Anyone heard of Addison Acres - we've put a deposit down...
We went this weekend to Missouri (we live in Illinois) and we put a deposit down on a sheepdog. The place is called Addison Acres and they were really nice but then I found these boards and was reading things that made me wonder if we are chossing the right breeder. They aren't on the OESCA list for Missouri breeders and I'm not sure we're making the right decision here............. I know this sounds very irresponsible.......I believe we've been researching the breed without researching the breeders. The cost for these puppies is $500.00 - is this not enough money to be getting a quality sheepdog? THANKS< Amy |
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| Sounds scary to me. If you're looking for a life-long-loving puppy that has been bred as healthily as possible I would research elsewhere. I noticed on their website that they don't list any health information such as hip certifications or eye checks. While price doesn't determine the quality of the litter, if you are performing all the health checks with the parents and choosing mates to promote the breed, it gets quite expensive. Definitely call the breeders listed on OESCA. Good for you for recognizing some warning signs! |
| Welcome to the forum!
I know you really don't want to hear this but no, $500 really isn't enough money to produce a quality sheepdog. I'd guess you've already read some posts around here and encourage you to read some more. While I can't urge you to continue your transaction, if you do decide to go forward, please consider joining us here in our community for lots of support with your new puppy. |
| Welcome to the forum!!
Is it possible to "check reference" on the breeder. Talk to people who have their puppies?? |
| I could call and ask them. They did show me cards, etc., from people who have bought their puppies in the past, but I also realize that this isn't a very "full-proof" thing. I'm sure some of the cards were sent very soon after the people got their puppy so no health problems had arose yet.
I wish I would have done more research but at least we've only put down $100.00. They were actually willing to let him go at 7 weeks but I told them we'd love for him to stay with littermates longer, if possible. They had a kennel but they had two dogs in the house. They had 6 adults, altogether - is that too many? They claimed that they "rotate" they're dogs, both inside and out in the kennel. I will say that the puppies were on a quilt on the floor of their bedroom with a cardboard box bordering the quilt. They had lots of room, etc., but I guess I don't know if they were always in there. The lady was feeding them for the first time the day we were there. She was mixing in a blender some puppy food and goat's milk - said it was easier for their digestions. Seemed like nice people but I don't want to be tricked. - They let us stay there for a LONG time - we drove about 3 hours and really wanted to see our kids with the dogs and watch the dogs, etc. But, they were only 3 weeks old so.......... The dogs that were in their house, well, one of them, the male, Hunter, was HUGE. But, that's not the male that is the father of the puppy we put money down on. The father's name is Wellington and the mother is IZZY. They had semi-curly hair.....is that o.k.? Hunter, the one inside their house was HUGE and very sweet. What should I be paying?? Thanks again to all of you. Amy |
| Amy, I dont know about this breeder...but I can tell you my experience.....
We bought Panda from a ''reputable'' breeder, at least she started out that way....we paid $800.00 for her and that is on the cheap side.... Over the last few yrs, the breed that we bought Panda from has had quite a few negative series of events happen. I dont know what went wrong...but please just follow your gut instinct. Our Panda turned out A-okay, but as you learn more about REAL reputable breeders, you also know what to look for. The next go-round, Ill be much better informed and picky! |
| If you read through this forum you will read many sad stories of "puppies gone wrong".
You need to check for such things as, has any genetic testing been done. Does the pup come with a HEALTH guarantee, if some terrible problem crops up does the breeder stand behind her pups. Are the pedigree for both Mom and Dad available, have they been shown and championed? There are breeders here that can help you. I know nothing about breeding except that even well intentioned people who take great care of their puppies can, out of ignorance, breed dogs that present a life time of problems. $500.00 is a "bargain basement" price.......... Tweleve years ago I paid that much for an OES from a "backyard Breeder" for a pup with known faults. It would not be unusual to pay 3 or 4 times that much for a quality pup. Many people balk at that much but, in the long run, you are better off paying a higher price for a quality dog than getting a bargain that costs you thousands in vet bills for helath problems that come up during the life of the pup. My maltese was from a backyard breeder (aquired before I knew better). His breeder was the sweetest most wonderful women I ever met. The pups were raised in the middle of her family room in a spotlessly clean house where they were loved and adored. Unfortunately I didn't know about genetic problems and health testing at the time. I thought I was getting a deal by saving almost $2000 on the price of the dog. Surgery to correct his genetic knee problem will cost us $5000 by the end of the year. Not such a good deal!!! |
| I just checked their website.
