What does a Breeder look for...

[Sasso]

When it comes to a good home for their pups? Reading the different posts, it would seem this would be a simple question to answer, as far as wanting their pups to go to a responsible owner who will not only make them a part of their family for their whole life, but will also participate in activities to better the dog and keep it occupied and happy.

I guess my question pertains to a "regular" person like me, for instance, who has owned a Rottweiler, so knows what they are getting into, but does not show or participate in clubs. When I had Harley, I took him to Puppy K, and had him in obedience classes well into his first year. I thoroughly enjoyed working with him, but there are no Rottie clubs in my area. I'm not even sure if there is much for dog clubs of any kind in my area.

My fiance and I do have a very active outdoorsy lifestyle, and we both love taking our dogs with us everywhere. Would a good breeder consider someone like us to be a good prospect for a non-show quality pup? Any and all opinions are welcome!

[poohbearsmom]

Absolutely!

For me, the quality of the home is much more important than the people's interest in titling the dog. A great forever home, with owners who will respect the dog for what he/she is, love the dog with attention, training and time is like finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

[Carol Burke]

I agree with Elisabeth. I would love for my puppies to go to show and working homes, but the most important thing is that they are loved and are part of the family for their whole lives.

[Sharon Marples]

You bet! While it is nice to have showdogs out in the rings promoting your kennel name, the MOST important aspect of selling a puppy is to make absolutly sure that the puppy will be a part of the family forever. This involves the dog living in the home, going places with it's owners, getting to obedience classes and in general, knowing the dog will end up being a well-mannered, well-socialized, representative of our breed.

[CanineCoach]

This is really great information from those of you who breed! While I've always adopted rescues and will continue to do so, sometime I would really, really like to have a young pup who had been well-socialized by the breeder with a traceable history. I've always felt a little intimidated by those of you who breed because though my dogs are fully integrated into my family, live with us, travel with us, are in classes on a on-going basis and regularly socialized with other dogs, I'm just not into the competition part. I know that getting titles on your pups helps the breeder's reputation (and I would think bottom line) that's just not what I'm about with my dogs.

[Sharon Marples]

Originally Posted by CanineCoach

This is really great information from those of you who breed! While I've always adopted rescues and will continue to do so, sometime I would really, really like to have a young pup who had been well-socialized by the breeder with a traceable history. I've always felt a little intimidated by those of you who breed because though my dogs are fully integrated into my family, live with us, travel with us, are in classes on a on-going basis and regularly socialized with other dogs, I'm just not into the competition part. I know that getting titles on your pups helps the breeder's reputation (and I would think bottom line) that's just not what I'm about with my dogs.

And what you are about with your dogs is MUCH more important than titles!

[CanineCoach]

So are you saying that you would be just as inclined for your pups to go to someone like me as to someone who would title them? Though I as just as opposed to BYB'ers as anyone on the forum -- hence the reason I adopt -- I think that there are a lot of people who are so intimidated by quality breeders that they go the BYB'er route. I'm certainly not defending that; I'm just saying that to me there has always seemed to be a hierarchy in what kind of dog people "deserve" to have. (I hope that makes some sense -- don't know if I'm accurately conveying what I mean.)

[targonrotts]

sure, the best dream of all (the icing on the cake)is the perfect home who will also show and be involved in dog sports/events, but to me the best home is the one who will love the dog, make it a part of their family and own it for life giving it proper care and attention.
no matter if it turns out to be a show dog or not.

[targonrotts]

no excuse to go to a byb.
every litter has good pets needing homes, and a good home with love, attention and a home for life, is what we strive for.
titles are just the icing on the cake.

[Sasso]

Originally Posted by CanineCoach

So are you saying that you would be just as inclined for your pups to go to someone like me as to someone who would title them? Though I as just as opposed to BYB'ers as anyone on the forum -- hence the reason I adopt -- I think that there are a lot of people who are so intimidated by quality breeders that they go the BYB'er route. I'm certainly not defending that; I'm just saying that to me there has always seemed to be a hierarchy in what kind of dog people "deserve" to have. (I hope that makes some sense -- don't know if I'm accurately conveying what I mean.)

