What are some red flags when getting a new pup?
Is this a bad sign? They are akc registered, but I've heard horror stories about bad breeders. They claim that this is only her second litter. Please help. Any advice is welcome. Thanks for your time! melbatoast76@msn.com |
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| I would want to know why the pups died.
My short list of bad breeder signs: (I'm assuming your getting and OES) They are willing to let you take the pup home before its 8 wks. They breed more than one species of dog They don't let you see the parents (at least the mother in cases where someone else owns the father) They don't have their dogs hips and eyes certified The mother is less than 2 year old. The pups environment is not clean; pups and mother are not clean, mother is matted. The breeder doesn't ask you questions that indicate whether you will be a good responsible owner. There are no champions in any of the bloodlines. The breeder does not provide a guarantee of health. The breeder does not require you to give the dog back to her/him if you can't keep it for some reason or another. The breeder doesn't provide you with any references to other dogs that wore placed. You can buy the pup for $500. I'm sure others will add to this list. George |
| ^^^
That is a great list! |
| There have been a lot of posts about what to look for. Start with this one and have a look at the chart linked in the first post that shows a reputable breeder versus a backyard breeder.
Some of these other topics will also be helpful to you: http://forum.oes.org/viewtopic.php?t=14569 http://forum.oes.org/viewtopic.php?t=11913 This is what the OESCA suggests knowing before buying a puppy: http://www.oldenglishsheepdogclubofamer ... owning.htm You can check the hip and eye certifications on www.offa.org The old adage of "you get what you pay for" really applies here. Could you get lucky and not have problems? Maybe. But you're much better off making an investment with a reputable breeder that certifies hips and eyes and has a proven breeding program where diseases and defects are breeded out. A guy with a couple of dogs in his garage isn't going to be able to give you that. I think someone charging $2000-$3000 is a bit much. I'd look elsewhere but to get a good, healthy dog with a sound temperament that is a properly built OES, you can expect to pay around $1,500. Anything less and I'd expect that you'll start deviating further from the standard-- where you start seeing dogs that start looking less and less like OES and more and more like shaggy dogs with OES markings and with unpredictable temperaments. A dog is a long term investment so don't shortchange yourself to save a couple of bucks up front. It'll pay off in the longrun. |
| Why did they lose the pups? The breeder should be frank: were there birth complications? Mother rolled over on a puppy? Parvo--a dreaded puppy killer? Please try to talk with their vet and/or anyone who owns one of their puppies. Note: if there is any suggestion of parvo, you do NOT want to use this breeder. Not only will you get a very sick puppy, with many expensive vet bills, but the puppy may not make it and your home, no matter how good your decontamination, will be unsuitable for any other puppy for a long, long time. I am mentioning this because in recent months, more than one individual has posted about acquiring a puppy with parvo and the devestating consequences.
Do they belong to the local OES breed club? Talk with members. Be discreet, but try to pick up on any vibes that might indicate concerns that that person isn't really comfortable talking about. |
| I think her losing three pups sounds pretty consistent with this only being her second litter. Sounds like she's new to breeding. From what I've learned after speaking with my puppie's breeder, is that the longer a breeder has been doing it, the more knowledge she naturally aquires. If she has the best interest of the dogs at heart, she won't be ok with having lost 3 pups, and she'll be determined to learn all she can to avoid the same tragedy next time around. |
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