Questions to ask a breeder at FIRST CONTACT

Diana · Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 2:07 pm Post subject:

babu - yes you really should. Its not a snobbery thing, its just that it only costs £30 to eye test and its so important because the problem, which can make your puppy blind by a very young age, is passed along 101% genetically, so from both parents... both must be clear for you breathe easy, and as I say, its such a cheap and easy test there are just no excuses....

ALSO bear in mind, hip scoring costs around £150 plus. SO why if they hip scored did they not eye test? Consider the possibility that they DID eye test and the bitch failed.... that is a real worry....

can you see where I am coming from?

If you DO go ahead, make sure you see the certificates for both parents hips and dads eyes - but please walk away really - they have only done half a job there, or worse still, could be hoodwinking you on a failed result... which would be devestating for your puppy...

Where abouts in the country are you? We can help you tick all the boxes.... take a look at the FAQ's thread on buying a Labrador puppy on the BREEDING section, at the bottom the puppy register phone numbers for the breed clubs are listed, or happy to help you on forum if you can't find the thread....

There are so many litters with all the boxes ticked, you don't need to encourage people by buying who have done it half heartedly...

Good luck!
Di

lilstar74 · Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 1:42 pm Post subject: first Contact

Hope you can help. I have been thinking about getting a puppy (chocolate lab) and know that it will be a lot of hard work and even more rewards and love in return. I have spoken to numerous friends to get their advice and they have been honest, but on the whole think that it is a great idea.
I love the idea of the question list. I made contact with a breeder (through KC website) this week to ask some questions but when I asked to go and speak to her face to face I was told she would refuse to sell me a puppy. I was speechless! (I only wanted advice and not to buy). I think that it was because I currently work. I have a support network in place, but essentially I work from home. I thought that this would be the best thing to do to get through the initial training stage, until I could leave the puppy for longer periods. Now I am confused and disappointed that she hung up before I could explain my situation. I need advice. I think that I am sensible enough to be responsible for an animal and but now I left thinking that what I was planning to do was cruel. Don't other dog owners work?

I would appreciate some honest feedback as first hand experience is better than a book.

This is my first forum ever... How exciting !

_Linda_ · Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 1:51 pm Post subject:

Hi and welcome to LF Very Happy

If you work from home and you told her this, that you will be around for most of the time, I dont understand why she would not sell you a puppy Confused

I would just move on and forget this person to be honest, as well as you asking the breeder questions, good breeders will also ask YOU questions. So make sure you can answer them ie:

Do you work and how long with the puppy be left for (most would not sell to someone where puppy is left longer that four hours, but if you have to what support network do you have in place, eg family, dogwalker

So I would think about it from the breeders point of view and then when you do speak to them, you can confirm about your arrangements, hope that helps Very Happy

Lyndaloo · Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 1:57 pm Post subject: Re: first Contact

Blypark · Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 2:08 pm Post subject:

Yesterday, I went to see someone who has just bought a puppy. I had told her before she went on the look to ask about relevant tests. I asked her about the breeding of this puppy and I know for a fact that the sire failed his eyes, I was there on the day. So she had asked if the parents had been eye tested and told they had been - that is true she wasn't told that the test on one of them was a fail!
So, could I just really make a point that perhaps you should ask for copies of relevant certificates. BEFORE you see pups. So you are not just looking on the day, but have hard copy before you go.
For eyes, ifis there is no cert, they may be hiding a fail.
I always give copies of as much as possble to new owners, it cost a fortune in ink, but worth it.
Sherry

flyaway · Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 2:46 pm Post subject:

Thank you Di for producing a list of questions for anyone looking to buy a puppy - they will be useful especially as it is often an emotional time and so easy to get overwhelmed by those lovely puppy eyes.

You've explained the range of numbers that would be hoped for as hip scores, and the usefulness of elbow testing and of course eyes. All are really useful for people to know about.

I wonder too if it may be helpful to give the answers hoped for, with the other questions. It seems so obvious to me that I'd want to see a puppy with it's mum, but a novice puppy-owner-to-be may not realise the significance. And if a novice were to ask about worming and the answer given by a breeder was something like "No I only wormed them once but I used xxxx and that means yyyy". A novice may not understand whether this is significant or not.

A list of expected/ hoped for answers together the list of questions to ask would really help in these cases.

Please ignore all this Di if it's a step too far - your list is very very helpful as it stands. Well done to you.

Sue

Zensmum · Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:12 pm Post subject:

Di I think that is an excellent list, very helpful to prospective puppy buyers. Whenever I have looked at puppy advertisments I cannot believe the number of litters with only parts of the health tests completed.
Eye tests are very hit and miss ( there are some very well known FTch kennels who are used alot and only ever test once Rolling Eyes

, not a very good example to set ) and I am in agreement with Blypark CHECK THE CERTIFICATES Wink

, we had contact with a stud dog owner who thought it was perfectly reasonable to breed with an MRD affected bitch,
His words " Dont worry dogs dont go blind from this only have patches where they cannot see so you can just use your whistle to tell them where to go" Sad

. ( Thanks John W I had already read your thread on MRD so my reply was not really something that I would care to repeat on here Wink

).

Just one last thought, the kennel clubs health test records are useful too Wink

Ettinsmoor · Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:35 pm Post subject:

Feebarn · Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 4:38 pm Post subject: Re: first Contact

Diana · Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 5:00 pm Post subject:

Hi Sherry, you mention about buyers asking to SEE certificates - this is covered in this question: 5.... I hope its clear enough, if not happy to have suggestions how to rephrase it:

5) Can you see copies of not just mum but dads hip score result sheet and eye certificate?

Di