Tips when searching for breeder and what questions to ask

[cookieP]

When I was sheltie searching, I was not afraid to say I wanted a blue merle. I waited and searched and passed up a lot of beautiful and surely lovely sable and tri and bi black shelties because I wanted a blue merle. I wanted a blue merle with a sweet personality that was loyal and funny and smart and insightful, and I even passed up a lot of blue merles because they didn't "feel right" to me. I knew right from the get go there was a 99% chance I wouldn't settle for anything but a blue merle, because that was a *part* of my dream dog. I had other parts too, of course. Healthy, intelligent, tender hearted, and one that I connected with were all equally important criteria (if not more important). Color wasn't the only thing, and not even the most important thing, but it was on the list, and I wanted everything on my list. And I got it.

So don't be afraid to say to a breeder you have a color preference. From what I've seen, breeders I've talked to, and dog lovers in general, a lot of people prefer a certain color or are looking for a certain color a lot of the time. It doesn't mean that's all that matters or all you care about. No one will think that's odd or impractical or bad.

People have color preferences with a lot of things (dresses, cars, flowers, etc) it's just part of our personalities. And there is a puppy out there for each of us! Sometimes it just means waiting :/

 

[Calliesmom]

so in Fall 2012 I started looking for a blue puppy.....
I contacted several breeders with a very long email that described what I was looking for and why I was looking at their dogs- I wanted blue and smaller.
I wanted a smaller sheltie as the two I had then (still have), one oversize and one insize but both jumping 16" in agility meant that I really wanted a dog to jump 12". well, litters came and puppies placed and no blue for me.... but I really wanted to get a puppy in January as that is the time when I have someone available to let the puppy out during the day when I'm at work.
so I emailed back one of the breeders who I had actually met since the first email and asked if any of the black puppies from her last litter had a blaze and would be smaller. she sent me some pix and I picked one and she said she wouldn't guarantee that he would be under 14"- well my little biblack boy with a blaze ended up at 17" so he will also be jumping 16" when he starts competing.
then in October last year, I brought home my little blue boy that will stay under 14". at 8 months, he is still under......
so all that is to say- don't be afraid to be specific and let the breeder know exactly what you are looking for.

 

[Mom2Melli]

With your typical working dogs & herding dogs you tend to have "performance" lines and "show lines". Your performance lines are higher drive, higher energy, often flat-out smarter, more eager to work, more trainable (quicker), and often are physically slightly different in musculature and even coat. Not saying a show line animal won't peform well for you in agility or rally or such becaue they do, but the performance dogs have a little extra drive that give them an extra edge in the high-drive sports. However, it must be remembered they don't turn off the drive when it's snowing or you are sick. They are what they are, athletes.

 

[rose]

when I wanted a blue merle, girl.
warning-- I got double trouble, came home with 2 little blue merle girls.
when I was not looking, a tri CHW boy came into my life.
good luck!

 

[Bradt9881]

Things I think are important:

1) A sound dog. You want the parents free of genetic defects, like collie eye abnormality, and hips that are rated OFA good or excellent. Watch the puppy walk; are the legs perpendicular to the shoulders?

2) a good temperament. Happy playful puppy, or fearful and cringing constantly?

3) lastly, color is important. It might be hard to find a show breeder breeding for color headed dogs, since they cannot be shown in AKC, but a blue merle should be easy with a breeder that breeds AOAC dogs.

With my blue boy, I would have liked a dog with a bit more frosting in the trunk, but after bringing him home, I wouldn't trade him for the world.

 

[ClantyreSheltie]

With your typical working dogs & herding dogs you tend to have "performance" lines and "show lines". Your performance lines are higher drive, higher energy, often flat-out smarter, more eager to work, more trainable (quicker), and often are physically slightly different in musculature and even coat. Not saying a show line animal won't peform well for you in agility or rally or such becaue they do, but the performance dogs have a little extra drive that give them an extra edge in the high-drive sports. However, it must be remembered they don't turn off the drive when it's snowing or you are sick. They are what they are, athletes.

and with that "drive" a lot of times come barking, OCD behaviors that are written off as "drive", lack of health testing (vWD doesn't run in my line!), etc. I am generally unimpressed with the dogs coming from most "performance" breeders.

All my "performance" dogs come from regular breeders that breed happy dogs that want to work. They learn just as fast, are happy to work, and have off switches.

 

[melbell]

Hi everyone. So, I am fairly certain the time for looking up breeders is fast approaching. A little birdie has told me that by this time next year the time will be right.

So, I have two breeders within an hour or so from me. One breeds confirmation dogs, which I saw at a show not so long ago. The other does mostly sports, but has some confirmation titles on their dogs. The problem is that I think I am being too picky. We really want a female dog, but my OH has said if it was the perfect dog and I was in love with it, then a male would be okay. But we do not want to budge on blue merle color. I'd really love a Color Headed White (Blue Merle), if I'm being entirely truthful. I know CHW is not common, so I would be OK with a blue merle. I've waited a long time for this dog and I kind of don't want to compromise on that. Is it OK that I want a specific color? Will a breeder totally disregard me if I tell them this?

