| Hhmm, well, I've never bought a dog from a byb, but I've had my share of dogs bred by amateurs.
My first gsd was bred by a neighbor ("Know anyone that wants a German Shepherd puppy?" "Why sure, Teresa, I'll take one of your puppies.") I asked her to keep the puppy an extra two weeks by which time he needed another set of shots. I paid for that vet visit. That was the only money that changed hands. The puppies had some kind of immune system developmental delay, and 7 of the 10 pups were dead by 10 months old (mine included) when a parvo outbreak hit the area. The two vets in town realized they had a problem when vaccinated puppies were dying right and left. They revaccinated the remaining three who survived.
I got lucky with my second gsd. I answered an ad in the newspaper. Gazi's breeder competed in Schutzhund, and Gaz just didn't have the drive for it. All of her buyers wanted Schutzhund dogs, so what to do with this pup? He was a wonderful companion and went to the Bridge at 12 years old after suffering a stroke. I paid the blue light special price of $275 in 1989. My only dog that came from a reputable breeder.
My lab Baloo is from an oops litter. Some guy didn't do a very good job keeping his bitch locked up and one of his males got to her. My husband brought him home as a companion for Gazi. He was a free dog. He also has mild HD, and chronic skin/allergy problems. I've spent a small fortune on veterinary care for this animal, but he's still with us at 11+ years old.
And you've all heard my story on acquiring my rott pup. Neighbors got him on an impulse and had him about two weeks before they decided they were getting divorced and neither one wanted the dog. My husband intercepted them on the way to the convenience store. They were going to give him to a store clerk they met that afternoon and knew nothing about. We just couldn't let that happen.
I would love to acquire a pup from a breeder like frontierrots. Screen me! Question me! Ask for references! Do a PAT and pick a puppy for me! The plan was to wait for Baloo to go to the Bridge and do just that, but then my rottie Kudlow was placed in my path. Fate? Fortune? Providence? Luck (good or bad :) )? I don't know, but Kudlow is in my home until the end of his days.
Christine |