Looking for a puppy? Consider these breeder guidelines.

[ClantyreSheltie]

"Supplemental Transfer Statement": This form must be completed and submitted with the AKC Dog Registration Application or the AKC Registration Certificate when a dog has been transferred more than once before applying for registration in the name of the current owner. Each person through whose hands the dog passes, whether as owner, dealer, agent on consignment or otherwise, must complete and sign to certify that the dog transferred is the same dog identified on the application or certificate.
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So this form exists, though I don't know anyone who has ever actually used it. If someone is transporting a dog from one owner to the new owner, it would not apply. But if a dog is in a rescue for a month, or even a few days, this would apply, as that rescue has legal ownership of the dog.

Do people cheat this? I have no doubt.

With rescues that do blind adoptions, as we do, we do not pass along the previous owners name in any way, shape, or form. We digitally redact everything. So there is no chance of giving the new owners AKC papers with previous owner information.

The ILP program was put in place to handle these dogs. ILP dogs can do everything registered dogs can do, except conformation.

 

[vicky2]

We know that Chase has AKC papers, but the rescue never gave them to us and I have no idea how to find him without his registered name.

 

[take4roll10]

• All your litters are AKC registered.

I would just like to add something to this... a lot of puppy mills and BYB's thrive on buyers, who think if the puppies are AKC registered, then they must be from a good breeder. All it really means is that the puppy's parents were registered with the AKC and so forth.

A reputable breeder's puppies will be AKC registered. However, many non-reputable breeders also have their dogs registered with the AKC.

Quote from the ASPCA: http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/puppy-mills/puppy-scams-cons.html

"AKC registry is a service provided by the American Kennel Club. While many people believe AKC registration means their puppies came from reputable breeders, being AKC-registered means nothing more than your puppy’s parents both had AKC papers. While there are some AKC regulations, they do not restrict puppy mills from producing AKC-registered dogs. The fact is, many AKC-registered dogs are born in puppy mills."

 

[karol]

This is the website that I used when looking for our new puppy (see link below) we ended up using one of the breeders listed for our area and she was fantastic. She had great recommendations on raising a Sheltie plus she let us come and visit the puppies often so we got to meet with the parents, grandparents.... She also suggested that we look at a couple of breeders not just her so that we could compare.

She gave us copies of all the tests that were done on the parents.. Plus of course the vets records on the puppy and any problems if they had any. (Sadie has a slight overbite). She recommended her vet but that was well over an hour drive for us...when we told her our vets name she gave us the thumbs up to go ahead as he is very well known not just in our county but statewide. When we took Sadie for her first vet visit to our vet; he said WOW, where did you find this puppy? ….you have a terrific dog here, gave her a great bill of health, and her temperament is just wonderful, he even asked for the breeders name.

She had great advice from food, vaccinations dos and don’ts; grooming techniques/equipment, dental hygiene, nails, trainers, questions to ask on your 1st vet appointment; websites to visit, books to read….really just a wealth of information. She already had the puppies on a bathroom schedule by 7 weeks...so made the housebreaking training a breeze -- Sadie did not have an accident after the 1st week home. She also had details on what she had done to start the socialization process, outside am and pm to hear traffic sounds and see people as they passed by which some stopped to play with the pups, her grandchildren came daily …. Sadie loves little kids and I’m sure that’s why…She gave recommendations on how to continue to socialize the pups after you got them home.

After we picked up our puppy at 9.5 wks old she even said to call or come over anytime if we had questions, she said she had one lady who was new to puppies call her in the middle of the night because the puppy was crying...and she said that's ok she went over, if we need her just call anytime. Which I did about 6 weeks later as Sadie’s ears needed tipping and she showed us how to glue them. (She told us that between 8-10 weeks is when the puppies start learning a lot from the pack order and they learn a lot from older dogs as well as rough play with puppies/what’s accepted and what is not…that’s why we held off until 9 ½ weeks to pick her up vs 8 wks)

If all of the breeders who belong to this association are as good as she is then you are in good hands getting a puppy from anyone of them.

