Lessons Learned
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Lesson #1 -- Buy a show quality dog from someone that is actually showing their dogs. I have learned that good show homes are hard to find. So if you are in the market to get a show quality dog, it really isn't hard to find one. A little research up front will save you a lot of aggravation, and $$$$, in the long run.
Lesson #2 -- There is a BIG difference between a show marked puppy and show quality puppy. Just because a breeder has a beautifully marked Harlequin or Mantle does not mean that it is a show quality puppy. On the flip side, many people that don't show believe that a fawn or a brindle with a white spot on their chest is not show marked. That is incorrect. I have seen many champions and specials dogs in the ring with a white patch on their chest.
Lesson #3 -- Many good breeders will ask for references. Don't be intimidated by this. However, ask them for references. Ask them for previous references AND references from the same litter. You don't want to be told that you are getting the pick of the litter only to find out that four other people that purchased a pup from that litter were told the same exact thing. I have more respect for a breeder that tells me that my puppy was the third pick. That way, at shows, there are no surprises when my puppy is placing behind the other two puppies from the same litter.
Lesson #4 -- Talk to many different people/breeders. Do not put all your stock into any one breeder in the beginning. Talk to many and make decisions that work for you. Ask questions, ask questions, and ask more questions. HOWEVER, be prepared to get answers and opinions. If you don't want someone's opinion, then don't ask the question. There are many people out there that are quick to tell you everything wrong about your dog because it is not from their line/breeding. Those same people are slow to tell you the negative in their line.
Lesson #5 -- If you breed long enough, you probably will experience everything that any living creature is susceptible to; bloat, cancer, etc... A good breeder should acknowledge it and help their client through it. A great breeder would contact all the puppies from the litter to keep an eye out for something that occurred to one of the littermates, not try to cover it up.
Lesson #6 -- If a breeder will not respond to your questions in a timely manner while they are selling a litter, don't expect anything more after you hand them over your money. |
