How to Find a Reputable Weimaraner Breeder

Transcription

JUSTWEIMARANERS.COM
An Online Compendium for Weimaraner Enthusiasts
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By Kim Burnell
VIEW ARTICLE ONLINE
The purpose of this article is to help the prospective Weimaraner puppy owner find a reputable
Weimaraner breeder.
Note: There’s a lot of information here, which is an expanded version of the Weimaraner
Club of America’s article about How to Choose a Weimaraner Breeder. Also, it may take
awhile to sift through, digest it all, and then go through breeder by breeder to get to a
point where you’re comfortable getting a puppy from someone. Take a few days or weeks
if you need to. The process should be time consuming, but your patience will be worth it.
To get started, go through the below checklist with each breeder you’re considering a
puppy from, and see where they rate on the scale. (Click here to print the checklist.) For
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HOW TO FIND A REPUTABLE WEIMARANER BREEDER
By Kim Burnell
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each row, circle yes or no from one of the two available columns. Once you are done,
compare your answers with the key provided below the checklist.
Criteria
Ideal
Not Ideal
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Breeder Announcement
Does the breeder bluntly state the purchase price without
providing much other information?
Does the breeder produce puppies of any coat color other
than silver, gray, silver-gray, mouse-gray, or blue?
Does the breeder claim to have rare dogs for sale?
Does the breeder indicate they have dogs with “champion
bloodlines” or “top USA bloodlines?”
Is the puppy advertised on a website that ships puppies of
multiple breeds?
Is the puppy advertised on local sites, like Craigslist?
Are there typos in the breeder’s announcement? (example:
confirmation, pedegree)
Purchase Details
Does the puppy purchase include written contract that
outlines seller guarantees and buyer expectations?
Does the breeder acknowledge that Weimaraners may suffer
from certain genetic, congenital, or heredity defects?
Does the breeder provide a health guarantee against
hereditary and congenital defects?
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Does the breeder provide you with copies of Orthopedic
Foundation for Animals (OFA) or PennHIP certificates for the
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
puppy’s sire and dam?
If OFA certificates are available, can you verify through the
OFA website that the sire and dam are both free of hip
dysplasia?
Does the breeder guarantee that your puppy is certified to be
free of hip dysplasia?
Does puppy purchase include AKC registration
documentation?
Is the purchase price required in full before the puppy is
picked up/shipped?
Are puppies vaccinated according to Weimaraner Club of
America (or more conservative) protocol?
Are tails docked and dewclaws removed?
Pedigree Information
Can the breeder easily explain what their pedigrees mean?
Can the breeder provide you with at least a 3-generation
pedigree of both sire and dam?
Breeder Practices
Do you have an opportunity to visit the breeder and see
where the puppies live prior to bringing your puppy home?
Does the breeder raise puppies inside their home?
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Does the breeder provide a reasonable explanation for using
a stud dog they own outright?
Does the breeder let you pick your own puppy?
Is the breeder willing to send your puppy home prior to the
age of 7 weeks?
Does the breeder produce more than two litters per year?
Does the breeder send your puppy home to you with a “puppy
package?”
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Breeder Knowledge and Commitment Level
Is the breeder an active member in good standing in the
Weimaraner community? Examples include, but are not
limited to AKC, WCA and NAVHDA.
Can the breeder explain the importance of socializing puppies
and how they do it?
Does the breeder expose the puppies to new things, both in
and out of the home, before they are 8 weeks old?
Can the breeder provide you with a list of references from
previous puppy buyers?
Can the breeder provide you with a list of other (local)
breeders?
Does the breeder commit to being available for questions
after your puppy is purchased?
Will the breeder take your dog back at any time if you can no
longer care for it?
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Are any of the circled answers containing a red yes or no?
Some answers are so black and white that there’s no room for leeway. For example:
There’s no possible way you are getting a puppy from a reputable breeder if your puppy
isn’t coming to you with some sort of Purchase Agreement/Contract. So, if there are any
red yes or no circles (barring any very special or unique circumstances), the breeder gets
an “automatic fail” in my book. Your best bet is to start over with a new breeder and
fresh printout of the checklist.
If no, look at your answers to see how many circles are from the Ideal column, and how
many circles are from the Not Ideal column. Get in touch with the breeders with the most
circles in the Ideal column, first. If you left some rows blank because you didn’t know an
answer, be sure to ask and find out.
All or most circles from Ideal column, and 1-3 circles from the Not Ideal column. Good.
Connect with the breeder to start a dialogue and ask them to explain any statements that
caused a circle from the Not Ideal column. If their logic and reasoning makes sense to you,
and you have an otherwise good gut feeling about them, by all means, continue your
discussions.
