Hi my name is Michelle. I never had thought to write such a
page like this until just this year (2006). I wanted to tell you a
little about purchasing puppies from online sites. I recently
had a very bad experience and wanted to try and help people
avoid the same mistakes. We have had a lot of positive
feedback about this page and we thank you. Many people ask
us if they can incorporate this info on their website. We hope
that you do use this info to warn people that there are scam
artists out there as well as BAD BREEDERS. We hope that no
one is taken advantage of. We have an extensive list of
verified responsible breeders all over the US and feel free to
contact us to get help finding a good breeder close to you.
- First thing you should know, you can never ask too many
questions. If a breeder seems put off by your questions then
go somewhere else. A good breeder will be proud of what
they produce and want to talk for hours about their puppies.
- Second thing is pictures. Lots of pictures. Make sure to ask
for special items to be in the picture of the puppy you want
such as your name and state written on a piece of paper next
to the puppy. If they can't do this then they are not worth your
time or money.
- Third thing is if they say they have been breeding for a long
time then ask for references you can talk to or pictures of past
puppies. Make sure they are updated photo's of the past
litters.
- Fourth get them to email you copies of the parents pedigree
or papers. If they tell you they don't have them available right
now then go somewhere else. They are getting your money,
they need to provide you these things.
- Fifth ask around see if you know anyone who has dealt with
that breeder.
- Sixth use a type of payment method you can trace. There are
puppy escrow accounts available now. The fees are so worth
it. The seller does not get the money until you verify you have
gotten what you paid for, this includes the puppy and the
papers. PayPal is another good one. They will keep track of
any disputes over sales with people. If your seller can't get a
PayPal account or is not a verified user don't buy from them.
A verified user makes it easier to track them down if they try
and rip you off.
- Seventh, if they don't make you feel comfortable then go
somewhere else. Your perfect puppy is out there somewhere.
Eight is not meant to discourage co-own. It is for information
purposes only. Most TRUE show breeders will only co-own full
registered puppies.
- Eight, be weary of 'CO-OWN'. Some breeders will offer co-
own at a reduced price. However with this, they often require
you to pay for a high priced stud, then return them one or two
puppies. The reduced price they offer is usually half the price
you would have gotten if you sold the puppy they picked. It is
better for you to just pay for full ownership. Co-own is OK
with a trusted and experienced breeder. Check the
terms and read them twice. Don't let the reduced price blind
you to long and expensive terms. Make sure that if you do co-
own that the terms are clear! Make sure your name will be on
the AKC papers from the beginning with the breeders. AKC
wants your name on the papers before the Dam is bred not
after. If your name is not, then you do not own any of the
puppies! Just think about the cost. EXAMPLE: The breeder is
selling a puppy for $1200 full ownership and $900 co-own.
You save $300 up front. You pay for a stud, at least $600 and
often $1000. You then must return a puppy or two that could
be sold for up to $1200. The breeder has now sold you your
puppy for $2700 or more! (If the breeder is honest you will
then get your full ownership).
- NOTE: On a co-own you are required to breed the dog unless
otherwise stated! We at Shabrea's believe and so should you,
that not every dog should be bred. This is only reasonable.
Great Danes take 18 months at a minimum to mature. Health
testing should be done and that usually starts at 18 months to
2 years of age. What happens to your dog if you see at 18
months or 2 years that the dog is not sound health wise? You
must still breed the dog under most co-own contracts.
My personal opion/take on co-owns: We offer co-owns. Most of our
co-owns are for breeding or showing rights only. They are not in
exchange for a puppy. Yes we do that at times but co-owns are not
usually for profit, they are for the concern and control of our
breeding lines. We often co-own dogs with families who want a
family pet and who are willing to allow us access to show them or
breed them if we choose. The families themselves do not want the
dog to breed it. We can not house all the dogs we breed and show
and make sure they get all the time and attention they deserve. This
is why most TRUE show home/breeders place these dogs with
loving families who are interested in a well bred well behaved pet.
- NINE: Bad breeders often change their kennel name or
website name. It can be hard to tell. Check them out. Most
website owners information is public. You can run searches
to find out who owns the site/name and how long they owned
it. If the name they gave you versus the name they use is
different question them why they are hiding something. If they
say they are experienced breeders with years of breeding
experience, question why they just purchased the URL and
opened a new site. Please understand, if they tell you they are
now using a new website design program so that's why they
changed their name that is false! You can take your URL to
any website design as long as it was purchased by you.
- TEN: Does the breeder you are interested in suddenly have a
new group of breeding stock? This way you won't recognize
them as easily. If you notice that a breeder who states they
have many years of breeding experience has only one or two
adults and the rest are all young up and coming be
concerned. Long term responsible breeders keep their lines.
Not sell them all off and start over all the time. Yes we do add
to our lines but we like to keep our foundation stock. If their
breeding stock was bad enough that they needed to sell it all
then all the puppies they sold from them could be sick too.
- ELEVEN: So you found a breeder who has spent a lot of
money on nice pedigreed dogs. Does that make that person a
responsible breeder? NO!!! How many litters per year do they
have? Do they own these dogs, co-own or even lease them?
Are they breeding them to better the breed or make more
money? Don't be fooled, if they are breeding two dogs to
keep a puppy to breed then they are not bettering the breed,
just their future at making more money. Are they actually
showing these dogs at AKC dog shows? I can spend lots of
money on a nice pedigree and still get a dog that should
NEVER be bred! Be careful. Pedigree is not always
everything. You want health, conformation, TEMPERAMENT.
If this breeder has amazing pedigreed dogs then why are they
not showing them? Ask that before you buy.
- TWELVE: So they tell you the parents are International
Champions.......Let's look carefully at this one. There are
several Dane breeders out there right now telling you that
they have Champion dogs. Wrong. These Champions are not
true AKC Champions. Dog show held by the IABCA are fun
and informative however AKC does not recognize them.
These dogs are not AKC Champions and it will not show up
on your puppies pedigree. I can take a poorly put together
dog to an IABCA dog show and get a championship title on it.
This does not mean compared to other dog of the same breed
they would be as nice. There are only a few International
shows AKC recognizes and IABCA is not one of them.
I will continue to update this page so keep watching.
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