Puppy buyers have to start educating themselves on how to choose
breeders of merit.
Certainly NEVER purchase a chow chow from a pet store or online pet
store, and set yourself up to win by informing yourself with enough
pertinent knowledge to help you better select a Breeder of Merit.
BELOW: These unfortunate chow chows are a typical result of a profit
minded, "Back Yard Breeder", who breeds with impunity and with
little or no regard for health issues and other important genetic
factors. These chows and their offspring were destined to suffer if
not medically treated, and are bred solely to line the pockets of
the person breeding them. They generally live in squalor, are poorly
fed, often neglected, and generally in poor health. This is what you
contribute to when you choose to purchase your next chow chow from
people like this.
 Select for larger image |
 Select for larger image |
It's important that buyers learn NOT to put money in the hands of
unscrupulous breeders who are solely in business to generate an
income.
If intending to purchase a Chow Chow , do some homework.
Visit shows, talk to owners and breeders. Purchase books on the
breed, study the breed standard, visit as many litters as possible.
Enquire about the grand parents as well as the parents of the
puppies. Call you closest local breed club and ask for more
information on the breed, learn as much as you can before making a
final decision.
Red Lights (Beware)
Beware of breeders who will sell to anyone walking in the door with
their checkbook out. These breeders don’t really care about the
future of their pups. They’ll sell to anyone, any time, who have the
money. If the breeder doesn’t care where their puppies go - what
kind of care did they take in planning the litter? And what kind of
care will they give you if your pup has problems?
Most reputable breeders are very careful about where their pups go.
Their concern is for the future welfare of the pup. The Chow Chow is
not considered an entry level dog for neophyte dog owners, nor is
not an easy breed to own.
Responsible breeders will be sure to highlight the challenges both
positive and negative with having a Chow Chow in your life . They
are concerned about your well being too.
Breeder Background Check
Most breeders won’t offer this information. But if you ask for it
they should unhesitatingly provide it.
References, their vet and previous buyers Experience statement Clear
statement of what they offer to buyers
Red Lights (Beware)
Breeders who refuse to provide this information. Breeders who can’t
provide this information. Breeders who don’t understand why you
require this information.
Green Lights
Breeders who have a prepared
sheet or list to give prospective buyers. Breeders who have a
written “mission statement” or set of “breeding goals”. These are
breeders who have thought long and hard about the direction they
want their breeding program to take.
Questions about the litter.
Why was this litter bred?
Always, always, always, ask this question.
It will give you more insight into who this breeder is and what you
can expect from your pup than any other. OK answers are: Because
this bitch has qualities we wanted to see passed on. (with a list of
those qualities) Because the dog has qualities we wanted to see
passed on. (with a list of those qualities)
Red Lights Any of these answers:
(Beware)
To get our money back out of her. So the kids could see the miracle
of birth. To make money.
So that she’d be “fulfilled” before we spayed her. (Sometimes at an
unenlightened vet’s recommendation!!)
Because we thought it would be fun. We like her a lot and wanted to
keep one of her pups.
All these answers show a lack of forethought and planning.
The actual breeding was probably pretty haphazard, as was the care
of the pups.
Green Lights
Answers like: This breeding furthers my breeding goals. With a
detailed explanation of how that is. Because, we were looking to
produce pups with specific qualities. With a detailed explanation of
those qualities.
Green Lights
Bitches bred less than once per year Bitches with only one or two
litters.
Sire and Dam Genetic Screening / Health Checks
Picking Pups
Expect your breeder of merit, to give you some advice when it comes
time to pick your pup. After all, no one knows the litter and the
individual personalities as well as the breeder.
These breeders are confident in their ability to select a pup for
you and your situation. And, they have the experience to back it up.
(Be sure to ask about a breeder’s experience in this area.)
Experienced breeders who select a pup for you and make a
recommendation to that effect, but still leave the final selection
in your hands. As above, be sure to ask about their experience in
evaluating pups.
Breeders who can provide written notes on each pup. Who have
carefully evaluated each pup and noted what they observed. These
breeders have the most insight of all to offer. And, since they
wrote it all down, they do not have to rely on memory to make
recommendations.
Breeders who have had the litter evaluated by one or more outside
persons. Many breeders will do this to verify their own evaluations
or to get a more experienced breeder’s opinion. Remember however,
that these outside evaluators are seeing the pup for only an hour or
two. The breeder will still be able to offer a better insight than
any outsider.
Red Lights
- No contract
- A breeder who doesn’t understand why you would want one
- A breeder who refuses to put anything in writing for you
Red Lights
No health guarantee. This is definitely “buyer beware” territory.
A health guarantee of less than two years. A favorite ploy in the
pet store, many genetic disorders can’t be diagnosed until two years
or later. A breeder who requires the return of the pup if something
is found. Come on, who’s kidding who? You’re going to love this dog
and be very unwilling to send it back if something is found.
You’re going to want to keep the dog and make the best of it. And
the breeder knows this.
This kind of clause is basically an “out” for the breeder should
something go wrong. They know it’s unlikely it will ever actually
happen.
Red Lights
Breeders who you don’t know and can’t contact should something go
wrong.
Breeders who don’t maintain contact with their buyers so that you
can find them should you need assistance.
Green Lights
A breeder of merit will ALWAYS offer you a good contracts which
protects you, the breeder, and the puppy.
They’ll also have some sort of paragraph describing how disputes are
to be settled. (Contracts without something like this are basically
unenforceable.)
Temperament and Ability are too far out of the breeder’s control
once the pup leaves the breeder. The breeder may guarantee that the
pup was temperamentally suited and showed natural ability for your
use when the pup left the breeder’s care, but don’t expect anything
beyond that.
Lifetime Return Policy
Most breeders do not offer a lifetime return policy. However, should
you need to place your dog in the future they should make an effort
to assist you in finding a home for that dog.
Green Lights
Something to the effect of: “If at any time, for any reason, you can
no longer care for the dog. It will be returned to the breeder. If
you have found another home for the dog the breeder must approve
that home before the dog is placed there.” These breeders are the
best of all. They take their responsibility to their pups seriously.
They are doing their best to ensure that no pup of theirs is ever
placed in a shelter. Do not expect the breeder the buy the dog back.
They are simply guaranteeing a good home for the dog should
something happen to you.
If you follow these simple guidelines when seraching for your next
Chow Chow you stand an excellent chance to find a good puppy,
offered by a quality breeder of merit!
Please Help Them! Go Here!
