BUYING A PUPPY
RESEARCH AND BUYER RESPONSIBILITY ARE THE KEYS TO FINDING A HEALTHY PUPPY.
BY SUSAN LACROIX HAMIL
The press has been having a field day recently by bashing the purebred dog. Various publications and authors point fingers at easy targets such as the dog registries, the breeders, the dog show or the pet shops, but no one has yet dared point a finger at the American dog buying public.
The public's continued appetite for more dogs, coupled with the desire for instant gratification, has led to most of the problems encountered with purebred dogs. With all the negative publicity of the past decade, it is difficult to believe that any conscious person is unaware of the puppy mill problem, yet puppies and kittens continue to be sold in large numbers through commercial retail outlets. If the American public did not strongly desire to buy dogs on impulse, the puppy mill problem would disappear overnight.
If the dog-buying public purchases puppies only from breeders who are trying to do a good job of producing emotionally and physically sound puppies, the bad breeders would stop breeding because they could not sell their produce. Instead, substandard or ignorant breeders exist because the public sustains and encourages their existence by allowing impulse, convenience and price to dictate their choice.
TYPES OF BREEDERS
In part, the confusion stems from the term breeder. Breeder always refers to the owner of the dam, or mother, at the time the mating took place. There is no organization that certifies breeders, checks their facilities, intelligence or honesty, or approves their breeding stock. "Papers" and pedigrees can be worthless unless the breeder has the integrity to stand behind her dogs.
Few people are familiar with the terms commercial breeder, backyard breeder and hobby/show/performance breeder. To most people these are confusing and loaded terms. What difference among these breeders?
Generally, anyone breeding for the commercial pet market, whether he or she produce one litter or 100 litters, is considered a commercial breeder. Often, these breeders breed large numbers of dogs of different breeds specifically for the retail market. Little genetic screening is done to select breeding stock because it is cheaper to replace a defective puppy than to throw out breeding stock based on one to two complaints.
The commercial pet industry does have a voluntary organization of commercial breeders, the American Professional Pet Distributors Inc., which sets standards for its members in the commercial breeding industry. This group hopes to elevate the image of their industry and combat the image of poor housing, over crowding and substandard care associated with the "puppy mill".
Other breeders that breed for the commercial market may sell right out of their kennels. Usually it is not a good sign that a kennel has many breeds. It is difficult to keep up with the trends and concerns in one or two breeds, much less three or more. When a breeder produces a large number of dogs, there is not enough time to follow up on the puppies produced each year. This breeder usually offers little or no help should the buyer be unable to keep a dog for its lifetime.
Generally, commercial operations cannot and will not take the time to consider and screen for genetic defects because they are in business and there is a financial bottom line to take into consideration. They do not have information on littermates of breeding stock or a large percentage of the dogs produced from previous matings. In addition, because they are breeding for the pet market, the dogs they produce should be considered as pets only, not used for breeding by novice owners. Even though many of the puppies sold through commercial channels are just fine as pets, some can have major problems. The good news is the majority of pet stores offer some type of compensation or replacement in the event of major illness or defect.
"Backyard Breeder" usually refers to someone who has a dog in the backyard that he happened to breed. It is the equivalent of "I have a dog and you have a dog, so let's breed them because the puppies will be cute". These are the people who are motivated to have "just one litter" so the "kids can see the puppies being born" and who plan on giving most of the puppies to friends and coworkers because they are not in it for the money." The good thing about these puppies is that they will be home-raised and usually well socialized.
Yet there are other backyard breeders who keep one or two females and have one or more litters a year. For these "backyard" types, the motivating factor is money.
Rarely will either of these breeders pay to have genetic screening for either the sire or the dam. Often the puppies are sold without proper vaccinations or wormings. Also, the breeder's experience is often limited to her individual dogs; therefore, she is of little help to buyers in solving behavior or physical problems with their dogs. She won't take a dog back if the owner cannot keep it because, as she will often say, she is not really a breeder, she "just wanted to have one or two litters."
