Responsible Breeders V Pet Shops or Internet Puppies
Choosing A Breeder and Your Puppy
Responsible Breeders V Pet Shop or Trade Me Puppies:
Over recent years we have seen an increase in numbers of puppies being offered by pet shops or advertised over the internet. We have all seen the cute puppies in the pet shops so cute and cuddly that are hard to resist. Easy to put on the credit card along with numerous must have puppy supplies. Unfortunately they are more often not what they seem. Costs are usually much higher than you would pay from a registered breeder - at times at least 1/3 more.
Every single puppy sold from a pet store comes from a backyard breeder. How can I say that? Simply because there is no registered breeder who would sell their dogs to pet stores - why would they need to. Even if the staff at the store assure people that the pups came from a responsible breeder. Lineage papers available after purchase - Papers that can not be verified by the New Zealand Kennel Club are not worth the paper they are written on. The New Zealand Kennel club offer very good advice to anyone who wishes to check the validity of parentage. (www.nzkc.org.nz)
Lets look at what you would expect from a responsible registered breeder:
A responsible breeder wants to know where their puppies are going.
A responsible breeder will interrogate the potential buyer about why they want a puppy, is their home puppy proof. What type of property do they have suitable for a grown Labrador, where will they house the dog and so the list goes on.
A responsible breeder will supply New Zealand Kennel Club papers - often with a endorsement. This is not a bad thing as it usually means the breeder cares about the puppy and wants to ensure that it is not bred from without necessary hip, elbow and eye certification.
A responsible breeder will ask that the dog be returned to them if for any reason you are no longer able to keep or care for it.
A responsible breeder will have ensured that your new dog has been bred selectively from parents that have been x-rayed and certified for hip and elbow dysplsia and parents will have a current eye certificate showing the dog is free from any genetic eye disease.
A responsible breeder will supply a comprehensive diet sheet and usually a guide to looking after your puppy especially the first few nights.
A responsible breeder will always be there to answer any questions you may have in particular those relating to feeding, and training.
CAN A PET SHOP OFFER THIS SAME SERVICE?
Trade me is another median for selling puppies and some may come from very genuine responsible breeders however Jargon on the internet to be aware of:
Pure Bred: Usually means both parents look like Labradors. No certified kennel club documentation you would have to ask WHY?
Papers can be seen - Why can the litter not be registered. Have the parents had papers with held for some genetic reason? Or the breeder just looking to make a few dollars and not worry about the paper work.
Pedigree - Fine if you can see copy of the pedigree and have written confirmation that the puppies will be registered with the kennel club.
Papers cost an extra $.... Under kennel club rules if a puppy is registered you should not be quoted an extra amount to have the papers.
Ready for Christmas - Responsible breeders will vet very carefully people wanting to buy a puppy for Christmas as we know that when these dogs grow up and the novelty of a cute puppy has worn off these puppies are usually back in the 'give away' columns of the paper.
Chocolate genes - So What. The breeding of chocolates is quite complex and you can not always guarantee that the puppies in a litter will carry the chocolate gene. Chocolate has become a very fashionable colour and demand often exceeds supply resulting in higher prices for often poorer quality. Puppies should be bred for type and not colour. Be wary of Yellow/Chocolate mating.
Hip/Elbow Certification - Means that the parents have been scored under the New Zealand Veterinary Association Hip and Elbow scoring scheme. This shows some commitment to bred from parents free of these hereditary diseases.
Choosing Your Breeder and Puppy
Computers and e-mail have seen a huge increase in initial inquiries being made to breeders. While this is a good means to find contact details be wary that sometimes things are not as they seem. If you like what you see phone the breeder and have a chat about what you are looking for. The breeder will also be getting an idea if they want to sell a puppy to you. Of all the internet inquiries I receive less than half of the people follow it up with a personal phone call. The person who makes the time to come and visit the kennels is obviously some one whom I am more likely to find a puppy for. Providing of course they live within reasonable travel time.
When it comes time to choose a puppy I am often asked "I want the pick of the litter". This is an interesting comment because this implies that the person is wanting the best puppy from the litter. Best for whom, Best at what? Usually I will bred because I want to keep something therefore I will reserve my choice and that puppy will not be for sale. I will not allow anyone to try and choose a puppy before they are at least six weeks of age. Puppies change so much and develop different personalities it is just ridiculous to try and pick any earlier. Whilst I have many years of experience and knowledge I still believe that some of the true picks of the litter have gone to their new homes and I am left with not what was the "pick" of the litter. Often the last puppy to go is not because he/she was the one left over or last pick, but one I was holding back as my choice to evaluate and determine if I want to keep him or her. In any one litter puppies are usually comparable, a high energy dog, a quieter puppy and the rest fall some where in between. As a breeder I spend a lot of time getting to know the puppies and why I ask potential buyers a lot of questions as to what they want in a puppy. In this way hopefully a good match is made. I have yet to have any one come to choose a puppy who have a knowledge of the concept of confirmation or working ability that could without doubt point to a puppy and say that is the Pick of the Litter.
The term "runt" of the litter to me means a abnormally undersized or sickly puppy. Few litters have a true "runt" but often a slight variation in size, given two years of growth and proper care and nutrition, usually balance out with their litter mates. I have hand reared two puppies who have successfully gone on to win in the show ring however at 8 weeks were looking very undersize for their age.
It is really about trusting the breeder to guide you through this process. If the puppy does have a problem or fault the breeder will tell you and explain it to you. (undescended testicle or hernia may be two examples) Most people find it very difficult to choose because they are unsure of what they should be considering if you do have a pick choose the puppy that your heart tells you is the one.
Some thoughts about picking a puppy:
Forget the book you have got out of the library that tells you how to choose your puppy
Forget how old the puppy must be before you buy it - if it is not x weeks old it is too old to train!
Bigger is not always better
Sit down, relax and take your time - Follow your heart
Listen to the advice of the breeder and ask questions - A puppy who is sleeping while the others were playing may well have been out playing longer, eaten more or just always quiet. Ask the questions.
Over the years here are some of the comments people make as to why they choose a particular puppy:
My father/mother used to bred so they are here today to help:
It was the biggest, lightest, smallest, darker colour, lighter colour, bigger head, most active, quietist, big feet = big dog, fluffy coat, came to my feet the first, carrying the toy, sleeping - must be quiet one, darkest roof of the mouth (black puppy!) and so the list goes on. Whatever the person has been told by some well meaning arm chair "expert"
Don't let the decision worry you - listen to the breeder.
Good Luck.
