Only Unemployed Dog Lovers Need Apply...

[oddlou]

I can understand where everyone is coming from. Lou is 4 months old and leaving him alone breaks my heart. I'm in law school now and only have school 3 days of class, with one long day where i am gone about 8 hours. He does just fine in his crate and hasn't had any accidents at all in there. I got him during finals so I was with him pretty much all the time for the first month and a half or so (except for the few hours when I was actually taking the finals) and I think that helped. I understand that it must be difficult for you not to be able to get a puppy, but, like someone else said, a breeder that asks that many questions probably has the puppies best interest in mind. Don't give up though, I'm sure you'll be able to find someone that will try to work with you. I know from personal experience that a puppy can do well being confined for relatively long periods as long as they are given a lot of attention when you are home. Just don't over do it, though. Just cause you are away doesn't mean you have to take them for multiple long walks when you get home, just play w/them till they get tired. They are still puppies and too much excercise can be really detrimental to their longterm health.

 

[Debbie Magon]

As a contientious breeder, I am obliged to place my pups with utmost care.

Why?
Because a dog is a committment for many years and a HUGE committment at that!

Families that work all day , have all sorts of other committments and social events, no matter how well intended they are initially, find it very difficult to maintain the enormous task of doggy stuff!

I know! I have sold pups to people who both work and who have adamantly assured me the pup will have all sorts of company, exercise etc.

After a few weeks this has become a nightmare for many new owners. Trying to fit things into an ever burdgeoning schedule, leaving little or no time for anything else!

Everyone suffers here. The pup, the new owners, through guilt and/or exhaustion and myself.

In an ideal world we wouldnt have to all work full time and life would be like many years ago. Simpler and slower.

Well life is busy, people are busy and thats reality.
What is also reality is that little pup that needs so much time, attention and effort.

It is not the onus of the breeder to sell a pup to anyone that wants one , more the responsibility of the hopeful purchaser to provide an environment that is conducive to puppy ownership.

To get my very first boxer many years ago I had to make radical changes to my life, my job , my social calendar.
It was worth every sacrafice and everyone was happy. Us, the breeders and the little boxer boy that became the love of our lives.

I believe in this. If you want something bad enough you will move heaven and earth to get it!

I know it felt like that for us!

 

[kcarter]

i agree that breeders have to be careful who they sell puppies to. Howevere by making it so hard for people to get a puppy from a reputable (sp) breeder encourages peopler to go to a back yard breeder.

 

[Justin Li]

Breeders making choices for us.

I would like to respond to Debbie the breeder. I think that it is understandable to want the best for your puppies, and to have all the best intentions. Even more so to do the most you can to place them in a home which you think is in the best interest of the puppy, but is is just that, it is YOUR opinion if it is in the best interest of the puppy.
Who are strangers to say if someone is suited to have a puppy? Are breeders even talking about puppies? It sounds to me more like the guidlines of adopting a baby! I think that if an individual or a family decides that they would like to add to their family with a puppy, then who should say no? I think that a compromise between the breeder and the potential new owner should be that of some sort of waiting period. To make sure that this is what the owner really wants and is ready for.
Dogs really are mans best friend, and in my opinion the boxer is "king" of dogs. They are my favorite, by far. Who would in their right mind not want to share their joy of a boxer with others. It is a problem with backyard breeders, I've seen it, so try to help the problem and make quality boxer puppies a little easier to get. The majority of family's out there with dogs are not interested in showing or breeding, so why would they go through the hassle of a breeder who is acting like her puppies are children, when they can go to a backyard breeder much easier. Then the quality problem becomes an issue. I really hope that breeders see this and try to help. My boxer is a wonderful addition to my family and I wouldnt trade him for the world, so why would I try to make it hard for others to expierence a life with a boxer. It is so much more exciting!!

 

[McGehee1]

Another note to my previous thread...

The reason we just got our 2 year old rescue is because we CAN, at times, both potentially be out of the house all day. I wanted the dog, so I felt it my responsibility, not my husband's, to be around to let them out. I could not do that with a puppy while working full time. Also, it's way too hard on a puppy to leave them that long (and, I imagine, harder to potty train if they're being forced to "go" in their crate). My stray showed up at our house at 4 months, and it was hard enough leaving her all day (and she did pretty good). I couldn't imagine a little guy that just can't hold it.

Maybe you could take a closer look at rescuing an older boxer that you wouldn't have those concerns with. It has been an incredible experience for us and we got a real winner!

Puppies are sure cute, but they're a ton of work and they are only "little" for a few short months! Then you've got a full grown dog for the next 10-14 years (God willing!) anyways.

Good luck in your decision and in your search!

 

[PawPrintBoxers]

No...

Originally posted by kcarter
i agree that breeders have to be careful who they sell puppies to. Howevere by making it so hard for people to get a puppy from a reputable (sp) breeder encourages peopler to go to a back yard breeder.

This is also incorrect. A person that immediately thinks like this is not setting their goals very high for a quality puppy or a quality breeder. If all such a person is looking for is the first available puppy, then that will be exactly what they get and Buyer Beware. If the first goal is "convenience" as in ease of buying a puppy, "convenience" is going to be shot when that new 8 week old pooping, peeing, chewing and barking puppy enters your home

I had a lovely pet male in my last litter. The folks I decided would make a great home were with me for about 6 months, waiting on this litter. They even met me at some dog shows to meet the parents as I was showing them and to meet me face to face. By the time I was deciding on my pet boy, I knew these people and adored them. I had hundreds of people contacting me over the pups before they were born and well afterwards. I had to make the best decision I could to find appropriate homes. Someone that calls me, wants to know if I have a puppy available, then leaves never to call again simply because I do not have a puppy that moment probably will not get one of my puppies. Come time for a puppy to be "available" I already have done the ground work and have people in mind.

