What happens to puppies that doesn't get sold?

[PreciousSheltie]

Though I'm definitely not a breeder, I had the wonderful opportunity to build a very close relationship with my breeder that allowed me to come over and help out with the shelties from time to time (as I wanted to learn more about dogs, about the breed, and how to better care for them from her).

And what I've seen there, as most have mentioned already, is that it is not really a business but working with people that genuinely care for the well-being of their shelties and want to find them loving homes. In the instances that a certain sheltie could not find a forever home when they were younger, they were kept as family pets that were loved just the same. It was not their goal to 'sell as many puppies' but to ensure a safe family for them, in an environment where they could be safe and receive the love they should. One way my breeder does this is by not allowing people to buy on the first day. I remember when I picked up Pudding, as well as Precious (even through my close relation with her), we both wanted to ensure we were okay with the new puppy (what we were looking for) and to see how the puppy reacted to us. So, the first week we always went just to interact, play with the puppy and get some paper works done and questions answered while the last day was to purely pick her up after we've confirmed everything way in advance and it was settled that the puppy could come home with us. It's not just about whether or not someone wants to buy a sheltie but a chance for also the breeder to see the buyers and what kind of people they may be and a time for them to ask questions as well to ensure a safe forever home for their beloved furbabies.

So to answer your question to what happens to puppies that dont get sold? Of course, they are kept. I helped to take care of mostly the family pets and there were about 10 of them and the number of them didnt matter at all. They all had their each and personal quirks and stories, all loved with the same level of love. Not always kept as family pets because they werent picked but also just because of a personal tie the breeder had with the dog (first born of first dog kind of instance). And can't forget that some people infact preferred older shelties, I've always received mine at the 4 month mark or later, depending on when in my life I settled down for a new puppy. Age didn't bother me, the connection with the dog did. And both times I picked Pudding and Precious.. or more so that they picked ME, we both knew it was right. Age didnt matter.

 

[JessicaR]

I definitly agree with what the others have said.

Any puppy I breed always has a home with me if needed. I have had 1 puppy returned to me due to financial hardship, I kept him until i found him another good home.

 

[jasonsjwou]

Before y'all say to me "you must have your life full of lies, why you being so suspicious etc" I hope you kinda get where I'm coming from. I'm genuinely asking this question, out of pure good will and care for the dogs.

Initially, I was open for a rescue adoption. At one stage I seriously considered adopting a retired racing greyhound. (I was serious enough to go to three local meet-and-greets). Then realized the breed wasn't for my family. I then went to two Sheltie rescue meetings. Went to two local animal shelters. Filled out applications, and had home visits.

Then a friend of mine (who is a professional police dog trainer), told me that I should get a puppy, as young as possible (not younger than 7-8wks of course) because you want to "fill" that puppy with all the good stuff (well I wouldn't even know how to do that because I'm a serious newbie), etc etc etc. Rescue is a noble thing to do but there is a chance that I'll inherit someone else's problem. (Yes I agree many dogs end up in shelter for no fault on their own, but YES there are dogs in the shelter that someone couldn't live with) This is where I said "Ok then, I'll look for a puppy".

So I joined this group, asked many questions.. I contacted so many breeders I can't even count. I read "how to pick your puppy" that's a sticky on just about every forum that I've been to.

They all tell me I should ask the breeder for this paper, that paper, this proof that proof, written guarantee on health, genetics, and testing result on Hip eye vwd thyroid etc, along with AKC UKC CKC registration/etc whatever. They say "a responsible breeder would do 1. _________, 2___________, 3___________ etc. I am in contact with 12 different breeders in 350 mile radius, they all sound genuine yet not all of them fits the bill 100%. This forum prohibits people to ask for a reference on a specific breeder too. I'm finding it's very, very hard to find the good puppy! Harder it gets, I just can't help myself but to ask the question:


"Then what happens to the puppies who doesn't fit this bill?????"



Well. I can guarantee this : I am not going to be the last person who'll ask this question.

If all puppies find good homes at the end, then great. I am truly, really, honestly happy.

 

[nbrard]

I'm not a breeder but I am someone who was very happy to get an 8 1/2 month old puppy. The brand new puppies are wonderful and ever so cute but lots of people prefer to get an older puppy so it is a good thing that breeders have some puppies that don't find homes as babies. In our case the breeder was keeping Mikos but he got too tall and she had to place him, which made her loss our greatest joy. I agree with other posts that the breeders are both careful and remarkable at being able to connect the right dog with the right family no matter how long it takes.

 

[tofu pup]

Slightly off topic but I have noticed that the general perception the 'general public' has of breeders is that they are in it for the money, or the glory and
don't give a fig about the dogs. Yet chatting to breeders the opposite is true, they can be rather suspicious of the general public - are they good enough potential owners? I know in the UK after a certain TV programme was broadcast almost 3 years ago, the level of trust between buyers and breeders dropped overnight and has never really recovered. I think this is dreadfully sad - if people can't fully trust their breeder then to whom are they going to turn to for help, advice or even just a chat?

I think this is a really great question! It speaks to the heart of the issues that we in the US dog fancy face as we move into the future.

I do think that show breeders (and the AKC) need to do a better job on PR. It's very easy, especially if you've been "in dogs" so long that your days as a newcomer seem far away, to be a little less than open and welcoming. There aren't many of us who show and breed purebred dogs, and I think we often worry that the general public sees us as silly, irrelevant, crazy, tacky - basically, watch the movie "Best In Show" and you'll see what I mean! So it often seems easier to keep to ourselves and do our own thing.

