Web sites and RED FLAGS

It appears that there needs to be some help with reading web pages and what they actually mean.  They all use certain "sales terms".  So how do you analyze a web site and how do you recognize RED FLAGS?


Is it just a case of having just enough knowledge to be dangerous???  In other words BYB have been around enough and in a lot of cases just copy and paste or steal phrases from good web sites -  I think the biggest is
BRED FOR temperament, confirmation (intential misspelling), working, health and longevity) 

People must use a little common sense and learn to break it down by asking the right questions -  Temperament - if you have never worked or trained a dog yourself in PP - how do you know what good temperament is???  Because a dog runs the fence line and barks like it would eat you alive does not mean it has correct temperament especailly if that same dog if you actually entered the yard in a threatening way RAN. 

Conformation -  This one really gets me when they can't spell it to begin with yet they will sell you a show puppy -  Folks it is dead serious to me when I say show puppy to someone looking for a show prospect in a young puppy.  If there is any question I prefer to just place the dog as a pet.  But someone who has never shown would not recognize a good show prospect if they tried.  Shouldn't you at least ask if they have ever produced a chamipion out of their breeding???

Working drives -  To recognise true working drive that holds up under pressure -  Should the person at least have titled in some obedience venue to have an idea of what it takes to get a dog to competion level???? in anything??

Health and longevity -  Of course every breeder hopes for this BUT can they produce a 5 generation pedigree and tell you about the dogs in the pedigree - strengths, weaknesses, health issues etc.  Vet checked is not health tested - they are two totally different things.   A dog in early stages of liver failure can still look good on the outside while things are going on and changing on the inside.  A full blood panel can help eliminate at least most of the serious issues and show that at that time the dog did not show any signs of problem -  EX:  kidney, liver etc.

PENDING is another RED FLAG also - I have seen people put pending when in 2 to 3 weeks if they had actually done the test or trial they would have the results. Why not just wait and publish the results???I have seen things that were pending for years.  It should be a RED FLAG and I would ask them to call me back when the results are in.

PayPal - Puppies are a living breathing thing not just a commodity like WalMart - to me it speaks more to the commercial breeder. This speaks volume breeder as Paypal charges a fee just like a credit card company.

Pricing - should be based on the quality, health testing, showing and knowledge of the breeder along with the kind of support they provide throughout the life of the puppy.  I have been contacted many times by people who bought a puppy with the promise of "lifetime support" UNTIL there was a problem and then the breeder STOPPED responding.
               a.   AKC registration should be a must
               b.  Titles and awards on their own dogs - not dogs back in the pedigree
              c.   Member of at least one of the breed clubs - DPCA (Doberman Pinscher Club of America or UDC  United Doberman Club -  it shows that they agree to follow a COE and that they are at least aware that there is a correct standard for the Doberman Pinscher.- It also shows they are active in more than just breeding.
              d.  Health tested no just vet checked as well as knowledge of the past pedigree and any health issues.  There is NO test that says cardio clear -  Very misleading and untrue statement.
              e.  Charging extra for ear cropping - Since it is a cropped and docked breed I would not want a breeder who tried to cut corners.
              f.   Price should be based on whether you are getting pet puppy or show puppy NOT color and not registration.   ALL puppies should be AKC registered.  To do less says you do not care about trying to preserve quality.

Contract -  I would not go into any business deal without requiring a contract.  This spells out exactly what is expected of both parties.

Z factored - AKC reg does give you a way to know if you are buying Z factored or not so ask for Registration numbers of the sire and dam.  Last year there was a web site where the first page was right out  of the DPCA web site - all about the importance of breeding quality and that dogs being bred should be shown and titled -  All written to impress the novice -  then as you moved on through the site and looked at pictures the dogs were roached (humped back) and z factored - that means they are out of albino stock which is banned by their own  breed club because albinoism is a serious genetic defect that can cause a whole set of problems specifically related to the albino mutation.

Unfortunatley JQP is very gullible - If it is printed on a web site it must be true -  PLEASE ask questions  about each of the above.  The breeder should be comfortable and open to answering any and all questions.  If they get angry I would sya they are trying to hide something.  RUN.

Dobs4ever -