Christen
04-26-2007, 10:02 AM
Awhile ago I was looking for a playmate for my puppy. I made up a questionnaire and sent it to several different breeders. Most were very happy to answer all of my questions, a few were not. (This is an extension from a previous thread I started about one specific breeder http://www.chihuahuatalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=422
The two who were unwilling to help me were Nanny's Zoo and the people at EPetsAndSupplies@aol.com (to put your mind at ease I was really only curious how the people at the second were going to act-I don't think I could ever adopt a puppy from somewhere like that-the only thing that comes to mind is puppy mill :( )
Here are the 2 replys I got back:
Nanny's Zoo:
I have neither the time nor the patience to answer your questionnaire.
My time is spent raising healthy, happy, puppies and then finding loving responsible homes for them.
I would advise you to buy a puppy from the same people that you got your little boy from.
Obviously they filled out your questionnaire satisfactorily and passed your scrutiny.
Millie www.nannyszoo.com
EPetsAndSupplies@aol.com
Are you kidding!?
I know my questionnaire was very long but I would have thought breeders would be happy to answer questions so they know they aren't giving their babies away to people who don't care or just don't know about the welfare of the puppy.
Several breeders were more than happy to answer my questions-although I wasn't too happy with some of the answers I got from a few of them-mostly the conditions they breed in. It may just be my opinion but I don't really think dogs should be bred in cages or even runs outside in a shed...but I guess some people think otherwise.
If the people did not include the website along with their email I'm just putting their email address (which is listed publically already)
Breeders who were willing to answer the questionnaire:
Mychihuahua2007@aol.com
jwartena@wartenaschihuahuas.com
Grace Acre Kennel tntdej@argontech.net
http://www.lilkeepers.com/
debonshire@yahoo.com
admin@whisperschihuahuas.com
kelleyskennels@yahoo.com
http://www.blackberrybabies.com/
sphynxandchis@sbcglobal.net
taboowishes@yahoo.ca
I don't have all of the responses anymore to the questionnaire, only a few of them.
Here's the questionnaire I sent...I know it is very very long...maybe somebody else might find it useful...
What are the most common/possible congenital defects that occur among Chihuahuas?
Please list all health problems that have occurred in any of your puppies or their parents.
What steps have you taken to decrease defects in all of your dogs? Would you be willing to provide proof on any tests or procedures?
What are your terms if the puppy develops genetic problems?
Do you have the parents of all your puppies on site?
If you have used a stud-service to father the puppies how did you choose the particular male? Has he gone through a thorough health examination? Was his temperament taken into consideration?
What are the good and bad aspects of the parents? Do they have any health problems, anxiety, aggression, temperaments, personalities, etc?
What criteria do you require in choosing your breeders: health, temperament, accomplishments, etc? How do you judge them?
Do you actively show any of your dogs? If so, in what competitions and what were the results? Did they receive any titles or awards?
What goals do you have with your breeding program? What steps are you going through to ensure the success of your program?
What are the weaknesses and strengths in your program currently? What were they in the past and how were they resolved or changed to make better?
Are you a member of any Chihuahua clubs or dog organizations?
If so, how strictly do you follow the Code of Ethics associated with the club or organization?
Where do you raise the puppies? In a basement, barn, kennel, living room, etc?
How do you socialize them? And at what age do you start?
What guarantees do you provide as stated in the purchasing contract?
Are there any limitations regarding registration stated in the contract? What are the terms of the contract?
Are there any requirements on the part of the buyer? Is a vet examination during a specific time-frame required, do you require the puppy to be spayed or neutered?
Do you ship your puppies overseas? If so, what are the conditions and guarantees?
How do you determine the price of a puppy? What would cause a difference in price from puppies within a litter and from those puppies to other litters?
What do you feed the puppies?
What type of healthcare will be provided before the puppy leaves the mother: vaccinations, tests, etc?
Are you willing to give references of previous buyers? Not just testimonials, but will you request permission for me to communicate via email with previous buyers?
How many different breeds of dogs do you breed? Why did you choose to breed them?
Approximately how many litters of each breed do you have in a year?
At what age do you begin to breed your dogs?
At what age do you remove the dog from his mother and litter-mates and place him in his new home?
When is your next litter due/planned? How do you determine the schedule for litters?
What are your requirements of someone interested in receiving a puppy? Do you do background checks, call landlords, talk to veterinarians, etc?
