Choosing a dog breeder

[Coco H]

Havign spent over a year researching breed of dog, time resources and training etc etc - we finally found a breeder we liked in the earlier this year and waited months for the bh to come into season. Sadly due to a large puppy getting stuck - not many puppies made it. They are unlikely to have another litter for 2-3 years+.

So we are back to square one. I revisited my short list and have spoken to two people who I liked (both KC accredited breeders) but total polar opposites. I am at a total loss as to which one is better on paper so visits are booked.

What I struggle with is that everyone is an expert about dogs - they all contradict each other and all think other breeders generally go about things in the wrong way. The cynic in me thinks this is part of a sales pitch or perhaps it makes them seem more knowledgeable than those they disapprove of.

I have a young family and a fmaily dog is what I am after. Please do not tell me again how much work puppies are - I am fully aware of this and have kept various animals over the years including horses and dogs whilst working full time. I really do appreciate how much work goes into dogs.

So perhaps some of you can view a descirption of two breeders and think of positives and pitfalls - to see if anyone thinks of anyone I have missed.

1) KC accredited - first litter from bh. Doesn't do lots of breeding. Recommended by another KC ac breeder whose dog sired the pups (so cynically you think she would). bh and dog have a full health checks - eyes and hipscores. Puppies brought up in a family enviroment in someone's home.

2) KC accredited breeder of dogs in a kennel. They work dogs and compete regularly - have done this for over 15 years my research has shown. Have been brreding 4-6 litters or so a year for 15 years. KC accolades shown on website. They seem to be extrenely knowledgeable - dogs had much more than stanadrad health tests done. Do come from working lines. They are very happy with our family set-up but the are more of a breeding operation - they currently have 2 or 3 litters.
Concern here is the fact that they have said that you should not consider a breeder who only has a couple of dogs or says they simply want to breed from their dog to get a puppy fopr themselves. They view that teh KC accredited scheme was set up for long term dog breeders who have high standards and not just people hwo breed occasionally. (sales pitch). Apparently you have to sign some forms pay £15 and you can become a KC AC breeder.
Their dogs are of a high standard and I have resaecrhed out some praise for them on forums. The working dog lines are also a concern - I assume the dog will need a much higher amount of mental stimulation - though I do know many have gone onto become good fmaily pets.

Thoughts.

[shoebag]

Have you thought about rescuing a Greyhound? They are very gentle.

[Coco H]

Yes and after a lot of soul searching the answer is currently no. I would like one, the cat wouldn't... the trouble is if the children were older we would. That's not to say we won't at a later date.

[netstar]

To be honest, if it was me, I think I would buy from the 1st people. The dogs a brought up in a home with the kids so will be used the the hussle and bussle of everday life and kids. The 2nd breeders are running a business and the pups would ve been bred outside, more like a puppy farm especially if they are having so many litters a year.

[Coco H]

That is my feeling. BUt most of the top breeders with the KC do have their dogs in kennels (some attached to the house) - they often have 3+ litters a year and you're right that has the feeling of a puppy farm to me. Clearly they are not but all the same for a novice it's hard to tell

[Kiltie]

shoebag said:

Have you thought about rescuing a Greyhound? They are very gentle.

Coco H said:

Yes and after a lot of soul searching the answer is currently no. I would like one, the cat wouldn't... the trouble is if the children were older we would. That's not to say we won't at a later date.

There are "cat friendly" greyhounds and your local re-homing organisation will be able to advise and match you with the right hound for your circumstances.

To an extent, I view my life before getting a Greyhound as "wasted time".

Please give it some more thought; and, if you have time, go and visit someone who has Greys. If you want contacts in your local area, let me know and I'll figure it out.