The hobby/show/performance breeder is almost always the most dedicated to his dogs. He knows the bloodlines, he knows the problems, and he thinks of his dogs as part of the family. When a potential buyer asks why a litter was produced the answer involves improving the breed. This breeder has made a lifetime commitment to the betterment of purebred dogs and wants assurances that people who buy his dogs are informed and committed to giving the best possible training and care to the dogs he produces.
The key here is the definition of "improving the breed." Ideally, this means that the improvement involves the elimination of physical and behavioral defects. Sometimes, however, ego gets in the way, and the real-world definition of "improvement" means a bigger win in some future competition. Sometimes this type of breeder becomes so involved in her breed that she becomes "kennel blind"; that is, blind to the problems found in the dogs in her bloodline.
Puppy prices vary greatly by breed and source. The most popular breeds sometimes cost less than the more unusual ones. Commercially bred puppies have a retail markup of 100 percent or more based on the wholesale price the pet store paid for the puppy. Puppies produced by hobby\show\performance breeders sell for about the same price or less than those at retail pet store. Puppies from backyard breeders sell for about the same price or less than those at retail pet store. Puppies from backyard breeders generally are the least expensive. Comparing value for price, the hobby\show\performance breeder almost always provides the best puppy for the money, provided he can furnish adequate answers to questions and proof of genetic screening.
LEARNING ABOUT THE BREED
The advantage of buying a purebred is the predictability of appearance, size, temperament and possible health problems. Yet the public continues to refuse to research the breeds they are buying in regard to these predictable characteristics. Researching a breed can be difficult and tiresome, and sometimes-good information on a particular breed is unavailable or so biased that a buyer cannot make an informed decision.
A good place to begin is the American Kennel Club's COMPLETE DOG BOOK. This book contains a brief overview of each breed and the breed standard for each breed registered by the AKC. The parent club for each breed controls the breed standards. The parent clubs compile breeders, judges and performance enthusiasts. The parent club controls the standard for its particular breed, and only the parent club can change the standard.
Review the purpose for which the breed was developed, how large it is supposed to be, what colors are allowed and what type of coat is acceptable. Beware of people promoting "rare" colors or coat types and miniature or giant versions of a breed not described or approved in the standard. The breed standards were written to promote soundness and conformation for a specific purpose. When buyers demand extreme variations, they are generally promoting and courting disaster. Many of these rare examples of a breed are specifically disallowed in the standard. One example is off-color Dobermans. Ask your veterinarian how many off-color Dobermans have skin and coat problems.
The dog-owning public has a fascination with the unique and the bizarre. They want the tiniest of the tiny and the biggest of the big. They want the most wrinkles, the largest eyes or the shortest nose, but then they complain loudly when the dogs have health problems and the vet bills mount up. So resist the temptation to encourage the production of dogs that push or exceed the boundaries of moderation described in the standard. Most breed standards call for moderation, and when those boundaries are exceeded, health problems will surely follow.
With the more poplar breeds, anecdotal information is easy to come by. Visiting with owners and taking with dog trainers and veterinarians can provide a lot of information. Limiting choices to the most popular breeds ensures the widest selection and greatest availability of breeders and dogs from which to choose. A buyer whose heart is set on a less popular breed must be prepared for more difficulty in finding just the right puppy at exactly the time it is wanted.
FINDING A BREEDER
Finding a good breeder may be difficult, and it will take some time and phone calls. First, call the AKC's telephone information line -900-AKC-PUPS-for a list of parent club recommended breeders. For breeds that are not registered with the AKC, the buyer must locate other registries, clubs or individuals. Sometimes these can be found in the classified section of dog magazines.
Newspaper classified ads are generally used by novice breeders who have no other means by which to dispose of their puppies. However, some qualified breeders may take out a classified ad if they are looking for good pet homes for puppies not intended for breeding, performance or show stock. It is up to the buyer to determine which breeder's puppies are worth consideration.
