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Questions to Breeders

cinnamon roll

Super Moderator
Super Moderator
Bottom line if a "breeder" refuses to answer my questions I will take my business else where. Refusal to answer I would assume that you are worse than a BYB you are a mill. Just like BB they wouldn't answer regarding the food issues so I found another brand. Although I did buy a VERY sick puppy from a mill cause I just could not leave him there.
 

GM2009

Active Member
I agree with what's already been said, although to ad onto it, I wouldn't want to do business with someone who cannot have a discussion or will not answer my questions because frankly they'll be in my life upwards of a decade. If before I even purchase they're not being helpful, why would I commit? What happens when my puppy is 8mls and going through a teenage phase and I need some advice? How can I trust them to recommend a good vet to do a proper ear cropping? What if a behavior develops I'm not familiar about and I need the breeder's perspective?

Plain and simple, a breeder should not be someone who sells a puppy for a paycheck then no longer gives a shit. They're supposed to be your supporter, cheerleader, reference, and the puppy's life long "grandparent" to hear how they're doing and grieve when they pass with you.

If initial questions are too much for a "breeder", I'm high tailing it out of there. I'm spending $2000+ on a puppy to have them as a connection and to know what to expect my puppy will turn out to be.
 

CorsoCorso

Well-Known Member
No one would buy a car from a dealership that would say "Oh yea it's a great car. No we didn't do any diagnostic checks on it, but just look at it! It's beautiful!". So what makes people think buying a puppy, which is an even bigger decision than buying a car, any different? Any breeder who immediately gets defensive to these types of inquiries has no business breeding dogs, in my opinion. You're bring a new member into your family, you have every right to know every single thing there is to know about that puppy.
 

dogman#1

Well-Known Member
eh, I'm always very upfront but I can see why some people clam up.. the politics in dogs is even dirtier than in the government and gets twice as personal. As you can see by the Fila threads alone there are some that take the worst possible picture of one's dogs, steals it and posts it all over the place in order to make one's stock look bad. They will also take what you say, twist the words around and use that too.. This type of tactic is used by those that dont have as good a stock as those they are trying to defame (trolls). Those type of people (trolls) prey on the unknowledgeable or "newbie". I like it when knowledgeable dog folk confront these folks as it shows other new comers how it really is and it gives the added perk of the troll hiding under the bridge for a while. When the troll gets desperate it is very apparent as the attacks get more personal and sometimes to the point of being criminal.... this is when some good folk get nervous and decide to "clam up". I dont know if you guys remember from the old Fila forum where another breeder posted up another's address with a picture of their house and posted their kid's names and how old they were.... That obviously made that breeder fear for her kids' safety... Or the one that posted all sorts of fraudulant derogatory information about others claiming them to be drug dealers and dog fighters... while a check by the police could clear them who the hell wants the police coming to their door in front of their neighbors and being questioned about such things? you got to be a little careful as there are alot of nut case people and you never know which one is dangerous.
 

Max's mom

Well-Known Member
I'm hoping someone could answer a question about how long it takes for "papers" to come from the breeder.

I purchased my pure bred English Mastiff when he was only five weeks old, but didn't bring him home until 8 weeks. The breeder kept me updated with nice pictures and emails and I went to visit. I got to see the entire litter, both parents and even was given the opportunity to choose a different pup as mine was the "runt" and much smaller than any of the other puppies. I had my heart set on Max after all of that...

So, we had a standard contract. Take him to the vet within 72 hours, report any medical problems immediately, if not going to keep contact breeder first kind of thing. Contact information exchanged and a promise for his papers to be sent in the mail.

I've sent several emails with pictures attached because I thought she'd be interested in how he was doing. I've gotten no response from any and have no idea when or if I'll even get these papers. I am not showing him, nor breeding but boy it would be nice if people would follow through.

No wonder there's such negativity about backyard breeders! Love, love, love my Max and that wouldn't change without the papers. I just don't know what to do other than drive 180 miles back to knock on her door!
 

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ruthcatrin

Well-Known Member
As in AKC papers? In theory your breeder should have had them to you when you picked him up. In reality I can tell you from personal experience that sometimes the AKC is slow getting everything done and it can take an extra couple months. Now if your contract states that you're getting AKC papers and you haven't, and the breeder isn't responding to you you can contact the AKC and confirm that the litter was registered and see if they'll do anything about it (in theory they will). You'll need the parents full registered names for that. UKC should be the same. For other US based kennel clubs you're probly out of luck.
 

BlackShadowCaneCorso

Super Moderator
Staff member
Also was there anything in your contract that stipulated you had to meet certain criteria before they were released? Like spaying/neutering? Training?
 

