Breeders’ Briefcase by Amy Anderson & Bonnie Lane co-chairs of the Breeders’ Education Committee Are You A Breeder or Do You Just Breed Dogs? Reprinted with permission Written by Ms Dany Canino Every year thousands of dogs are put litter and, we need to bear in mind to sleep at animal shelters all over the that those pet puppies we sold helped country. Where did these dogs come to pay our litter expenses. Those pets from? Can we honestly put the entire that were sold could end up being blame on the puppy mills or the casual responsible for pet shop puppies. backyard breeder? Or, could it possibly Whereas, I personally feel the sole be that many of these unfortunate dogs responsibility lies with the breeder are the result of progeny produced by that sold the pet either without a “professional breeders”? spay/neuter contract or without following through that sterility was Anyone can breed dogs, but it takes accomplished. It never ceases to amaze someone very special to wear the me how many dogs that end up in some badge of a breeder. shelter or a rescue organization is the A good breeder will keep track of second generation progeny of some the progeny they produce; including recognized breeder. the pet/non breeding stock. A good I´m also amazed at how many breeder will make sure that the pet breeders sell progeny of both show progeny produced is sold on a spay/ and pet potential without the aid of neuter contract and will follow through a contract. A contract is an insurance to see that this has been done. Now policy for both the breeder and the of days a breeder can utilize the buyer. A contract is one of the things AKC´s “Limited Registration” option that separates us from the puppy mills to re-evaluate a dog at one year of or the backyard breeder that we all age to see if the quality of the dog profess to abhor. A contract says that warrants a “breedable” registration. we are willing to stand behind what we Also available is the fact that you can produce and that we care about the render an animal sterile as young as 9 future of the animals we´ve brought weeks of age. The American Veterinary into the world. Association has determined (after many years of study) that this young age A properly worded contract is a is ideal because the animal has less breeder´s guarantee that the dog bleeding and heals faster. It´s amazing sold is going to receive the best of to me that very few vets even mention care, not be bred too young, or not this to you. at all, receive proper socialization, be trained, and most importantly If, as a breeder you only concern guarantee the breeder of a “first right yourself with the show quality animals of refusal” if the buyer is unable to you´ve sold, then you could be setting keep this dog. yourself and your breeding stock up for suspicion as to why you are breeding in To some, my suggestions for a contract the first place. As breeders (we) are all may seem a bit rigid, but it has never hoping that the pups we produce will lost me a sale of a puppy. In fact, my end up being a “show dog”. However, puppy buyers end up respecting the we always have to admit that we fact that I´m looking out for the best always also produce some pets in each interest of the puppy and the breed

PAGE  * THE WEIMARANER MAGAZINE * JANUARY 2012 too. I can honestly say that in the 30 Obviously this situation would not years of breeding I´ve only had two be necessary for a Golden Retriever, puppies returned to me as per my but you might want to make sure the contract. One was due to a divorce buyers agree to have the dog´s eyes situation and the dog was 8 years old checked yearly. and the other was because the dog I am appalled at how many “breeders” wasn´t being properly cared for and give a buyer a pedigree that would my contract enabled me to legally take an expert to piece together; i.e., repossess the dog if this situation the sire´s side on one piece of paper, occurred. the dam´s on another, and the other My contracts have always stated that generations are piece work at best. the buyer is obligated to let me know I´ve known of some sales where no if they are going to move from the pedigree was given. The “breeder” address I have on them. One of my simply suggests that the buyer write to biggest thrills was getting a call from a AKC for a full pedigree. buyer of one of my dogs notifying me I´ve had new puppy owners contact that they were moving to Texas. The me for a good feeding schedule, food dog they had purchased from me was suggestions, housebreaking tips and 13 ½ years old. so forth and so forth. All things that There are certain components you should have been related to the buyer must have in a contract to make sure before or when they pick up their it will stand up in a court of law should puppy. They should also be given a that become necessary. You must: two day supply of food. These are only • Be sure that the contract is fair a few things, there are many other (50/50) to all parties signing. situations of unanswered questions • Be sure that you clearly state that I´ve received from puppy buyers that all parties signing are aware of, bought from a “breeder”. and agree to the contents of the I´ve had people enroll in my training contract. classes with 5 to 11 month old dogs • Be sure that it is stated there are that have not only not had any no verbal or other promises or contact with their breeders since they guarantees promised. Only those bought their dog, but they can´t even in writing and duly signed by all remember the breeder´s name. Of parties will be honored. course I´m referring to the pet puppy • Be sure it states in the contract buyer since it seems that the show that if it becomes necessary to puppy buyer is in constant touch with litigate a violation of the contract, the breeder. Now I grant you that the that if you are the prevailing pendulum swings both ways. The puppy litigant, you have the right to buyer should stay in touch with the be reimbursed for all legal costs breeder, but they really need to be told and, have the right to redeem the (over and over again) that you want to dog with all AKC papers properly hear from them. signed over to you. Contracts are indeed breed specific. The thing that I find astounding is that When I was breeding Rottweilers I was a breeder wouldn´t want to stay in adamant that the dog had to be trained touch with each and every puppy so through open obedience before it could that the breeder can see how their enter into any training for bite work. breeding program is working.