Veterinarians can often steer buyers to responsible breeders. They may have a close association with a breed or group of dog enthusiasts, or they may have a client who is planning a promising litter.
In any case, a visit to the veterinarian is a must before beginning to look at puppies. Ask questions regarding particular health problems in the breeds being considered. Again, the more popular the breed, the more information available. In less popular breeds, the veterinarian will not have a broad range of experiences from which to draw, so the buyer must relay on the honesty of the breeder regarding breed-related problems.
A personal recommendation from a satisfied owner is an excellent way to find a breeder. Even if that breeder is not expecting a litter soon, she should have enough contact within the breed to refer buyers to other reputable breeders.
INTERVIEWING BREEDERS
Make a list of questions to ask the breeders:
1.Do they belong to the parent club?
2.How long have they been breeding this breed?
3.How many other breeds do they have?
4.How many litters have they had?
5.What do they believe are the most significant problems within the breed?
6.What is the breed's life span?
7.What temperament problems can be encountered?
8.Is it an easy breed to train and housebreak?
9.What behavioral difficulties can be expected?
10.What type of contract conditions or guarantees are involved in the sale of the puppy?
Ask for references from previous puppy buyers, the family veterinarian or other breeders.
What can you learn from the answers given by a breeder?
Ideally, the breeder should be a member of the parent club. This gives him access to others in the breed, makes him privy to discussions regarding health and temperament concerns, and allows him to become familiar with different bloodlines from which he might choose prospective breeding stock. It also indicates that he has more than just a passing interest in the breed.
Often, parent clubs have a code of ethics that members must follow. Ask the breeder if his parent club has such a code and ask to see it. The breeder should have been involved in the breed for some time before launching a breeding program. Ask how he selects breeding stock and what happens to those dogs that don't qualify to be included in the breeding pool.
Beware of breeders who have only glowing recommendations for their breed. There are always some cautions and peculiarities within each breed.
The breeder should also question the buyer. The questions may sound very personal at first, but questions regarding home ownership, plans to have children in the near future and career considerations could all have an effect on the dog purchased. Because the best breeders provide a lifetime commitment to their dogs, they see no point in selling a dog into a situation that will only result in the buyer being unable to keep the dog and their having to take the dog back in a few short years.
BACKYARD BREEDER
1. MOTIVES FOR BREEDING "FUN", "GOOD FOR KIDS," "TO MAKE MONEY." DOESN'T SCREEN BUYERS AND SELDOM REFUSES TO SELL, EVEN IF BUYER IS UNSUITABLE.
2.BREEDS FAMILY PET TO ANY CONVENIENT PET OF SAME BREED JUST TO HAVE PUREBRED PUPS. HAS NO CONCERN FOR GENETICS, BLOODLINES OR BREED IMPROVEMENT.
3.THOUGH PET MAY BE WELL-LOVED, IT WASN'T X-RAYED FOR HIP DYSPLASIA OR CHECKED FOR OTHER HERITABLE PROBLEMS.
4.OFFERS NO HEALTH GUARANTEES BEYOND PROOF OF SHOTS, IF THAT. UNQUALIFIED TO GIVE HELP IF PROBLEMS DEVELOP.
5.SELLER HAS LITTLE KNOWLEDGE OF BREED HISTORY OR AKC BREED STANDARD. MAY CLAIM THAT THIS DOESN'T MATTER FOR "JUST PETS".
6.PUPS RAISED IN MAKESHIFT ACCOMMODATIONS, INDICATING LACK OF LONG-TERM INVESTMENT IN BREEDING.
7.EVEN WHEN SELLING "JUST PETS," MAY PRODUCE AKC PAPER OR "CHAMPIONS PEDIGREE" AS PROOF OF QUALITY. YET SELLER DOESN'T INCREASE OWN KNOWLEDGE THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN NATIONAL OR LOCAL BREED CLUB. DOESN'T SHOW OWN DOGS TO "PROVE" QUALITY.
