breeders

[ang]

What is everyones deffinition of a good kennel when we were looking for a pupppy all the places we visted looked the same.
Ang

[Krista]

Please go to the dallas -ft worth dachshund club site. They have some excellent lists of things to look for and questions to ask.
http://www.dfwdachshund.com
click on education from the sidebar and article links will come up.

Heres a few highlights.
the breeder should be checking you out as much as you are checking them out.

There should be a written contract specifying the health guarantee and that all dogs must be returned to them if you can no longer keep them. May mention that the dog cannot be kept outside, must receieve regualr vet care, etc...

There should not be too many dogs, all should be clean and sociable with other dogs and humans.

The breeder should offer info on the weaknesses of a dachsie: back trouble, hard to housetrain, easily become overweight, etc..

All puppies and breeding dogs should look healthy- no runny noses or eyes, clean anal area, healthy skin and coat etc.

The breeder should offer references and probably will ask you for a vet reference.

The puppies offered for immediate sale should be at least 8 weeks of age -eight weeks is the minimum by LAW in many states. In my own opinion 10 -12 weeks is even better.

I also like to know what ages they breed and how often. Mt own opinion is that all breeding dogs should be at least 2 yrs old and females should only have 2-3 litters each before retiring.

Please do read that website, there is a lot of great info there.

[lilpaws]

What did all the places you went to look like? I've been to many kennels over the years (and of course I own one) -- here is what I do NOT http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/frown.gif like to find:

--dirty: runs, dogs, pups, floors, food bowls, I hate to find anything that appears to be unkept -- things need to appear maintained. Things don't have to be new and spotless but they need to be clean. I like to see things organized.

--smelly: a clean kennel won't smell like a kennel except for first thing in the morning as the day begins.

--poo everywhere: whereever the dogs are should be free of poo. I hate when I go places and there is poo everywhere. It's not that hard to keep picked up.

--more than one breed: if the breeder is doing more than one breed I find that unappealing - it says to me they are spread too thin and not specializing in their breed. I think it is important to know everything about one breed instead of a little about 2 or 3.

--small runs or pens: dachshunds need space to run and play and exercise. I see 8x8s or 12x12 or even 20x20 and I'm out of there.

--puppies outside or in garages/barns: puppies should be whelped and reared indoors not in someones garage or barn. Never outside in a pen. http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/frown.gif They need to be with people to be well socialized.

--unhealthy dogs or puppies: I expect for all coats to be shiny, all dogs to appear fed, all eyes to be clear, and puppies to smell pleasant.

--lack of knowledge: if a breeder doesn't know about the history and pros and cons of the breed I head for the door. Not knowing what colors/patterns pups are is a big turn off for me. Also if they don't know what a pedigree is and have them for the litter's sire and dam leave quickly.

--unsocialized puppies/adults: when you look at puppies they should appear to love the breeder so should all of their dogs. Expect adults to bark and carry on when you arrive but they should calm after you have been there a while. Also if the parents are on premise but you can not see them and interact with them then leave.

-- puppies younger than 8 weeks being offered as ready to go home: no pup should leave its litter before 8 weeks of age. If pups are younger that shows a lazy and probably greedy breeder.

Beyond all this the must haves for me to consider buying a puppy are: a sales contract that includes some form of health guarantee, first vaccinations, first worming, at least a 3 generation pedigree, limited registration paperwork or spay/neuter contract (I want whoever I'm dealing with to ask if I'm going to breed this puppy and tell me why I shouldn't). Bonus things: microchip, care instructions, puppy kit.

The most important thing is that you feel comfortable with the breeder -- they are selling you a family member. If you do not trust them, like them, and have confidence in their breeding program -- leave and look elsewhere.


<font color="#00FFFF" font size="1">[This message has been edited by lilpaws (edited August 06, 2000).]</font>

[ang]

We saw good stuff no smelly pens big pens and health contracts every thing you mentioned as bad we didnt see at any
only saw one that had three diffrernt breds
She said she had 2 sons that bred the other 2 and she breed the dachies
The place where we bought our baby called us the next week and ask how he was geting along in the family she said she likes to check up on her babies http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif
What does a pupppy mill look like (sorry so nieve but I dont think i have ever seen one )
Ang

[WOTANSMUTTI]

Ang-

Imagine a dachsie concentration camp full of sick,starving,infested,hopeless throwaway little dogs locked in very small, filthy cages forced to reproduce continually.

Some pups are sold as young as the "breeders" can get them away from their dames. Often the mothers are bred right away to get as many babies out of them as possible. http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/frown.gif
Often, if just bred for money, there is no quality controls on the dogs, and lots of terrible hereditary problems come up.
Many dogs are put down after they cannot make babies anymore- or taken and dumped on shelters which have a hard time rescuing and placing dogs with health or socialization problems.
This is the worst case scenario- but there are millions of places from Doggie Hiltons to Dachsie Devil's Islands. What's hoped for is trying to help the good breeders survive while making ordinary folks aware of the rotten places and sad situations out there!
Hope this answers some of you questions,It's good to be aware.
Sonja

[Wienergal]

Ang,

Go to www.nopuppymills.com (http://www.nopuppymills.com) to learn what puppy mills are and to see photos of a puppy mill--if you can stand to look.