4-9 circles from the Not Ideal column. Not as good, but not a complete dismissal, either.
Start a dialogue and ask these breeders to explain any statements that caused a circle
from the Not Ideal column. If you feel good about them after you hear from them, go
ahead and keep them on your list. Alternatively, if you don’t get a warm/fuzzy or
something just doesn’t seem right, use this opportunity to thank them for their time and
move on.
10+ circles from the Not Ideal column. Bad. While maybe not one single thing might stand
out as “bad,” if there are so many factors that aren’t ideal, I’d set these breeders aside
until you go through the better rated ones.
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Then, read more about the purpose of each question.
Below is a bit of explanation of the above-listed questions. If this information isn’t
provided on a breeder’s website, be sure to ask in your introductory message to them.
While all breeders have their own opinions and philosophies (and the below is obviously
mine), they should all be able to answer your inquiries in a friendly, non-defensive way.
Note: below, you might find some graphics bordered in GREEN. These are examples from
other (mostly) WCA breeders across the country. Consider my linking to their website as a
referral/ recommendation of their breeding practices. If you’re local to any of these
breeders, please reach out to them for assistance with a new Weimaraner puppy.
Breeder Announcement
Does the breeder bluntly state the purchase price without providing much other
information? Price is usually the first question a potential puppy owner asks. You may
notice that many breeders do not disclose this information publicly on their website
(although some do, and that’s fine).
If you must know right away, ask, but also be sure to include a few more details in your
message, like “Hi, my name is Joe. I’m looking to get a Weimaraner puppy to join my family
this summer. We’re an active family and would like a dog that can join us on local hikes,
down at the beach, etc. For budgeting reasons, I’d like to know what the average price of a
Weimaraner puppy is. If you don’t mind sharing, that’d be very much appreciated. Thanks
in advance for your time.”
The point is, a message like “I’m looking for a puppy, how much do you charge?” tells
breeders that you really haven’t done any research and responding to an inquiry like this
is a waste of their time. If breeders are feeling short, messages like these end up in the
trash, un-replied to. It is best practice to just get into a discussion with a breeder about
other important items first (like the next few items mentioned in this article), and then go
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back to the price question later. Note: Think about how much of a financial investment
owning a dog is for the life of that dog, and realize that the up-front purchase price of a
puppy is minuscule compared to dollars spent over time. For example:
First year costs: Week 8 veterinarian visit/wellness check ($100), Week 12 vet visit/second
round of shots ($100), Week 16 vet visit/titer or third round of shots ($100), Week 24 vet
visit/additional vaccinations/microchip ($100), Rabies shot ($100), Additional
vaccinations/worming (e.g. Bordatella) ($100), Flea/tick treatments ($100), Grooming
($100), Crate ($100), Dog bed ($50), Collar and leash ($40), Food and water bowls ($30),
Food ($2/day), Dog toys ($100), Dog chews and training treats ($100), Beginner puppy
kindergarten classes ($100), Intermediate puppy obedience classes ($100), Doggy
daycare/vacation/boarding ($20-$40/day), etc.
Additional/maintenance costs: Food ($2/day), Flea/tick treatments ($100), Grooming
($100), Booster shots and worming ($200), Vet visits for both foreseen and unforseen
circumstances ($1000/year), Doggy daycare/vacation/boarding ($20-$40/day), WCA
Membership Renewal Dues ($50-$60), etc.
If the difference of a couple hundred bucks is really enough to sway your decision about
who to buy a puppy from, really think about whether or not you can afford to raise a dog
for the next 10-15 years. Red flag: A breeder’s puppy advertisement with nothing but the
fact that puppies are available and how much they cost (Example: “Weimaraner puppies
for sale, $500 each”) because this is an indication that the breeder is simply there to make
a quick sale. It’s unlikely you’ll ever see that breeder again after you buy your puppy, and if
your puppy isn’t well-bred and ends up sick, or with many different health or behavioral
problems, that’s your burden alone.
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Ad from PupCity: Here is an example of someone who is looking to make a quick buck.
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Instead, look for a breeder who takes the time to provide you a little more information
about themselves. This example is from Hallmar Weimaraners.
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Also look for a breeder to tells you a little bit about their breeding program. This may
not be immediately important to you, but it will tell you that the breeder has a definite
breeding purpose. (That’s a good thing.)
Does the breeder produce puppies of any coat color other than silver, gray, silvergray, mouse-gray, or blue? The Weimaraner breed standard indicates that Weimaraners
are solid in color, in shades of mouse-gray to silver-gray. Many breeders short-term to
“silver” or “gray,” and that’s fine, too. Some breeders also choose to breed Blue
Weimaraners. While no countries currently recognize the Blue variety, this doesn’t make
them rare; the purebred heritage of the Blue Weimaraner is merely a matter of dispute.
