Reputable breeders - criteria for buyers

TG1

I'm looking for the wonderful boards contributors to settle an argument for me!

My friend and her boyfriend want to get a dog.
They want to get a fairly active breed as they are adrenaline junkies in their free time, and want a dog that will fall in with that lifestyle, and go off on adventure weekends with them.

They both work full time, but do a couple of days from home and a couple away. These days vary from week to week so some weeks there could be two full days they are away for 9/10 hours.

They went to a rescue first, and were turned down for this reason. So now they are hoping to buy from a breeder.

My thought on the whole thing is that if they can't gaurentee that someone will be with the dog during the week, a breeder shouldn't be happy to send a pup off to that home, especially given a rescue wasn't happy to send an adult dog.

Am I the mad one here, or do those of you that breed take this sort of thing into account when selecting appropriate homes for your pups? She has said she will sort a walker to come in on the days they are gone, but it still seems an awfully long time to leave a pup on it's own.

Other than that any puppy would be in the lap of luxury with them, but that seems a biggie to me and I'm surprised they seem to be getting places with sourcing a pup!

Hoboo

Reputable breeders will refuse to sell if they have concerns. Unfortunately our dog breeding laws are archaic, the country is littered (pardon the pun) with puppy farms, using a smaller premises such as their nice cosy family home as the place they show and sell the pups to anyone and everyone with the cash, whilst the mum lies in a coffin box in a shed. They don't give two doggy doo doos what happens to the pup.

If a rescue has turned them down they need evaluate their situation, and adjust it to accommodate a dog, not just go ahead to fulfil their own desires.

Knine

I would be very fussy about homes for my puppies.

I would be asking about previous dog experience as some of my dogs would best suit not as first time dogs. I would ask where any previous dogs were i.e where they gotten rid of or did they live to old age. I would ensure that any current dogs would make a good combination with mine e.g lively active large breeds they do well with.

People do have to work so I would expect that provisions would be in place to look afer the dog i.e not left at home for hours on end or sitting in a crate. A garden is preferred - one that looks like Alcataz. These terriers can climb/jump like monkeys and dig like a tiny JCB. They also fit through very small gaps.

I don't sell to the spay/neuter at 5/6 months old brigade.

If going to working homes, I need lots of references or to know the person. I ensure any pet homes know the responsibilities that come with a work orientated terrier. I prefer active homes. I do give preference to show/agility homes or peoole who previously have had the breed.

I don't always let people pick their puppy, i usually find out about the family and pick the most suitable puppy for them. By 8 weeks I see a lot of personality in the pups so I know which might be the best match

If the dog is for an older person, it is important to know that the dog will be looked after should the owner pass away. These terriers regularly live into their late teens. I heard about a 20 year old only today.


Things that put me off letting a family have a pup-

Got rid of last dog for the new baby, new job, no time etc

Numerous previous dogs killed on road, or shot for livestock worrying.

They ask for one that won't hunt

They ask for a very quiet one

They ask how long can a dog stay in a crate while they are at work.

Have never had a dog.

Dog is not allowed inside

They want 2 at the same time or for a Christmas present.

The above are just some of the inquiries I have had. While I might be very fussy I put a huge amount of time and effort into my dogs so I want to make sure they get the best home possible.

jimf

brilliant post knine

exactly how it should be

just to add any serious breeder ideally wont have pups for sale this time of year

unless mother nature is not playing ball with the dams season

muddypaws

jimf wrote: »

brilliant post knine

exactly how it should be

just to add any serious breeder ideally wont have pups for sale this time of year

unless mother nature is not playing ball with the dams season

Why wouldn't a breeder have pups at this timeof year?

jimf

muddypaws wrote: »

Why wouldn't a breeder have pups at this timeof year?

this might only be me

I much prefer to have pups on the ground from march onwards where pups can be brought out in the weather and socialised a bit to the outdoors

also a lot easier when pups are put on solids and mammy decides its no longer her job to do the cleaning duties

Knine

jimf wrote: »

this might only be me

I much prefer to have pups on the ground from march onwards where pups can be brought out in the weather and socialised a bit to the outdoors

also a lot easier when pups are put on solids and mammy decides its no longer her job to do the cleaning duties

I agree with this. Unfortunately Mother Nature often has very different ideas so that is what we have to go with.

jimf

Knine wrote: »

I agree with this. Unfortunately Mother Nature often has very different ideas so that is what we have to go with.

had a springer years ago I wanted to breed from unfortunately mother nature decided she was going to be a once a year bitch

did breed from her pups born in December I swore never again