Here is the link to what The American Shetland Sheepdog Association ethics of a good breeder, plus the website has a wealth of information on the breed plus info on rescues as well as health guidelines etc.

http://www.assa.org/ethical.html
http://www.assa.org/index.html

 

[OntarioSheltie]

I don't think it matters whether one is breeding "for show" or not...every breeder should adhere to these standards. Otherwise, the breed becomes diluted with substandard dogs who go on to produce more substandard dogs. Every breeder should strive to improve the breed, not just make puppies.

I think these guidelines are spot on, and wholeheartedly endorse them. Thanks, Kelly!

I agree. I also don't necessarily think a breeder needs to be actively showing.

The breeder Sadie and Ginny came from has years of experience breeding and showing but doesn't currently show her dogs. Her dogs COULD be showed and DO adhere to breed standard and she only chooses quality males in order to maintain the same quality and temperament in pups she produces, a few of which do go to show homes.

I've found her to be a fountain of knowledge and a wonderful person. I'd happily recommend her to anyone looking for a sheltie.

 

[parkerlynne]

A breeder should promise to take a puppy back, under any circumstances they will always have a home with her and/or she will help to find them a new home if you for some reason can no longer care for them.

 

[Narmowen]

I agree. I also don't necessarily think a breeder needs to be actively showing.

The breeder Sadie and Ginny came from has years of experience breeding and showing but doesn't currently show her dogs. Her dogs COULD be showed and DO adhere to breed standard and she only chooses quality males in order to maintain the same quality and temperament in pups she produces, a few of which do go to show homes.

I've found her to be a fountain of knowledge and a wonderful person. I'd happily recommend her to anyone looking for a sheltie.

That's me/my kennel. We produced many home shown champions (Canadian kennel club, because we don't show AKC), but we haven't shown in over 5 years. Our last litter was 2 years ago, and I have NO doubts that Luke (my blue boy) could easily get his championship if I were inclined. Same thing with Sally (his sister), if she weren't a tripod. I breed not only for the standard, but to better the breed. I breed for the herding instinct (and while I don't use them for it, I have seen them exhibit it many times-on horses, usually!), the personality, conformation & attitude.

A breeder should promise to take a puppy back, under any circumstances they will always have a home with her and/or she will help to find them a new home if you for some reason can no longer care for them.

Yes, they should. We've rehomed a couple of our Shelties that we've had to take back. We've also held them for a few months for the owners to get back on their feet. And we've completely "reclaimed" Sally, the tripod that belongs to my brother. After she lost her leg, her human sibling was born, and they didn't want her to get hurt, so she has a new permanent home with me & my mother.

 

[Internette]

I printed this to help me not forget these questions, thank you for sharing these lists.

 

[ItsAllAboutAcie]

The lady I got Acie from had the parents xrayed for hip dysplasia, checked by certified veterinary opthalmologist, cultured for brucellosis- said it was contagious disease that caused abortions and tested for thyroid problems and she gave me copies of those of the parents' tests n results. She wouldn't even let Acie and her siblings leave til they were all 16 weeks old, and had all it's vaccinations. She said some people when they get pups from the breeders will not go back to keep up with it's vaccinations. I got Acie at the age of 16 weeks old. She was very picky on who got her pups. She had us checked out, we had to have vet references, and all that. This breeder did not just "turn her over" after we gave her the cash like some breeders. And after Acie came home with us, she called and checked in on us and see how Acie was adjusting to her new home. She's been really awesome! If I was to buy another one, I'm going back to this lady! This is a very good thread!

 

[Angela]

Ask questions and look at all documents carefully

Thanks, I wish I had seen this list earlier! My little girl is a beautiful sable sheltie. I purchased her when she was 2.5 years old. Came with a health guarantee and assurance that her standard shots were up to date. Unfortunately I did not ask to look at medical records at the time, and only later, I discovered that she was not up to date with the shots and also was diagnosed in less than a year with discoid lupus. The breeder should know better and should never have bred my girl (and she was) nor misrepresented the health of my dog.