WHICH is the right breeder for me ? Questions to ask a breeder BEFORE you buy a puppy. You're attracted to this breed and just about decided you're ready to invest in a good specimen. You've done a little homework on the breed and know enough to stay away from commercial puppy sellers, brokers, puppymills. To be certain you've got not only the correct puppy but the correct breed to suit you, your family and your lifestyle, you should bring your prospective puppy's breeder a few key questions of your own. Here are a few to top off your list and start you off. Your goal in asking these questions is to get enough information to make a sound judgment. 1. What are the negative aspects of this breed? Does it shed? Does it bark excessively? Does it eat an inordinate (and expensive) amount for its size? Does it require special or frequent grooming? Does it dig holes? Does it chew? What is its temperament? See FoxFire 10 reasons not to own one. see foxfire temperament links. Note if they repeat what is on our website , then you understand copying others work is not same as doing the work. Ask them to use refeneces to specifics. See FoxFire bam Bam shedding video as example, see FoxFire rally obedience trials. Other breeder:____________________________________________________________________ 2. What can I expect it to be like as an adult? May I see his dam (and sire if in residence?) The philosophy of a good breeding program is to product offspring who are even better than their quality parents, can you touch the parents? Or does the dog appear aloof but in control by breeder? If the dog appears aggressive and out of control . is this what you want in your dog?. FoxFire: _________________________________________________________________________ Other breeder:___________________________________________________________________ 3.Are there any special health problems associated with this breed? Hip dysplasia?, entropian, acl tears? Don't let any their bloodlines are problem-free. Every bloodline has health concerns. Yes this race of dogs have far less then man made breeds but they are not perfect. Are they of vital concern to you - like lameness or bad temperament - Ask! And examine the pedigree every breeder will provide with the puppy. Ask about his illustrious ancestors, or get a breed book and see if they're mentioned. FoxFire:______________________________________________________________________ Other breeder:_________________________________________________________________ 3.B May I see a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)? !!!!!!!! Many breeders will have one for each stud or bitch in residence, This certificate states that the hips of the dog were radiographically examined by a veterinary radiologist . This, and whatever information is on your puppy's pedigree - it is as much of a guarantee as you can get that your puppy will not suddenly, "surprisingly," fall victim to crippling dysplasia. Of course, dysplasia can be induced by overfeeding and providing inadequate footing, but your breeder will tell you all about that!. Or ask for the penn hip cerf on parents. Visit offa.org before calling breeder. Dont fall this is a rare breed dog scam they dont have any genetic disease, or my dog is a champion or my dog looks great. HD is screened only by radiographs. If you wish to gamble on unscreened parents please save up the 4.000 for hip surgery. FoxFire:__YES!every dog at foxfire is screened ask for results. FF has more dogs in the OFA and Penn hip base than all others. FoxFire is the only US breeder with 5 generations of ofa/ph dogs. Other breeder ___________________________________________________________________ 4. Are the dogs temperament tested for stability, protection? livestock? kids? cAts? Stability is the AKC CGC, the ATTS TT, ask them to provide certifications. All all dogs good with livestock, Strange kids, Cats? If not how to they pick the puppy for you based on your specifications? Are the dogs tested for protection? Or are they agiated into aggression. Protection means a true threat has to be presented , A stranger standing their and the dog lunging is a out of control dog. Standard for this breed for 100 years is strong distrust of stranges but must be amendable to handling. Lunging dogs at stranges is NOT amendable it reflects the lack of control of the owner not the breed. FoxFire: Has all dogs tested for stability as well as protection. No dogs LUNGE at non threating strangers fOXFIRE Never allows our dogs to lunge at strangers, family members , they must accept who we tell them too. They are only allowed to protect us in defense not aggression displays you see on you tube. Other breeder:_____________________________________________________________ 5. What kind of exercise does this dog need? Can my facilities match its needs? Example: larger dogs need room to run and a firm footing - not a linoleum-covered basement - while so doing. Apartments or backyard tethers are unsuitable for these dogs They will become flabby and unhappy, perhaps even neurotic because they can't get to you, their beloved human - and they will age more quickly. You will be doing each other a disservice if your facilities and needs are mismatched. If you want a larger or more active breed, or a breed that tends to be a "one-man dog" and turn into Hairy Houdini in order to reach you, are you willing to fence your yard, lay down the chicken wire and rocks, or build an adequate run with inside access, for the safety and security of everyone? FoxFire:__________________________________________________________________ Other breeder:____________________________________________________________ 6. Is this breed temperamentally suited to my family? Will they put up with rough play from children, or be content to stay alone all day if I work? Will their need to chew and digest everything in sight interfere with, say, my garden or my collection of fine old wood furniture? Be fair! You can't expect a dog to accommodate you by going against his nature. FoxFire:_____________________________________________________________________ Other breeder:______________________________________________________________ 7. What's the difference between keeping a male or a female? if you have them spayed/neutered; if you intend to show or breed them. If you already have a male dog, emphasize this to the breeder before you buy a male puppy. Groups of dogs