BY Labs
Posted : 4/12/2007 9:17:27 PM
First of all I'm glad you found a breeder you could visit -- that is a good learning experience even if you learned there were some things that were not right! You've gotten some great replies stating the problems people see in this particular situation.
Here are my thoughts:
When I have had a litter to show to people I have all the paperwork right out there for them to see when they arrive on both the bitch and the stud (I do not currently have a stud dog living here but when you deal with a reputable person you get copies of everything -- papers, certifications, titles, photos, etc.). So I have AKC papers ready as well as all health clearances, pedigrees, etc. and when puppies go home each person gets a folder with all of that information to take home.
So even if she doesn't have the sire she should have had that information for you to look at as well as photos of him and a number you could call to talk or to e-mail with his owner with questions. You also didn't mention what the ages of the parents are -- if they are under age 2 they would not have OFA numbers for hips/elbows.
If you have the AKC numbers of parents you can look up their elbow/hip/eye certifications on-line at [link
http://www.offa.org]www.offa.org[/link] Also, dogs do not have to be purebred to be listed in the OFA data base.
I have let people I know come see puppies that young and I do usually crate my other dogs because the people aren't there to see them -- they are there to see the mother and her pups. However if they ask to see a particular dog I am happy to get them out for them to see (such as my recent litter where I also own aunt, grandmother, cousin so people wanted to see them). My mother dogs are all very good about having the other dogs around them and their pups (see below photo) however not every bitch is okay with other adult dogs around their pups so that may be why the others were crated.
As for holding 2 week old pups, I don't let others hold them at that age and if someone did come over to peek at them they would have to remove shoes at the door and wash hands with antibacterial soap. They also would have to have changed clothes right before coming over if they have other dogs or had visited elsewhere (which I would have discouraged). They might get to touch one briefly with me holding it. However, from the time they are born I handle my puppies multiple times per day as well as do the neuro-sensory stimulation exercises with them. Once pups are active then I let people sit on the floor and play with them.
I NEVER let small children hold the pups -- they must sit on the floor with them, too easy to have one wiggle out of their arms and fall otherwise. I have some breeder friends who do not allow anyone to see the pups (outside of close friends) until they are 6 weeks old. I feel comfortable with my policy and have never had a problem.
I think you are on the right track trying to find someone reputable but my concern here all along is that someone breeding two purebreds together to create a mixed breed dog is likely not a reputable breeder (again, I would never sell any of my puppies knowing someone would be mating them with another breed eventually) making it hard to find someone who does OFAs, CERFs, keeps pups until 8 weeks, etc. Those wishing to make money off the litter certainly don't want to keep the puppies any longer than necessary as they cost more to feed, for vet care and are much messier day by day after 6 weeks. I would keep checking those shelters and be patient -- good things are worth waiting for! When we decided to get a pug, we were on a waiting list for over a year for our first pug and 18 months for our second. Why be in a hurry when you will have your new companion for 12 to 14 years?
Deb
