First E-Newsletter from the O.F.A. - Page 2

Dear Ulli, You are right. Assuming the breeder has done a good job and selected a home on factors other than how soon they can get paid for a pup, the owner does, in the end, bear ultimate responsibility for what becomes of the pup. However, in my area, few breeders really give a damn about anything other than the money. They breed litter after litter, including from dogs who have known health issues, and they sell to anyone as long as the person has the money to pay. In other words, there is little to no foundation laid by these breeders. Of course, there are exceptions, but too often they are few and far between. As for the x-rays being done early on, yes, something can develop that was not there early on. But sometimes I think it is the lack of skilled interpretation on the part of the vets who take the x-rays. And of course, if an owner is doing things with a pup that it should not be doing (such as running and jumping young pups) or not providing appropriate nutrition and looking after weight issues, then yes, early x-rays may not be predictive. I think 6 months x-rays of hips are predictive in most cases. In elbows, all one sees is if there is some major problem likely to develop or present already.

There are also reasons for needing to sell puppies rather than holding onto them. If you have four, then it's easier to keep them longer. Or two...I have two Zidane v.h. Sevens puppies (mom is an older bitch, just gave me two pretty kiddos total) now that I may keep until about ten weeks or longer, if necessary, to determine drives. But when you have eleven puppies who are medium to high drive, then if you keep them all until ten weeks, you may have some injuries and torn ears, unless you seperate them....and how many people have eleven seperate puppy pens? Or the room for them? I like the idea of having people xray their pups at six months through PennHip, but cannot in my mind come up with a method for an incentive program that doesn't put me in the hole financially. I often sell on terms, so that pups go to the better homes available whether they have the money up front or not, and so some of the pups are not paid for by six months.

Hi Veronica, exactly the point, if i would have the room and space to have all the pups seperated, i would keep them as long as i could ! But, hey, i am a breeder not a collector ! Sometimes it would be nice to keep 1-2 pups till they are 6-8 month, just to see how they devellop. But it is allready a financial strain to it, desdpite the fact that the wife will freak !! Matter of fact, i was thinking about paying half the cost of prelims done by my puppybuyers. I was talking about this with other breeders and they were not to thrilled about my idear. 2 Pups out of my last litter are in my club, and if i would have the feeling that they would not do prelims because they can not afford it, i would probably jump in and pay for it. Kind Regards Ulli Dresbach

Hi Ulli, I have considered paying half of the prelims, or all of the prelims. That would be an ideal situation and is part of my "dream kennel" :-). The problem is that I already pay for so much: I purchase and hand out the Leerburg DVD "Your puppy 8 weeks to 8 months" to every buyer. I also get every puppy microchipped before it goes to it's new home, as well as shots, worming, etc. I have an Achievement Awards that will pay up to $500 for attaining working titles and certifications. I have offered free shipping on promising litters to members of working dog clubs and working dog organizations. I give a 10% discount to the military, police,and SAR. I can see where, on a particular puppy, I can put out more money than what I was paid for it, if I also paid part or all of a prelim, LOL. As far as keeping them longer also being a good thing..is it good for their psyche to have only 1/17th (litter of 11 plus my adults) of my time and attention, when they could have all of his or her new family's attention? My adult dogs need my attention as well as the puppies. They look forward to their play/training/couch time also. Just conversing here, not attacking anyone. The decisions we have to make as breeders... Someone in my club told me the other day that "Breeders like you are a special breed yourselves, and you are ALL CRAZY." She made me laugh.

Hi Veronica, That's what i do with my pups: They all get dewormed,get their shots, tatoed, SV paperwork. If sold to the US i offer international Helthcert., aswell as transport to Airport basicly at the sole cost in the hight of my own expenses. I also make a folder with all info on the pup, info about the lines they come from, tips in feeding and raising the pup. Plus i include annother deworming tablet with intructions when to administer it. Some of my breeder friends were laughing at me for doing all this stuff, some of them laught at me and now are doing similar things ! I like it ! Most buyers dont see that this is something extra done for their benefit, because they do not have the experience of buying a pup before. But once they talked to other puppy buyers with different experiences they are very pleased ! My understanding is that you charge more money in the US for a puppy, then we do here in Germany. I am not in the game to make money, but i sure do not want to put a lot ontop either. The way i figured it for myself, is if i can make out on a breeding equal and maybe have a little extra for saving up for a new kennel, thats great. If one only breeds with 1 or 2 females that is allready hard to achieve, if you do every thing the way it should be done. Only thing that needs to happen is breeding only has 3 pups ..... or helth issues come up, extra vet costs etc. One has to figure out, if he has the extra time that the pups need.... besides that i would only take on, what i can handle. It is also nice to see them go into their new homes, especially when there are kids involved and to see the kids shiny eyes when they come to pick the pup up ! Kind Regards Ulli Dresbach

hello, i like your policy on pups i read on the post messag. i am not sure this will reach you. but i am looking for someone in germany to help me find a good working pup for sch. here in the usa. most want you to take a pup a 6 to 8 wks. and that makes it too hard to pick temp. for work. can you help me. thanks joan j.j.k@netzero.com