must create and observe a "pack order" in order to live together peacefully. This means that one has to be the boss . If you live in the country where your male might get loose but your neighbors have intact (unspayed) bitches, do you want to be responsible for litters of unwanted mongrel pups? Do you want to lose your dog in a traffic accident, simply because he responded to the sheer blind pleasure of running? Foxfire:Male:___________________________________________________________________ Other breeder:_________________________________________________________________ 8.If you want to keep an intact female, can you confine her comfortably for up to 6 weeks out of the year and be a good sport about occasional drips on your carpets and the "eau de bitch" which follows? Can you build her a covered run to protect her from the neighborhood Romeos, If you keep her intact, can you physically and financially raise a litter of puppies and guarantee them good homes? Will you be able to provide the same genetic clearances and assurances for them that were provided for your own pup? FoxFire female:___________________________________________________________ Other breeder:____________________________________________________________ 9. How do you use a crate? Thank you for asking this one and meaning it! Half your adjustment's over already if you take the breeder's advice about using a crate. Remember, a crate isn't a "mean old cage and a cruelty to puppies." Pups aren't human babies, so don't anthropomorphize about puppy's "suffering in a cage." A crate is puppy's home; it's his security, a place to live in comfort while you're away. It's a place to enjoy the soft warmth of his own rugs and chew his bones without fear of punishment. It's a place of his very own, where he can get away from poking kids and teasing cats and can take those long naps puppies need for growth. Would you leave your three-year-old child alone in the house, free to roam around, destroy the house and injure himself because it's "kinder"? No, of course not. Ask about crates, where to buy a sturdy and properly-sized one and how to use it. Bonus: A crate-trained puppy will housebreak in a few short days if properly taught - but that's another article. FoxFire:All FF dogs are crated trained,live on a huge farm, leash trained. Other breeder:_________________________________________________________________ 10. What's the difference between the less expensive and more expensive puppies? Your breeder will be glad to show you the Breed Standard, an agreed-upon set of guidelines which determine what a perfect specimen of that breed must look like, how he should move, what his disposition must be, etc. Puppies which conform most closely to this Breed Standard are labeled "show quality"; that is, they should be presented at UKC shows for points toward their championships as worthy representatives of their breed. Only breed-quality dogs, in turn, should be used in a breeding program, to assure perpetuation of their excellent conformation. Sadly backyard breeders with dogs that have serious faults that can not compete under the written standard, or lack skills to show their dogs, or the dogs are so aggressive they are not able to be in public. Often lie to cover their lack of hands on work with multi reps of the breed.' If the dog lives with its owner it respects its owner. Showing a dog does not ruin the breed, out of control dogs owned by novices owners do- this causes BSL when out of control dogs are presented as normal. A puppy who conforms less closely to this Standard of perfection is considered "pet quality." The difference between a "breed quality" and "pet quality" puppy may not be detectable to the untrained eye. The breeder will tell you which are "breed" and which are "pet" puppies. Be honest! Tell the breeder exactly for what purpose you want this puppy. Don't lie!!Working dogs, ranch, livestock or home guardian need different physical attributes as well as mental. If they are the result of a conscientious breeding by a reputable breeder, they will all be "the best one" for pet purposes. They will all come from the same sound OFA'd, breeding stock,the chances are overwhelming they'll be just as sound 5, 10 or15 years down the road as they are w hen you buy them. That's a bargain! If you ask for a "breed quality" puppy and don't intend to breed it, you'll, expect to pay a higher prices If you buy such a pet, are you required to spay neuter the dog and why?? >>>>>>NO FF MALES ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE NEUTERED AND FEMALES NOT UNTIL 18 MONTHS OR LATER. This doesn't reflect the quality of your animal, but rather the breeder's desire not to contribute to an exploding population of unwanted pets. However, if your pup does start to look like a show-stopper, your breeder may lift your pet cause, allowing the dog to compete. Print off breed Standard as breeder questions about the standard in lames terms Note no breeder that understands the breed standard can sell all dogs for same price. No litter produces all breed quality perfect dogs NONE! FoxFire:____________________________________________________________________ Other breeders:___________________________________________________________ 11. Is this an expensive dog to keep? Or how much do you charge for a pup? Not only must you consider the costs of feeding, veterinary care, obedience training - you will take the dog for obedience training, won't you? - and accessories such as collars, leashes, bedding and crates, Backayrd breeders spend the least, professinal breeders spend the most. By calculating what the breeder puts into the dogs , how many generations of healthy dogs do they have? The more generations of healthy dogs they have the higher chance your dog will be healthy. Some backyard breeders who dont work show or test their dogs ask higher prices. Based on rarity off color, size , mixes designer breeds or bloodlines bred for aggression. And sadlly a sucker is born every minuute. Ex: breeding rare whtie dobermans yes thety are rare cause they are out of standard cause they carry the deaf gene, , Or using the term "best" best is a objective term ask why their dogs are the best bloodlines? or why they are the best breeder? FoxFire spends:+++++ read website and how much work and time and effort we put into every dog! 2011 trip to slovakia. example health tests for FF Primo the most