The past is the past, and anybody can make a mistake. The trick is to learn from it. I have always been impressed by your commitment and love for your dog.
It may help if I outline my own experience in buying a Labrador and why I fully support the views of the Editor and others on responsible breeding. Four years ago I was aware of the problems of hip dysplasia and and at the time the KC recommendations were that both parents should have good hip scores (no mention of elbow scores) and that one should buy from a KC accredited breeder. I found a KC accredited breeder that met these criteria and bought Benson, a black male Labrador who has become the most important member of our family. Benson had his hips and elbows X rayed when he was 1 and I was pleased to find that he scored 9 (EBV green -16) on his hips and horrified to see that he scored 2 on his elbows (EBV red 108). I have taken the decision not to breed from Benson but more importantly, I live with a virtual sword of Damocles hanging over my head worrying that Benson's elbows will fail and he will need major surgery to correct the defect. The good news is that Benson will shortly be 5, he is an extremely active dog showing no sign of lameness. Fingers crossed he will not be one of the unlucky dogs, but boy could I have done without the worry!
I also did much research for my puppy and selected my registered breeder based upon the published scores of her stud and bitches. Both sire, who has won in the show ring and in field trials, and the dam have the best scores for hips and elbows (an essential requirement here in France) and with clear eye tests. When my pup, Juno, was born last year I was in seventh heaven expecting a fit and healthy puppy. Unfortunately for me the sword of Damocles pierced my heart when Juno was 7 months and had her second bout of limping which held to surgery for fragmentation of the medial coronoid process of the ulna. Juno celebrated her 1st birthday yesterday and is a happy, energetic little girl but we live with the knowledge that every day without a limp is a day to celebrate.
I think it's good that you've got a list of criteria for prospective owners. Don't hold back on investigating their circumstances and commitment and definitely don't be afraid to say no if you don't think it feels right. I don't think it matters if people have not had a pup or dog before - I think what I'd be looking for is a home where the dog is to be indoors and part of the family, where there's a plan for training (positive methods only) and socialising the pup and where the owners are kind. I'd ask people your questions on the phone before they see the pups and on that basis decide if you want to give your address out. What's your plan if a home doesn't work out? Would you buy the puppy back (or guarantee to take the pup back) and then find a new home?
Hi Rachael, ive been wondering what to do about a few of those circumstance and upon reading a few articles and talking to a few breeders etc, i came to the following conclusions. If a home doesnt work out, of course i would take the puppy back, the last thing i dont want is a puppy going to a home where the new owners arent happy with the pup and vice versa. Any articles/books i have read state that there should be no need to hand the full amount back to the new owner unless there is a problem with the health of the pup in the first few weeks. Again ive been advised to tell any new puppy owner to arrange an appt with their vet as soon as they collect the pup to give the pup a once over, then if they believe its an unhealthy pup of course i would arrange a refund. But if say after 1month/2months down the line they owner didnt want the pup or the pup didnt fit into their circumstances then i would take the pup back (there would be no full refund) and try to rehome it, but i wouldnt b charging much/if anything to the new owners. Again as i stated before, im not into doing this to make profit out of it, if anything i wont be making much at all if all the pups go at full price.
It is a bit of a nightmare isn't it, worrying that the pups will go to the right kind of homes? I went on a new breeder seminar in January, and this unsurprisingly was a top topic. A couple of the breeders there said they won't sell to families with very small children, for instance, as they simply won't have the time to look after a puppy. And I've heard several tales of buyers taking a puppy home, then bringing it back a couple of weeks later, saying they've changed their minds... I suppose you just have to do the best you can, find out as much about the prospective buyer as possible, go with your instincts and not be afraid to say no if something doesn't feel right.
Its like the breeder that we bought Jet off. She told me a story about one of Jets sisters who they hadnt done a home check on. The new owner lived on the ground floor on a block of flats in Belfast. She was distraught for ages when she let the puppy go and was really tempted to go and take the puppy home and give the person a refund. Little did she know there was a huge grass park next to the high rise and when she contacted the owner for photos and an update etc, the pictures she sent were amazing and the dog looked in top condition and form. That pup went on to win numerous shows as well!
That sounds like a good plan. How is everyone coping with the pups being inside? It's certainly an unbeatable way to get them used to family life.
I emailed "puppy questionnaire" to everyone interested in my puppies. I was considering them as my pup owners only if I liked their answers, Then they were invited to visit us when the pups were 3 weeks old (with special precautions like disinfecting etc) & that was when we were making our decisions where the pups are going. So far (over 5 months) it looks we've chosen good homes. If you want I can email you my puppy questionnaire so you can work over it to create your own.
Prospective owners may have a Facebook page. If so ask to friend them to keep up to date with photos and puppies growth. You then have a little peep at what they're up to in their lifes. If you felt they were never in and party a lot, it may help with vetting them and help you tell how truthful they are. We got our first pup when my youngest child was 3 years old. I had three children. I'm so glad that didn't stop us getting her. Wherever we went as a family , She came too. Caravan holidays, daytrips and visits to family. I made the decision years ago that I would never breed any of my dogs. I couldn't cope with the bickering having at least 9 dogs because I wouldn't be able to decide whether someone was good enough for one of them. I don't envy you that task.
How gorgeous are they I love that the pups are getting used to household equipment and noises, and also that they are around your children. When we brought harley she had never been inside a house - they were in a large kennel outside - most of her family were working dogs so didn't go in the house. I'm glad you will be vetting prospective owners and giving them full insights to both parents. I didn't know to ask for health tests, but did receive them for dad and only some for mum. Luckily, so far, we haven't had any problems with Harley's hips or elbows. I would love to see more photos as they grow over the weeks
Rachael, were all coping well with the pups inside at the moment lol! I took ill Friday evening and think ive the vomiting and diarrhoea bug and only stirring from my bed today, thankfully beginning to be on the mend. My wife has been weighing the pups the last two evenings and they are still growing. Cant believe they are a week old tomorrow and in a few days they will be opening their little eyes to this big bad world! Kids are loving the pups and love counting them each time Jet climbs into her box. Jet is doing well too although looks a little tattered and down and out, once we begin the weaning process in a few weeks ill be sending Jet to the groomers to get her an all over pampering. The black discharge has gone and she still has a red/brown discharge quite a bit but according to the vet and books that could be present for a few weeks yet. Other than that she is eating us out of house and home lol, shes taking about 4 big feeds a day of just pure puppy food. Cant wait to get her back to herself again, these pups are literally feeding the weight off her back!
That would be brilliant, thanks, ill pm you my email address! Also anyone wishing to add me on facebook then feel free to drop me a pm!
Great that it's all going well and that the whole family is involved in puppy care Hope you're feeling better soon.
Just spent this morning registering Jets Litter, cant believe its a week today that the little ones arrived. They are growing fast and soon their little eyes will be opened! So Kennel came is "Kilicranvale and the wee dotes names are:-Thomas Tank, Hardy Ollie, Hot Shot Luis, Stans Laurel, Yellow Rose, Auroras Rouge, Let It Go Elsa and Queen Calise! As you can see the whole family had a bit of input lol
