken the photos in the first place.
Also, you want to try to find owners for the puppies and you want to have the time to do so. At 10-12 weeks of age you dont want to go out and find just anyone to be your puppies forever home. Placing puppies on a website gives you those 10-12 weeks (or longer if you take names for future litters) to find the best homes you can for your babies. :D

Thank you so much for all of your thoughts and comments. I was worried that I had my head on backwards. I needed a reality check and you folks have helped me so much. I thank each and every one of you.

A very well known breeder made the comments about the babies being on the website. The comment to me was "Also as a point of interest and for your benefit as well as anyone's- I suggest under available puppies... don't put up pictures on your web without their eyes opened...That looks VERY bad, AND gives the impression that you are pushing pups out the door just to be breeding for a profit and not considering the betterment of the breed."

I thought that the public would want to see the puppy from birth to 12 weeks of age. I was shocked and upset about the comments made by this breeder. I over reacted. I sit back and laugh at this point- Since 2000 to date I have a whole 6 litters to my credit- I am not making much profit at that pace and several of those litters had one or two puppies. Take out the puppies that I gave away to family ,freinds and sick adults and kidsand guess what I am in the red again. This would have been a big month for me but one of my gals who I took out to be bred did not take. I have one more left for the year. Will keep my hopes up for ending the year with a bang.

Fo those of you setting up websites- please use the comments that were posted to help you. I found it so refreshing and helpful. Thank you once again.

Kathy,

You do what you are comfortable with. Like everyone else on here, I see nothing wrong with posting pics of the puppies. Some people just need to lighten up. If they don't want pup pics on their site that's fine, but to tell you you shouldn't is just obsurd!!

Kudos to Kim for maintaining it for ya!

Hugs,
Irene