health certified stud in the USA 730.00, Kim 540.00, Slovakia, TT/trials,reg, Chips , cremation health care senior dogs, events,food,vet care,supplies, Other breeder Spends: Health tests:________________ Temperament tests and or training wwith professionals _________________ Studying of conformation faults via breeder seminars, travel to euro,dog events, or meeting experts in the bered in person NOT online Travel ______________________ 12. If i want to work my dog in obedience, rally, agility. lure coursing, dock diving,hunting, horse back riding, conformation, CGC, TDI, TT, Protection, weight pull,Livestock guardian, could you advise me based on your work in these areas? Or if i have a child after getting the dog? or if i have any issue with training can you help me? FoxFire: YES I Jeannine De Palma have worked and or titled dogs in all these areas. Yes i have been breeding/working this breed for 15 years and have worked with other breeds for over 30 years. Other breeder:_______________________________________________________________________________ 13. I want this show puppy and I can afford to hire a handler: Will you handle her for me? If a breeder is also a handler - very few are. iF THE BUYER LACKS THE ABILITY TO SHOW A DOG THEY MUST BRING THE BREEDER TO THE DOG SHOW AT THEIR EXPENSE. NO PROFESSIONALS CAN BE HIRED BY UKC. FoxFire is the only Breeder who has mentored other breeders to a Best in Show and the number one status . Other breeder:________________________________________________________________________ 14. Where can I go for a course in Obedience Training? Basic obedience training is just good manners. Does the breeder do obedience training? nOTE ALL DOGS MUST BE OBEDIENCE TRAINED PRIOR TO PROTACTION TESTING!! FoXFire: Due to our vested interest in anything dog we can help find and interview obedience trainers. We also have a lists of do not dos for this breed regarding training. Other breeder:___________________________________________________________________________ 15. Do you ever have any older dogs? This is a realistic and sensitive question and with a reputable breeder, the answer is usually yes! Show and pet puppies are returned to their breeders for reasons ranging from the trivial to the profound. Responsible breeders are often personally involved in breed rescue or connected with people who are, and often know of wonderful, deserving adults of your breed who need to be re-homed. If you take a full-grown dog from a breeder or rescue organization, question them closely about why it is available, and be sure the answer is one you can live with. The fact that a previous owner became herself a baby mill and had no room for the dog will make no difference to you (except to gain sympathy for the poor dog!) This may be your ideal pet. The most common reason you'll hear is directly related to "owner failure," particularly so as we become more of a "disposable" society. Yes Foxfire has rehomed every dog they sold that needed a new home. we have rescued and been involved in rescue for over 30 years documented. we do not support bad breeders in any way shape or form . We however never sell our adult retired breedings dogs . As well as some pets returned to us we keep as family, Out of 17 litters we have never had a pup longer than 10 wks with exceptions of alphas. But now do to higher screening process , we may have older pups 3.4 months. They will be trained thus cost more. Other Breeder:______________________________________________________________ 16. Are there any books you can recommend about this breed? Cast an eye on her bookshelves and write down the eye-catching titles. No english based books , we have collected a vast amount of books,magazines + studies from europe. Other breeder:__________________________________________________________________ 17. Are you a member in good standing of your breed club? Joining a breed club shows interest in the advancement of the breed. Every breed club has a code of ethics, however, and violators may be suspended. foxfire: Founded the US club CASSA, this club got the breed into UKC & AKC. Other:_____________________________________________________________________ 18. How many litters have you breed over what period of time?, How many generations? FoxFire: 17 Litters in 15 years.5 generations 4 of them complete outcrosses. The more generations you have of healthy dogs the more chances your puppy will be healthy. All dogs bred by Foxfires line 'today" have never required surgery or has died from a genetic health defect. Often dogs exported to the USA are sub standard and wind up in rescue. Other:____________________________________________________________________________________ Note with selling 99 pups to the public we made mistakes, owners made mistakes and we learned from this. This is called expert advice. 19.How many of this breed have you trained for obedience, livestock, judging? How many of this breed have you met in person? How Many experts have you studied with? Foxfire:___________________________________________________________________________________ Other:____________________________________________________________________________________ 20. What was your previous background in dogs prior to breeding this breed? Foxfire:________________________________________________ Other:__________________________________________________ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Okay once you have decided on a breeder pick the parents and or puppies you are interested in? Fill in what the Sire offers to the breed and you as a potential client? Fill in what the dam offers to the breed? Puppies what work did you do with the puppies? what temperaments do they have? _________________________________________________________________________________ What work have you done with them? house training? livestock? kids? cats? collar leash? obedience? house manners? where are the puppies raised? Kennel? Home? Outside? ________________________________________________________________________________ what guarantee do you offer?_____________________________________________ What happens to me if i cant keep the dog due to illness or other reason? Rescue All foxfire dogs have a mircochip and come home to US or we find them a home closest to them. Dump a FF dog in a shelter we will hunt you down. ______________________________________________________________________________