If someone receives a dog from you and in the future is unable to care for the dog are you willing to take the dog back? What happens to the dog in cases such as this?
:D Have a great day everybody :D
The two who were unwilling to help me were Nanny's Zoo and the people at EPetsAndSupplies@aol.com (to put your mind at ease I was really only curious how the people at the second were going to act-I don't think I could ever adopt a puppy from somewhere like that-the only thing that comes to mind is puppy mill :( )
Here are the 2 replys I got back:
Nanny's Zoo:
I have neither the time nor the patience to answer your questionnaire.
My time is spent raising healthy, happy, puppies and then finding loving responsible homes for them.
I would advise you to buy a puppy from the same people that you got your little boy from.
Obviously they filled out your questionnaire satisfactorily and passed your scrutiny.
Millie www.nannyszoo.com
EPetsAndSupplies@aol.com
Are you kidding!?
I know my questionnaire was very long but I would have thought breeders would be happy to answer questions so they know they aren't giving their babies away to people who don't care or just don't know about the welfare of the puppy.
Several breeders were more than happy to answer my questions-although I wasn't too happy with some of the answers I got from a few of them-mostly the conditions they breed in. It may just be my opinion but I don't really think dogs should be bred in cages or even runs outside in a shed...but I guess some people think otherwise.
If the people did not include the website along with their email I'm just putting their email address (which is listed publically already)
Breeders who were willing to answer the questionnaire:
Mychihuahua2007@aol.com
jwartena@wartenaschihuahuas.com
Grace Acre Kennel tntdej@argontech.net
http://www.lilkeepers.com/
debonshire@yahoo.com
admin@whisperschihuahuas.com
kelleyskennels@yahoo.com
http://www.blackberrybabies.com/
sphynxandchis@sbcglobal.net
taboowishes@yahoo.ca
I don't have all of the responses anymore to the questionnaire, only a few of them.
Here's the questionnaire I sent...I know it is very very long...maybe somebody else might find it useful...
What are the most common/possible congenital defects that occur among Chihuahuas?
Please list all health problems that have occurred in any of your puppies or their parents.
What steps have you taken to decrease defects in all of your dogs? Would you be willing to provide proof on any tests or procedures?
What are your terms if the puppy develops genetic problems?
Do you have the parents of all your puppies on site?
If you have used a stud-service to father the puppies how did you choose the particular male? Has he gone through a thorough health examination? Was his temperament taken into consideration?
What are the good and bad aspects of the parents? Do they have any health problems, anxiety, aggression, temperaments, personalities, etc?
What criteria do you require in choosing your breeders: health, temperament, accomplishments, etc? How do you judge them?
Do you actively show any of your dogs? If so, in what competitions and what were the results? Did they receive any titles or awards?
What goals do you have with your breeding program? What steps are you going through to ensure the success of your program?
What are the weaknesses and strengths in your program currently? What were they in the past and how were they resolved or changed to make better?
Are you a member of any Chihuahua clubs or dog organizations?
If so, how strictly do you follow the Code of Ethics associated with the club or organization?
Where do you raise the puppies? In a basement, barn, kennel, living room, etc?
How do you socialize them? And at what age do you start?
What guarantees do you provide as stated in the purchasing contract?
Are there any limitations regarding registration stated in the contract? What are the terms of the contract?
Are there any requirements on the part of the buyer? Is a vet examination during a specific time-frame required, do you require the puppy to be spayed or neutered?
Do you ship your puppies overseas? If so, what are the conditions and guarantees?
How do you determine the price of a puppy? What would cause a difference in price from puppies within a litter and from those puppies to other litters?
What do you feed the puppies?
What type of healthcare will be provided before the puppy leaves the mother: vaccinations, tests, etc?
Are you willing to give references of previous buyers? Not just testimonials, but will you request permission for me to communicate via email with previous buyers?
How many different breeds of dogs do you breed? Why did you choose to breed them?
Approximately how many litters of each breed do you have in a year?
At what age do you begin to breed your dogs?
At what age do you remove the dog from his mother and litter-mates and place him in his new home?
When is your next litter due/planned? How do you determine the schedule for litters?
What are your requirements of someone interested in receiving a puppy? Do you do background checks, call landlords, talk to veterinarians, etc?
If someone receives a dog from you and in the future is unable to care for the dog are you willing to take the dog back? What happens to the dog in cases such as this?
:D Have a great day everybody :D