This is why you don’t buy dogs from just anyone...
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_18909.aspx
Now for a little lesson in what to look for in a good breeder.
1. Keeps dogs in the home as part of the family not outside in kennel runs.
2. Has dogs who appear happy and healthy, are excited to meet new people, and don’t shy away from visitors (good temperament).
3. Shows you where the dogs spend most of their time in a clean, well maintained area.
4. Encourages you to spend time with the puppy’s parents at a minimum, the pup’s mother when you visit.
5. Only breeds one or two types of dogs and is knowledgeable about what are called “breed standards” (the desired characteristics of the breed, such as size, proportion, coat, color, and temperament).
6. Has a strong relationship with a local veterinarian and shows you records of veterinary visits for the puppies and explains the puppies’ medical history and what vaccinations your new puppy will need.
7. Explains in detail the potential genetic problems inherent in the breed (every breed has specific genetic predispositions) and provides documentation through organizations such as the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) that the puppy’s parents and grandparents have been tested to ensure that they are free of these genetic problems.
8. Offers guidance for caring for and training your puppy and is available for assistance after you take your puppy home.
9. Provides references from other families who have purchased puppies.
10. Feeds high quality “premium” brand pet food.
11. Doesn’t always have puppies available but rather will keep a list of interested people for the next available litter
12. Is actively involved with local, state, and national clubs that specialize in the specific breed; good breeders may also compete the dogs in conformation trials (which judge how closely dogs match their “breed standard”), obedience trials (which judge how well dogs perform specific sets of tasks on command), or tracking and agility trials
13. Encourages multiple visits and wants your entire family to meet the puppy
14. Provides you with a written contract and health guarantee and allows plenty of time for you to read it thoroughly; the breeder should not require that you use a specific veterinarian
15. NEVER sells puppies to pet stores! Never!
16. Do not ship pets. A good breeder wants to meet you in person to make sure you’re worthy.
17. Stands behind their dogs and puppies for a lifetime. Meaning that want the dog back if you do not want it anymore.
18. Do not breed bitches on back to back heat.
19. Should never breed to make money, should always breed to “better the breed.”
http://www.hsus.org/web-files/PDF/Good_breede r.pdf
One more addition. Your local animal shelter has a lot of animals in need of a great home. Not all new additions to your family have to be cute puppies. Give a lonely unwanted animal a chance and you will will a great friend for life.
Original Post by jewelsmcblah:
16. Do not ship pets. A good breeder wants to meet you in person to make sure you’re worthy.
I think a lot of good breeders do ship, I'm sure they have some kind of system to screen people? Only commenting on that because I'm a fan of lesser known breeds, some of which there are no local breeders of (or very few who most likely have giant waiting lists). Also my boss is a dog breeder, she had her newest male shipped (maybe some of her other dogs too, I'm not sure). Of course being a breeder herself gives her 1 up on regular people.
Original Post by moonikins:
Don't buy puppies from a pet store. Get them from an animal shelter or from someone who is a certified "Ethical Breeder". If you ever learn what puppy mills are like it will make you vomit.
Some of them even sell their puppies for more than a breeder would, it's ridiculous.
16. Do not ship pets. A good breeder wants to meet you in person to make sure you’re worthy.
I think the 2 hour phone interview, 1 hour follow up interview and the references I had to provide were enough for my breeder (in Alberta) to ship my fat bastard to me (in BC) ^_^. I would add to that list that they would insist on a non-breeding agreement and would withhold the AKC/CKC papers until you provided proof of spay or neuter.
But that is really sad. Wasn't there another rabies scare out there just a few weeks ago concerning a kitten and a softball convention?
spneuter contracts are a must too.
Kitten at a softball convention was in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee
Ahh ok, thanks, I had forgotten where it was.
Yeh getting my fella was a very big hassle but worth every agonizing second! I spent over a year combing chihuahua forums and websites trying to find the right breeder/dog. I am sorry to admit that my small tan dog is from a backyard breeder, but I was ignorant when I got her!
