I guess for my first blog I want to thank all of you for taking the time to get to know us, our dogs and our puppies as well as letting us help you complete your family and making ours bigger to include all of you. This has been such an amazing experience for us. There have been some ups and downs and harsh learning curves but it has all lead us to this place with all of you where we match puppies to their best suited family and vice versa.
I always chuckle when I hear people talk about breeding and money. You know those people that say “ oh she has 4 females so 3 – 4 litters a year @ 8 puppy average for 800 / puppy so that 25,600.00/year … It entertains me because if they only knew … luckily there are good breeders out there who do this because they have a deep love of a breed, improving that breed, competing in one facet or another, and those breeders are lucky enough to find loving dog owners who understand the difference between that kind of breeder and a puppy mill. I am not saying we make no money, but we certainly don’t make the blanket amount everyone assumes by adding dogs, + average # of puppies, = what we make from breeding. I will tell you that a good reputable breeder needs to pay health clearances, vet bills, registrations, membership fees to CKC and whatever other kennel clubs they may belong to, conformation, obedience, rally show fees plus a handler for the dogs if you are unable yourself, nutrition which can be expensive if it is of good quality, maintaining kennels and buildings, not to mention none of these expenses really change when you have a dog you have raised for 2 years that for whatever reason isn’t breed able your program, when a mama dog needs an emergency c section and she may or may not make and may or may not have any live pups. A reputable breeder is self-employed and is no different than any other self-employed business, if you do it well and with pride and take care to do it right and constantly improving and growing you can have a good year or you may have a really crappy year . That’s the risk in operating your own business whatever the business. As in any area of business there are breeders who may follow all the rules, but aren’t great breeders and some who don’t follow any and luck out and breed great dogs.
On this subject, please get to know your breeder, if it seems like they have no time for you or your questions (I don’t mean if they don’t get back to immediately because sometimes it can take us a few days ) and you’re not comfortable with that find another one. Finding out about your family and what kind of puppy you think you’re looking for is very important to us because if we can match the right owner and puppy it is an easy transition for everyone. There are times when people think they know what they want, and after we get to know them a little we may think they need a different temperament so we will introduce them to the puppy with the temperament they were looking for and the one we think suits them better from their description. We are usually right if you have been honest with us about your lifestyleJ There are magazines and web sites that tell you what makes a good breeder and a bad breeder … THE RED FLAGS… You have to trust your own instincts and judgement.
They talk about shunning breeders that do not allow you to visit the property. I understand why this could be a red flag but it is not always a red flag!!!! There are breeders that do not allow people on their property to protect their puppies. People can carry parasites and diseases into a kennel without ever being aware. Some of them are highly contagious and can easily run through an entire kennel and can be deadly to puppies. Yes there are precautions we can take. For example we like to ask people if they have other dogs or around other dogs regularly, if they frequent pet stores or off leash parks, and if in their search for a puppy they have visited any other breeders at their kennel. There are other things you can do, but this is what we find out and then we proceed with further precautions from thereJ A few years ago we had a lady visit us, we asked her all these questions (she lied) and came to visit and meet our puppies. We had just brought home our new white stud 2 weeks prior (Valor) and he was 11 weeks old so had his first vaccination only. Well long story short (and very thankfully with a happy ending) he ended up contracting parvo and we were devastated and fought a very devastating disease that kills many puppies and won. So my point is; don’t judge a breeder solely on whether or not they let you visit their property. I considered not letting anyone on my property for some time afterwards. The questions you find to know a good breeder are simply a guide line, trust your instincts if you feel comfortable with them good if you don’t move on. We have instincts for a reasonJ. Research the breed. There are different types and colors and temperaments of Labradors these days, so know them and what you are looking for and make sure you’re completely honest with your breeder about what you want.
Thanks for reading; I promise not to step onto the soap box too often. Most of my blogs will be for you and your puppy/dog to make you laugh, or help or teach J
I hope you are all enjoying the warmer weather with your four footed companions and shaking off the cabin fever that comes at the end of winter (especially this extra long winter).
Pawprint to Pawprint
S
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