When you are buying a puppy, you have every right to ask questions — and a good breeder will welcome them, not take offence. Here are ten questions that help you tell where a puppy grows up in love and responsibility. For each one I have written how it is with us, and what the Slovenian Kennel Club recommends.
How long have you been breeding this breed?
We have been breeding black and chocolate terriers (black and chocolate yorkies) and Biewer terriers for six years, and we have stayed with these breeds throughout. We do not chase fashions. We know our dogs, our lines and every year we have spent with them.
The Slovenian Kennel Club recommends the same: years of experience with one or at most two breeds are a good sign. If a breeder has already changed through all the fashionable breeds, be careful.
What hereditary defects occur in the breed?
Every breed has its own hereditary tendencies and a breeder must know them. We choose the parents carefully, precisely in order to reduce these defects as much as possible.
The Slovenian Kennel Club recommends the same: every breed has its hereditary faults; do not overlook a breeder's ignorance, or you will pay the price.
What have you done to reduce the chance of hereditary defects?
All our dogs have their health checks in order. As for additional genetic (DNA) testing, we decide ourselves, according to the breed and its characteristics. We choose parents for health and a stable temperament, and we look for stud dogs abroad too, to keep a broad gene pool.
The Slovenian Kennel Club recommends the same: examine the documentation, the veterinary findings and the judge's opinion from the breeding evaluation.
Where are the parents? May I see them?
The mother is always here at home and you can meet her — our puppies grow up in the living room, not in kennels, and the mother has her own room where she can rest. The father is often not at the house, because we look for stud dogs abroad for a wider gene pool; for him we show photographs and documents.
The Slovenian Kennel Club recommends the same: the mother must always be available to see, calm and sociable. The father may live elsewhere, but you must see his photograph and documents.
What are the parents like and what titles do they hold?
I am glad to tell you everything about the parents — their temperament, their qualities, their titles. Our Deniro Blue Diamond Paradise holds the titles JCH and CH, and Sindy the title CH. Every litter is for me a carefully chosen combination, with which I want to keep the breed healthy and beautiful.
The Slovenian Kennel Club recommends the same: champion titles in the pedigrees are proof that the breeder has made an effort. A good breeder can describe the merits and faults of their dogs — head, eyes, teeth, topline, movement, tail, colour and temperament.
Where did the puppies grow up?
Here at home, under our feet. In the living room, in the middle of everyday life — they get to know the sounds of the washing machine, the vacuum cleaner, the television, the feel of carpet, tiles and parquet under their paws. For us this is the foundation of a good start.
The Slovenian Kennel Club recommends the same: the best answer is under our feet. Be wary of those who breed in a kennel, a barn or a garage.
How did you accustom the puppies to company?
Our puppies meet different people and children too — our four grandchildren spend time with them, so they are used to a child's play and gentleness. Before they leave, they get to know everyday situations in a way suited to them.
The Slovenian Kennel Club recommends the same: the breeder must ensure the puppies meet people of both sexes, children and other healthy, well-socialised animals.
How have you assessed the puppies?
Because the puppies grow up with us in the living room, we know them well — we know which is livelier, which calmer, which will suit a family better and which perhaps a show home. I tell the buyer this openly, so that together we find the dog that will match them.
The Slovenian Kennel Club recommends the same: the breeder should know the temperament of their puppies best and be able to tell a show dog from a family companion. The dog's temperament must suit the buyer.
Breeding permit, forms and documents
Breeding within the Slovenian Kennel Club is not possible without a breeding permit and the required forms. For every litter one must obtain confirmation of the mating, have the litter inspected, enter the puppies in the studbook and issue pedigrees. This means that breeding with us takes place under supervision and by the rules — every puppy of ours receives a KZS pedigree, a microchip, age-appropriate vaccinations and a veterinary check before leaving.
The Slovenian Kennel Club recommends the same: a purchase without proper documentation is a mistaken purchase. The documentation protects the most vulnerable — the puppy.
When can I take the puppy home?
With us a puppy goes to its new home at eight weeks or later, never earlier. In those weeks with its mother and littermates it learns what a human cannot teach — bite inhibition, canine body language, calm behaviour in a group. Leaving earlier leaves marks, so we do not bend on this. During this time visits from future owners are welcome; it is a time for getting to know each other and for all the questions.
The Slovenian Kennel Club recommends the same: if puppies are available at six weeks, that is a sign of a poor breeder. They are suitable to leave after eight weeks of age.
You can read more on the website of the Slovenian Kennel Club: Questions to ask a breeder.
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