breeders

My boyfriend and I are looking to add a tail wagging member to our family. I usually always adopt and really push for adoption. However due to my bf's allergies we were looking into possibly finding a breeder for a few low shed options, like a poodle although he also has his heart set on something like a Scottish Terrier. I have never purchased a dog from a breeder before and wondered if anyone here has and what I should know if we take this route. I have been talking with a friend and coworker of mine since she use to do breeding, but I was wanting a bit mpre input on the subject. Thanks!

OK, I am not answering your question but... do a search on scottish terrier rescues. There are rescues set up for a lot of the different pure bred dogs. Many of the dogs will even have their papers to prove their breeding.

contact the AKC pr formal kennel club in your aREA FOR A LIST OF REPUTABLE BREEDERS. OR YOUR VET.
someone who just breeds their dog because it is cute or has an accidental breeding is NOT a breeder. (well i guess technically they are) they are a back yard breeder...their dog has not been certified for health or temperment. more than likely does not meet breed standards, etc. does the other part of the equation? probably not.

yes it may be a "purebred" but really so what...not if it doesn't come healthy or be a good rep of the breed then it isn't worth the $$ you pay if you atren't getting what you are looking for...& when the "breeder" can't find homes for the litter what happens to the rest of them?

a good breeder (responsible) will require that you rehome any puppy they sell you to them at any time in that dogs life back to them. period. illness, moving, behavior issues..what ever. the dog returns to the breeder no questions asked.

DO NOT BUY FROM A PET STORE. those dogs do not come from a responsible breeder. they come from puppy mills. yes they are purebreds . the dogs parents are kept in cages & never see daylight. cages stacked on top of each other. dogs on bottom sleep in filth. no vet care. crappy food. inbreeding. over breeding. when finished breeding due to age etc dogs are killed or if lucky turned to a rescue.

dogs in stores that don't get sold are killed (at least in east coast of us). majority of mills are amish.

research the breed you want before you buy.

check the rescue world..check petfinder. most dogs in a breed specific rescue are purebred & come fully vetted & trained & with the full time support of a rescue for the dog's life.

stumpy

dogs in stores that don't get sold are killed (at least in east coast of us). majority of mills are amish.


The area of Ohio where I went to adopt the little Dachshund was in Amish country. The rescue facility was FULL of purebred dogs, though really unhealthy-looking. She had over 100 dogs, (on her 7 acre rescue estate), and said she adopts out over 300 a year.

One of my best tips for you is to insist on going to the breeders home to see the puppies. Often times, the "breeder" will insist on meeting you at "X" place so that you don't have to drive "X" amount of miles and even if you say you live close, will still ask if they can meet you in the middle. This, to me, has always been a bad sign and will always make me run. A breeder that doesn't want you to see where s/he breeds their dogs usually has something to hide. A reputable breeder is generally more than willing to let you come over, interact with the puppies, maybe meet the mother, etc. (Though, it should be noted, even some millers and BYBers will allow you to come over. These ones are usually good at making everything look "presentable" and/or feel they have nothing to hide, anyway)

Likewise, don't be afraid to ask questions! A good breeder won't mind answering and will actually appreciate that you're trying to seek as much knowledge about the breed as possible. Any question you have, ask it. If they refuse to answer and/or don't seem to know the answer... run.

Ask if there is a contract (a reputable breeder will always say yes, a hobby breeder will almost always say yes, and a miller/BYB may or may not say yes) and ask if you can read it. Read it carefully. If it says that the breeder will take the dog back if you ever decide you can't have him/her any more during his entire life, that's good. However, most not-so reputable breeders will pull a "first few months of life" or "first year" because it looks good. But I cannot begin to tell you how many of their dogs end up in the shelter because they refuse to take them back after the cut off date. Read that contract carefully, though, so you know what you're agreeing to.

Good breeders will usually only breed one or two breeds (two is not uncommon, more than is pushing it), breeds because they love the breed not to make a quick dollar, will never produce more than one litter a year (it's not uncommon for them to go years without breeding a litter), will be more than willing to share the good and the bad and won't candy coat the breed just to quickly sell the puppies, will sell all pet quality dogs under a spay/neuter contract, and often times will participate in some kind of events. (Not always conformation shows - though, I'm not sure what Scottish Terriers could participate in...)

It can be a bit overwhelming finding a good breeder. Breed rescues may be something you want to consider. There are so many poodles breed these days (and poodle mixes) that I'm sure there are a plethora of Poodle rescues out there. Scottish Terriers, though... that, I'm not so sure of.

I found a Scottish Terrier Rescue in a neighboring state that will do out of state adoptions or refer you to a national rescue program. I work with dogs at my job (I do dog grooming) and have a lot of interaction with different breeds, after a lot of research it really seems like a scottie would fit our lifestyle, or some sort of mix. Thank you all for your help, I will definitely talk to some local vets and see what info I can find out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by seeker1950 dogs in stores that don't get sold are killed (at least in east coast of us). majority of mills are amish. The area of Ohio where I went to adopt the little Dachshund was in Amish country. The rescue facility was FULL of purebred dogs, though really unhealthy-looking. She had over 100 dogs, (on her 7 acre rescue estate), and said she adopts out over 300 a year.

most of the pet stores don't turn their stock over to rescue...they lose $$ that way. they have no desire to...those that can not be used as breeding stock are disposed of. millers sometimes do disband their stock because they get raided ...etc & then dogs do end up in rescue but most dogs in stores do not end up in a rescue.

very few millers care about what happens to their "stock" & that is what their dogs are...stock..not cute puppies or momma dogs. i could have hundreds of bassets if i wanted to...go to petfinder...you could cry just looking thru what is available on line...rescues pull dogs from what is posted there everyday. rescue groups frequently assist other groups from out of state...so just because someone is in amish area doesn't mean they are helping millers nearby. my rescue is in nj but we pull dogs from nj, ny, pa, & ky, tn, ga etc.

watch "madonna of the mills" or any on line video of the puppy mills...not a good or easy thing to watch. sickens you. there is no good & nice relationship between millers & rescue..or if there is it is a rarity. believe me. most rescuers would be happy if they didn't have to be in rescue.

stumpy

Puppy mills just break my heart and so do the pet stores that agree to carry them. My bf's aunt and uncle have a puppy mill rescue and the poor thing is so use to living in a cage, he stays in his kennel most of the time because it's all he knows and the only way he feels safe.

When I was deciding which breed to choose for my 1st ever dog I did a bunch of online questionnaires. I found them reliable & helpful. They match up your personal & practical requirements with the most suitable dog. Whippets came up in my top 3 in all of the questionnaires I did, so I made my decision based on that; and all I can say is: Whippets - Best Dogs Ever! I now have 2, love them to death. Good luck.

Yes, I've thought a whippet would be a great choice for a dog. I was an exhibitor at a recent art show, and someone came by with a whippet on a leash. Such a sweet dog!