Breeder Advice PLEASE!

[MorgansMama]

After losing our 11.5 YO sweet boxer girl, Morgan in April, we have been looking into getting a boxer puppy. When I bought Morgan - I was 21 - I had no idea what I was doing and I found an ad in the newspaper and went and picked out my baby. I thought nothing more of it. She lived a good, long life for a boxer (11.5 years) and had no major health issues other than: thyroid condition, allergies, heart murmur. But other than the murmur, which was harmless, she has no heart or hip issues. Maybe I just got lucky?

So, now that we've been thinking about getting a puppy - we went back and visited the same breeder that we got Morgan from. The "breeder" had numerous (5-10) adult boxers out in pens in the back of their house and they have 4 litters a year. They were very open and answered all of our questions. The puppies were adorable (of course). She said that they would be having a litter in June with 54 champions in their bloodline (which was one of the red flag comments that I read on this forum). After reading these forums, I'm a little apprehensive about getting a puppy from them. Was I just lucky the first time around with Morgan?

Everything I read on here says to find a breeder that does health testing (hips and heart minimum). Most of the breeders around here that do health testing are asking $2000/puppy. When I asked Morgan's breeder if they do genetic health testing on the mother/father dogs, her response was: "No, we have never had the need to do any genetic tests because none of our puppies or the breeding stock have had any genetic defects so far. We have been very lucky to have very healthy dogs." Is this a red flag? They are charging $850 for their boxers.

I guess what I'm asking here is - I want a healthy puppy for a companion, not to show, is it recommended to go to a breeder that charges $2000/puppy and does hip and heart testing? What would you do?

Here's my other question:

The puppy was adorable - and then I asked to see the Mama. I included a link below to a picture of the puppy and a couple pictures of the Mama. Does the Mama look like a boxer to you? Her muzzle/snout looks far too long to be a boxer?

share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AZsWzVu0cNmjlQ

Thanks in advance for any advice/comments that you have on my post.

 

[Jan]

Does this breeder actually show her dogs or is she just riding on the coat tails of those that do?

It sounds like this breeder is basically a puppy mill! You may have been lucky with Morgan and may not be so lucky the second time around. I think I would walk away. :(

Have you considered rescuing a boxer? There are so many boxers out there that desperately need a forever home.

Good luck!

You link to the picture doesn't work!

 

[Bathel]

Do they breed with their own dogs? That would be the first red flag for me. Typically, a breeder will breed outside their own stock.

I wouldn't even consider a breeder that didn't health screen. Boxers have way too many issues to leave it up to chance. Even health screening can leave you with a boxer that has issues. I think our breeder charged around 1,800 dollars for our little girl; however, she was of show quality even though we didn't buy her to show/breed.

Here is what I looked for...

1. Does the breeder show the dogs? I did great research into our breeder and how long/often she does shows. She has a pretty good line of champion dogs and has been showing for a good amount of time.

2. Does the breeder, breed for show or profit? I've found most breeders that are breeding for their next "Champion" dog did a much better job of selecting a breeding partner for their dog. With full health screenings. They typically don't have big litters and not as often (as often artificial insemination is used with frozen sperm). Their pups tend to be much more expensive than a Back Yard Breeder. This is not a hard fast rule as some very ethical and accomplished show breeders also plan to sell pups on the side to help offset the cost of finding their next Champion.

3. Don't worry so much about the up front cost... paying 500 dollars or 2000 dollars is really a small cost to the complete ownership of a boxer. With the Vet bills, food bill and toy bill (my girl can destroy some Frisbees)... in the long run, getting a healthy well breed pup at a more expensive up front cost will give you the greatest chance to offset some of those vet bills later on. A single visit to a Cardiologist for a holter test is going to run you upwards of 500 dollars. That has a quick way of eating into those saved dollars from buying from a Back Yard Breeder.

4. The last thing I found is don't be put off by the economic standing of the breeder you select. Most of the breeders we visited were of very low income level (most CEO's don't have a side job of breeding dogs). What you need to look for is the love that these breeders have for the breed/dogs. I can still remember the first breeder we visited... It wasn't such a pretty area of town and a pretty run down house. However, after 5 minutes speaking with the breeder it was clear of her love of the breed. This isn't to say that there are not upper class breeders out there... just don't write one off because it looks like they are of a low income...

BTW, paying 2,000 doesn't mean that the breeder isn't a back yard breeder. I found many that charged that much, which I wouldn't have bought from in a hundred years. Don't go by price... it should be the last thing you consider as of course you still have to meet that budget... but make it the last thing you look to.

 

[MorgansMama]

Thanks!

Thanks for the good advice!

Yes, this breeder is breeding her own dogs and she does not show them.

I've made my mind up that I'm not willing to chance it with that particular breeder - just too many questions in my mind and "red flags" to worry about. I would definitely rather bring home a healthy baby and pay more money. I know how those vet bills can add up.

We are still considering rescuing - there are several great rescues here that we've been talking to. We actually donated all of Morgan's medicine and other gently used items to one of the area rescues. It made me feel good - Morgan never minded sharing her things!

Thanks again!