Note: Blue Weimaraners are disqualified from the show ring, but they can be registered
with the American Kennel Club (AKC), and can compete in Weimaraner Club of America
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(WCA) activities with a DQ (spay/neuter) Certificate from the WCA National
Office. Automatic Fail: If a breeder advertises any other color of puppies, including but
not limited to taupe, fawn, tan, chocolate, or black, run the other way. There is no such
thing as a Weimaraner in these colors, and a breeder who claims otherwise doesn’t have a
good handle on their breed standard.
Note: Ads for purple Weimaraners for sale do exist. Guess what?! The color actually
doesn’t. Same goes for lavender Weimaraners.
There are so many things wrong with this Craigslist ad. Among them, “black puppies.”
Sorry, they don’t exist.
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Ad from PupCity advertising a taupe Weimaraner – Note that “wiem” is not even spelled
correctly.
Does the breeder claim to have rare dogs for sale? There is no reason a breeder should
be advertising “rare” dogs for sale. This includes the discussion of Blue Weimaraners; they
are NOT RARE and are deliberately produced. Automatic Fail: The word “rare” in any
section of a breeder’s advertisement/litter announcement.
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Craigslist ad. This dog is NOT a Weimaraner. See also: Previous ad, claiming to have “rare
blue weims.”
Does the breeder indicate they have dogs with “champion bloodlines,” “well represented
bloodlines” or “top USA bloodlines?” This term is gimmicky, and is only used by breeders
who want to lure customers in with buzzwords that make them look credible. Sadly, it
works, because the average buyer sees these terms everywhere (especially from websites
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that specialize in selling and shipping puppies of all different breeds) and assumes it’s a
sign of a legitimate breeder. Truly responsible breeders don’t use these terms because
they know it doesn’t mean anything. And, we’d be flogged by our peers if we ever dared
try to use them. Instead, look for breeders who state that their dogs are themselves
Champions. More on this topic below in the Pedigree discussion.
Not the best example of “Top Champion Lines,” in my humble opinion.
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This breeder may very well be responsible and stand by their dogs. But – do your
homework. Note: “Conformation” and “Dual” are spelled incorrectly in this ad.
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Here’s a better statement from Trax Weimaraners. Shirley doesn’t state that her dogs
are from Champion lines… she comes right out and says that she’s a breeder and owner
of multiple accomplished dogs.
Is the puppy advertised on a website that ships puppies of multiple breeds? This
rides on the edge of automatic fail because 999 times out of 1,000, puppies who are sold
on sites like nextdaypets, puppyfind, hoobly, or petcity come from someplace you don’t
want to know about (puppy mills). There’s usually ZERO guarantee you’re getting anything
worth buying, and your new puppy is likely to come home with serious health and
temperament/behavioral problems. Don’t even count on being able to contact this
breeder for questions after you bring your puppy home. Bless you if you know this and
want to “save this dog from this horrendous condition,” but know that by purchasing this
puppy, you’re making room for another poor puppy to take it’s spot (and thereby
contributing to the nasty cycle). Once in a blue moon, you may find a credible breeder
who uses a site like this to sell puppies they haven’t been able to place (due to poor
timing, lack of personal website, etc.), but do you really want to sift through 999 ads just to
find the ONE that might be legitimate? It’s better just to dismiss a breeder if you find them
listed on a website like this, and best not to look at these websites altogether. (And, you’ll
come across that credible breeder by getting a referral through the Weimaraner Club of
America or local dog clubs, anyway.)
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Don’t count on a site like this one to get you a well-bred puppy.
Is the puppy advertised on local sites, like Craigslist? See answer above.
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The breeder of the information above was found by clicking through a Craigslist ad. At
first glance, an unsuspecting buyer may think the above information looks credible, but
the savvy researcher can easily tell that someone re-worded the standard to make it
match the dogs they produce. For example, bitches are NOT 50-70 pounds, “give or take.”
They are also NOT 24-27 inches. In summary, this is the kind of stuff you can expect to
see on Craigslist. Just save yourself the time and don’t even go there.
(It’s probably better to find a breeder who just links directly to the AKC breed standard.)
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Are there typos in the breeder’s announcement? (example: confirmation, duel,
pedegree). A lack of grammar and spelling, especially for obvious dog terms, is an
indication the breeder isn’t being as detail-oriented as they should be, and lack of details
in a simple announcement might just be the tip of the iceberg for lack of details
elsewhere.
