Any dog breeders here that breed for show?

[SmileAndNod]

I was wondering what the process is when you have a litter where you plan to keep one or two and sell the others? Is there anything that to an outsider would make them think 'that's a bit odd / unusual' .We've been on a list for a while, but I'm having wibbles and not sure why. I can't exactly put my finger on it. All KC assured and everything so it should be ok?

[mrslaughan]

the first breeder we approached, I know this is weird, but I felt didn't ask us enough questions, it was all about the money......and now I am "within`" the breed my instincts were right.
I am presuming your wibbles are about the breeder and not the breed......

On the other hand I think all breeders are slightly odd..........

[mrslaughan]

also the breeder we went with, breeds to create healthly pets - because that is mostly where her puppies go, she does show, and she does keep the best of the litter........but she doesn't pressure or expect families to show......

[LizzieMacQueen]

They'll often keep the best looking bitch for future breeding and by best looking I mean from a showing point of view - so fairly symmetrical markings, no underbite or overbite for instance.

We are onto our second show dog - though we don't show - and both breeders did this and were quite open about it.

[CMOTDibbler]

I think if you have any doubts, even if you can't put your finger on what is worrying you, then pull out. You'll have the dogs whole life to regret things if its not right, and the right breeder is out there somewhere

[SmileAndNod]

No qualms about the breed, or the dogs (mum has been stunning every time we've met her, and excellent with the children). I just can't explain why I'm having a wobble.

I don't know. They (breeders) just don't seem very organised I suppose. But then I guess looking after dogs/puppies is their priority - not updating potential owners.

They know that we just want a pet - we have no intention whatever of showing or breeding. We have a choice of about 3 'ruled out' pups. I think I'm worried that after all this time we will be pushed into having something we don't really want...

Also can I ask while I'm here the 8 week jabs - we organise those don't we? They will do micro chip but will pass on vaccine costs to us if they do the jabs too? I'm sure all will become clear soon enough!

[villainousbroodmare]

I suppose that the priority is the personality and health of the puppy you are buying. If you are happy with that then the personality of the person who owns the bitch is way down the list. Most dog breeders are at least a little bit nuts

And remember that you can't be pushed into buying a puppy, and also that you are not and never going to be their priority (updates?? ) - you are simply a customer for one of their less "perfect" puppies.

[SmileAndNod]

Yes, that came across a bit wrong. We know that they breed for themselves, not us.

Why is everyone saying breeders are a little odd

[CalonDu]

It's not always immediately obvious which is going to be the best puppy in the litter - the breeder I know will usually 'run on' one or two puppies, and then choose when their frame/movement is more developed. So she'll find homes for most of the litter at 8 weeks, then rehome the 'spare' show dog at six months or so, by which time it's been house-trained, socialised, vaccinated, etc. Her attitude, though, is that all puppies from her dogs should be the best possible example of the breed, whether they're pets or show dogs - it's not like there's one amazing dog and seven rejects.

How old are the puppies you'd be choosing from? Raising puppies is quite a manic operation when they're very small - my friend doesn't go to bed properly for the first four weeks because she's constantly lurking by the whelping box making sure mum doesn't accidentally squish the litter. Other than letting the prospective owners on the list know the pups have arrived, she doesn't do a lot of updating until they're nearly ready to go. And she also likes to spend a good morning meeting prospective owners beforehand, so she can match the pups' characters to the potential households they'd be going to - obvs new owners can choose, but having spent four weeks staring at the bloody things she can tell which pup is going to be quiet and better suited to a chilled family, which pup will cope well with kids and so on.

[LizzieMacQueen]

I think it is common for the breeder to arrange the first set of vaccs as well as the micro chipping and at the same time the vet will give the pups a health check.

If I was you I would just drop them a text or email asking them to confirm the vet has administered the first set of vaccines. There is quite a rigid vaccine programme to follow so the breeder will need to let you know which was used.

When do you get your puppy?

[ChairRider4]

We was given the choice as not all vets use the same vacinne so could end up having to start over

[SmileAndNod]

Well that's the thing Lizzie. We have no timetable for chipping, vet check or collecting puppy. It feels all very up in the air. We don't mind our vet (when we register) don't the first set of vaccs. I know my brother had to start all over when he collected his pup at 8 weeks.

[mrslaughan]

Our breeder, doesn't let you know which puppy your getting until right at the end ...... Not only because she is watching how they develop , for her to decide, but she is watching their personalities develop, to match personality with the family or situation they are going into. She also has assessors come in to make sure her read on the developing personality is right - it's to make sure that she gives the relationship best chance of success.

[Shriek]

hi. i think if you don't feel like you are getting your expectations met then it might be best to move on, as if anything happens once you have your pup you could always question your choice regardless of whether the breeder is a reputable one or no (and KC assured is absolutely no guarantee of that), I have heard horror stories of 'kc assured breeder scheme' litters and the unsocialised fearful scrappy pups sold before they should leave their mum.

Neither is a schedule of vac's etc. as every breeder does things their own way but not all breeders do that from a point of the best for the pup/bitch.

Its unnerving to not be able to actually get to choose your pup until the end when they are due to leave, whether the litter is from a breeder wanting to keep to show or work or not. If the breeder is planning to keep a pup or two to run on, they won't decided til at least 4-6 weeks and yes, sometimes up to the 11th hour. Those breeding purely for selling on woudl probably have a different approach.

Unfortunately no breeder is qualified to assess peoples personalities! They can only best guess on their gut, or if they see something obvious that is reflective of a pattern, or the obvious ignorance of being around dogs, and how to treat them, but even then if you detect a keeness to do it right and to follow your own best efforts for your pups, and there are obvious differences that can be seen. Still there is no guarantee of anything, and some are better judges of people than others, but still wrong, so choosing each pup for the family might be going a bit way too far and a bit too up themselves

A pup and family choosing each other is such a wonderful part of the process.

Breeders that want to run on pups for further breeding/showing/working will tend to offer the more selfish approach of keeping all the prospective puppy owners waiting right till the end when they are sure of their own choice because that will take priority.

[SmileAndNod]

So it does sound entirely normal for breeders to be this indecisive then! They are definitely keeping a couple for themselves. We are choosing at the weekend, and will have a choice of a couple of ruled out puppies.

I'm hoping that one will choose us, and only having a couple to choose from will make the decision easier. All being well, it should be coming to us at 9 weeks - they only let them go when they feel they are mature enough.

So now have a couple of days to ponder names...

[Shriek]

it will be lovely to have the choice of the two they have ruled out, as if you have your breeder/breed/breeding right they will make great family pets and have lots to bring you.

Its very often that there will only be one left in a litter anyway - good reputable breeders have lists and so most prospective puppy owners get to choose from 'whats left', but thats not negative even though it sounds it.

How exciting! I already have many ddogs but still gooey at the thought of another dpup!!!

Choose for great reasons, never a pitiful pup.