Do Reputable Breeders...

Indigloblue · #1 5th July 2005, 01:36 PM

ship their puppies to potential owners? In your opinion is that a safe practice?

Is it wise to buy a puppy over the internet, only to have seen their picture but not have the ability to interact with them (and likewise the mother /father of the litter?)

Should you allow the breeder to choose which puppy is right for you and your family based on the info they gather from you (lifestyle, family makeup, etc), because they feel they know which puppies will go best to potential homes?

Is a one year health guarantee really long enough, since hips cant be tested til pup is 2?

Lets assume the best in these instances, where the breeder does health testing, requires a new owner contract with neuter /spay contingency, requires application or wait list etc, interviews you extensively, offers health guarantee. In other words, the breeder seems to be reputable in other respects.

I, like others, have searched for reputable breeders in my area but most either dont have a litter (or don't have one planned), or they dont seem reputable to me for some reason or another (no health testing/ breeds more than one breed, is breeding to produce pets not to better the breed), or they just dont have the color/sex combo I am looking for. I can see how people get desperate and are willing to buy from the byb's and pet shops. I have found a few websites (I am not naming them bc I am not sure if that is against BW policy) that have over 1000 Boxer puppies listed for sale by many different breeders, but my research tells me that reputable breeders rarely if ever advertise their litters. From some of the ads its obvious they are bybs / puppy mills.

Sorry this is so long- please share your thoughts.

apollosdad · #2 5th July 2005, 04:30 PM

no, no reputable breeder would ship their puppies out. there are many things can affect a pup's young experience in his new life and shipping him out is definitely one thing that is completely unnecessary. in addition to the stress of being alone and freshly seperated from his mother and littermates, a strange flight is something he does not need. the results can be dramatic and open the door for several problems in the future. keep in mind that a pup's socialization period is from 3-12 weeks in age. all of his experiences in life should be kept as positive as possible, especially during these crucial weeks of his development.

TheBoxerCrew · #3 5th July 2005, 05:14 PM

I would say no to a shipped puppy. NOW - there are SOME exceptions to the rule. For years, my aunt showed/judged, and her dogs (2 smaller non-Boxer breeds) were some sought-after lines. Some buyers would fly to her to get the pups, sometimes she would do what she called "accompanied shipping". She knew the buyers through the showing community, so it wasn't like Joe Blow calling and saying "I want a puppy and will pay for it" having no clue what they were getting.

When the puppies were old enough to be flown, my aunt would pay one of my cousins or I to literally fly with the pup as our carry-on to whatever airport necessary. When there, we would hand over the dog to a person whose information (and photo) we had with us, along with a "transaction number". If they did not have that number, we did not hand over the pup.

In my mind, there is a HUGE difference between what my aunt did (and there were a few others who did it too), and just loading a pup in a carrier and dumping it off at an airport to ride in a plane's cargo hold.

Brutus and Amaya's Mom · #4 5th July 2005, 06:23 PM

Probably not.

I actually flew to Texas to get Ninya and bring her home to Iowa. I wanted to meet the breeder and her dogs, spend time with her and she does not ship. Win-win for both of us.

I was able to get a fairly cheap ticket and Ninya was able to ride in the cabin since she was under 20 lbs.

Alisha Mobley · #5 5th July 2005, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indigloblue

ship their puppies to potential owners? In your opinion is that a safe practice?

I'm not sure if I could do it but I know several reputable breeders who do.

Quote:

Is it wise to buy a puppy over the internet, only to have seen their picture but not have the ability to interact with them (and likewise the mother /father of the litter?)

This would depend on your comfort level and how well you trust your breeder (imo, if you don't trust your breeder you shouldn't be dealing with them anyway).

Quote:

Should you allow the breeder to choose which puppy is right for you and your family based on the info they gather from you (lifestyle, family makeup, etc), because they feel they know which puppies will go best to potential homes?

This is the only way I place a puppy. After aptitude tests and conformation evaluations I choose which puppy will be offered to which family. I do keep in mind preferences but the right temperament for the family may not be available in the color/markings/sex the family wants. Matching temperaments to families is more important to me.

Quote:

Is a one year health guarantee really long enough, since hips cant be tested til pup is 2?

Imo, no.

Indigloblue · #6 5th July 2005, 07:38 PM

I kinda figured this was not customary or a good idea. I agree- I think puppies are traumatized enough leaving their mom and littermates. Why add stress unneccesarily- I wouldnt want to do that to any animal. It looks like I will be in for a long wait for a Boxer pup from a reputable breeder in my area, which is ok. From reading the posts on the consequences of buying from a byb I'd rather wait - in the meantime I will just keep searching and researching....

Alisha Mobley · #7 5th July 2005, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apollosdad

keep in mind that a pup's socialization period is from 3-12 weeks in age.

Actually the socialization period for puppies is 4-16 wks. Here's a very interesting article on the effects of early neurological stimulation in puppies: http://www.breedingbetterdogs.com/achiever.html

Here's a quote from the above article:

Quote:

Socialization studies confirm that the critical periods for humans (infant) to be stimulated are generally between three weeks and twelve months of age. For canines the period is shorter, between the fourth and sixteenth week of age.

Alisha Mobley · #8 5th July 2005, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indigloblue

I kinda figured this was not customary or a good idea.

I believe it's much more common among reputable breeders than you might think...

shannonmac · #9 6th July 2005, 03:38 AM

the breeder we got buu from did offer shipping, however, she did not recommend it, rather recommended meeting the pup in person (which we did, and fell in love instantly)
she also offered a lifetime hips, health and temperment guarantee
a no pound or fighting clause
and an offer to buy the pup back for any reason what-so-ever and re-home it
IMO a very reputable breeder
Buu is my AB btw! if only i'd have known what to look for when i got kneesaa!
good luck! and great research!!!!

Kerry Jane · #10 6th July 2005, 05:48 AM

Why don't you consider flying to wherever this breeder lives? This gives you a chance to meet them and see the pups, and then only if you are happy bring the puppy back with you on the plane.

I know of several people that have done this with good results. I know that I would hate to buy a puppy without at least getting an opportunity to see where they come from, meet the breeder, ensure that I was happy etc.

IMO, a health guarentee is pretty meaningless. I would be more concerned about the health tests of the parents, and the health tests of their parents - and any health issues which have been seen in that line. But, this is just my opinion.

Ritzy57 · #11 10th July 2005, 08:16 PM

My breeder does not even SELL to anybody SHE hasn't checked out, and met. She is very protective about her puppies, doesn't breed often, and usually hers are sold before they are born.
She also doesn't ship!! Unless, like someone mentioned, if the puppy were to be flown in the cabin, with someone.
I feel honored to have 2 of her pups.