Purchase Details
Does puppy purchase include a written contract that outlines seller guarantees and
buyer expectations? Also important: Are they willing to send you a sample copy to
review in advance of you making a commitment to purchase your puppy? Once you’ve
viewed the contract, is the breeder able to answer any questions you have? Do you
understand the terms and conditions? Can you comply with all the terms? Caution: A
breeder who offers a very thin contract that doesn’t provide any health guarantees or
seller and buyer expectations. Automatic fail: A breeder who does not offer a contract;
as this is a very precise indicator of a breeder’s lack of credibility.
Does the breeder acknowledge that Weimaraners may suffer from certain genetic,
congenital, or heredity defects? Among other things, Weimaraners can have allergy
problems, hip dysplasia, diaphragmatic hernias and bloat. Also, making a recent
appearance are, eye, thyroid and autoimmune problems. A reputable breeder should be
able to explain what these are in easy to understand terms. Extra credit: A breeder who
goes out of their way to describe and explain health issues that Weimaraners are
predisposed to. Automatic fail: If a breeder tells you that Weimaraners do not have
genetic issues, or they ABSOLUTELY GUARANTEE that their puppies do not and will not
have any genetic issues, they simply aren’t being truthful and likely trying to make a quick
sale. Run away, fast.
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Here is a breeder who outright discloses that there are specific health issues that
Weimaraners are predisposed to.
Does the breeder provide a health guarantee against hereditary and congenital
defects? At minimum, you should look for a breeder who provides a three year health
guarantee against any types of hereditary or congenital conditions. Oftentimes, a
congenital condition will be related to hip dysplasia. Note that a one year guarantee is
generally meaningless because it takes more than one year for a Weimaraner to fully
mature. Automatic fail: A breeder who provides zero guarantees whatsoever.
Example of non-ideal guarantee: “We offer a one year guarantee against any types of
hereditary or congenital conditions.”
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Tip: If a breeder offers a limited guarantee (for the first year, for example), ask them if
they’ll stand by a PennHIP score or preliminary OFA reading if a dog younger than two
years of age is tested and shows signs of hip dysplasia.
Does the breeder provide you with copies of Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
(OFA)/PennHIP certificates for the puppy’s sire and dam? Hip Dysplasia is a genetic
disease that can produce various degrees of arthritis in a dog, which can also be painful
and debilitating. The OFA and/or PennHIP evaluations allow for responsible breeders to
choose two healthy parents whose hips have been found free of Hip Dysplasia. (OFA is
currently far more widely used by most breeders; PennHIP is also a reputable registry.) In
rare instances, a reputable breeder will not be able to provide this information, but if
that’s the case, get into a discussion with the breeder and find out why. If their answer
doesn’t make sense to you, move on. Extra credit: A breeder who provides the OFA test
numbers on their website. Automatic fail: A breeder who tells you that hip evaluations
are not important or not necessary for the Weimaraner breed.
Here is a breeder who provides the OFA numbers directly on her website.
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If OFA certificates are available, can you verify through the OFA website that the
sire and dam are both free of hip dysplasia? Irresponsible breeders are getting sneaky,
and will sometimes go out of their way to provide you with fake certifications that don’t
match your puppy’s sire and dam. Once you obtain a copy of the OFA certificates, go to
the OFA website (www.offa.org) and verify the breeder’s statement by checking the official
OFA results against the certificate number provided. Automatic fail: Barring any honest
mistakes, if the information provided by the breeder does not match what is shown on
the website, move onto the next breeder.
If you plug in the AKC registration number for the dam in the above example on the
OFFA website, you’ll see something like this; official confirmation that hips for the dam
are rated EXCELLENT and elbows are rated NORMAL.
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Does the breeder guarantee that your puppy is certified to be free of hip dysplasia?
Automatic fail: Along the vein of irresponsible breeders getting sneaky, some might try
to advertise that their puppies are “certified to be free of hip dysplasia.” To the
unassuming buyer, this sounds wonderful, especially if another (reputable breeder) can’t
make the same claim. Unfortunately, this is entirely bogus. A dog’s hips cannot be
officially evaluated with OFA until it is at least two years old. Anyone making this claim is
looking to make a quick buck. Don’t let them get away with it.
Example of non-ideal statement: “We offer a one year guarantee against any types of
hereditary or congenital conditions.” Since OFA evaluations cannot be done before the
age of 24 months, this isn’t helpful, unless the dog has been PennHIP’d.
Does puppy purchase include AKC registration documentation? Within the United
States, the most common national registry is the American Kennel Club (AKC). Unless
there is a very unique circumstance why a breeder’s dogs aren’t registered with the AKC,
NAVHDA or FDSB, there is no reason why your puppy shouldn’t come with appropriate
registration documentation. Red flag: A breeder who uses any other registry in the United
State. Automatic fail: A breeder who doesn’t have a good reason for not registering their
dogs or tries to convince you it is okay to buy a dog without registration documentation.
