How to find a responsible dog breeder

[hollyclyff]

Oh, I know you weren't talking about me personally redhen. I just wanted to point out that all show dog breeders don't look down on pet people. In fact most of the ones I know don't. Everyone I know produces pet quality puppies in nearly every litter along with the show dogs. Who buys these puppies? Pet people of course! Thank goodness for pet people! But, at the same time, I wouldn't breed my stud dog to a poor quality b*tch. It's not because I look down on those people or their dogs. I just don't want to participate when there is no need to. If someone else does, then they can. I'm definitely not one who thinks everyone should do things my way only. But I don't have to be a party to doing things I don't agree with. I don't think that makes me a snob though. I love and admire dogs of all shapes and sizes, purebred or mixed. I just know the breed that fits me best and I like for them to be all that they are meant to be, as much as possible.

And yes, I guess I would look down on someone who abuses their dog or dumps them at the pound when they get tired of them. That's not exactly the same as looking down on someone because their dog is not show quality.

 

[Brindlebtch]

redhen: My very first dog was named Daisy Mae. Its a very good name!

 

[redhen]

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I understand you completely.

 

[redhen]

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hehe..yup..shes a sweet heart. She just wants to love, love, love ya to death!

 

[verity]

Brindlebtch: Thanks for the response -- yes, all reputable breeders should offer a refund for puppies who have problems for which the parents have been tested -- the ones I know do just this --

The pup I bought who turned out to have hip displasia was such a case -- the breeders paid for all her tests and meds and refunded my money -- they offered to pay for ALL of her 'vet needs' for her lifetime -- even the things not caused by the hip dysplasia.

You probably guessed that the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel IS 'my' breed --
Sadly, the original gene-pool was so small that these fabulous dogs have more than their share of genetic risks: retinal dysplasia, mitral valve disease, luxating patellas, syringomyelia, and, often, a tendency toward skin allergies --
breeding a healthy Cavalier litter is a daunting task but there are still breeders who insist there are absolutely no health problems in their lines.

Most of the breeders I have known thru the years are doing everything they can to breed only from 'clear' dogs -- unfortunately, some of the issues like the syringomyelia and mitral valve issues often don't show up until a dog is 3 or 4 years old and may have been used for breeding -- my dysplastic Cavalier came from parents who were graded 'excellent' by OFA -- we just cannot control everything --

With the popularity of this breed, there are puppy-millers and the 'anything for a buck' crowd who put up stunning websites filled with lovely pictures, etc. and there were two of these who recently offered 'lifetime health guarantees' on their websites --
another breeder advertised that the puppies they sell 'do not shed' --- (I want to find one of these!)

Again, I am not a breeder -- just a 'fancier' of Cavaliers -- first saw them in England in 1983 --
We are active in the Club and I was the chairperson for Cavalier Rescue for Cavaliers of the South for years --

It just makes me sad that these dogs are being sold (for a lot of money) to families who believe all the 'hype' about a very popular breed --- and then when there is a problem, the dog is turned into a shelter -- if it's lucky -- then, again, if it is lucky, ends up in rescue (and, sometimes ends up living with us --- )

 

[redhen]

The King Charles Cavalier was one of the very first breeds that i ever wanted. OOh, i LOVE those dogs! Pics!! Please?

I cant have one now that i have my big goofy dogs..*sigh* But maybe someday...

 

[Redyre Rotties]

It is a fact, verity, that you cannot guarantee the health of the puppies in any litter.

You can only guarantee that the parents are healthy at the time of the breeding. At this time the Canine Hip Dysplasia rate for Rottweilers who are screened at the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals show about 18% are borderline or dysplastic.

This sample would be considered the upper end of the scale in the entire population because only a small percentage of the general population is screened, and these dogs come from above average breeders.

No matter how carefully the breeding partners are selected, you are going to have some dysplastic offspring if you breed Rottweilers.

However, if a dog has an issue with hips or elbows or heart, the fact is this is going to be discovered at or before 2 years of age almost all of the time. This is why I guarantee dogs until 36 months of age.

I can't guarantee your dog won't get cancer, or arthritis, no matter how carefully I select the dogs to breed. I can guarantee that I will treat you as fairly and kindly as I possibly can if you fall into the wrong side of the percentages with one of my puppies.

The people who buy the puppies are one of the reasons many of us try so hard to breed healthy (and beautiful) dogs. The single most important to me as a breeder is a happy responsible lifetime home for each puppy that I don't keep. I screen in detail the homes my puppies go to, and I consider each buyer a personal friend. My puppies are born into my hand, and each litter is carefully planned and raised to be the best they can possibly be. I said earlier that the people who buy the puppies are one of the reasons why breeders like me do the things they do. The other reason is because we love our breed. We love our breed, and we put what is best for it first, above our own personal goals and dogs. The breeding decisions we make contribute to what our breed becomes in the future, and what future breeders have to work with.

What may sometimes come across as "snobbiness" is in often fact a deep love and dedication to the preservation and protection of one's chosen breed.

I posted this thread originally so that people visiting this forum could read how various websites define responsible breeding. Once people have this information then they can make a more informed decision about purchasing a dog, no matter where they decide to get their dog.

They may also help someone make their own decisions about what kind of breeder they want to be.

That was my goal and intention.

 

[Brindlebtch]

I wasn't saying you were being snobby Rebekah, that was not my intent. I do believe there is a certain % of dog people, greater than the average population, who are. None of that rant was aimed at you or anyone on this forum.

The reason I started showing in the conformation ring was because I was told by a bigtime AmStaff breeder that my performance dogs are 'trick dogs'. Uh-huh. Well, now they are mostly champion 'trick dogs.'

Your name is familiar. Do you know Donna Rice? Or Jeff Shaver (Schafer?)? Donna used to track and do agility but she moved and Jeff still does tracking but gave up agility and does a lot of conformation.

 

[Redyre Rotties]

oh no no, BB, my comments not directed at any person in particular, I have enjoyed your posts.

 

[mekasmom]

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I agree with this. Years, and years, back we went to dog shows all the time. Now it is so different. Full of arrogance, nastiness and snobbery. What happened? I won't show anymore because of the nastiness in the people at show that just cropped up during the last 20yrs or so. In the past, the poodle world was always kind of snobby, but not other breeds so much. What happened?

I have reached a point in my life that I just prefer to buy from people who have pets that have had puppies. I don't want to deal with arrogance. I just want pets. If the parents are on premises and look healthy to me with decent temperaments then I will buy a puppy from them. I'm not going to bow down to outrageous requirements from the breeder (or rescue), nor will I pay an outrageous price. In fact, you usually don't find a good quality dog from a shelter because the rescues snatch them up to resell at a higher price. And I won't pay four hundred plus dollars from a rescue for an 8yo dog that I can buy for half that from a pet owner/breeder at 8wks old. I can see going to a show breeder and paying $1500 for a show prospect (just did that for a nice quality St. Bernard), but for a pet, just search the want ads and buy a pet puppy. I have done it dozens of times over the years, and it is the best option for a pet.