SportDog Breeders


Right Questions

Just like any western face off, both you and the breeder are going to pick on each others brains and find a common footing and maybe, just maybe an agreement.

Keep in mind breeder’s answer all questions about their kennel and litter with certainty. Looking around the place, you might see dogs in different stages of development. This is so because they are not desperate to sell their pups to just anyone. Most SportDog breeders are huntsmen themselves and talk about the breed they breed like its an exact science (it is actually).

They willingly put their word and honor to guarantee that all puppies are physically sound and are ready to replace a pup just in case a disease emerges. They treat their dogs and pups like family and will let you know in advance that they’d appreciate updates and will visit at times. When talking to a true-blue breeder, there is always a sense of responsibility towards their pups. As stated before, don’t mind being sized up, you’d be doing the same thing at the same time anyway.

Here are some questions that come in handy:

Is there a puppy in your litter that will suit my need?

Responsible breeders know their existing litter like they know their kin, every quirk and quality, a pup suitable would come to mind. If there is none, they’d say so and maybe clue you in on the next litter.

How old would the puppy be before i can purchase one?

Generally anywhere between 7-8 weeks. Pups need basic training like bite control, submissiveness and other proper canine behavior from the mother dog. Getting a pup “anytime you want” should alarm you, the breeder is clueless or chances are they’re not the breeders. If a breeder says this to you, move on to the next on the list.

Are the parents here?

Seeing the parents with the pups show how their temperaments are. You can also go over the parents features or coloring. Anything going beyond the standard AKC is a cue for you to move on.

Do they have registration numbers?

Breeders who claim to have registered dogs will not hem and haw and will show you. They are experienced breeders who don’t think of profit, so they know the drill and are patient enough to find the right owner for their pups.

Are all your breeding dogs checked for eye and hip disorders?

Actually breeders who are organized will have a portfolio for each dog. The dog’s file has its pedigree certifications, registrations and all there is to know abut the dog. It is more like a dossier or a profile.

May I see a sample contract?

You like what you see? There’s a common trust with the breeder? Then ask to see the contract, you’ll see what they have put as safeguards for their dogs and expectations of you as a future sportdog owner.

A warning though, when in doubt decline to see the pups. It is difficult not to abandon the quest for the best at the sight of a wagging furry thing just asking to be bought.

Where To Look

Establishing the type of breeder to look for, we go on to where to look. Looking for that sportdog breeder who will bring your furry buddy sidekick is like having to choose from a police line-up. You have an idea who to look for, it’s just positive I.D. that’s just needed.

Area Kennel Clubs are great sources for knowledgable about the breed you plan to purchase. The members are usually so into the breed they have and will keep you informed of the breeds characteristics or breed do’s and don’ts that they have found out through their experience with the breed. Members are mostly breeders and have a master list of some breeders near you.

Obedience training clubs, they have a first hand experience of how dog temperaments go from breeders they have helped train or offered training to. They’d even have inside information about the workings of sportdog breeders when it comes to expected litter.

Veterinarians are good soundboards of dog breeders around the area. It is a bigger advantage if they treat most sportdog breeders’ dogs. They can also answer preliminary questions you ask, helping you tick off unsuitables from your list.

The ones mentioned above are primary sources for advice, information, experience, tips and recommendation. Let’s go on to the secondary sources.

Boarding Kennel operators usually have preferred breeders for whatever reason. Talking with them can enlighten you to trivial information which just may come up useful in your considering whether to drop a prospective breeder from your list to save you time and effort.

Groomers and pet supply outlets each have an influx of sportdog breeder customers whome they see once in a while. Whatever you learn may be of use on a phone call you make to breeders or while you go for a look-see.

Don’t let the process discourage you, this is the quest for a lifetime home and hunting companion.

Types Of Breeders

A Hobbyist Breeder is an avid fan and owner of a sire and a dam or two of the same breed with excellent health, pedigree and temperament. These people breed to sustain the bloodline and nothing else. These sort of breeders limit their litter and adhere to a breeding plan that they developed. They are the type of breeder that provide the proper human association and basic environment stimuli. Puppies from this kind of breeder are surely raised in the home or has a clean and neat kennel just out back. These quality dog breeders openly treat prospective buyers with mistrust, the attachment and the worry for their pup’s welfare is just eating them up. They usually get over having to give their pup up once trust is established.

A Commercial Breeder is one you must watch out for. Sure they are inspected every year by the USDA, state agencies and at times the AKC. But the concern for the inspection is for the kennel surroundings and upkeep. Keeping a look out on surroundings or kennel standards are just the start, commercial breeders have several dogs of several breeds.

Breeding for them is a year round activity and not a seasonal or planned development for its kennel. Pups are considered as products and not family. It is not possible to see dollar signs in a commercial breeders eyes when looking at their pups, just ask when puppies are available, an “all year round” sort of answer gives you confirmation of their breeding motivation.

Expect pups to be in a low nutritional state, unscreened for genetic diseases, unhealthy (having all pups checked will eat up their profit!). What’s worse is you’d be given a pup that is not suited for your sporting needs. This sort of breeders do not know how to recommend a good hunt companion- in a large year-round kennel, basic sportdog training is not supported by the breeder. Besides, it is proven that commercial breeders have no litter plan, pedigree chart of each pup or proper registration.

An Amateur Breeder is a breeder who got into the vocation by accident- usually because of unspayed and unneutered pets of the same breed. These breeders usually base their motivations on how cute their dogs look and they’d want to spurt out photocopies of these dogs and sell it. Wet behind the ears, these breeders are clueless about national and international breed standards, the role of genetics and health methods.

Good thing there is hope for breeders of this type. Because of their interest in sportdog breeding they will find their way to either a serious hobbyist or a profiteering commerial breeder.

Sportdog Breeders

Sportdogs are special kinds of dog breed that have qualities especially bred for hunting fur, feather and big game. Sportdogs are hounds, pointers, retrievers, setters, springers and spaniels all these dog breeds have individual, dual or versatile (according to owners/ breeders) role in a hunting session. Acquiring any these breeds are crucial in sportdog participation, since a sound dog is needed to help make the hunt or course challenging and as interesting as possible.

Now, to be able to get the right pup to be your able and loyal companion in home and in the hunt, picking it will solely depend on the breeder you pick. That’s right, you pick. For novice huntsmen a friend of a friend of a friend’s 2nd cousin’s neighbor may suggest all day where to go- just keep in mind that it’s your fun and you must have a clear picture of where to get that true-blue sport dog.

The word breeder is a very general description of where to get a genuine sport dog pup with everything on it (certifications, papers, records and shots). By specifying what breeder you must seek, your search will be trimmed down to almost half of the breeder options.

Some hunting dog breeders are wily enough to put up an act for prospective buyers. Being armed with precautions, facts and knowledge on how to spot real breeders who do believe in their sport dog’s breed standard, qualities and potentials is one way of not getting duped.

Sportdog breeders do have a working knowledge of hunting or huntsmanship. True blue breeders know which pup to give you according to your need or requirements. Honorable breeders also have a standing rule that pups not qualified for breeding or hunting are sold as companion pets only and as stipulated in the buyer’s contract : have pets unsuitable for breeding spayed or neutered.