Original Post by p0nda:16. Do not ship pets. A good breeder wants to meet you in person to make sure you’re worthy.I think the 2 hour phone interview, 1 hour follow up interview and the references I had to provide were enough for my breeder (in Alberta) to ship my fat bastard to me (in BC) ^_^. I would add to that list that they would insist on a non-breeding agreement and would withhold the AKC/CKC papers until you provided proof of spay or neuter.
But that is really sad. Wasn't there another rabies scare out there just a few weeks ago concerning a kitten and a softball convention?
What kind of references did they ask for? Just people who know you and can confirm you're not psycho? :P
So we adopted it. :D Now we have the puppy from the neighbor and the pound puppy who're both happy, healthy, and spoiled, living with my mom (they're her babies) and my fiance and I have a dog that he rescued from a dumpster.
All four dogs, including the one who died, went to a vet to be checked out immediately.
Cool beans for you guys who like your pure breeds or specific little doggies, but I like mutts. They're always a surprise.
I really like to encourage people to adopt from local humane societies. I recently started volunteering at a humane society and the dogs (cats, rabbits, etc) are all really great. They're happy and healthy and deserve a second chance!
I you do any reading on "puppy mills" you'll change your mind about buying from pet stores.
I understand totally how it would be preferable to meet the prospective owners in person, but I also believe that if it's a caring breeder, they are not going to send their puppy to someone if they are not comfortable with the vibe they get.
In addition, considering I paid over 1k for the dog, and then to have her flown (additional cost) to Maryland...
If I weren't going to provide a loving and safe environment for the animal why would I shell out that kind of money for her?
A flea market though?
I go there to buy cheap party favors for my son's birthday party. Not an animal.
i visit the spca regularly, trying to meet my next dog. i'm still getting over my first-and-only dog, though. she and i were star-crossed. it's been over four years, but i still miss her every day, and i'm afraid another dog will never measure up.
another dog will never measure up. that's a fact, but that doesn't mean you'll love the new dog any less. you'll just love them different that you loved your first.
i'm getting closer to getting another dog. maybe when the snow's gone. i truly am still grieving, but i'm getting there....
Original Post by vicereine:What kind of references did they ask for? Just people who know you and can confirm you're not psycho? :P
Nothing quite so dramatic I'm afraid; she wanted people she knew in rescue to vouch for my ability to take care of a dog. Happily I was already part of that particular rescue organization so the references were a breeze.
@parvo - that has got to be the saddest thing, although the mother of my old dog had parvo as a puppy and pulled through (several thousand dollars later O_O). However she had an allergic reaction to one of the antibiotics she was on and her skin started peeling off. She looked really bad*** with scars all over her body - of course she was a purebred staffordshire bull terrier so she looked bad*** anyhow!
@pgeorgian when the right one comes along you won't hesitate. The new one won't measure up per ce, but it will develop it's own measure and you will love it just as much, just in a different way. I have no doubt you know all this anyhow; good luck finding a new dog that suits you.
My puppy in my profile pic is from my daughter's stray she took home not knowing mama was expecting mom wasn't "showing" but after awhile daughter called to say her puppy was getting fat!! We know mom is a min pin but what the dad is is anyone's guess.
I also already had a pound puppy - he's an aussie shephard mix who was about 9 monhs old when we adopted him. He was housebroken, leash trained and very well mannered. He loves the puppy and they have gotten along so well.
when growing up my parents always bought dogs from a good breeder we had AKC registered dogs of many breeds. I always have gone with the mix mutt breeds. One of the best dogs I ever had was a lab springer spaniel mix - she was so gentle with the kids and yet very protective
Original Post by moonikins:
Don't buy puppies from a pet store. Get them from an animal shelter or from someone who is a certified "Ethical Breeder". If you ever learn what puppy mills are like it will make you vomit.
I live in Philly and a local artist did a show called 'Puppies are Biodegradable" that documented the treatment of animals in PA puppy mills. the website is puppiesarebiodegradable.com and it's horrifying.
PS
Without saying more about the book, the buyers didn't get to meet the 'dad'