Note: CKC (Continental Kennel
Club) is not the same thing as
AKC (American Kennel Club).
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Here’s another ad that states that puppies “are not going to be registered.” But it does
vouch for the “full breed” parents. If you’d like to have a discussion with this breeder,
ask them why the puppies aren’t going to be registered.
Is the purchase price required in full before the puppy is picked up/shipped? Most
breeders will require a deposit of some amount to reserve your spot on a particular
interest or waiting list. The remaining monies should not be paid until you pick up your
puppy. Red flag: A breeder who requires payment in full without evening meeting you,
talking to you, or letting you pick up your puppy, is not looking out for your best interest,
only theirs.
Are puppies vaccinated according to Weimaraner Club of America (or more
conservative) protocol? Weimaraners are prone to vaccination reactions; too many
immunizations given at once can compromise a puppy’s immune system and cause
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lifelong medical problems. The WCA has an established vaccination protocol that most
reputable breeders follow. Sometimes, a breeder will even go out of their way to follow
are more conservative protocol. Red flag: If a breeder does not follow the recommended
WCA protocol. Automatic fails: A breeder who tells you to ask your vet about “the proper
vaccination protocol for your breed,” as that’s an indication that the breeder doesn’t
know. (A Weimaraner breeder who isn’t aware about Weimaraners and vaccine reactions
is living under a rock.) Also, beware a breeder who denies that Weimaraners in general
are susceptible to vaccine reactions, as this also demonstrates egregious lack of
knowledge.
Here is a statement from Star Canines regarding vaccination protocol.
Are tails docked and dewclaws removed? This is necessary to conform to the
Weimaraner breed standard and should be done on every short-haired Weimaraner
puppy produced in the United States. I personally find the statement, “puppies come with
tails docked, dewclaws removed” to be gimmicky (especially in a short litter
announcement that doesn’t include much other language), so I don’t bother including this
information on my website. If a breeder doesn’t state this information, just confirm that
they do it themselves or have it done for them. Many breeders in the Weimaraner
community either do it themselves or have a trusted breeder friend/mentor do it for
them. Vets are fine too, as long as they are familiar with the Weimaraner breed standard.
If a breeder elects to go with a vet, have them verify that their vets know how to
appropriately dock a Weimaraner tail. Too many vets haven’t a clue and don’t do it right.
Unfortunately, once done incorrectly, (like docking a tail too short), it’s impossible to
fix. Caution: If a breeder admits to having full tails or dewclaws in place, ask them why,
and move on if their reasoning doesn’t make sense to you. Automatic fail: A breeder who
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declared “it was inhumane/harmful to the puppy so I skipped it this time.” This is a lame
excuse for “I didn’t do it right.” Note: I do agree that puppies may not like having their tails
and dewclaws done, but it’s more important for me to comply with my breed’s written
standard.
Pedigree Information
Can the breeder easily explain what their pedigrees mean? You may be thinking, “I’m
only looking for a pet, I have no intentions of showing a dog, I just want a healthy puppy,
and I don’t understand pedigrees… should I really care?” The answer is yes. Let’s start with
why a pedigree is important. The puppy you decide to purchase comes not only from the
breeder that you buy from, but that puppy comes from the breedings of all the others
breeders listed on the pedigree. The farther back you go, the less significant it is, but it
DOES influence the health of your puppy in either a positive or negative way. AKCregistered dogs may have Prefix and Suffix titles to their registered names. The best
breeders out there are those who take real steps to prove that their dogs conform to the
breed standard, and this is validated by those aforementioned titles. Succinctly put, the
amount of prefix and suffix titles a dog has in their name directly corresponds to how
proven they are. Note that dogs do not become Champions if the person behind that dog
is not respected by his or her peers. When you see a pedigree that is loaded with prefixes
and suffixes, you are seeing generations of good breeding. Reputable breeders stand by
their dogs and try as hard as possible to produce the best quality puppies they can. While
we can’t guarantee that a dog will not have genetic faults, your chances of getting a higher
quality puppy are exponentially enhanced when you get it from a reputable
breeder. Caution: A pedigree with zero or very few prefixes and suffixes in a dog’s
registered name, or zero pre- or suffixes within the last three generations.
Can the breeder provide you with at least a 3-generation pedigree of both sire and
dam? If the breeder doesn’t provide a pedigree (with the AKC registration numbers for at
least the sire and dam on it), ask for it. Once you get the pedigree, ask the breeder what
you’re looking it. While every breeder breeds for a different/unique purpose, they should
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be able to intelligently explain their methods to you. Automatic fail: If your breeder can’t
provide you with this information, walk away.
