BREEDER BLUES – The Do’s and Don’t’s of Finding a Good Breeder

Posted on November 5, 2012 by admin

I’ve asked for a friend of mine to share her story with you today, as it’s a fairly common experience among first-time dog owners. Here’s her story:

“My husband and I had always dreamed of owning a dog, and had made plans to bring one into our family even before we were married. We had taken months to plan out our perfect puppy, and had looked into several breeders in the area.

Unfortunately for us, we really had no idea what we were looking for in a breeder. From the research I had done, there were only a few things we were told to look for, and it seemed like we had found a breeder who fit those standards.

Puppy day came and went, and we quickly settled in to owning a new dog. We thought we had done our homework, but it wasn’t a week after bringing our new dog home that we noticed some problems. Vomiting, diarrhea, and itchy, dry skin were a constant issue; our poor puppy was miserable. Our vet told us that sadly, most of these problems were probably genetic, and that we could only try and manage.

I had no idea that my new puppy had these genetic problems because my breeder had assured me that she had bred dogs for over 30 years. She had shown me photos of her “show” dogs, and had promised that her puppies were always healthy. She said that she had never had a puppy returned to her, so we trusted her expertise and doled out the money.

After I brought my puppy to Shanan, it was clear that my breeder was not only inexperienced, but she was more than likely breeding her dogs for profit only, not for the betterment of the breed. Our dog had allergies to food, to certain things in the environment, to soaps and shampoos. He also had some colors in his coat that suggested he was not show-quality, nor were his parents. We were definitely bummed that we had bought a dog that had issues, but it was even more upsetting that our breeder claimed to be what she was not.”

HOW TO PICK A BREEDER

It’s sad, but I’ve heard countless stories of people being burned by a “reputable” breeder. It’s unfortunate that most breeders who claim to be ethical are breeding mostly for profit, and choose to continue breeding regardless of the quality of their dogs.

When selecting a breeder, you MUST do your homework. Look for the following qualities, and if you find a breeder who does not have proof of these standards, WALK AWAY, no matter how cute the puppies are. In the end, it’s not the breeder that has to deal with the issues of the puppy, it’s you as the owner!

1. LOOK FOR A PEDIGREE – A good breeder will have papers for all the dogs they have bred, and all the puppies they are selling. This pedigree line should show who the parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents of your puppy are.

2. LOOK FOR PAPERS AND CERTIFICATIONS – If the breeder does not have paperwork to show that their dogs have been tested for genetic issues, DON’T BUY! Every breeder should be able to show you proof of health, and should not have a problem presenting this information to you. Many times, a breeder will say their dogs are AKC registered, but will not have any pedigrees or certifications. Make sure that the dogs are quality dogs!

3. LOOK FOR A CONTRACT – Good breeders breed because they care about their dogs, and they want to better the breed. They should have a contract ready upon the sale of the puppy. This will include anything from first time vet visits, to the return of the dog should you be unable to keep him. If the breeder doesn’t make you sign a contract, it’s a good sign that they’re after the money, not a good home for the dog.

4. ASK QUESTIONS – There should be no secrets when purchasing a dog from someone. If you have reservations about anything in the dog’s history, or their pedigree, ask questions! And, should your breeder be hesitant to answer, or if they don’t know the answer to your question, they may not be the right breeder for you.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

A good place to start researching an ethical breeder would be the AKC website (www.akc.com). The AKC keeps strict standards for each breed, and will be able to tell you exactly what to look for when choosing a puppy. They will also be able to tell you the genetic health issues that may arise.

Doing a little bit of homework beforehand will save you a lot of heartache and money after purchasing your dog! Always check the source, and have a good knowledge of your breeder before you buy!

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Mad About Mats

Posted on October 29, 2012 by admin

Does Fluffy’s coat seem to be perpetually matted? Are you constantly spending more money at the groomer for a complete brush out? Here’s a tip that’s essential to keeping your pet’s coat knot-free.

Mat prevention starts with a clean, DRY coat. A damp undercoat can cause the hair to twist up, especially if Fluffy decides to lie down or curl up after bath time. Wet dogs mat quicker, have larger mats, and can suffer from hot spots and sores. It’s very important to dry, dry, dry, before brushing or allowing your pet to lie down. Drying the undercoat will help prevent mats from occurring and will also prevent that “wet dog” smell from sticking to the coat.

If possible, wash your pet with a moisturizing shampoo (I recommend Takhari’s Aloe Sensation!) and towel dry after a good rinse. Try and gently squeeze the water out of the hair, and “rough” out any soaked spots. If possible, blow dry your pet with a hairdryer on the lowest setting with the lowest heat possible. Pet dryers are also a good solution should you not have a hairdryer at home; anything to get that coat completely dry will help in the prevention of mats!

Take the time to dry that coat! Not only will it keep Fluffy mat- free, but it will also save you time and money at the groomers!

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No more tears! A solution for tear staining

Posted on October 23, 2012 by admin

The most common complaint I receive at the Health and Wellness Center is tear staining. Often my clients report a globby, sticky, red-brown mess that won’t go away no matter how hard they scrub. This condition is certainly a problem, but we in the show world have a secret that works wonders, and I believe every pet owner should know it!

The next time you’re working on cleansing Fido’s tear stains, use Vaseline! This easy solution is not only cheap, but it creates a good base for excess tears to run over and prevents stains from occurring. It’s safe, effective, and will keep your dog’s face free from stains and sores caused by excessive tears. (Note: Always check with your veterinarian to make sure your dog’s eyes are healthy before starting any preventative program).

To help prevent tear stains with Vaseline, you will need to apply a small amount twice a day. Take a small glob and lightly dab it around the corners of the eyes, and down the face where tears most often collect. Make sure you do not apply to the eye lids, or the eye itself, and don’t smear the Vaseline on as this will usually take a good amount of tear glob with it and make the situation worse! Use Vaseline on a daily basis and watch those tears wipe away with less staining, and less mess!

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