I understand when you are looking for that next great pet Boxer pup. I was there myself only a few short years ago. But I will also say I kept in touch with the breeders I liked and was only able to get my girl by being in touch. I did not wait for them to call me as I figured they were very busy. I called them at intervals we both agreed on and was able to show how serious I was about a puppy. Now that it is me with my precious puppies to place, I really understand what it is like on the other side.

 

[Peggy G]

We bought Scarlet as a puppy and I dont know how I could have possibly raised/trained her properly and worked full time. If I had still worked full time I would have sought out an adult dog that was house trained (for the most part) and passed the chewing/distructive stage.

If I were a breeder I would prefer my pups go to homes that had someone home with them during the day. As well intended as people are when they get a pup I dont think they realize the amount of work involved in training. It is very hard to train a puppy when no one is there most of the time... then the people become frustrated that the puppy is not trained in a certain amount of time and the pet ends up in a shelter or in the newspaper. This usually happens at about 9 months when the puppy goes through a distructive stage.

My suggestion would be to find an adult dog. People are giving them away all the time.

 

[PawPrintBoxers]

Re: Breeders making choices for us.

Originally posted by Justin Linard
I think that it is understandable to want the best for your puppies, and to have all the best intentions just that, it is YOUR opinion if it is in the best interest of the puppy.

To be honest, my opinion is the only one that counts when selling a puppy. It is my responsibility to place them in the best homes and be here for the life of that dog. MY opinion is the one a potential buyer much be aware of and prove they are a quality home that will be a good fit for a Boxer pup.

Who are strangers to say if someone is suited to have a puppy? Are breeders even talking about puppies? It sounds to me more like the guidlines of adopting a baby!

EXACTLY! Now you understand the committment of a quality breeder towards finding a quality home. These are our children.

I think that if an individual or a family decides that they would like to add to their family with a puppy, then who should say no?

I am the one to say No if I am uncomfortable with the situation. As a breeder and a Boxer owner, I am the expert they are approaching for a new puppy. I am the one they are going to look towards for a quality puppy and a qualified breeder to answer their questions. Just because someone wants a Boxer does not mean they can handle raising a Boxer.

I think that a compromise between the breeder and the potential new owner should be that of some sort of waiting period. To make sure that this is what the owner really wants and is ready for.

You can't do a "waiting period" on a puppy you have already placed. I might not be understanding this correctly, but puppies are not a try'em out kind of purchase.

It is a problem with backyard breeders, I've seen it, so try to help the problem and make quality boxer puppies a little easier to get.

Not on your life. Convenience should never be a factor in such an important committment.

The majority of family's out there with dogs are not interested in showing or breeding, so why would they go through the hassle of a breeder who is acting like her puppies are children, when they can go to a backyard breeder much easier.

A buyer that does not understand the committment of a quality breeder to act in such an offhand manner never really cared much to begin with. I have never heard someone tell me they disrespected me for treating my Boxers so well. Or for being picky over the homes my pups go to. My puppies are my children as are my adult dogs. It is a fact as much as anyone else's is. I am completely surprised someone is saying that is wrong :(

Then the quality problem becomes an issue. I really hope that breeders see this and try to help.

Awwwwww now you see the problem. QUALITY is only brought into the breed by those spending all their time and efforts into studying the breed. You condemn the quality breeder all along the way but do admit they do produce quality puppies. Quality breeders also are conscience of health and do full health testings. BYB's rarely do because it is very expensive and bad news is hard to take. I show and breed my Boxers. "Convenience" is never a consideration but Quality always is. I want the best I can for my Boxers and I work hard to keep a level of soundness in my Boxers. When BYB ads brag on "Championship lines" while stretching the truth a bit, I am the one actually producing and finishing those Champions. My pride is not in myself, but in my lovely Boxers whom I think are my children and whom lighten my husband's and my's life on a daily basis. When someone approaches me for a pet puppy, they are coming to me because of my committment to the breed and because they are more secure in asking my help.

I do agree there are far less quality breeders than not, but why would you ask the few quality ones to lower their own personal standards? Why not demand the irresponsible breeders do it better?

 

[nicmicwil]

Unfortuantely, I nor my husband don't have the LUXURY of staying home with a dog (not a human - it is a dog!) Yes - we love our dog very much, and I give him tons of attention when I am home. Plus he IS potty trained and in PERFECT health!

I keep reading these posts and it makes me so ANGRY to hear that a person working 10 hour days can't have a puppy. If you don't want to keep them in a crate - then paper train! Daycare! There are viable alternatives.

 

[johnson99]

Thanks for all your responses! I guess my point is that I either work and don't get a dog - or I quit my job and both the dog and I can't afford to eat. I realize I'm being a bit facetious but that's basically the quandry. What makes it even MORE difficult is that several of the rescue applications I have looked at ask how long both adults will be out of the house and I have even had a rescue contact person tell me they would be reluctant to adopt out a rescue dog (even an older one) out to a home where the owners would be out of the house for 9-10 hours a day.

Very frustrating.