OESCA Breeder Referral Program
We would like to hear from you. If you don't want to post your opinion for everyone to read, please feel free to send me a private message or e-mail to: oescrazy2@yahoo.com. If you have used the BR program, either as a breeder or a buyer, what did you think of it? Did it help you? Did you like it or dislike it? What kind of changes would you make to it? If you opted to not use it and got a puppy from a non OESCA breeder, what prompted you to go that route? How did you find this breeder? What was the end result? If you have any other ideas, suggestions, comments, concerns or praises  , please let me know.
Thank you for your input, Tarja |
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| Great questions! I asked you for referrals when I was considering getting a puppy. I was very happy that the referral program was in place because I wanted to support responsible breeding.
The thing I found a bit disconcerting was that it seemed as if some of the referred breeders had indicated that they had a litter available but then they referred me to someone else who had them -- someone who may not have been on the approved breeder list. The other thing is that it took me a tremendous amount of time to research and figure out which breeders belonged to which Champions and lines. I ended up relying heavily on the offa.org site but it was really complicated. Maybe if you go to shows all the time, this stuff is obvious. But for someone like me, it seemed hard to figure out. So maybe if you could provide kennel and Champion info in addition to breeder names and numbers, that would be helpful. I ended up getting an OES through rescue instead. . . |
| Perfect!! This is exactly the kind of info we are looking for.
Thank you!! |
| Hi Valerie,
I'm writing this so many can see a different perspective on things. It is not ment to offend anyone in any way and I certainly do not want to. So please don't take anything I say that way please. Sometimes the referal list becomes out of date even though they work hard to keep it as up to date as they can relying on the breeders to inform them of any changes, etc. Sometimes updating the referal service gets overlooked by breeders with all of the responsibility going on with their dogs. Plus, the OES world is pretty small and many times good breeders don't want or need to advertise. Dealing with the general public takes alot of time and is frustrating to say the least. So if we find what we think is a real prospect and someone is out, usually we try to help quality homes find a OES with info we may have and with folks we trust. As with anything, I'm sure that this is not always the case but I would hope it would be true most of the time. When dealing with the public, people can really test your patience and can be flat out rude. If you could hear the questions and attitudes we face at times, it would be easy for one to understand why many quality breeders don't advertise in any way or form. This doesn't mean they haven't signed a Code-of Ethics for OESCA. You would need to ask them about it and then check with OESCA to verify it. I usually won't give out info about my dogs e-mail or the internet unless I see their overall attitude on this forum and even then it's rare. I get nasty e-mails when I ask them to call and they won't take the time and want specifics over the internet when I have no idea who they are or what they are up to. I figure if they won't invest into a phone call, I don't want them to have a puppy of mine. Quality families and people are easy to detect when they contact you. Also, they are very rare! It's very easy to detect nice, caring and considerate folks. When you find one, you want to help them as much as possible. It's nice to talk with someone rather than get the 3rd degree like you are considered a lier and a crook. It's also real nice to spend enough time getting to know each other a little before deciding what each would like to do. I was very please to see you took the time to try and find a quality breeder. I am sorry the experience wasn't what you had hoped for. I was very pleased you considered and found a terrific rescue to make part of your family. But remember, the OESCA and the referal service OESCA provides is a volunteer position and the amount of time and energy she gives to try and help families find homes should be commended!!! It's not perfect but it's more than what one would have without it believe me. It's also a sensitive position making sure no one or kennel is favored to another. She only knows and gives info on who has puppies. Finding out Ch., kennel history, health issues, etc., is up to the one looking for an OES. The club can't really have it any other way. I hope this answers a few questions you and others have asked. I also hope it gives a different view to some on what many breeders face and how we view some things. Roland |
zach wrote: I'm writing this so many can see a different perspective on things. It is not ment to offend anyone in any way and I certainly do not want to. So please don't take anything I say that way please.
I'm not offended but it seems as if I somehow offended you. You seem to have the impression that I was complaining about breeders, volunteers, the process etc. I wasn't. Tarja asked for input and I made two observations that I thought might be of interest as the club evaluates the program. That's all. |
Thank you, Roland. Great points also!  |
| Hi Valerie,
To the contrary, I was real glad to see you take the time to give your thoughts and ideas. If it came accross that way, my apoligies. |
| Personally, I really believe that good breeders have a responsibility to the breed to work with the public , no matter how they come on. It is the same as folks looking for rescue dogs. It is time consuming and takes a lot of energy. Unfortunately this is the very best way that breeders and rescue groups have to educate people who are actively looking for a puppy. If Joe Public gets frustrated and feels badly treated when they try to to the right thing they will turn around and go the easy route...pet stores, BYB's and the internet. We all need to work together on education, and face-to-face with a LIVE prospect who is looking for a puppy is the very best way to do that. No matter what it takes. Education is key, and who better to provide that information than someone with the product. We would all rather have new puppy owners go to good breeders than other places, but consumers, being what they are, want it NOW and in thier way. It is up to the front-line folks to take advantage of that desire and turn it into an education. To help the breed...I don't now if the Breeder referral program has some educational material to provide to potential buyers, but I'm sure that tons of stuff could be obtained at local rescue groups. And people cna be encouraged to keep looking. If it doesn't work out witht he first one, then try another one. If the breeders are not willing to take the time to further edcuate folks then maybe they best not be on the referral list, as a good part of the referral should include much discussion on the issues other than "do you have any puppies?". |
| I am curious.Does a breeder have to Show to be a OESCA breeder? Kaye |
| No - not at all. Just has to do the things that OESCA requires for referal. |
| I am trying to find a breeder who will actually e-mail me back I am intending to get a puppy, or adult but every one I have e-mailed has just not e-mailed me back.I am even looking way in advance because I don't plan to buy for at least a year maybe two.But I really want to find a breeder and get a chance to get to know them and their dogs. I have even sent e-mails asking if I could meet a breeder but alas no one will e-mail me back. And yes every one I have e-mailed is on the breeder referal list. Any sugestions? I know these people have to safe guard themselves and their dogs but even an e-mail asking me to call would be nice. |
| I did find that some breeders would not call/or email me back either when I was looking for a pup. I was made to believe that they did not want to spend time or money if they didn't have a current litter available. Some of them also don't want to take deposits on a litter until the pups are born either. Certainly though a generic email response would be nice. If you want to PM me toot, I'll give you the contact info for our breeder who is also on the referral & mentor list & is in WV. She doesn't have any sheepdog pups right now but usually has 1 or 2 litters a year. |
toot wrote: I am trying to find a breeder who will actually e-mail me back I am intending to get a puppy, or adult but every one I have e-mailed has just not e-mailed me back.