Here is an example of a four generation pedigree from Southpaw Weimaraners.
Breeder Practices
Does the breeder breed more than one breed of dog? Breeding is a lot of work; I have
yet to find a credible breeder that can do this with multiple breeds. Red flag: A breeder
who offers multiple breeds for sale. Automatic fail: Any breeder who breeds hybrids, like
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Weimardoodles (Weimaraners crossed with Poodles), Weislas (Weimaraners crossed with
Vizslas), Boweimars (Boxers crossed with Weimaraners) or Labmaraners (Laboradors
crossed with Weimaraners).
Do you have an opportunity to visit the breeder and see where the puppies live prior to
bringing your puppy home? If yes, great. Once introduced, Weimaraners should be
friendly, outgoing and curious; not shy, growling or skittish. (Note: Weimaraners are
protective; it’s not uncommon for them to bark at strangers.) The breeder should be
willing to show you the dogs and their home or facilities. Check to see that the puppies
are raised in clean, sanitary conditions, and fed a high quality food. Red flag: If a breeder
discourages you from visiting, it could be the dogs are in poor condition or have an
unsuitable temperament.Automatic fail: If a breeder prohibits you from visiting
altogether before you commit to purchasing a puppy from them.
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…
More ads found on Craigslist. Decide for yourself whether or not these conditions are
acceptable to you.
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Does the breeder raise puppies inside their home? Some breeders raise puppies in
their home; others raise puppies in a kennel. While my personal preference is to raise
puppies in my home, kennel-raised puppies aren’t necessarily a bad thing, provided there
is an explanation of how they’re raised in either a home or a kennel. It’s more important
to know how clean the living conditions are, either in a home or a kennel, and how a
breeder socializes their puppies. Note: It’s much easier to socialize a puppy raised in a
home environment, but that’s not the be all, end all. More on socialization below.
Does the breeder provide a reasonable explanation for using a stud dog they own
outright? A lot of people use the buzz phrase, “stud dog onsite,” and try to convince you
that it’s best practice to “see both parents,” but that’s not necessarily a good thing. I would
go as far as saying that the term “both parents onsite” on a puppy announcement/ad is
borderline cause for automatic fail. (Note: plenty of reputable breeders DO use sires we
own outright, but we would never use “both parents onsite” as a tagline in our ads.) It’s
not uncommon (and actually general practice) for breeders to breed their females to a
sire in another part of the country, specifically to improve our breeding program and
diversify their pedigree. In this circumstance, the sire doesn’t live in the home and isn’t
available to visit with.
If a breeder has both parents available/onsite, ask them to tell you about both pedigrees
and about why they chose this particular breeding, and make sure their answers make
sense to you. If you see a related or identical pedigree and the breeder is unable to
provide you with an intelligent response about why this was done, this is very likely a sign
of an unplanned breeding (between litter mates or mothers and sons, or fathers to
daughters, etc.) and most often, results when a breeder isn’t careful about their breeding
practices.
In special circumstances, breedings of similar pedigrees are done intentionally; this is
called line breeding and is a tool many breeders will use to strengthen a particular
desirable trait in their breeding program. Caution: If you suspect that a line breeding was
done on an advertised litter of puppies, ask the breeder to explain their reasoning. If their
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answer makes sense to you, it shouldn’t be an issue. Automatic fail: If a breeder can’t
articulate their breeding in a way that makes sense to you, walk away.
If you see this in an ad, ask for more information. For example, who are the parents, and
what are their pedigrees?
Does the breeder let you pick your own puppy? Gone are the days of going to a farm
and picking out the puppy with the most wag in her tail. Responsible breeders will match
your puppy for you. There are lots of reasons why we do this, but the basics is this: When
we breed, there’s a very specific goal in mind, and our best-evaluated puppy is often ours
to keep (or place in a private network of experienced Weimaraner owners). We are also
familiar with the unique temperament of each puppy and, at 7 weeks of age, match those
temperaments with prospective owners. Red flag: Breeders who let you come into their
home when puppies are 8 weeks old and let you pick out anyone you want. Automatic
fail: Breeders who see no value in matching a specific puppy to the new puppy owner.
Is the breeder willing to send your puppy home prior to the age of 7 weeks? In many
states, it is illegal to send a puppy home prior to six weeks. Automatic fail: A breeder
who sells puppies as young as 5-6 weeks, and/or without a good reason for sending a pup
home early (and there usually isn’t).