I am sure the dogs are happy and loved. However, there is nothing about any testing of the breeding dogs, hips, eyes, etc. They have nothing about showing their dogs, so you are more than likely going to get a poorly bred dog..How do they know if thier dogs are close to what an OES should look and act like, if they do not show them? I would walk away. What you don't pay for now you will probably pay for down the road. |
| I am buying a pup from a breeder who shows regulary. Her price is $1800.00. This is more than I have ever paid, but I have complete confidence in her. She was recommended to me by another breeder who is also active in showing. I would check the breeders on the OESCA and call them. $100.00 is nothing compared to the agony of trying to keep your loved one healthy with a bad start. Good Luck, I hope you get a healthy puppy. |
Good luck with whatever you decide and we hope you post pics and stories of your new OES!  |
Anonymous wrote: I wish I would have done more research but at least we've only put down $100.00. They were actually willing to let him go at 7 weeks but I told them we'd love for him to stay with littermates longer, if possible. I think this is an indication that there is something wrong. In most states it is illegal to sell a puppy prior to 8 weeks old, and even if it is legal a good and ethical breeder would know the importance of staying with the litter until 8 weeks. |
| There are a few red flags here, including the price, lack of health guarantees and letting a puppy go at seven weeks. I'm sure these folks are nice and all, but a sheepie is, hopefully, a 12 plus year investment in love, time, energy and money. Nothing is guaranteed of course, and you can have health issues in ANY pup, even well bred ones, but the risk is reduced by proper care and health in the parents, as well as the pups.
Our first sheepie, Quincy, was $1000 in 1999, and he was "pet quality" due to an undescended testicle. Even then, the breeder wouldn't let him go until he was ten weeks old. Our current knucklehead, Oscar, was given to us by the breeder, as he is deaf, so I'm not sure what she would charge for a pet quality sheepie today. My guess is in the $1200 range. Whatever you decide, best of luck and welcome to the forum. Laurie and Oscar |
I always say trust your gut instinct there. If you feel something is not quite right then usually it is so. 
Where ever you end up getting a sheepie from PARENTS of the pup should come with all the health screenings and documentation provided from the breeder on the PARENTS for you to view. Genetic Health problems in this breed run true and strong, but a good breeder will screen all the problems of both parents, before producing a litter to hopefully ensure a pup with good health and years and years of love and joy. You pay for what you get, but in the long term prospect of things it works out better to pay for health and quality as opposed to a reduced price that might cost a fortune down the track with problems. Always try to buy from a reputable/registered breeder that has been appproved by an OES club and that way you are not contributing to Back yard breeders and Mills pumping out cheaper pups that could end up costing you a ton of money over the years because of Health Problems. A registered breeder and a higher price is the way to go to hopefully ensure a very healthy OES free from genetic health problems and most reputable breeders also give you a health guarantee there as well & care enormously about what offsrping they are producing. Some of these problems do not crop up till older. So Trust your gut instincts. |
| I've had mixed results with my two sheepie girls the first one I paid only 275 and she was perfect the other I paid 500 and had medical issues with her.From what I read so far I think this breeder with 3 males and 3 females may be asking for trouble later on it's posible to have 3 fathers to one litter. Geting a great puppy can be the luck of the draw.
Good luck on your puppy and to which you decide to do trust your instincts and go for it. |
| I am in the process of putting a deposit down on a puppy from Gwynedd Old English Sheepdpgs in Colorado. First I had to complete an online app. Then we emailed, emailed , emailed and I told her about my life, my dogs and my husband...in that order..LOL. She offered my one of her pups. She sent me a contract and a puppy agreement. She has all her information on testing all her dogs online and in the information she sent. She asked me many, many questions. I asked her many many questions. Her price for a pup is $2,000.00. The litters mom and dad are champions and award winners. THIS MEANS TO ME that they have very stable temprements and they are phsysically sound. That is all that matters to me. I an not planning to show my. I need a stable even temprement dog because I want to train her for therapy,just like my 9 yr old OES, Pearl.
I live in St. Louis...I tried to log onto the addison acres website and either my computer is messing up or they have brought their site down. I would not get a pup from Addison Acres. I think, Ali's last litter was 3 years ago. She does not breed often. If anyone has any of Ali's puppies from Gwynedd OES please let me know...I can't wait..... |
| Amy:
I can't tell you anything about that breeder, but I have to echo the others, trust your instincts. Some puppies that are not from reputable breeders will cost so much money and heartache in the end that it is not worth the lower upfront cost. $100 is not much money to loose when you consider the long-term investment you are making. Your puppy will be your best friend, they are so much fun!
Good luck! |
VALERIE A wrote: I am in the process of putting a deposit down on a puppy from Gwynedd Old English Sheepdpgs in Colorado. First I had to complete an online app. Then we emailed, emailed , emailed and I told
. YOU LUCKY GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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