Toot, Would you mind sending me a PM or e-mail, oescrazy2@yahoo.com, and let me know which ones you have contacted? This is a very important issue for us to discuss in our new committee. Thank you, Tarja |
VerveUp wrote: Certainly though a generic email response would be nice.
Absolutely! |
| I am trying to e-mail these breeders one last time I hope maybe our lines got crossed or something. I will keep you posted on wheater or not they respond Thanks Anna |
VerveUp wrote: I did find that some breeders would not call/or email me back either when I was looking for a pup.
We ran into the same thing about 2 years ago with a couple of MI breeders so we had to expand our search to national. We had called and emailed both a few times but they never had the courtesy to even respond. We were devastated at having lost our 11 year old sheepie-mix to inoperable cancer so it didn't go over real well with us. A simple email or call would have been polite and simply smart business. By not dealing well with the public, good breeders can force good people to look elsewhere. If they don't have puppies now, they can share the excitement of an upcoming litter and actually get to know a future purchaser to determine if he/she is right for one of their precious pups. They can also refer them to other good breeders. Just my experience and perspective... |
| Well hi everyone,
Well I'm real sorry that these folks do not respond at all. I am hoping that Tarja is contacted and informed of the lack of response by certain individuals that are making it look this bad so it can be addressed. The OESCA and the referal service is donating their time to help breeders and people looking for well bred OES to get in contact with each other. If breeders are requesting this service by contacting OESCA referal and announcing available litters, this service should be handled with courtesy from all involved. I am sickened that is not being addressed that way by some OESCA members and breeders. Maybe common courtesy should be included in the code of ethics. While I realize that long distance phone calls can be expensive and return calls should not be expected, e-mails certainly should be returned. Zach Zach |
| 6Girls,
Thank you for your input! We are going to try and do something about these things, since all it does is opens the door even wider to the puppy mills! 
Zach, I agree 100% with you. It is very upsetting that some breeders choose not to respond to potential buyers. This new committee we now have is entirely committed to the Breeder Referral Program. The more info we find out from you, yes you, the better we will be able to address these things and do something about them. Thank you, Tarja |
| Not wanting to offend anyone either...
But there is a fine line to walk with being too open, and too closed. By having a list of preferred breeders readily available with updates of prospective litters, & availability of older dogs through rescue it increases the chances of someone in search of a OES to secure one through a reputable breeder. The breed itself as a whole then has a better chance of flourishing with better breeding. By keeping a tight fist around the information a person in search of an OES may become so frustrated in their ability to assemble anything out of the meager scraps of information that they either turn to something akin to petfinder or give up on an OES entirely and invest in another breed. This only damages the breeds reputation and further diminishes availability of a quality pup. Looking at other breed specific websites and how their breeder referral programs are handled may be a clue as to how to level this playing field. You might be surprised to find that the OES sites are far more close lipped than others |
6Girls wrote: VerveUp wrote: I did find that some breeders would not call/or email me back either when I was looking for a pup. I too am from Michigan and ran into a similar situation which is causing me to look elsewhere. I also know of someone who purchased an OES from puppy.com and got a super puppy in conformation and temperament who is now 11 months old and she only paid $800 for her. which included the shipping. Unfortunately it was a first time breeder and does not have or will have another litter for another year, but if she did I would buy one. We ran into the same thing about 2 years ago with a couple of MI breeders so we had to expand our search to national. We had called and emailed both a few times but they never had the courtesy to even respond. We were devastated at having lost our 11 year old sheepie-mix to inoperable cancer so it didn't go over real well with us. A simple email or call would have been polite and simply smart business. By not dealing well with the public, good breeders can force good people to look elsewhere. If they don't have puppies now, they can share the excitement of an upcoming litter and actually get to know a future purchaser to determine if he/she is right for one of their precious pups. They can also refer them to other good breeders. Just my experience and perspective... |
| I began looking for an OES breeder last May, and this site has been VERY helpful in directing me towards responsible breeders. By contacting Tarja, she led me to several reputable breeders. I called and talked to 5 or 6 of them, and although none of the breeders I talked to had litters planned in the future, they were able to direct me to responsible OES owners/showers/and breeders closer to my regional location. With a lot of patience and personal interaction, my husband and I have found a GREAT breeder close to our area. We are hopefully expecting our puppy sometime in May/June (depending on when future mom goes into season). The process took a lot of time, but it was well worth the effort to work with a responsible breeder. Thanks to all the dedicated OES lovers on this site!! |
Great news guest! I hope you'll become an official member, this site has lots to offer, and we'd love to hear all about it and see pics too!  |
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