Does the breeder produce more than two litters per year? There are awesome
breeders who have lots of litters every year. There are also horrible breeders who have
lots of litters every year.
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The better question is, if a breeder has multiple litters every year, talk to them about who
these dogs are, and why they’re breeding them. A good breeder will provide you with a
very systematic/logical response. Automatic fail: If you’re connecting with a breeder who
doesn’t seem to have a good answer about why they’re breeding so often, and you can tell
that they’re just using the same few dogs over and over again, thank them for their time
and walk away.
This ad was found on PuppyFind.
Here’s an example of someone
who breeds so much they forgot
to update their information. In
one place of the ad, puppies
were born May 30th. In another
section of the ad, puppies were
born June 25th. That’s only one
month difference. I’d bet my
weekly allowance that this
breeder has a lot of puppies
every year. Other items that
jump out at me: puppies are
from “champion lineage,” “do
not leave the house until they
are 8 weeks of age,” and the box
on “show potential” is checked.
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Does the breeder send your puppy home to you with a “puppy package?” Every
breeder will have a different “package” with what they send their puppies home with.
Some will offer more than others. At minimum, your new puppy should come with AKC
registration documentation, record of vaccinations, a written contract, and a commitment
that the breeder is available via phone call or email to answer any questions you might
have. Bonus points if the breeder sends you home with a supply of puppy food so that
your puppy can transition onto different food, if needed. Extra credit: More bonus points
if your breeder goes above and beyond to include other stuff too, like socialization
checklists, toys, treats, collars, etc.
Here’s a nice puppy package from Foxfire Weimaraners.
Breeder Knowledge and Commitment Level
Is the breeder a member in good standing in the Weimaraner community? Examples
include, but are not limited to the Weimaraner Club of America (WCA), American
Kennel Club (AKC), Canadian Kennel Club (CKC), North American Versatile Hunting
Dog Association (NAVHDA), and other local breed clubs or all-breed performance
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clubs (like an obedience, agility or hunting club)? For the Weimaraner breed, active
membership to the Weimaraner Club of America as well as other dog clubs is a very, very
good sign. This tells you that your breeder is actively involved with the greater
Weimaraner community, and helps assure you that there’s an entire community of
Weimaraner lovers out there who are doing good work, together, to ensure you have a
happy, healthy puppy. If the breeder doesn’t disclose this information on their website,
ask them about it. If they’re not members (and there are good breeders who aren’t), ask
them why. If there’s a good/logical reason, that’s okay. (And you’ll find that these breeders
are connected with other reputable Weimaraner breeders, too.) Being part of a
community is how we connect to stay on top of Weimaraner breed health advances (and
problems). Red flag: If it hasn’t occurred to the breeder to be a member, or there’s no
good reason they’re not a member, like “it costs too much.”
Here’s a statement from Linda at Grayhart Weimaraners about belonging to the
Weimaraner Club of America.
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Can the breeder explain the importance of socializing puppies and how they do
it? Good breeders should tell you that their puppies are well socialized. Be sure to ask
them to define that statement. At minimum, the breeder should be able to tell you when
they start exposing puppies to different environments, what those environments are, and
why this is important. Automatic fail: A breeder who doesn’t believe in the value of
socialization, or can’t relay to you why it’s important.
Does the breeder expose the puppies to new things, both in and out of the home,
before they are 8 weeks old? Don’t buy the excuse of a breeder who claims to be unable
to take a puppy outside the home prior to 8 weeks because “this introduces germs.”
They’re simply being lazy or irresponsible; neither traits are particularly appealing. Very
young puppies who are nursing get antibodies from their mother’s milk. Regardless, it’s
crucial/more important that young puppies are exposed to new things, people and
circumstances outside their home environment. If a breeder waits beyond 8 weeks to do
this, a very critical development window closes and creates an uphill battle for that puppy
to “socially catch up,” and to make matters worse, this responsibility then becomes yours,
the new puppy owner, to deal with. Automatic fail: A breeder who doesn’t understand
why it’s important to get the puppy out before 8 weeks of age.
Puppies who have never been
out of the house by 8 weeks of
age aren’t properly socialized.
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Can the breeder provide you with a list of references from previous puppy
buyers? Some breeders include a “testimonials” page on their website to showcase how
happy their previous owners are with their pups. While that’s great, don’t let that be your
only guide. Ask the breeder to provide you with contact information to other puppy
owners. Be sure to ask these owners what they think of their relationship with the
breeder, how often they contact them (socially and to ask for advice), and whether or not
their dog has any medical, health or behavioral issues. These are things a breeder may
not want to disclose on their own website. Red flag: A breeder who is reluctant to provide
this information. Automatic fail: A breeder who says they don’t keep in touch with people
they sell their puppies to.
