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Posted by Karen on September 22, 2008, 11:35 am, in reply to "maybe I didn't word this right"
76.21.226.117
One person's BYB is anothers good breeder...
What I look for is not the website as I know great breeders with crappy sites and crappy breeders with well done sites - but I look for what the person is doing with the dogs they have in regards to showing, other events and health testing.
Second, how do I feel when I talk to the breeder. Breeders are not always going to have this outlined on their sites - you get this information when you interview each other in regards to contracts, etc.
In my opinion, I want health and temperament first. So I am going to look for a breeder who has stable dogs and is doing all reasonable testing that should be done for the breed. Then I look for what the dogs are winning and if they are doing what I am looking for. Now a friend of mine went to a BYB and got a lovely dog. The breeder tested for everything she could, has great temperaments in her dogs but she does not show or compete, she breeds maybe a litter every couple years. But she does more testing than many performance people and show people do.
Only you can decide where you will sacrifice. Are you looking for ust a companion or to show? Also bear in mind that small dogs have small litters and breeders breed first for their needs - so you may waitlist for months if not years. Another thing is look at a breeder who may be placing show dogs that have not made the grade for what they want. Some breeders may take a year or more deciding whether or not a dog will benefit their goals. A dear friend of mine is meeting with a breeder who is retired and is willing to place her show dogs in good homes.
Even with the best breeders, life throws loops and things show up.
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