Cheers,

Eric

[Coco H]

Actually, now you mention it - I know of one cat friendly greyhound - she was a bridlington blue and the nicest dog I have ever met - rescued by a friend of mine.
I have always liked greyhounds and lurchers. I do have a 1 year old though and I think virtualy everybody has told me you must never get a dog and only a puppy with such a young child. Given I have not had a dog for over 10 years now and my children have not lived with one - I feel I should be taking the general advice. I also know there are no guarantees - with any dog or puppy.
(on the subject of rehoming - the other thing I don't like is the idea of a homecheck - people coming round to my house makes me nervous - should I clean it up! I also have a few small areas of fencing to make good - but quite honestly I don't want to do that in advance of knowing we are going to get a dog as I wanted advice on the best way to do them.)

[BlackVanGirl]

Got a friend with a cat-safe greyhound too.

Mind if I ask why you've decided to go the breeder route?

[parakitaMol.]

Why not start with breed specific networks. We contacted the Mini Dachshund owners club who gave us a starting point of names of a breeders who are well known and highly recommended. Then just started calling from that list, each would recommend someone else if they could not help. It took several months the first time to find the right pup. The second we were lucky with the right pup at the right age.

We visited potential puppies in their homes and walked away from one even though we'd driven all the way to Bournemouth because of our concerns/gut feelings. Which just demonstrated very clearly that KC pedigree papers only validate the parentage not the breeder!

[ClassicMercs]

parakitaMol. said:

Why not start with breed specific networks.

We decided we wanted an Irish Setter (the things you do - but so loving) to go with our other dogs. We did originally look at the breed rescue but there was nothing around - until we had switched to the idea of a puppy.

We then looked at the breeders register, and in this case there was a list of planned litters etc. Sadly none in the area at the time we wanted, for Xmas - no - not for that reason - we have extra time off work to settle the puppy in. We had to travel 250 miles.

We got it down to two breeders and from speaking to them, easily made up our mind. The breeder was a doctors wife who was lucky enough to be a housewife. They had breed experience, but were not breeders as such - just wanting to bring on an extra dog for the family but having a number of friends wanting a puppy. It would be a second litter, and not something they do regularly.

In the end we got to see the puppies being born on a webcam, which was live for 10 weeks. All the dogs were marked with a small ribbon so each one could be weighed and a history built up - including a DVD made - all thirteen pups. She lived with them in the conservatory for four weeks - FULL time.

Our nearest local breeder, like the breeder we chose due to availability, will actually also be 'interviewing' you. They want to know exactly where their pups are going. If they don't hear what they want to hear they will refuse to take matters further. Any breeder who does not interview you in as much detail as you do with them is not someone worth dealing with.

[Coco H]

ClassicMercs said:

parakitaMol. said:

Why not start with breed specific networks.

Our nearest local breeder, like the breeder we chose due to availability, will actually also be 'interviewing' you. They want to know exactly where their pups are going. If they don't hear what they want to hear they will refuse to take matters further. Any breeder who does not interview you in as much detail as you do with them is not someone worth dealing with.

That's the good thing about both the abve breeders - especially the stud kennel breeder - Basically it took 1 hours chat before they decided I was sensible enough to even view their puppies. We talked about previous dog owning history, who lived in the house, the set up at home, time avaliable for puppies, training methods etc.

[Jasandjules]

Coco H said:

So we are back to square one. I revisited my short list and have spoken to two people who I liked (both KC accredited breeders) but total polar opposites. I am at a total loss as to which one is better on paper so visits are booked.

Frankly, I don't think anyone can tell you what is best for you. When you visit them you might have a very firm view as to which one you prefer. And you might be able to tell from what they ask you how much they care and their attitudes etc.

And as a poster above has noted, they may well refuse to sell to you as well if they don't like what you are saying/asking. BUT if they don't ask you all about your house/family and ability to raise the puppy etc.. then they would not be the people I would purchase a dog from......

[Coco H]

Thanks - thats is good advice. If they don't want to sell to me - fine their perogative. We are to see one this weekend - with all the children and we will see if we like what we see and if they like what they see.