rare breed puppy, buying a puppy, what to look for when buying a puppy, responsible rare breed puppy breeders PURCHASING A RARE BREED PUPPY
When purchasing any dog; it is in one's best interest to do some background research about the breed and some serious consideration about your ownership expectations.
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Have this breeder's dogs been evaluated against the breed standard?
Does the breeder provide you back up support during the puppy's lifetime?
The most basic questions you should consider include;
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What are my expectations for this dog?
Is the dog to be a companion only? Companion for adults, children?Are you going to expect this dog to compete in some sort of canine sporting event?
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What am I able to give to this dog in terms of owner commitment?
Are you never home? Out all day at work and home only in the evenings to eat and then off again to a myriad of activities? Can the dog come with you to work, to your evening activities?
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Can I afford a dog?
Purchase price is the least of your concerns; although with the rarer breeds they may cost more initially than your basic plain jane domestic models (not always), you still have all the other expenses that your friendly neighbourhood lab owner has. Vet bills; emergency and basic care. Groomer's bills. Feed bills. Training bills. If you are intending to show; entry fees and memberships, gas for your vehicle and lodging, oh my!
The Rare Breeds
There is really no difference in purchasing a rare breed puppy as opposed to a more common breed. The requirement for research of dog suitability, owner time commitment and money available is the same. The difference lies in the difficulty of doing accurate research about a breed that is not common and whose breed information may be written in a foreign language.
Some suggestions on research.
Believe completely in nothing that is written or spoken; neither breed standard, nor breed books, nor magazines, nor radio or television. Keep in mind that it is accepted fact that one receives as little as 3% of all the available information on any given topic. That 3% is further watered down by bias and prejudice of the author of the information. You must then do as much digging about your chosen breed as you possibly can.
For instance; my newly chosen breed is the Central Asian Shepherd (CAS); rareish here in North America; very common in it's area of origin, Central Asia. When I first stumbled across a website describing the CAS, the breed seemed intriguing; suitable for my lifestyle, and enough dog; but not too much for me to handle. Then I joined an internet "list". I was informed that the CAS was too much dog for me; dog aggressive, not trainable, not good with kids; that I as a "woman" would not be able to handle the dog.
Eeek! O.K.,time to dig a little deeper. Why such a divergence from one piece of information to what actual owners had to say? I came across another website; wow the information available was huge; and the owner of the kennel and the website called me back and spoke with me for 5 (five) hours about the good and BAD (read here why the BAD of the breed is vital information) of the breed. She invited me to come see her dogs; both in a show setting and at her home. She sent me further into the breed's history, told me to read books, had me contact owner's of her puppies; in all encouraged me to decide for myself whether the CAS was right for me.
From this perspective; I highly recommend these components of research for the potential rare breed owner. Find the answers to these questions.
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Does this breeder have extensive breed experience? Do they live with the dog(s) inside their house everyday. Have they owned the breed for the duration of it's lifetime (if the dog has a 10 year life expectancy - have they owned a puppy through to it's 10th year). Have they owned more than one dog of the breed. You wouldn't want someone who produces puppies for profit; who are more in the game for money than love; but you also don't want someone who owns one bitch (female) and that's the only experience that they have. Do they own a dog of the gender you are going to get. Neuters behave differently than entire dogs; as well males differ from females.
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Does this breeder health test? Do they health test every generation; or since great-great grandma was healthy that was good enough? Do they ask you to health test? Are you given a reasonable guarantee for the health of the dog? Rare breeds are as prone as the more common breeds to a myriad of health issues. You would like as good a chance as any owner to own a healthy dog from puppyhood to it's senior years. When health tests are indicated and guarantees are made; please investigate the accuracy and legality of any documents. It is NOT good enough for a breeder to say they OFA or PennHip, and not produce records that reflect this.
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Does this breeder exhibit their dogs in conformation? If you are not going to show your dog this may seem like an unneccesary question; however if you are attracted to a rare breed dog due to its looks (who isn't) it would be a good thing that the dog resemble it's ancestors; and conform as much as possible to accepted breed standards. In North America it is difficult sometimes to have judges from countries of origin evaluate a rare breed specimen; but this counts for bonus marks if the breeder has made the effort.
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Does this breeder (or has this breeder) assisted in rescue - either through rehoming, evaluation or donation of time, money or internet space? Do they guarantee to take back all of their pups from their breedings. Once again; the commitment to the betterment of all breeds is representative of someone who is in it for love; not monetary gain.
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Does this breeder temperament test? Canine Good Citizen, ATTS are examples of temperament tests. Do they consistently produce dogs that pass BREED SUITABLE temperament tests. Are they honest about what they expect from a specific breeding? If you are looking for a dog that is good with cats, other dogs, children, horses and adults; do they personally have dogs that satisfy these requirements; and or have they produced pups that have integrated happily in these situations.
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Does the breeder do all they can to encourage RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERSHIP; do they encourage or require you to attend a basic obedience course. Do they fight Breed Specific Legislation (BSL); either through personal membership, donation of time or money or through educating new owners about the dangers of BSL.
This next question is the one most people hate; who likes the BIG BROTHER stuff -- but it has its place with responsible breeders.
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Does the breeder require you to sign a contract? Do they want to meet you in person? Are they hand delivering your puppy? Do they want you to come and hang out with them and their dogs? Yes, this seems like a lot of work on your end; yes this seems to be annoying that you are so involved with this person who is not "your friend" and may never be "your friend". But it is absolutely necessary for the satisfaction of you and your new family member. This is huge bonus points for breeders who want to meet you in person, want to get a feel for your suitability as an owner of the breed and want you in writing to commit to the time and effort necessary to raise up a pup to be a true representative of his ancestors.
Is this a lot to ask from a dog owner? Yes and no.
Yes; it is a lot to ask - it requires honest time and effort put forth by you; the potential owner - but if you would do the research before you buy a car -- which doesn't stay in your house, doesn't last 10 years and doesn't interact with your family -- then no it is not too much to ask for 10 or more years of love, devotion and family interaction.
If a year in a dog's life approximates 7 human years; then, in a 10 year period with your pet; you are getting approximately 70 years of devotion, generosity of spirit, humour, mental stress release, physical activity and unconditional love. You owe it to this new family member; who has a short enough time on this earth as it is; to do the very least of research to make those 10 years of yours and 70 years of theirs; quality time well spent!
To see the kind of breeder I recommend; please visit FoxFire Farms
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Click below to vist Planet Molosser
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