Hello everybody,
I'm a new member here and I have kind of a lengthy story and I'd love some advice. I am the owner of two boxers. The male, Harley, is about 1 1/2 years old and I adopted him from a boxer rescue organization when he was 12 weeks old. The female, Casey, is about 2 years old and I adopted her from a military family who was moving overseas when she was about 6 months old. They are both excellent companions and they mean the world to my family and I. Now on to my problem. When I adopted Casey, her family told me that she had been spayed, and I believed them because she does have a small scar on her belly and I had no reason to doubt them. But either they were confused or the operation was unsuccessful because Casey, as it turns out, is not spayed. Ironically, we were planning to have Harley neutered pretty soon, but I had wanted to make sure that he was finished growing before he had the operation. I now know after much reading that neutering doesn't stunt their growth, but you know what they say about hindsight. Anyway, nature took its course and now after many visits to the vet we have a litter of 8 healthy puppies. I do want to make it clear that I am an opponent of backyard breeding, or breeding your pets unless you know very well what you are doing, which I do not. And I know the countless tests that should be performed on both parents before you even begin to think about breeding them. And my dogs have not had all those tests. I do know about the staggering pet population in this country. And with knowing all that my family and I were not willing to accept the alternative to having the puppies. So with all that said, the advice I'm looking for relates to finding good homes for these puppies. Three puppies already have excellent homes and families to look forward to, but that leaves 5. I'm hoping to get advice from someone who has experience breeding on the best questions to ask potential owners (besides the most obvious), and who to flat out turn down. As well as how I should represent these dogs. Both parents are purebred and AKC registered, but seeing as how I am not a reputable breeder I don't know that I should represent the puppies as such. We plan to donate any money made to a local animal shelter but I don't know what a reasonable price to ask for these puppies might be. And finally, I am told that there is some kind of agreement that can be signed by owners promising that these dogs will be spayed or neutered when they are of appropriate age, I would like to know where to find something like that. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
P.S. It may go without saying but Harley had his operation early during the pregnancy. Thanks again in advance
I'm a new member here and I have kind of a lengthy story and I'd love some advice. I am the owner of two boxers. The male, Harley, is about 1 1/2 years old and I adopted him from a boxer rescue organization when he was 12 weeks old. The female, Casey, is about 2 years old and I adopted her from a military family who was moving overseas when she was about 6 months old. They are both excellent companions and they mean the world to my family and I. Now on to my problem. When I adopted Casey, her family told me that she had been spayed, and I believed them because she does have a small scar on her belly and I had no reason to doubt them. But either they were confused or the operation was unsuccessful because Casey, as it turns out, is not spayed. Ironically, we were planning to have Harley neutered pretty soon, but I had wanted to make sure that he was finished growing before he had the operation. I now know after much reading that neutering doesn't stunt their growth, but you know what they say about hindsight. Anyway, nature took its course and now after many visits to the vet we have a litter of 8 healthy puppies. I do want to make it clear that I am an opponent of backyard breeding, or breeding your pets unless you know very well what you are doing, which I do not. And I know the countless tests that should be performed on both parents before you even begin to think about breeding them. And my dogs have not had all those tests. I do know about the staggering pet population in this country. And with knowing all that my family and I were not willing to accept the alternative to having the puppies. So with all that said, the advice I'm looking for relates to finding good homes for these puppies. Three puppies already have excellent homes and families to look forward to, but that leaves 5. I'm hoping to get advice from someone who has experience breeding on the best questions to ask potential owners (besides the most obvious), and who to flat out turn down. As well as how I should represent these dogs. Both parents are purebred and AKC registered, but seeing as how I am not a reputable breeder I don't know that I should represent the puppies as such. We plan to donate any money made to a local animal shelter but I don't know what a reasonable price to ask for these puppies might be. And finally, I am told that there is some kind of agreement that can be signed by owners promising that these dogs will be spayed or neutered when they are of appropriate age, I would like to know where to find something like that. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
P.S. It may go without saying but Harley had his operation early during the pregnancy. Thanks again in advance