A breeding operation doesn't have to be large to fit the definition of "puppy mill," at leasts my definition: A puppy mill is a breeding operation in which dogs are treated as livestock, instead of companion animals. Their bodies are used for maximum puppy production, and the primary goal is profit, not the betterment of the breed.

[~8DachsieAngels~]

I thought i replied to this already ... man im tired musta hit the wrong button i also put up a link for a good site with info on puppymills heres the link again or for the 1st time... a girl needs some sleep around here...lol Check out this site it also has alot of great info.
http://www.critterhaven.org/victims.htm

Jen

[wireweiners]

I would add to all the other good advice that a good breeder should have goals for their breeding program. IMHO, there are too many dogs in rescue programs or shelters to breed simply to produce pets. A good breeder should be breeding to produce a better dachshund for the show or obedience ring or field. A good breeder usually is planning on keeping a pup or 2 from the litter. They are breeding for themselves, to further their goals, not just to produce pups for sale. For this reason, a good breeder doesn't always have puppies available and normally just breeds one or 2 litters a year. A good breeder should not have so many dogs that each dog cannot receive individual attention, from the youngest pup to the old retirees. Plus, I like a breeder that breeds a well rounded dog and does more than one thing with their dogs. For example, competes in the breed ring and obedience, field or earth dog. That is my criteria.

[Penny's Aunt]

Another sign of a good breeder is one that asks YOU a lot of questions. Good breeders care very much where their pups are going, & don't want to sell them to homes that won't treat them right.

When I was considering my pup's breeder, these were just a few of the questions she asked me, personally, & on the 4-page questionnaire I filled out:

Have you had this breed of dog before? Do you know its good & bad qualities?
How many dogs have you had in your life? What happened to them?
Do you have a securely-fenced yard?
Will the dog be left alone for many hours every day?
Do you intend to breed, participate in dog sports, or show in confirmation?
Can I have the phone number of your vet & ask him/her some questions?
Do you intend to take the pup to socialization & obedience classes?
If conditions occur where you can no longer keep the dog, would you agree to return him to me to find a good home?

The best breeders also participate in their Breed Rescue. If yours doesn't, ask why not?

BTW, if your prospective pup comes from a multi-adult household, it is possible that they may breed 2 or 3 breeds. Sometimes couples meet in dog circles, & each has their own favorite.

[ang]

<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm6.gif" border=0> Thanks fot all the web sites
Well ya'll have opened my eyes I will not be breeding my dog. I have a friend that has a dashie we had thought about breeding when they are older. But that will not be happening.I had never heard of the rescue programs before we got our baby and I think that is common for new owners. After we got our pup someone gave me this website that is the first I had ever heard of dashie rescue
but if I hear of anyone else interested in a dog I will deffinitly tell them and if we ever add to our family agian I will look at resuce first.
Ang

[ang]

i also have decided not to register my pup after reading some of the stuff on the website you sent<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm22.gif" border=0>
I am not going to breed and why send them anymore money uugghh
Ang

[Owen's Mom]

Owen wants you to know how happy he is that you've decided not to breed, but rather embrace rescue!! He was dumped at the pound when he was only about 10 months old, and knows what it's like to be born and not wanted. Now, of course, he's wanted by everyone who sees him <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm27.gif" border=0>

<IMG SRC="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=628165&a=4582128&p=20712692&Sequence=3" border=0>

Rescue Rocks <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm1.gif" border=0>

~~Amy & Owen http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/facelick.gif~~

[ang]

What a sweet face
Ang

[Wienergal]

Ang, you just made my day! You really did.<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm30.gif" border=0> I've just had a pretty rotten day all around--very unhappy work stuff (I am starting to look for a new job, and boy, do I hate the thought of that kind of disruption!) and some less-than-happy dachsie rescue stuff, so reading your post about not breeding and learning about rescue just filled my heart. So thanks!

May I vent about the dachsie stuff? Here goes. Several weeks ago, someone put a young couple in touch with me. They had fallen in love with dachshunds (actually with a friend's dachshund), just bought a house, and had decided they wanted a pair. They said they were willing to rescue, so I sent them links to DRNA, HUA, etc., and I also sent them e-mails of several very good breeders I know, because I knew they were impatient. I also told them to be wary of newspaper ads for home breeders and told them not to buy from pet stores; they had no clue about puppy mills.

I followed up religiously--e-mailed them, asked how the search was going, found some dogs on the DRNA site that were perfect for them and sent them the info, etc., etc.

Today I get an e-mail reply, saying they bought two pups from a home breeder on the south side. The pups are just barely six weeks old. No questions asked. They went, they saw, they took the pups home.

I wonder why people who ask for advice don't bother to take it.

Sorry for the rant. I'm feeling blue. http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/frown.gif But better since reading Ang's post....