puppy purchase interviewing
Karen  |
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| Karen,
I found these websites helpful.... NoPuppyMillsCanada Tripod link Please feel free to contact me privately if you need any information. Thanks Kristen |
| Try this (from the OESCA site):
OESCA Buying and Owning or this (which is for another breed, but pretty comprehensive): Flat Coat or this (which includes questions you should ask ytourself before you decide what dog to buy): Syntari Hope this helps. |
| Thanks guys! This helps a lot.
Karen |
| Research is essential, but don't forget your gut instinct! |
| Yes the gut is good- I found this out while I was searching for Iris- I was in between breeders, and when I went to the show to meet both of them in person it was my gut that finally helped me make the decision. You have to listen to that "little bell" that goes off telling you if something is right or a little off skew-
Any time someone tells me "well, you know if you wanted to breed..." when I haven't even mentioned showing or !ANYTHING! it's time to just walk away! Karen |
So ya looking to get one now? 
waiting is so overrated. 
j/k  |
| I'm at the gathering info stage only.... Still have a bunch more $ we have to save up for our mortgage deposit....
As my husband likes to say: "house first, house first" At least I know what I'm looking for though- I love historic homes so I'd really like to purchase something that was built around the turn of the century. (umm- that'd be 20th, not 21st century, of course!) You're right- waiting stinks! Ah well... Karen |
 OK- Now I can't find my paper with all of the health testing websites on it! can someone give me links to the OFA and other health testing websites, please? Thanks
Karen |
| Here are some helpful links
http://www.offa.org/ http://www.vmdb.org/cerf.html http://www.itsfortheanimals.com/HEMOPET.HTM http://www.vetgo.com/cardio/concepts/concindx.php |
| http://www.offa.org/
The OESCA Code of Ethics also talks about some of the other genetic problems that Breeders should be discussing with potential buyers. OESCA's Code of Ethics |
| THANK YOU!!!! I've had time to look at the OFFA site- wow is that nice! I love being able to asee the 2 gen pedigrees w/ test results. It's a good way to winnow down the line on breeders that are/are not testing their animals!
Karen |
Quote: At least I know what I'm looking for though- I love historic homes so I'd really like to purchase something that was built around the turn of the century. (umm- that'd be 20th, not 21st century, of course!)
An old friend who lives in Michigan purchased an old historic home and in order to live in it... you must let people come through "X" amount of times each year. I wish I could remember who used to live there, but I thought it was pretty cool. He said there are several conditions to the house. ...like the upstairs can't have air conditioning or change this, that, or the other, etc... sounds like fun! |
| Karen wrote: Quote: THANK YOU!!!! I've had time to look at the OFFA site- wow is that nice! I love being able to asee the 2 gen pedigrees w/ test results. It's a good way to winnow down the line on breeders that are/are not testing their animals!
I think you are so right. I went about things wrong in choosing a breeder...having said that I love Jack and Annie with all my heart, but I would love to tell you about my experience to help you in choosing a breeder. If I had known more in the beginning I would have chosen a breeder that really knew her lines. Sure, she had a 3 generation pedigree and some of the lines I COULD trace and find out that the dogs were in good health and talk with the owners. There wasn't but a few names that I couldn't find, but it WAS those lines that took me a long time, almost 2 years to trace and the news was not good. A 3 generation is nice to have, but it takes a lot more than those 3 generations. They should know further back than those 3 generations. I found the questionable breeding in Jack's 4th and 5th generations. Of course when I do decide to breed, (not Jack and Annie, but in the future), I will make SURE that the lines I choose are tested and the parents of those dogs were tested on down the line. In my opinion, titles on dogs are great, it shows that the breeder knows how his/her lines measure up to the standard. BUT, as long as a breeder knows the peds and does the testing, THAT is the most important to me....just my opinion though. I am so glad to hear that you aren't rushing into anything. I think you have done a lot of research and I feel like when the time comes you will make a great decision. I don't think you were planning on breeding, but even just pet quality should have tests ran on parents and generations before. Sorry, I rambled so much. I feel so lucky to have Jack and Annie, luckier even that they are healthy and the best tempered dogs in the world, but knowing some of what I have found out, I feel like we could have had problems. Karen, best wishes to you on finding the perfect breeder for you, I look forward to hearing all about the puppy.
Stormi and co. |
| Another angle to check out when you are choosing a breeder is what the breeder asks YOU! A good breeder will be just as concerned about where and with whom they are placing a puppy, as you are in finding one. One on one meetings, home checks, arranging for someone in your area to "mentor" on grooming, training and behavioral issues as well as financials should be a part of the overall interview. A lot of people get upset by the questions, but remember, it's a long term committment and they should only want to find the best home for their "babies" as you only want to find the line with the healthiest and with the best temperament to come and live in your home with you for the next 10-16 years. Find out what shows the breeder will be in in your area and go and watch how the dogs are handled, groomed and cared for...it tells you a lot about who you are buying the puppy from by simply observing how they handle themselves in public, their willingness to answer questions and promote their breed of choice.....just keep in mind that right before going into the ring, all are under a great amount of stress, so just watch and listen and approach them when they are done showing : ) Oh! Don't forget the contracts that most breeders will sell under and be sure to ask EVERY little question that comes to mind BEFORE signing! If your gut tells you not to sign, don't sign it and ask to have it re-worded or re-written. Too many surprises can ruin a good working relationship with your breeder of choice!
Best wishes! Cathy |
| That link to OFFA that Willowsprite suggested is awesome. Good breeders get the hips checked on their sheepies before breeding and they are rated. The site is especially cool because you can easily trace a dogs heritage (assuming his or her lineage have also all been tested, which they should have been...)
Let me give you Farley as an example: Go to: http://www.offa.org/ Mom: DL81811903 Dreamtymes Dandi Dunkin Dame Dad: DL86580901 Shagshadows Storm Front Deceiphering the code: OFA number, followed by rating: E=excellent, G=good,F=fair,etc, the number following that is the dog's age when the xrays were taken - 32m means dogs was 32 months old Have fun checking and navigating the site!! |
| Thanks for all your input. I'm really dedicated (geez- can't you tell ) to finding the right breeder. It's a good thing I like research. So far, I've printed off the list from OES club of america of who's placed champions in the last 5 years, and the list prior to that. Plus looking at who is active in the breed right now (no good contacting someone who is retired!) I want to be involved with someone who takes the breed seriously- and coming from a show family- to me, that is integrity in health, showing, and relationships.
So- I can research the showing and the health- and that'll give me a place to start with the third piece of the puzzle. It's been really nice to look at that OFFA site- you're right Stormi, being able to go back to see 4th and 5th gen info (if it is there or not) is great. I'm already getting a feeling for who is dedicated to testing their stock, and who isn't. It's particularly comforting to see some of I guess what could be considered the "top" names in the breed really going all out and testing every dog in their program. That says a lot to me about their dedication to what they are doing! So here's a few of my early steps into research. Once I get past developing my short list, it'll be much more into actually contacting the people themselves- and then following Cathy's advice- making sure they're not gonna give their dog to any person off the street that comes asking! And geez, it'd be nice to find someone close to MN! Karen |
| Hi Karen...I've been doing a bit of search and research so if you want to compare notes off forum, just holler! It is kind of fun...and kind of frustrating, too!
Cathy oescreations@juno.com |
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