Most breeders would want to know your preference, so they would not think anything of you saying you wanted a female blue merle. Honestly, I wanted a female blue merle and my breeder knew this. Unfortunately there were 5 males 2 females and of that one female was a blue merle. She kept both the females and I some how ended up with a Tri male... but he looks identical to his mother and my fiance fell in love. I was debating between him and a blue merle male, so my fiance liking the Tri more, won.

What kind of prices can I expect to pay and is it rude of me to ask in advance what the deposit will be, and if the deposit is transferrable to a different litter if there isn't a puppy I click with? Or how much the total cost will be? I have a sum saved up - enough of an amount that made my OH raise his eyebrows and ask if that's what they all cost. I also have money saved for necessities/vet fund.

Pricing varies but normally for a sheltie anywhere from $800-$1,000 if you're just looking for a pet. Definitely ask how much the deposit would be. My breeder actually didn't want a deposit and I just paid her when I picked him up, but she's also known me since I was like 5. Depends on the breeder about the transfer, usually they do transfer the deposit, some might just give it back to you though. Definitely save a good bit of money for vet because you'll need physical, shots, heartworm, tick, fleas, etc. All around the same time.

If I am looking for mostly a companion, but I may want to try agility (my OH has said he will build me a mini agility course in the backyard to practice with if I wanted). Which would be better, a breeder that focuses mostly on confirmation or one that focuses mostly on sports? I don't necessarily know that I want a dog bred for sport but know that there are pet puppies in almost every litter. It doesn't really matter what they focus on with the dogs. A confirmation litter can still have very well sports dogs. Ruutu's mom and dad do Agility, Rally and Obedience. Honey's did confirmation and both of my dogs do strictly Agility at the moment. On the upper hand, if you want a sporty dog, ask the sports breeder if they plan to have a wobble board in with the dogs at any time. Or any other athletic things. Ruutu's litter had this and you could tell right away who would love to be Agility dogs and who could care less. Not that it really mattered though. Most of them were claimed by time the board was added.

Thank you for any advice.

Just do some research, you'll be fine I'd go more based off of the attitudes of the sire and dam than sports vs confirmation. Also see which breeder you'd rather work with. Don't be afraid to ask them to see a contract that they typically use as well. No sense thinking you want a puppy from a certain litter if the contract states something you're not willing to budge on.

 

[Junebug]

I'm willing to bet there are more breeders in your area than you have found. I recommend searching online for sheltie clubs in various metros near you, and contact their breeder referral person. With my recent puppy search, I was searching in a 4-5 state area. Widen your search so you can incorporate more people. There are breeders who specialize in merles, tris or bi.

As to show or performance lines, the performance breeder with some chamions on her dogs-- are those recent champions, ie parents? If so, that seems like a really good fit. But honestly, show lines ought to be clever, too.


I recently discovered a shetland sheepdog--available facebook group. Although I'm not in the market, I enjoy looking. Most are high quality dogs. They are from all over north america, so you do have to watch the location.

 

[Silaria]

Personally, I don't think you wanting to hold out for a Blue Merle is being too picky. I'm being picky when I search for my next puppy because I know I want a male sable that is structurally correct for agility.

There are some breeders who specialize in the AOAC (Any Other Acceptable Color) dogs so looking for a blue pup isn't that out of the question. As you said, however, personality is important because you do need to live with the dog 24x7 for the next 15+ years.

A good breeder will help you select the right dog for your lifestyle meaning if you are a more laid back household, you don't want the more drivey pup but one that's a little calmer. A good breeder will know his/her litter and help you select the right dog. For this reason it's important for you to be completely honest with them about your lifestyle and hopes for the dog you are bringing home.

If I am looking for mostly a companion, but I may want to try agility (my OH has said he will build me a mini agility course in the backyard to practice with if I wanted). Which would be better, a breeder that focuses mostly on confirmation or one that focuses mostly on sports? I don't necessarily know that I want a dog bred for sport but know that there are pet puppies in almost every litter.

My breeder is a confirmation breeder but I did get a very good agility dog from her. Sure, he's not the fastest Sheltie out there but he's a lot of fun to play with and he really wants to work. I'm actually on her waiting list for a new puppy because I adore her dog's temperaments.

With a breeder focused more toward Performance, you may end up with a dog that is too high drive (meaning always on the go and needs a LOT of activity in their life to tire them out). Again, this comes back to talking to the breeder and being completely honest about your lifestyle and time commitments elsewhere in your life.

One thing I'd advise, and this is something I've learned since getting my boy Edan 7 years ago, if you are interested in agility, try to get a dog that is closer to structurally correct in the body. The build of the front is important when it comes to jumping and other aspects of agility. Just because a dog is a good "pet" dog doesn't mean it will be a good (healthy) agility dog.

Good luck in your search.

 

[ClantyreSheltie]

Oh, and don't ignore your gut!

When I went Collie shopping, I was *certain* I wanted a Rough Blue Merle bitch. Then I saw the littermate of the Collie I ended up with, and he was beautiful. I asked the breeder about getting a puppy from that litter, as I had heard there were 11 in the litter. She said, "yes, I have a girl, and she's better than the boy, do you want her?"

So what did I end up with? A Smooth Pure for Sable bitch. Not what I thought I wanted when I started, but she turned out to be an awesome dog.