Puppies

Health Screening

 A responsible breeder will be voluntarily screening their sires and dams for inherited diseases before breeding.  Every breed has a breed-specific panel that has identified the potential risks for inherited disease and there are a variety of health testing organizations today that can help  us prevent breeding dogs with known issues.  This avenue has led us to be able to produce healthier dogs, make better decisions in our crosses to ensure puppies are not inheriting conditions which may render them unhealthy early or even later in life.

DNA health screening, hips and elbows x-ray and clearance from parents, eye checks with CERF or OFFA and ensuring parents have been cleared for known diseases can certainly help in moving forward.  In many cases this information does not mean some known carrier won’t be used in breeding programs but knowledge of their DNA profiles will help on the selection process. 

Genetic health testing is an important tool but also needs to be only part of the consideration when breeding.  A dog clear of all known genetic diseases that we have panels for does not mean they are a good prospect for breeding.  It is important the dogs used for procuring the future of the breed keep in mind, good solid temperament representative of the breed and healthy, athletic pups for the future.

So choose a breeder who can share freely their practices and their expectations for the pups based on their knowledge of the dogs they are breeding.  If you are seeking a working dog or dog intended say for hunting or for herding, you should ask to see evidence of working parents.  Working parents typically will produce working offspring, again not always, but the intention to produce working pups should start with talented natural parents.

What to expect when talking to a breeder

When considering buying a puppy from anyone, you should be sure that the people breeding  do not sell to pet stores, breeders or research facilities and we are not likely to sell a puppy simply because the price is right.  A purebred breeder in Canada must be registered as a breeder with the Canadian Kennel Club as it is governed through the Livestock Act of Canada.  There are today, many breeder who have opted to only register their dogs with the original parent club ASCA.  It is important that your breeder have some records of the parentage of their dogs. 

It is also important to look at their facility and how their dogs are raised and handled.  There are many kinds of breeders.  Bad breeders have no regard for the quality of life for their dogs and use them strictly to breed and make a profit on puppies.   Even some of the most beautiful outwardly appearing facilities or flashy websites can be very misleading.  Be sure that the mothers of pups, have had some kind of life and that they are not being bred repeatedly and have no life other than raising pups.  They should still be part of a family and freedom to run and exercise like any dog you expect to have in your home, and not captive only to make more puppies. 

Bad breeders don’t health test, and they often want your money as soon as you reach out.  Be careful and don’t be afraid to ask many questions.  And expect many questions about you and your home, habits, and family from a good breeder as well. 

Good breeders will often ask you to fill in a questionnaire. This helps them to identify your experience with dogs and also your expectation for the kind of dog you are seeking, male female, high drive, performance or pet.  You should expect to have at least 1-3 references, people who can vouch for you as a responsible pet owner, such as your vet, previous breeder, or teacher at a training school.  A good breeder will want to talk to you about a puppy so once they have assessed you application you should expect to have several discussions over the phone and e-mail about the puppy.

A good breeder is likely to tell you that you may not get to choose your puppy especially if they have a waiting list and people on those lists may have priority over you as they may have waited up to years for a puppy.  A good breeder also should understand what you are seeking in a companion or performance dog and is better prepared to choose for you, an appropriate pup based on their knowledge of their lines and the parents.  Don’t be as concerned about colour as temperament.  Of course we all have to love to look at or dogs and admire how beautiful they are, but in no time at all, most people will fin the beauty in the eyes and soul of their dogs, colour and looks are quickly forgotten.

Good breeders will offer you a contract to review and discuss which includes their hopes and desires for the pups welfare and the future.  Unforeseen things can happen and puppies will occasionally have to find new homes.  A good breeder will have stated in their contract that they are to be notified if ever this is the case and that you will contact them first and always when there are issues with your dog and especially if re-homing is a possibility.  Most good breeders wish and specify that they have “first right of refusal” when it comes to their pups and they will have a standing offer to take the dog back.  This is out of consideration that you honour this agreement as the breeder should know where they have puppies placed wherever they may be in the world. A good breeder knows they are responsible for these dogs, within reasonable expectations, and where they should end up.  Often breeders will re-home the dogs at a nominal fee to a new home to ensure they are placed securely once again.

Deposits are often required to hold your place for a puppy in a litter.  They do not always ensure that you will get a puppy if the breeder feels there is just simply no match for you in a particular cross.  A Good breeder will likely return your deposit if they have not been able to provide you with a puppy.  However if you decide at the last moment t get a puppy form elsewhere and the breeder has close doff other buyer prospects, you may find your deposit not returned.  This is only fair as others may have been turned away.  Be patient, as the best puppy will come, and in our experience here at Tucker Creek, the pup always ends up where he/she is supposed to be.  It’s a little like magic sometimes and we wonder how destiny postpones the best for last.