Max's mom

Well-Known Member
Thanks for the response. Yes, AKC registration. No contract stipulations. I have full names of both parents. I may just be paranoid after all the bad stuff. Not that the papers truly matter. It's the principle. You pay a good sum of money for a pure bred dog with hopes that you are getting quality/healthy animal and it would be nice to just have what they promise. I'll give it some more time and will try contacting her again.
 

ruthcatrin

Well-Known Member
How old is he and how long have you had him? And how long have you been trying to get an answer about hispapers from the breeder?

Apollo's paperwork was almost two full months "late", BUT his breeder kept us updated. If it hasn't been that long, but she's not responding, then a check with the AKC to confirm that the paperwork is in progress may not be a bad idea.
 

Hillsh

New Member
Hi. New to the bullmastiff world. Just got an 8 week old pup. Absolutely in love with her! How do you feel about inbreeding? Specifically dad to daughter with also the mothers parents being the parents of the dad. This breeder did not share that this had been done. What potential affects could this have on the puppy and should I return her?
 

BlackShadowCaneCorso

Super Moderator
Staff member
Hi. New to the bullmastiff world. Just got an 8 week old pup. Absolutely in love with her! How do you feel about inbreeding? Specifically dad to daughter with also the mothers parents being the parents of the dad. This breeder did not share that this had been done. What potential affects could this have on the puppy and should I return her?

Inbreeding is something that I think you better have a lot of knowledge of your lines of to do (talking 15-20 years of dealing with them) as it can be great for bringing out all the positives but it can also be a trainwreck for bringing out all the bad stuff in a line. It doesn't mean your pup is going to have issues or that you should return the pup but perhaps asking why they inbred so heavily, what they were hoping to accomplish, getting the full details of all health testing done on as many of the dogs in the pedigree. I am not familiar with most bully pedigrees so can't help with anything in that regard but hopefully some breeders or enthusiasts will chime in.
 

WalnutCrest

Well-Known Member
Inbreeding is something that I think you better have a lot of knowledge of your lines of to do (talking 15-20 years of dealing with them) as it can be great for bringing out all the positives but it can also be a trainwreck for bringing out all the bad stuff in a line. It doesn't mean your pup is going to have issues or that you should return the pup but perhaps asking why they inbred so heavily, what they were hoping to accomplish, getting the full details of all health testing done on as many of the dogs in the pedigree. I am not familiar with most bully pedigrees so can't help with anything in that regard but hopefully some breeders or enthusiasts will chime in.

+1 to all of this reply ... and I'll add / re-emphasize ...

It really depends on the quality of the animals behind your pup. If they were DNA tested to be free from the ailments common to your breed ... and ... they were otherwise tested for hips, elbows, eye, and cardiac issues that may not be DNA-tested (at this time) ... and all of the animals in question (parents and grandparents) passed, then I wouldn't have too much of a concern.

...however...if that's not the case, then I'd say the odds go up that you'll have a problem...

BUT -- that's no guarantee you'll have a problem either.

Talk to the breeder, do your research, ask your questions and follow your gut...and remember, if you keep your pup, and there is a genetic / health problem down the road, it's not the pups fault, so don't take it out on them. You're in a tough spot and its unfortunate you're having to deal with this. Good luck with your decision.
 

Hillsh

New Member
Thank you for your responses! Took her to the vet today and found out she has a heart murmur. Ugh. Going for a second opinion and then an echocardiogram in two weeks. I'm sad and heartbroken. Don't want to return her now, we are so attached already!
 

WalnutCrest

Well-Known Member
The echocardiogram isn't advised until she's over a year old ... the heart is still growing quite a bit ... no need to unnecessarily raise alarm. However, if your vet says that you should get one, you maybe should reconsider it. Personally, I wouldn't worry TOO much about a puppy w/ a heart murmur.

An echo at 1yr and, depending on the results, again at 2yrs of age ... that'd be what I'd consider doing.

Good luck to you (and her)!
 

maryl

Well-Known Member
If the vet or cardiologist is recommending an echo for a murmur, I would do it. SAS or a patentductis could cause the pup not to live to 1 year. It also means you can get the pup on meds. appropriate for the murmur. With the proper diognosis there are surgeries now that can be done. Good luck !
 

Sheila Braund

Well-Known Member
Okay since the last corso post on here caused some debate, lets see how the masses feel about it.

How do you feel about breeders that are evasive, or get upset about answer health/temperament/showing/breeding questions?

Well if I'm a buyer I'll be asking questions. If a breeder is reluctant to answer my questions....especially when buying registered pups....I would like my questions answered...it's not like your buying a car....you're buying a new member of your household..... I would also expect responsible breeders to be asking the buyer questions as well.