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My definition of dedicated breeders:
1: They are members of the ABGA and/or NBGC.
Not that being a member makes a breeder perfect – but in order to be a member in good standing ALL must sign a code of Ethics. NO BREEDER will jeopardize their reputation with other breeders, in doing so they limit the quality of animals that they are able to produce/purchase. Another breeder wouldn’t allow you to breed to their dogs or purchase a show quality puppy if you were not following the Code of Ethics. Beware of the excuse that it is a “closed club” they don’t want any new members – in reality we are ALWAYS looking for dedicated breeders who love the breed and has the breeds best interest in mind. Membership requires being sponsored and published so that if anyone knows of a reason a new member should not be allowed to join (for instance -breeding for profit with no regard to the animals/breeds interest) it is given.
2: They will almost always show their dogs
– after all how do you know that your animal has qualities/traits that the AKC says a Brussels Griffon should have unless you have competed against other Brussels Griffons? A short nose to a pointer breeder will be different than a short nose to a pug breeder. Now unfortunately, not all breeders who show their dogs are dedicated and breed for the right reasons….. some show dogs so that they can add the Championship title to their dogs names in order to disguise their real motives for breeding. Most of those breeders are not likely to compete at National or Roving specialties, they tend to show only against their own dogs to finish their championships.
3: All truly dedicated breeders will require spay/neuter contracts and limited registrations on their pet quality dogs.
They won’t offer you the full
registration AKC papers if you pay more $$. They will also want you to provide
references if you are looking for a show quality dog….no dedicated breeder
desires to stay up nights studying pedigrees and producing show quality puppies
just so you can brag to your friends that you paid more $$ for a show quality
puppy. We have our egos to thank for that :-)) you see we raise show dogs for
the betterment of the breed, the ole pat on the back acknowledgement. We care
about what happens to our children after the check clears! Again, beware of
wolves in sheep’s clothing….some breeders will require spay/neuter so that they
can appear to be a dedicated breeder. Also this breed is better behaved in the
house if they are altered, and it has been proven that an altered pet is less of
a health risk – and isn’t that more important to you than providing Aunt Bessie
with a puppy? They are offering you registration that is not the AKC
(American Kennel Club). In some cases a breeder that "chooses" another club to
register their dogs is not willing to have the AKC inspections or DNA testing.
Possibly, the reason their puppies are not registred with the AKC is that the
AKC has taken away that breeders (or the breeder before them) privledges due to
breaking the rules? An AKC registered pet can be registered through almost any
other registration, but AKC doesn't honor all other registrations.
Things to be concerned about:
1: Be cautious if breeders have a young litter in which all but one or a couple have deposits on them.
If a breeder is willing to sell or even take deposits on the whole litter at an early age this is usually an indication that they bred the litter with the intent of selling the puppies. Dedicated breeders breed dogs with the intent of keeping the puppies – we are sure that each puppy in that litter is our next “Best in Show” puppy! Thus puppies will generally be l0 – 12 weeks before a breeder is willing to let them go. That doesn't mean a truly dedicated breeder will not take a deposit to hold a puppy - but in no case will they be willing to sell the whole litter at an early age! How else would we be able to match your personality with the puppies personality? Obviously, if you are an active person you would probably not do well with a couch potato. There is no way a breeder can predict personalities or even size. Further, we do not know if puppies are going to be smooth or rough coated till after 4 weeks. Thus is you run across a breeder that is encouraging you to send a deposit on a young puppy beware.
2:
Be concerned if the breeder tells you
they are only raising healthy pet quality puppies, they aren't interested in
showing their dogs, they just fell in love with the breed and since they had
such a difficult time finding one decided it would be a shame not to breed their
dog.
Besides showing dogs is too political and the best dog doesn't always win. Or their vet said she was such a perfect specimen that it was a shame to spay her. In my opinion if you are breeding just to produce puppies for other people there is a chance that you are not as concerned about the sperm and egg that you use to produce those puppies, and possibly you are not taking the time to train the young puppies that is needed? Doesn't it make sense that if a breeder breeds with the intent of selling all the puppies they might cut some corners? And I understand you are only looking for a nice healty companion, but you need to be concerned with your breeders motives for breeding. Are they breeding strickly for "money" or are they trying to produce puppies that best fit the AKC's standard for the breed? Since you are researching the breed to determine if it is the right breed for you, you need to make sure that what you get is what you expected. Make sure the breeder you choose put as much thought into the producing of your puppy.
3:
I personally, would be concerned if a
breeder is offering puppies to purchase through photos on a web site.
If you bred a
litter wouldn’t you want to talk to the prospective purchaser to determine if
they would provide properly for your puppy that you have been taking caring of
for months? Or would you put the puppies photo on a web site and ask for the
first or highest bidder?
4:Breeders that are quick to return you phone calls or e-mails, or give you a sales pitch.
“Of course, take
all the time you need, just understand that I only have one puppy left” All
truly dedicated breeders have to work for a living, they do not make their
living selling dogs. They work for a living to support their “dog habit” :-))
On a final note - due to the breed's popularity there may seem like a shortage of Brussels Griffons - and true there is not a Brussels griffon for every person that inquires about the breed, but please don't encourage breeders that breed strictly for profit. The breed is to great a breed to have that happen to them. Make sure that the breeder you choose has their heart in the right place.....you will be truly glad you did.
