ok, much harder than I thought, Have not bred my girl, but am getting interest.

some people....one sounded so good, then I googled the info I had, phone# was on a puppy site looking for a different breed, ok good bye...

another called me an intrusive S.O.B. and said I should be answering their questions not asking them... I politly said "unfortuniately I'm sure you will be able to find a pup else where" I wound up hanging up the phone on their responce to that

I am being intrusive, I will google till I find something, when I don't I have a friend that uses different search methods.


what do you other breeders do ?

( I am not including my self as a breeder, I am an individual endevoring to produce quality pups so I can keep a couple, and home the rest in the best homes I can find)

Edited by Dave Owen (01/22/2012 01:32 PM)
Edit reason: add disclamer

if they don't have time to tell you what they are going to do and where YOUR pup will live then YOU don't want to sell to them. I am looking for a Mal and have filled out 5 and 6 page questionnaires and had phone interviews to get on a list of a litter that will not be born till July.

Keep your standers, set your goals and stick to what you want and what you consider right.

I think you are at liberty to ask as many questions as you like of a prospective owner, if and when the time comes. They are YOUR dogs and can place them as you please, in fact, when I have met breeders, if they haven't put me through the mill, I am always suspicious of their MO, i.e. are they only in it for the money.

I had to really prove myself to the Pointer and Boerboel breeders, and didn't think for one moment they were being intrusive, they were just looking out for their pups.

I think if you are grilling someone and asking pertinent questions relating to the pups welfare once they leave your care, you will soon sort the wheat from the chaff, and that is your prerogative; If they get the hump or take exception, then your instincts will be correct, and you can put them on the 'not getting one' list

Yep, ideally I like someone that gets a hold of me well in advance, we really get to know each other through phone calls and emails.

Hi Dave,

I agree with Betty that you can really get to know someone when they express an interest in having one of your puppies well in advance and you are then in email contact and maybe even the occasional phone call thrown in.

I am pretty sure that I have the initial screening forms from two breeders that I would look out for you if you wanted to see what other breeders are asking their prospective clients. PM me with your email address if this is so.

What you need to determine is, what makes an ideal owner for the breed you are intending to breed, and ask questions of your prospective clients to see how close they would come to that idea of "ideal owner". The kinds of questions will vary according to the breed as well because different breeds require very different environments for them to thrive. Just some considerations might include: Previous dog ownership experience, handling/training experience, ages of all members of the household, (are there very young or elderly members of the family, where will the dog be housed/containment issues, how will it be exercised, (is there a secure fenced area for the dog.) Views on feeding might be relevant to you.

The big question though...why this breed?/ What do you know about this breed?
You might put together a breed profile from articles that you would recommend a prospective owner look at..websites...and of course.. if they are close enough to you so that they can visit and see you dogs so much the better! The you ca see how they interact with your dogs.

I think that you will find that people who are really genuine will be delighted to give as much information about themselves are is necessary. When you tell them that you want to find the very best homes possible for your dogs.....you are being fair both to your dogs and to the prospective dog owner!

It's always a big turnoff to me if I get emails just asking "Do you have any boys/girls left and how much are they?"

I also like to ask (if they've had dog(s) before) what happened to their last dog and how old was s/he? Also how long the pup will be alone during the week while everyone's at school/work.

Just picking up on what Deb said regarding contacts asking about the cost of a pup in the intital enquiry, I was really reluctant to ask that question, because I felt that would indicate that was my first concern, I emailed the breeder daily before the pups were even conceived, and I don't think we talked money until we went for a first visit to meet the adult dogs, which we were required to do before she would even consider putting us on the 'yes' list.

I have said it before, and I will say it again, you have every right to interview them as if they were a nanny taking care of your child, more so probably, because the pup, once out of the safety of your care, has to trust you will have placed it with the next best thing, don't be afraid to press them on everything that is important to you, and that old saying about those that matter won't mind, and those that mind don't matter, should certainly apply here

I am different with every person, many come at me like they know lots,I play dumb, and usually figure out they are.

as for price I give it when asked on the phone, even to the people who I know wont get a pup from me

pick of litter is a big question, I won't do it unless I feel right about the person, I'm trying to build the illusive list breeders have. Pick is a question that throws up flags for me,

Hey Deb , I am quite suprised how many texans have called me,
hmmm. I might pm ya

I read an article about a breeder who had a potential buyer look at her puppies. Looked them over and checked their mouths, left without adopting any. The litter became ill and the breeder took them to the vet and discovered they had been poisoned. Several of them died.

If I do not know the individual, I have a questionaire that I send them to fill out with very specific questions etc. I specifically request *phone* numbers for references since I want to hear what the people have to say without having time to compose an answer or ask the person they are a reference for what the response should be. A couple people gave me email addresses instead and I just wrote them off for that and other reasons.

However, I do expect to be grilled myself by the prospective buyer. Actually would be concerned if they did not. After all, if they do not know me they do not know if I am a stand up person or just someone trying to make a buck off my dogs.