How to go about questioning a breeder?

[Connersgirl]

I have a puppy that I feel may be from a byb, and I'd like to question the breeder he came from about various things. My Mom got my puppy for me, and she didn't really do much "interviewing".

For some reason, this breeder got mad at my Mom, so I don't want to speak to her as me, rather someone else, so she doesn't get even more upset, and forget about answering my questions.

Can anyone give me some advice on how to go about questioning this breeder?

Thanks if you can provide any help. I hope I made sense, its late at night, so I can only hope...

[ChiChi]

ask if the parents are on site, if they are reg, or have ther Championship point (some one in the show ring correct me if i am wrong!) ask how many diffrent breeds he has/breeds. if he has alot of litters, ahhh where was that one post! i dont kno if this is any okay info, but i kno that there is ALOT of people that are more... "educated" than me! so i hope this helped a little!

[sheltiepups]

Ask:

if both parents are O.F.A. certified

Are either of the parents titled in conformation or any other AKC sport?

why did you decide to breed your male/female

What sort of guarantee do you offer on the puppy?

There are some.. hope it helps.

[DnD]

http://www.sunstrike-great-danes.com/intrview.html

I hope we are allowed to post links here! This is the best article I have ever come across on how to interview a breeder. I've used it and I hope others will too! Just remember to omitt the Great Dane specific parts lol! Hope this helps!

[Carrie]

You've already gotten the puppy. The time to ask is before you get the pup, but what's done is done and you had no control over that. That is, unless you have some questions that are relevent to the puppy's health, such as what to expect in the way of any genetic issues that may have been passed onto it, what to look for etc. If this breeder got mad at your Mom for asking questions, that is not the mark of a reputable breeder. They should be there for the life of their pup, to assist you in anything you need regarding health, care, training tips, nutrition...anything. They should care enough about their puppy to want to make it's life with it's new owner good.

I got my Chi's from a byb and even she was "nice" and willing to answer questions when I had some. I think some of these people really don't know any better and think they're doing such a great job of breeding dogs when they're not.

[Rip's Girl]

I got my Chi's from a byb and even she was "nice" and willing to answer questions when I had some. I think some of these people really don't know any better and think they're doing such a great job of breeding dogs when they're not.

My feelings exactly.

Connersgirl, the main thing I would ask about is health testing. Have the dogs been OFA certified and clear of luxating patellas and heart problems? (I'm guessing you have a Pomeranian?) Have their eyes been CERF cleared?

Then, I'd probably ask what she does with her dogs. I'm guessing by your avatar that you have a Pomeranian, so chances are with a "companion" breed such as that, most breeders are show breeders. (Wheras in other breeds you can find working dog breeders) So, i'd be curious to know if she is active in the breed, if she shows her dogs, is involved in breed rescue, etc.

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

I'm with Carrie on this one; if you already have the pup it's really too late to get into much now and if the "breeder" got mad about your mother asking questions before even purchasing the pup I really doubt that posing as someone else will get you more info.

A good breeder would be elated to have someone ask a million questions and happily answer them all.

[Connersgirl]

No, she wasn't mad because my Mom asked questions, from what my mom said to me, she was more than happy to answer, as she said she is on her website.

We had to have my pup shipped (yes, he is a pom ), and for some reason the airline didn't put him on the flight like they were supose to, so he had to stay an extra night at some "kennel". This place charged $175, because they had to care for him, when it was their fault that he didn't catch the plane the original day set in the first place. Anyhow, the breeder wrote my mom, and said they are asking for the "kenneling fee", but my mom said she couldn't afford to pay that much money.

The breeder got mad, as she thought that "ALL shipping fees must be paid by the buyer", was written into her contract when it wasn't.

In the end I think she was just upset because she ended up having to pay an extra one hundred seventy five bucks (that she shouldn't have had to pay, the stupid airline made the mistake), that she didn't plan on originaly...as I think anyone would.

Back to my main question though. I wanted to ask:

1. If she does health testing

2. If she, or someone else shows her dogs

3. If she tempermant tests

4. Why she originaly started breeding

5. What she is trying to do to make the breed better

I'm thinking of sending an e-mail tonight, I'm just a little worried about the answers I will get is all.

Thanks guys for so much help!

[flyndog]

I agree with Carrie and Crossfire. There's not much point in asking those questions now. Just enjoy your new puppy! BTW, I could be wrong, but I don't think many BYBs ship dogs, and puppy millers usually transport them in cars and trucks to brokers.

[Rip's Girl]

Still ,I don't think there is any harm in asking questions, just out of curiosity.

Let us know what you find out, Connersgirl!

[doberkim]

for general info on different kinds of breeders, what to look for, etc:

http://bakaridobes.westhost.com/publ.../PECBuyer.html


and my fave site:

http://members.execulink.com/~korevaar/buyingguide.htm

[Connersgirl]

I'll be sure to post whatever I find, Rip's girl! I hope its good news though!

[Connersgirl]

This is going to seem like a terribly stupid question, but HOW should I ask this breeder the questions?

I'm very nervous to ask, because I kind of want to seem like I'm interested in buying one of her pups... but, once I get the questions answered I don't want that to be the case.

Really dumb I know, but still, any advice?

[Cassiepeia]

Why do you want to know? Do you plan on buying another dog from her?
If you don't... I don't see the point in asking either.

However, if you still want to, just tell her you liked her site and wanted to know a little more about her kennel and her breed. Don't tell her you want to buy a pup.. just act like an interested newbie to the breed. She'll either help you or she won't.

Cass.

[Connersgirl]

I want to ask about health testing mainly, because I want to know what to expect with Conner as he ages. If I know she did all the tests,(and they came back with good results), I will be almost certian that he lives out a long, healthy life. If I know she didn't do the tests, I can be prepared to deal with some problems. I'd also like to know some more about her breeding...like I would if I WAS planning to buy a dog from her. My Mom never asked, so now I want to find out.