How Would You Suggest Meeting...????

DobeMomToo · 09-09-2008, 12:18 PM

All;

I was reading a throw-away paper and ran across an add for a 4 year old female Doberman needing a new home. I left a message for the "owner" and he just called me. He is looking to place the dog due to divorce, coupled with having to move as a result.

The dog is (as he put it) a "King Doberman" bred by his sister. She continues to hold the mother and a sibling -- both of which are said to be in good health. She is "traditional," cropped, docked and of good temperament. She is housebroken, and mixed between being an indoor and outdoor dog. She currently plays with two Mini-Pins and gets along well with them. He wants to place her with someone who knows Dobes and has property for her to roam on. Naturally, I totally forgot to ask if she was spayed or vWd tested. He wants $500.00 or best offer to place her.

We seem to meet his criteria and he is going to send us a picture of her. My question is this -- how would you arrange for a "meeting?" I have told him I would contact him later in the week, but I don't have a clue if there are other things I should ask about, and what you'd look for if you were considering giving this girl (Phoebe) a new home.

Any input on things to ask, and things to look for, would be greatly appreciated.

Naturally, the ultimate decision is Ember's to make.

**ellenm** · 09-09-2008, 12:25 PM

Ask about when her last vet visit occurred? Is she on HW prevention, up to date on shots, recent fecal check, is she spayed (you already said you'd ask that). I'd be surprised if he had vwd info on her, but you could ask anyway. Is she a good eater, have any food allergies or allergies in general? What color is she? How does her skin look? Is she housebroken and/or crate trained?

For me, the only deal breaker would be if your other dog hates her, of course, and if she isn't on HW preventative. I'd be sure to ask him to get a HW check asap before taking possession if she is not on HW prevention. The cost of a spay is not that great an expense in the lifetime of a dog if she is not spayed. I certainly hope she is spayed at age 4 however.

Are you meeting at neutral territory for both dogs...a park or something?

DobeMomToo · 09-09-2008, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ellenm

Ask about when her last vet visit occurred? Is she on HW prevention, up to date on shots, recent fecal check, is she spayed (you already said you'd ask that). I'd be surprised if he had vwd info on her, but you could ask anyway. Is she a good eater, have any food allergies or allergies in general? What color is she? How does her skin look? Is she housebroken and/or crate trained?

For me, the only deal breaker would be if your other dog hates her, of course, and if she isn't on HW preventative. I'd be sure to ask him to get a HW check asap before taking possession if she is not on HW prevention. The cost of a spay is not that great an expense in the lifetime of a dog if she is not spayed. I certainly hope she is spayed at age 4 however.

Are you meeting at neutral territory for both dogs...a park or something?

Ellen -- Thanks so much for the quick input. All great things to ask about.

To my credit, I did all ready confirm (as noted in the original post) that she is housebroken and "traditional" in color -- meaning Black and Tan. I too would think she'd be spayed at 4, but I totally forgot to ask!

He is unable to meet us on neutral territory, but promised to put the Min-Pins in so that the two of the "big dogs" can meet.

**voodoolizard** · 09-09-2008, 04:27 PM

good luck.

im afraid when i found the advert with missy in..i fell in loveandforgotto ask anything.. i justdrove and got her !! she had kennel club papers so that was good !!

You are so good to wait...LOL

id be there in a shot lol

DobeMomToo · 09-09-2008, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by voodoolizard

good luck.

im afraid when i found the advert with missy in..i fell in loveandforgotto ask anything.. i justdrove and got her !! she had kennel club papers so that was good !!

You are so good to wait...LOL

id be there in a shot lol

I want to be sure Ember gets along with this gal. So I can't rush anything.

kalora · 09-09-2008, 07:40 PM

My only concern would be the fact that his charging you to place the dog. He should be thankful she has been able to find a good home. When most breeders are looking to place a PET that has been returned to them which most good breeders require in the contracts b/c the home didn't work out, or divorce, or loss of a job we generally give them away to well interviewed homes. Sometimes we ask the adopter to give a donation to Doberman Rescue for adopting the dog. I would just be thankful the dog is getting a chance a hopeful forever home.

My brother in law had a similar situation with a another breed he wanted someone was looking to place one and they wanted $400 for a poorly breed dog they could no longer keep with no health testing. I told him please don't pay for it. I would prefer you to go thru a rescue group to adopt a dog than give this man money. Thankful he took my advice.

DobeMomToo · 09-09-2008, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kalora

My only concern would be the fact that his charging you to place the dog. He should be thankful she has been able to find a good home. When most breeders are looking to place a PET that has been returned to them which most good breeders require in the contracts b/c the home didn't work out, or divorce, or loss of a job we generally give them away to well interviewed homes. Sometimes we ask the adopter to give a donation to Doberman Rescue for adopting the dog. I would just be thankful the dog is getting a chance a hopeful forever home.

My brother in law had a similar situation with a another breed he wanted someone was looking to place one and they wanted $400 for a poorly breed dog they could no longer keep with no health testing. I told him please don't pay for it. I would prefer you to go thru a rescue group to adopt a dog than give this man money. Thankful he took my advice.

I'm thinking this guy may be placing a price on her so that he doesn't get every Tom, Dick, and Harry trying to get her. I don't plan on paying what he's asking for her -- if she gets along with Ember. I will be leveraging the OBO portion of his ad -- trust me. But I like the suggestion of donating to a rescue. Dogworks comes to mind.