8.MAY BE UNWILLING TO SHOW BUYER ENTIRE LITTER OR TO INTRODUCE DAM OF LITTER. CAN'T OR WON'T COMPARE/CRITIQUE PUPS OR PUPS' ANCESTORS.
9.PRICES AT LOW END OF LOCAL RANGE, SINCE MUST MOVE PUPS QUICKLY.
10.NO CONCERN FOR THE FUTURE OF INDIVIDUAL PUPS OR BREED AS A WHOLE. DOESN'T USE AKC'S LIMITED REGISTRATION OPTION OR ASK FOR SPAY/NEUTER CONTRACT TO GUARD AGAINST BREEDING OF SUBSTANDARD PETS. IF YOU CAN'T KEEP PUP, TELL YOU TO TAKE IT TO THE DOG POUND OR SELL IT.
REPUTABLE HOBBY BREEDER
1.DEDICATION TO PRODUCING QUALITY DOGS IS SERIOUS AVOCATION. HAS SO MUCH INVESTED IN DOGS THAT STRUGGLES TO BREAK EVEN, NOT MAKE PROFIT. WILL SELL PUPS ONLY TO APPROVED BUYERS.
2.CAN EXPLAIN HOW PLANNED BREEDING TO EMPHASIZE SPECIFIC QUALITIES THROUGH LINE BREEDING, OUTCROSSING OR, MORE RARELY, INBREEDING.
3.HAVE BREEDING STOCK X-RAYED TO CHECK FOR HIP DYSPLASIA AND TESTS FOR OTHER GENERTIC FAULTS. CAN PRODUCE CERTIFICATION TO PROVE CLAIMS.
4.LIFETIME COMMITMENT TO REPLACE A DOG WITH GENETIC FAULTS OR TO HELP OWNER DEAL WITH PROBLEM.
5.LOVES BREED AND CAN TALK AT LENGTH ABOUT ITS BACKGROUND, USES AND IDEAL TYPE.
6.HAVE A SERIOUS INVESTMENT IN DOG EQUIPMENT SUCH AS PUPPY PENS, CRATES AND GROOMING TABLES AND KNOW HOW TO USE IT.
7.BELONGS TO A LOCAL OR NATIONAL DOG CLUB, INDICATING A LOVE FOR SPORT OF DOGS. EXHIBITS OWN DOGS AS AN OBJECTIVE TEST OF HOW STOCK MEASURES UP.
8.SHOWS LITTER AND DAM IN A SANITARY ENVIRONMENT. HELPS BUYER EVALUATE AND CHOOSE PUP. EXPLAIN CRITERIA FOR "SHOW PICKS" VERSUS "PET PICKS."
9.PRICES WILL BE AT HIGH END OF LOCAL RANGE, NOT CUT-RATE. PRICE WON'T REFLECT ALL THAT IS INVESTED IN PUPS.
10.AFTER PURCHASE, WILL HELP WITH GROOMING OR TRAINING PROBLEMS. WILL TAKE BACK PUP YOU CAN'T KEEP RATHER THAN SEE IT DISPOSED OF INAPPROPRIATELY. SELLS PETS WITH SPAY/NEUTER AGREEMENT OR LIMITED AKC REGISTRATION.
TERMS OF SALE
The terms of sale should include a contract outlining the responsibilities of both seller and buyer. It should state whether the puppy is considered a pet and therefore not to be bred under any circumstances and include a time frame for spaying or neutering. Pets may be sold on a limited registration certificate. This means that the dog cannot be shown in AKC conformation events and, unfortunately, some performance events. It also prevents the offspring of a dog with a limited registration from being registered. Some breeders will refund part of the purchase price when the puppy is spayed or neutered, and some breeders sell puppies already spayed or neutered.