Question for our Ethical Breeders

Sagesmom · 06-03-2008, 12:14 PM

With all the talk about kimbertal and other not so good breeders I have a hypothetical situation for you. This is not about me (as I am in no way in a position to have a second dog), it is about what would you do if you had a litter on the ground when this hypothetical person emailed you.

Hello,

My name is Destiny. I am looking for a doberman puppy. I have seen that you are expecting a litter anytime now, and from your web page the parents look great.

I know that you screen your puppy homes so I will tell you a little about our home and our situation. My husband and I have been married for 15 years. My husband is a HVAC journeyman, and I work for a third party verification service. We have 3 children, my oldest daughter is 13, My son is 11, and our youngest daughter is 9. We have several other pets, our cat is 6 years old and was rescued from a tree as a small kitten (we never could find her mother or her home). Our blue and gold macaw is 10ish, she (we think) came to us when her last home didn't have the time for her (she was locked in her cage for 6 months, until she came to us). We also have another dog, she is a 3 year old fawn that came to live with us a few 2 years ago. She was an escape artist (so they told us) and they were afraid that she would get hit by a car (we haven't had the problem, but we don't leave her outside alone either so who knows).

Please I am really interested in one of your puppies, if you have any questions for us please let me know.

Thanks again
Destiny

So what would you do?

**velmadobe** · 06-03-2008, 02:35 PM

Man that does not sound hypothetical - LOL!

I would be happy that right off the bat they gave me some info about themselves. I don't think that they sound like a bad home, but of course I would want a lot more info, some one on one talk as well - like is the bitch they have spayed? How many hours a day are they gone? I have a questionnaire that I use to gather basic info.

I will say that I have gotten some e-mails from what sound like good homes, but there were too far away from me.

gracieface · 06-03-2008, 02:41 PM

sounds like a good start, someone I would respond to but I would have a lot more questions and I prefer to meet people in person, or have them meet with a dobe person in their area.
with Grace's first litter I went to check out a home before agreeing to let them have a pup- poor kids looked so young to me, I made them jump thru a bunch of hoops! and I actually delivered 2 pups to the new owners b/c I still wasn't 100% sure, got a much better idea of them seeing them in their own homes.

Sagesmom · 06-03-2008, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by velmadobe

Man that does not sound hypothetical - LOL!

Like I said I am in no way able to have a second dog at this time.... but if I was this would be my situation. I know there are red flags in my life that would make it impossible for me to get a rescue (other small animals being a big one).

Quote:

Originally Posted by velmadobe

I would be happy that right off the bat they gave me some info about themselves. I don't think that they sound like a bad home, but of course I would want a lot more info, some one on one talk as well - like is the bitch they have spayed? How many hours a day are they gone? I have a questionnaire that I use to gather basic info.

I will say that I have gotten some e-mails from what sound like good homes, but there were too far away from me.

To far away I can live with (puppies just don't like stamps for some reason... lol). Let us say for the sake of this question that the bitch is spayed (she is a pet and not a breeder) what other info would you like to have?

I guess my question is how hard would it be for a person like me to get a puppy from an ethical breeder?

GunnersMum · 06-03-2008, 02:49 PM

HAHAHAHA. I was wondering where this *hypothetical destiny* was going. lol.

You're very bad Sagesmom. (tsk, tsk, does hubby know you've got puppy itch?)

Sagesmom · 06-03-2008, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gracieface

sounds like a good start, someone I would respond to but I would have a lot more questions and I prefer to meet people in person, or have them meet with a dobe person in their area.

that would be the rub. In many places there just aren't any dobe people in the area, and a lot of breeders won't ship. That would be the reason for the question.

Sagesmom · 06-03-2008, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GunnersMum

HAHAHAHA. I was wondering where this *hypothetical destiny* was going. lol.

You're very bad Sagesmom. (tsk, tsk, does hubby know you've got puppy itch?)

yes, but of everyone in our house I know better than anyone that there is no way Sage could handle a puppy in the house. With her temperament I don't think there will ever be another dog in our house.

Hound · 06-03-2008, 06:28 PM

I wouldn't have any problems with it (I don't breed dobies thou, I do do Afghans). I have a bunch of small animals myself (cats) and a parrot as well (eclectus).

I'd probably focus on evaluating the puppies temperments as well but then I assume most breeders do. Of course more talking but no red flags to me.

tosca · 06-03-2008, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sagesmom

that would be the rub. In many places there just aren't any dobe people in the area, and a lot of breeders won't ship. That would be the reason for the question.

Your profile shows you're in Idaho Falls - Idaho, I'm assuming? There are dobe breeders who are not all that far from you, so you likely wouldn't have to look at shipping.

As far as what else folks might want to know - what 'bout fenced yard? Reason(s) you're seeking a 2nd doberman? Where do your dogs live - meaning how are they involved in your life? I usually ask for a description of a day in the life of your doberman.

Your letter is a good start, but most breeders will want to know more, I'm sure.

gracieface · 06-04-2008, 08:52 AM

I did ship a pup to Newfoundland, never met the girl but we started with emails, she called me, gave me the phone numbers for her vet and her parents (she lives in their basement apartment), she did go meet with a breeder in the area who had no litters planned, that breeder gave her impressions to myself and another breeder. so, there are ways, not unusual for a person to be asked to supply references.