Thank you CanineCoach, you have better put into words the idea I was getting at. I understand why ethical Breeders are so choosy about where their pups go, I would be the same way, but I wondered if I would be considered good enough in their eyes since I don't compete in anything.

Thank you so much for the responses from the breeders. It is good to know that loving the dogs and wanting them to be part of our family is as important as getting titles. I've never adopted a dog or even bought one. All my dogs have been "giveaways" from people who had too many puppies or didn't want their dog anymore, including my beloved Harley. I am planning to get a puppy from a reputable breeder, but we won't be ready for one until next year. It doesn't hurt to start looking now, and I really appreciate knowing I don't have to worry about not being "good enough" for a puppy just because I don't compete.

Thanks again for the feedback!

[CanineCoach]

I think this has been a really helpful discussion. Again I want everyone to understand that I in no way am excusing BYB!!! I volunteer at our local shelter and see way too many dogs (and other animals) come in there who get put down simply because they had the bad luck of being born where they did.

[Ayoka]

Originally Posted by Sasso

I am planning to get a puppy from a reputable breeder, but we won't be ready for one until next year. It doesn't hurt to start looking now, and I really appreciate knowing I don't have to worry about not being "good enough" for a puppy just because I don't compete.

Thanks again for the feedback!

A lot of breeders around here have a waiting list and only breed 1-2 litters a year so NOW IS the time to look if you will be ready in a year!

[Sharon Marples]

Originally Posted by Sasso

I am planning to get a puppy from a reputable breeder, but we won't be ready for one until next year. It doesn't hurt to start looking now, and I really appreciate knowing I don't have to worry about not being "good enough" for a puppy just because I don't compete.

Thanks again for the feedback!

You'd best start looking now because most breeders don't breed more than once a year and most of them have waiting lists that are a year or more out. As you say, it doesn't hurt to start looking now and that gives both you and the breeder that much more time to get to know each other through emails and discussions and will help that breeder make their mind up whether a puppy goes to you or someone else that has made the effort to keep in touch with them and to let them know they really would make a great home for one of their pups.

We are choosy who are puppies go to and normally we have both show potential and pet companion puppies in each litter. Most potential buyers for pets do not realize that it is not until the pups are 7.5 weeks of age and we do both temperament testing and structure critiques that even we (as the breeders) know how many of each (show or pet) we will have. We have such stringent criteria for our show pups and need to wait until that time to be able to critique them structurally. Most people calling us don't understand why they are not first in line for the pup they want from our litters. It takes a lot of time to educate them on how we raise the litters and what our criteria is for placing a puppy with anyone. For those who perservere and provide the information we want and need and who have the patience to wait until the time we know if we do or don't have a puppy for them, that speaks highly of their true values for the breed, even if only for a pet companion. We always hope to be able to provide puppies to everyone on the list, but in truth, that rarely happens.

Many breeders would love to have more than one litter a year. But Mother Nature plays a part in that and many times the bitches just don't get pregnant. We bred two bitches last year and neither of them got pregnant. So that litter you think (and hope) might be born in a certain time of the year may not really be born until 6 - 9 months (or more) later! So start looking way ahead, find yourself a good breeder, get to know them and let them get to know you.

[JemarsSerena]

Just to put things in perspective from a buyers point of view, I started looking at breeders nearly a year ago and still don't anticipate a pup till next year. I knew that I wanted to have two rotts, but I want a strong healthy pup and will wait as long as need to for that. I was a little nervous about approaching breeders of the top ranked dogs, but once you get to talking to them you realize they are as human as you and I. I make it a point now to talk to as many breeders as possible at the shows we go to just to learn more about this great breed.

[Sasso]

Fortunately, from my time here before, I became aware of how choosy a reputable breeder is for their pups. To clarify my earlier statement, we won't be ready for a pup until next year, but I'm willing to wait as long as it takes to find a good breeder who is able to provide a pup who is right for me. I am not jeopardizing that by putting a deadline on my search.

Again, I really appreciate all the feedback, both from breeders and from potential buyers. All information is very helpful IMO.