PAGE  * THE WEIMARANER MAGAZINE * JANUARY 2012 I don´t think a breeder´s responsibility If you want a real education start ends with the placing of their pups. looking through your local newspaper It should continue through the dog´s to see all the ads for puppies of your adulthood. I´m not inferring that the breed at a much reduced price than buyer has no responsibilities when it compared to what you are asking. comes to this dog, but I do feel it´s up You need to offer more for what you to the breeder to educate the buyer want a buyer to pay. If you can show a of their responsibility when it comes potential buyer that you do things in a to this dog, and then to follow through more professional manner it makes the to see if the buyer has met these buyer feel more comfortable dealing responsibilities. with the professional. It makes them feel more comfortable when you can I sincerely hope that any breeder show them (via pictures, website or selling puppies has an all inclusive other means) background on this puppy interview with the potential buyer and and, can offer them a guarantee on their family before deciding to sell various things with this puppy. them a pup. It´s also a good idea to investigate the buyers home to make Which came first, the chicken or the sure it is safe for a new puppy and that egg? Which came first the puppy mill or this puppy will definitely be allowed the breeder? The people that operate in the home. If the pup is going to a a puppy mill had to get their original home where there are small children, breeding stock from somewhere. It´s you need to make sure that the adult pretty frightening when you actually buyers know how to safeguard both the trace a pedigree back five or six puppy and the child. generations and see those well known dogs of the past. I say, “don´t let I´m not sure how the scales balance history repeat itself.” We can´t cast as far as how many breeders follow stones if we live in glass kennels! through with all the progeny they produce, and/or the breeder that only If we don´t become beyond reproach follows up on the show quality pups in our own placements of our puppies sold. However, I hope that the scales and this includes the follow up after tip with the former. the sale, we will soon discover that we won´t be able to breed anymore. As a judge I find it incredible that I Laws are being written all over the have had to withhold ribbons o dogs for United States to try and stop us from a “lack of merit”. This shouldn´t have this healthy, happy, and sometimes to happen. I grant you that some of very rewarding, satisfying hobby. these dogs are the direct result of the If we don´t breed with integrity, “backyard breeder”, but when I check responsibility and a true concern for the catalogue I oftentimes discover the progeny we produce, we will that this dog was bred and sold by a eventually have no one to blame well known breeder. How then did this for the outcome of breeding, than dog end up in a show ring? I feel it was ourselves. the breeder’s responsibility to evaluate this dog if the buyers decided to show it. I don´t look bad as the judge. The buyers don´t look bad as an exhibitor. The only one that looks bad is the person that bred and sold this dog.

JANUARY 2012 * THE WEIMARANER MAGAZINE * PAGE