Can the breeder provide you with a list of other (local) breeders? Good breeders are
keyed in with other breeders, and we’re confident enough in ourselves and our practices
that we encourage potential puppy owners to talk to many of us; it’s the responsible thing
to do.Caution: A breeder who is unable to provide a list of other local breeders; it’s a sign
that they’re disconnected from the Weimaraner community. Also be cautious of a breeder
who badmouths other breeders, especially if it’s early in your discussions with
them. Automatic fail: A breeder who tries to “close the deal” with you while discouraging
you from talking to others, or makes you feel rushed like you have to “make a decision
now or you will be off the waiting list.”
Here’s a reference list from Highpoint Weimaraners.
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Does the breeder commit to being available for questions after your puppy is
purchased?Especially for first time puppy owner, having the breeder available as a
resource after the puppy comes home is a very valuable asset. As much as folks do their
homework and read all the books, sometimes, it’s just better to be able to pick up the
phone or shoot an email; the breeder is usually the most efficient resource for getting a
question answered. Good breeders want to be that resource, 2, 5, 7, even 12 or 15 years
down the road. Extra credit: A breeder who makes this commitment before you have to
ask the question.
Will the breeder take your dog back at any time if you can no longer care for
it? Despite our best efforts, crap happens. Sometimes, people find themselves in certain
situations that conflict with maintaining good care for their dogs. Reasons include, but are
not limited to: loss of employment, move across the country, move across continents,
divorce, serious illness, or death. At times, a buyer may decide that despite their efforts,
they’re just not compatible with the temperament and size of a Weimaraner. A
responsible breeder will state that they will take a dog back at any time if a buyer’s
situation changes. A nicebreeder won’t judge the owner for making that decision. (We’re
all human, and we have our limits.) Ask a breeder how many times they’ve had to take
back a dog, and in those circumstances, find out why a dog was surrendered. Caution: Be
cautious of breeders to habitually take dogs back because the new owners thought the
dog was too active or too destructive. This says two things: 1) The breeder isn’t screening
families well enough to place puppies in the right home that will provide structure and
training, and 2) The breeder may be breeding puppies with poor/incorrect temperaments.
Neither are ideal scenarios. Automatic fail: A breeder who says they’re unable to take
dogs back after they’re sold.
Example: “Purchaser understands that if after receiving the puppy listed below, Purchase
is no longer able to care for their puppy, (due to but not limited to, allergies, landlord
refusal, family problems, financial problems or adjustment problems) that no refund will
be given by the Seller. Purchase understands that it is the Purchaser’s responsibility to
place their puppy in a quality home…” This is a sign they’re not being sustainable about
their breeding habits and leaves you, the buyer, with the stress of trying to figure out what
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happens to your dog if you’re stuck in a predicament. Worse, if your dog ends up at the
local pound because you couldn’t find anyone who was willing to take in a large, active
Weimaraner, you’re now contributing to the amount of homeless pets in our country.
Don’t be the asshat who leaves your dog stranded.
Here is a proper commitment/statement from Shadowpoint Weimaraners.
A few final thoughts:
Not everyone is going to have all of the above-posted information readily available on
their website, if they have a website. If there’s a question you have for a breeder, just ask
them.
Everyone should answer a different way; that’s okay, and it’s what makes us all unique.
Further, breeders are like Bed & Breakfast; they’re all going to be different based on the
proprietor’s master goals. Folks who go the breeder route should interview and meet with
as many breeders as they can, and at the end of the process, they should end up with
someone they trust and know they can have a good long-term relationship with. Not
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every breeder will be right for every prospective puppy buyer, and vice versa, but that
doesn’t make either party “bad.” It’s not a one size fit all kind of effort.
The bottom line – we should all be able to provide you with an answer that makes sense
to you. (It’s also okay if you don’t agree with everything I wrote; that’s entirely your call.)
But – Be cautious of anyone who gets defensive or becomes non-responsive. If someone’s
answer doesn’t jive with you, that’s okay, but if you decide not to continue a conversation
with them, simply thank them for their responses and let them know you’ll reach out
again if you have any questions. It’s just plain nice to close the conversation loop.
At the end of this process, go with someone you trust and have a really good gut feeling
about.
Best wishes,
- Kim Burnell, Alpha Dog at Barrett Weimaraners
ADDITIONAL READING
A Dozen Simple Ways to be Certain You Are Working With a Reputable Breeder • “But I
only want a Pet, not a Show Dog” • Back Yard Breeder (BYB) vs. Responsible Breeder • Web
Search Warning Signs for Buying a Puppy Online
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How to Find a Reputable Weimaraner Breeder

Transcription

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