Greater St. Louis Shetland Sheepdog Club
SMALL SHOW/HOBBY BREEDER
The term show/hobby breeder refers to a breeder who exhibits their dogs at dog shows, in either conformation or performance classes, and who does so mainly as a hobby and not as a business.
Advantages: The experienced show/hobby breeder will be a breeder who has extensively studied their breed and is familiar with the breed standard for that breed. They are aware of any health or genetic problems that might occur in the breed, and they will have done all the tests possible to insure that their breeding stock is as free from hereditary problems as is possible. In the sheltie, the tests that are usually done are: hip X-rays, eye examinations, testing for carrier status for vWD, and thyroid function. (If you are not familiar with these tests, the informed show/hobby breeder can explain them to you.) Also, a dog purchased from a show/hobby breeder is likely to be more “typey” – that is, to look more like a sheltie should look! In addition, a knowledgeable show/hobby breeder will be your very best source of information and education for the life of your dog!
Disadvantages: Many show/hobby breeders do not have a large number of litters each year and you may have to be put on a waiting list to get a puppy from your breeder of choice.
WHERE AND HOW TO BUY YOUR SHELTIE
by Charlotte Hulett
As you begin your search for a sheltie, you will likely find that there are a number of sources from which a sheltie can be obtained. It is our goal to help you be an informed sheltie purchaser. The sources that you will likely encounter are listed below. We have endeavored to objectively assess the different sources and provide you with helpful information regarding each of them. We have listed what we consider to be the advantages and disadvantages of obtaining a sheltie from the different sources.
LARGE SHOW/HOBBY BREEDER
Description is much the same as above, except that a large show/breeding operation may be a hobby or it may be a business.
Advantages: The large show breeder will have many more litters a year from which to choose.
Disadvantages: Puppies purchased from a large breeder may have had somewhat less one-on-one socialization. You will need to ask questions about the amount of socialization and “house time” that a puppy has had.
SINGLE PET OWNER
You may see an ad in the newspaper or be referred by a friend to someone who has a female as a pet and who decided to breed her.
Advantages: Puppies born into a single pet household will usually be very well socialized.
Disadvantages: Pet owners are often not aware of the tests mentioned above that should be done before breeding their dog. In addition, the puppies may be less “typey.”
BACKYARD BREEDER
The term “backyard breeder” refers to someone who has a few dogs, usually one male and two to four females that they occasionally breed. Sometimes the reason for breeding is to make profit. Sometime it is because the person is fond of the breed and enjoys having puppies.
Advantages: Probably none. While a puppy from a backyard breeder may cost less initially, the puppy may end up costing you more in the long run due to health problems.
Disadvantages: Like the single pet owner, the backyard breeder may not be aware of hereditary problems that can occur and therefore does not do the tests to monitor their breeding stock for those problems.
PUPPY MILLS
Puppy mills are places where dogs are raised strictly for profit and no other reason. Such places are generally filthy, and the owners hide this by never allowing customers to visit and will sometimes use agents to “meet you halfway” to deliver the puppy. They house huge numbers of dogs and don’t want to pay for help to keep the kennels and animals clean. The worst places are nothing more than concentration camps for dogs! If you answer an ad in the newspaper and go to a place where the dogs are not properly cared for, the best thing you can do is promptly leave! If you realize that you have arrived at a puppy mill, do not even get out of your car! You can carry away disease-causing viruses and bacteria on your clothing or shoes! Many who have bought a puppy to “rescue” it from a puppy mill, have ended up spending huge sums of money on veterinary bills only to have the puppy die due to distemper or some other disease.
Advantages: Absolutely none!!!!!
Disadvantages: Disease, poor quality, bad temperaments, and no socialization.
PET SHOPS
Most puppies offered for sale in pet shops have come from puppy mills! Reputable breeders do not sell their puppies to pet shops!
Advantages: See “Puppy Mills” above.
Disadvantages: See “Puppy Mills” above.
No matter where you buy your puppy, you should get a written health guarantee. Any reputable breeder will be glad to give you one. However, please remember that we are dealing with living creatures and things can “go wrong” in spite of a breeders’ best efforts. There are health problems that can occur for which we do not currently have tests to predetermine a dog’s possibility of carrying that problem. Any reputable breeder who has sold you a puppy who develops a hereditary or genetic problem should be willing to work with you to reach a solution based on their written guarantee.
When talking to persons from whom you are considering buying a puppy, you will need to ask the following:
What shots have the puppies been given?
Have the dewclaws been removed?
Have the puppies been wormed or worm checked?
Have the puppies been raised in the house, in a kennel, or in an outside pen?
Have the puppies’ parents been checked for hip dysplasia, vonWillebrands disease, thyroid function, and eye diseases?
If the proper tests and treatments have not been done, you should not buy the puppy!
We hope the above will be of help to you in your search for a sheltie!
