Hi Kristel,

the article is in the outline stage right now, and I work on it as I have time but I'll post it on the board when it's done. I'm like you, I breed a litter in the hopes of finding my next special dog and you are so right, you can't keep them all. Since our breeds have big litters, this makes for a lot of puppy placements.

The best part of breeding is the puppies, I love them all. The worst part is the placements and agonizing over whether you made a mistake or not. The bottom line is that some people are dishonest either with themselves or to the breeder or maybe a bit of both. This is where I have the most issue. I care about the dog and where it ends up, and I'd never think less of someone for admitting their life has changed or that it's not working. That's the right thing to do. Over the years I've had this happen a handful of times. Life happens, situations change or dogs just turn out to be better suited elsewhere.

The wrong thing is to withhold the truth or to avoid giving the breeder info, even when flatly asked about it. This kind of person, in my opinion, is the worst. The dog is the ultimate victim, and nothing makes me more angry & disappointed than someone being dishonest about a situation that involves one of my puppies. My child and my puppies, don't get me riled up about those two things!

Amen to all of it!

 Quote:

My child and my puppies, don't get me riled up about those two things!

In total agreement
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=65588764&albumID=6409&imageID=3205579

Thanks, everyone, for your replies.

I am not at all surprised to find passionately involved breeders around here. I definitely think you guys are in the minority, in the universe of all breeders, tho.

I've thought a lot about the difficulties of finding the best puppy owners, too, and don't envy you that job at all. It's one of many reasons why I'll never be a breeder

leih

Leih brought up several good questions. I used to want to be a breeder of cane corso; however, I have never bred a litter before. I spent my time research on their pedigree for almost 5 years and I knew which lines were carrying genes for seizure. Also, CC can have a fair large litter. I know I will have a hard time placing them all. I have noticed that more and more cc are turning up for adoption or being dumped in the shelter. I have changed my mind about being a breeder and chose not to be part of it.

I've thought about this topic a lot since my last pup, who is 3 1/2 now. I've sent pictures by mail and emailed several times, but never once have heard back. I know people get busy, but it takes just a minute to hit reply on an email, and at least say nice to hear from you. I've written accomplishments, what we were working on, and the last was his eye problems....not a word back. It has bothered me quite a bit. I know where my next dog won't be coming from.
I've had 9 shepherds in the last 25 years, 6 from breeders, and only one ever called and asked about their pup, and one responded to an update. Every shelter I've gotten an animal from at least does a follow up call.

I have been on both ends of the equation, both as a buyer and a seller of dogs.

As a buyer there were a couple of times that I went "wow", I would never do that and I make sure that I don't. I hope I never make anyone that has gotten a dog from me feel like the bad end of a business transaction.

Because while we are talking cold green cash exchanging hands we are also talking about a living breathing creature, one that someone normally has a lot of hopes and dreams pinned on. Sometimes the dream is as simple as taking a long walk with your dog at your side, well behaved and off leash, sometimes it is standing on a podium.

Dreams are dreams.

I hope I never get so jaded that I don't find joy in the expression on a person's face as they come to pick up their pup. I hope I don't ever become so jaded that I don't mourn with them when dreams crash for whatever reason.

I think that is something that breeders forget sometimes. We are not providing dogs, dogs can be found for free pretty much walking down the road. We are providing more then that, and we have to remember that if things do go wrong.

Ok-I'm done now, the above is so surgary it's making *MY* glucose levels rise.......LOL

 Quote: Betty Waldron

I hope I never get so jaded that I don't find joy in the expression on a person's face as they come to pick up their pup. I hope I don't ever become so jaded that I don't mourn with them when dreams crash for whatever reason.

My bet is you won't, but what a great sentiment and how beautifully said, Betty.

leih

Sandy you stated that your breeder never got a hold of you but have you ever told her/him of the problems with your pup?

I have a customer that just got a standard poodle and she has had a year from hell with the dog. I couldn't believe she never contacted the breeder. One of the rare diseases the pup had was something that might have been from contaminated soil. I thought she was negligent in not repoting her problems. She kept saying, "I am sure she knows..." but ya never know.

When Quin was little he had problems with his elbow growth plate closeing. I was pretty sure he got kicked by our donkey even though I didn't see it happen but did hear a squeal.

I told the breeder, even admiting it was probably caused by my lack of proper supervision. She still refunded half the purchase price. This turned out to to be a blessing because Quincy underwent two equine proceedure that eventually closed the growth plate.

I just feel both parties have an obligation to keep the lines of communications open.

 Quote: michelle berdusco

Sandy you stated that your breeder never got a hold of you but have you ever told her/him of the problems with your pup?

Actually, it's Sarah.

Yes, I did. With the HD, I was told "God is in the details and sometimes these things happen"...which IS true. It can happen. I was offered a replacement pup if I euthanized True myself or returned him to them, presumably to be put down. Obviously, I declined.

For the allergies and eye stuff, which came later, I didn't get a response at all.

And just to be clear, I notified them only because I thought it was the right thing to do and I thought they might want to know. I didn't want anything from them. I wasn't a B!+ch about it. Other then the health stuff, I have a wonderful dog...and I told them that, too.

That's such a sneaky, nasty way to get out of replacing a dog. They know full well that most people won't put the dog down, so they don't have to replace it. Boils my blood.

The breeder of one of mine refunded ALL my money b/c of something that happened that he in no way was responsible for...probably not even genetic...most likely something the dog did itself...but he felt so bad about the money I had to spend (which admittedly was a ton!) that he sent me a full refund. Now THAT is a good breeder!