Breeder Questions
Right now I am sitting at work waiting for a text or a phone call my lovely husband. He’s out-of-state with the kids.. and because he was going to be in the vicinity, we set up a meeting with a breeder to visit her house and meet her dogs. This is a difficult thing to do when you live in a state that doesn’t have many breeders or the breeders that you do have only breed their dogs once a year.
But you see, HE’S the one who is visiting. I’m stuck at work 400 miles away. I’m the one who knows what to ask.. he has been leaving this part up to me. So of course, i had to write up a whole questionnaire so he knows what to do and what to ask.
He asked me for a list of questions and I obliged. Here’s what I wrote up:
1) What kind of health guarantee does she provide?
2) How does she socialize her pups before she sends them to her new owners?
3) What is her view about socialization vs parvo? What does she recommend?
4) Does she start any crate training? Any other training? What kind of training method does she feel works best for Swissies?
5)What does she feed her dogs? What’s her views on what to feed the puppies when they go to their new home?
6) What vaccinations does she give and what is her view on the kind of vaccination schedule the puppies should have?
Things to watch for while you are there:
1) How accessible are her dogs? Is she letting you meet them or is she being discreet about it. Pay special attention to the girl dogs. What are their temperaments? Is there any dog that you are particularly attracted to and why?
2) If she lets you see the puppies.. notice how she has the them set up. Are they just in a run outside? Or is she letting you inside? If its the actual whelping area.. how is it set up? Is it just a box with shavings or is it separated into areas?
3) if she lets you or the kids play with the puppies.. notice their temperament. Are they biting tons? Or do they seem to have some bite inhibition? Are they friendly with you? The kids?
4) What is the breeder like? Is she easy to talk to? Do you feel like she’s someone we can work with and trust?
She will ask you tons of questions and probably grill you on things you may not have an answer to. Be honest and if you have to text me with the question and i’ll text back. Let me know what time you are going to be there so i can make sure I have my phone with me. Take lots of photos and know i will grill you profusely so try to remember EVERYTHING. 😉
xxoo
-m