But what we need to do, really, is reach out and put ourselves out there. Yes, there's some craziness to dog shows, and there are some unwholesome characters (thankfully, they make up a very small minority), but on the whole, the dog-show world is populated largely by people like my mother: good, kind, intelligent, dog-loving people who have decided to dedicate themselves to their breed. I think one of the greatest benefits of bringing home a Rabbit Run puppy is that you get a great puppy and you get my mom - available for help, advice, a chat, whatever you need to help you figure out how to provide a happy, lifelong home for your dog. You can't get that from a pet store.

That's what I think the public needs to know about responsible dog breeders - that they are people who take their work seriously, who take the welfare of their dogs and puppies seriously, and who are worth their weight in gold when you are looking to add a dog to your family.

of course, there's also the theory (which I think has some truth!) that Sheltie breeders are like Shelties... they don't warm up to you right away, but it's definitely worth the work to earn their trust!

 

[Silaria]

They all tell me I should ask the breeder for this paper, that paper, this proof that proof, written guarantee on health, genetics, and testing result on Hip eye vwd thyroid etc, along with AKC UKC CKC registration/etc whatever. They say "a responsible breeder would do 1. _________, 2___________, 3___________ etc. I am in contact with 12 different breeders in 350 mile radius, they all sound genuine yet not all of them fits the bill 100%. This forum prohibits people to ask for a reference on a specific breeder too. I'm finding it's very, very hard to find the good puppy! Harder it gets, I just can't help myself but to ask the question:
.

Jasonsjwou,
I'm going to provide you with what may be the BEST resource for you to look at: The Central Indiana Shetland Sheepdog club, http://www.cissc.net/.

I would reach out to them via the "Contact Us" link on their website and explain to them the research you've done on the breed and your desire to find a reputable Sheltie breeder to purchase a puppy from.

Breeders who take the time to join organizations such as this one are SERIOUS about the breed and the well being of the dogs; much like the breeders who have been helping you on this forum. The breeders is Breed Groups, such as this, show their dogs for confirmation - and possibly even performance events. Some may be members of ASSA (American Shetland Sheepdog Association); I say some because of the strict requirements around ASSA membership.

These people CAN and WILL help you find someone who is reputable and respectable.

Please give them a try.

 

[SheepOfBlue]

Or contact ASSA for local references. I did that to get Sca and am 100% satisfied. And while any pup I got was going to be spoiled I cannot claim Sca was my genius, rather my luck and ASSA reference.

Also patience as your pup is out there

Oh, as too the good puppy:
Sca is very healthy : credit breeder
Sca was 12 weeks old when I got him and very social : credit breeder and her daughter
Sca was well cared for : the vet commented on how nice his records were when he was brought in the first time (breeder is an accountant )
Sca is big : so what I am not showing him and it is not a factor, besides he can woop Border Collie's (well except he has zero mean in him)
Sca is not Sable : despite his thinking he is a unusual Tri, I think his breeder preferred Sable females so he was not a keeper for them. He had one sibling though I am unsure of color or sex.

So for a show dog he is not a good dog. As a buddy he is a FANTASTIC dog. As a flyball dog he is still in training

 

[tofu pup]

"Then what happens to the puppies who doesn't fit this bill?????"

I think that would be a fine question to add to your list of things to ask when checking out breeders, then.

Have patience. If you find a breeder who you really like and trust, then it's worth your while to wait for them to have a puppy available.

I think it's a fine question; however, the way that you worded it suggested that you KNOW that there's no way that we can find good homes for the puppies we produce (ie. that you KNOW that there's something fishy going on), when this is simply not the case.

 

[tofu pup]

Jasonsjwou,
I'm going to provide you with what may be the BEST resource for you to look at: The Central Indiana Shetland Sheepdog club, http://www.cissc.net/.

I would reach out to them via the "Contact Us" link on their website and explain to them the research you've done on the breed and your desire to find a reputable Sheltie breeder to purchase a puppy from.

Breeders who take the time to join organizations such as this one are SERIOUS about the breed and the well being of the dogs; much like the breeders who have been helping you on this forum. The breeders is Breed Groups, such as this, show their dogs for confirmation - and possibly even performance events. Some may be members of ASSA (American Shetland Sheepdog Association); I say some because of the strict requirements around ASSA membership.

These people CAN and WILL help you find someone who is reputable and respectable.

Please give them a try.

Huge thumbs-up to this! Thank you!

 

[jasonsjwou]

One of the breeder (had AKC breeder of merit banner on his website) whom I've been in contact with, when asked how much his puppy would cost, answered me;

"I can't tell you yet. If they turn out to be a show dog quality, then it'll be $1800. If they are not, then it'll be $1000 for female, $900 for male for a companion dog on non-breeding agreement"

For someone who's a total beginner to hear this... what do you think he/she would react? This is not a business?

You may not like to hear this, but dog breeding is a "business". When a litter of pup can bring in thousands of dollars, what else can you call that? I would have to work for months to bring home that kind of money. Ok May be not the kind of "greedy business" of wall street which got us to where we are, but nevertheless, it is.

Changing the subject,

If the Dam and/or Sire is NOT on OFFA.ORG, and the breeder is telling me that the dogs have been cleared of genetic defects, what should I do??