Perhaps you watched Rin Tin Tin on TV when you were a kid and still yearn for a gorgeous German Shepherd. Or maybe your neighbor down the street has a breathtaking Dobe who’s got you longing for a big dog of your own.
You’ve taken to heart the instructions that every dog expert proclaims: buy a purebred dog only from a reputable breeder. That’s great advice – but how can you tell whether a breeder is reputable? And how do you find such a breeder in the first place? Here are some answers to both questions.
Read the classifieds with care. “Most serious breeders have waiting lists for their pups and don’t need to advertise in the newspaper,” says SallyMae, who lives in Sherrard, Illinois. “But some beginners who don’t have the market that long-time breeders do sometimes do advertise … and beginners can have very good dogs and be responsible, caring breeders.”
But if you decide to visit a show and talk with the breeders there, if you like dogs with excessive slope of some American show dogs and the roaching of some German show dogs. Time your approach carefully. SallyMae recommends that waiting until those breeders are through showing and have begun to pack up to leave. “Breeders are usually stressed and busy prior to a show,” she explains. “Afterwards, they’re more relaxed and have time to talk.”
Ask the right questions. Once you’ve identified some prospective breeders who have puppies available, make an appointment to visit them at their homes. But before you lose your heart (and your cash) to a puppy, ask the breeder some questions. SallyMae recommends asking the following four questions:
1) May I see the dam? The dam is the mother of the puppies, and her
temperament is a good indicator of what her puppies’ temperaments will be.
2) Do you health test? A reputable breeder will test her breeding dogs for health problems that are prevalent in that particular breed, and will show you the certificates indicating that the dogs are healthy.
3) What is your guarantee? A good breeder is willing to take a puppy back at any time in the dog’s life, though not for a refund. She’ll also give you 72 hours to have your own veterinarian give the puppy a check-up, and will give you a replacement puppy if the vet finds a
major problem.
4) Will you be available to answer questions and for guidance? A good
breeder is more than happy to be an information resource for the puppy’s entire life.
Do visit local breeders, and find out for yourself what is available locally. But even more importantly, you will gain the experience of dealing with breeders, get used to their lingo and excuses, get to know different dogs and their behavior, temperament, disposition, sizes, colors, etc. If you are a good observer and listener, every visit will be a badly needed education, and the honest breeder will appreciate your efforts.
Conformation or temperament? Conformation (color, shape, size) is easy to discuss and to form an opinion about. Any child can apprehend it and express a preference. Unfortunately, temperament (character, disposition, composure, moral and mental constitution peculiar to and individual, attitude of mind, hardness, willingness to work, protectiveness, trainability, courage, eagerness to please, calmness, loyalty) are invisible and impossible to judge at a glance. It takes time and depth of understanding to assess and consequently discuss a dog's temperament. Most breeders concentrate on conformation (show) features and are therefore seldom qualified to discuss a
dog's temperament (as are veterinarians).
Your solution to this problem: Interact with the dogs directly and simply get a gut feeling for their temperament. It's certainly more reliable then anything any human (breeder) can tell you.
Dogs do not lie, only people do. Always insist on direct contact with the
breeder's dogs and observe their behavior (temperament), then decide if that is what you like to live with. All the papers in the world can't beat a personal encounter.
Do listen to all the claims of the breeder and then insist on seeing the
proof, especially hip certificates and FCI recognized papers, trial and show participation and titles/ratings earned (don't bother with AKC / CKC or similar registration papers, they're worthless anyway). Honest breeders will have all of those papers ready and be happy at the opportunity to show them to you.
Do answer the breeders questions! You may not be aware of it, but you do need the breeder's expertise, now for getting the best possible match, and later for getting all kinds of advise on raising, training, dealing with health and obedience problems, etc. Any breeder not worried about the right match or whether you are sufficiently qualified to take one of his/her babies, is likely in it for the money, which is equal to running a puppy mill.
Do your homework and sort out the contradictions. Different breeders can have different opinions on the same subject (and disregard anything one breeder has to say about another breeder, they are likely old enemies). You simply have to spend the time and dig up the truth on any contradictory claims wherever you can find the answer, library, internet, etc. After all, you are about to commit yourself to sharing a major part of your future time, money, emotions, feelings and well being with another living being.
If it doesn't work out, it's your loss and emotional pain you will have to endure. An honest breeder has already invested an unbelievable amount of time, energy and money in his/her dogs, the least you must do, is sort out your priorities and know what you want to do with the puppy.
See the way it was: Old Fashion Large German Shepherds
www.ASuperiorGSD.com
Lane's House Of Shepherds
Large German Shepherds Intelligent, Noble,
Dignified, Sensitive, Loyal. Sound in mind and body.
LanesShepherds@Gmail.com
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