When contacting a breeder {Rant}
Very good post Jess. This is what has been missing from online discourse since the rise of the huge social media sites. It is very difficult now for people to read and in depth information about any topic let alone dogs or other animals. There is so much info out there that reading it has become passe. Thus, decisions are made based on photos and how many "like" or "thumbs up" something receives. Posting a thoughtful comment is now not the norm. The Twitter, PinTerest. Instagram, FaceBook etc - has dealt a huge blow to learning and mind expanding activities. So, what can we do? Continue to support sites like Mastini Mayhem and others where owners of the breeds are actually willing to have a discussion with a perspective buyer/owner or just someone seeking knowledge.
Good post!
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Social Media has really effected the relationship that should be formed between a breeder and a possible owner. Sure, there are some positive aspects like being able to see more dogs, more breeders throughout the world, pages where you can find hundreds, if not thousands of photo's dogs and topics regarding them. But the substance is missing, the people who have the experience and the time behind dogs are disappearing, only to be forgotten, most of the threads turn into fluff full of misinformation.
Because communication is so easy on social media, buyers do not feel it necessary to send any information or experience about themselves. Most of the time PM's start out with this, "How Much".
As a breeder, this upsets me greatly. Since I do not sell microwaves. These are living creatures, each very different with specific needs. I do not blanket price my litters, since every pup has it's own qualities. How am I, the breeder to know what YOU the buyer is after? What experience you have within the breed and what lifestyle you will give MY dog with a question like "How Much"?
I am 100% assure you, that when you contact a breeder with only a few words demanding a price they will give you the GO fly a kite price.
But... If you take the time, tell us about yourself, if you have kids, other animals, your goals and plans with the dog. You will get a lot further and most likely get a Better price in the process.
Going from breeder to breeder, down a page on facebook asking "How Much" will not only close doors, but will most likely push you down to the bottom of the barrel on breeders. You'll get a "deal" of a lifetime, which includes the years of medical needs and very little support from the breeder, since no relationship was made.
Communication and honesty is key, but you have to give a little in order to receive it.
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Communication and honesty is key, but you have to give a little in order to receive it.
Very good post Jess. This is what has been missing from online discourse since the rise of the huge social media sites. It is very difficult now for people to read and in depth information about any topic let alone dogs or other animals. There is so much info out there that reading it has become passe. Thus, decisions are made based on photos and how many "like" or "thumbs up" something receives. Posting a thoughtful comment is now not the norm. The Twitter, PinTerest. Instagram, FaceBook etc - has dealt a huge blow to learning and mind expanding activities. So, what can we do? Continue to support sites like Mastini Mayhem and others where owners of the breeds are actually willing to have a discussion with a perspective buyer/owner or just someone seeking knowledge.
Good post!
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Treu !
But i have breeders high on my list , fallow them and their dogs for years only the problem is that most of them are speaking russian and i dont.
So how much for the pup is almost the best i can ask and what they understand.
It isnt always that easy. )))
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Quite right Des. I think in this regard Jessica was posting probably about buyers here in the USA where language and culture is not an obstacle. I have also as for the price of a pup when dealing with "foreign" to the USA breeders because that, like you, is the best I could do. You brought up another good point that many of us do extensive research prior to contacting a breeder and at that point the only question left may be "how much?"
When someone ask me that question I usually ask a few of my own prior to providing any sort of an answer.
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I completely understand what you are talking about. I've had way too many of those being texted to me with the 2 liner How Much? How much what? The other one is do you still have pups. I don't have litters often. But even if I did I'm not letting my dog go to you unless you have passed my screening. If the conversation starts off how much the price might go up more than it might have. This is to discourage them from wasting my time.
I recently got a new pup. I contacted several breeders to determine which one I wanted to get my pup. I called and if I didn't get someone I emailed them. I began with introducing myself and my experiences with dogs and working dogs specifically. Then I went on to let them know of my interest in the dog. Some I even told how I became interested in this breed. I explained what my plans are to do with the dog. I want a show quality dog. I plan to show it in conformation. But I also plan to compete in barn hunt or other nose work, terrier racing, steeple chase, and possibly weight pulling and dock diving. I also want to hunt with the dog. Of course I need to know the price of the dog. But price is not the only or main factor. When we narrowed it down to the last two breeders they weren't the lowest price dogs that we found. There were 2 other breeders high on my list. One didn't have pups right now. I might have waited for a litter from her, but she never gave a price. I know her and her dogs. I've seen them. Her one dog is very accomplished. It has conformation title champion and grand champion, weight pulling, obedience, agility, dock diving, and many others. The other breeder was the one that she got her original dog from that has many champions of record for both conformation and working events. But that breeder never returned my calls or my email. In the past when that has happened to me it was because they didn't have any available pups at the time. I don't like when breeders do that. They can at least respond and say they don't have any pups are that they are not selling you one. Again I would have been willing to wait to get the right pup. But because of the lack of communication I chose to move on. We found a great dog. I'm looking forward to training him and seeing how he performs when put to the test.We may even add more to our home later.
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Yes, correct Gary. This is when contacting ppl within your country. If I notice there is a translation barrier I give a reprieve automatically. Lol.
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I called and if I didn't get someone I emailed them. I began with introducing myself and my experiences with dogs and working dogs specifically. Then I went on to let them know of my interest in the dog. Some I even told how I became interested in this breed.
You, my friend, are a serious dog person - so of course you did it right. It's the others we worry about. :)
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Thank you. I never considered if I was wrong or right. I just know what I want. I know what I expect from those seeking a pup from me. 'Ive turned people down. But when looking for a pup I know the purpose of the pup. If I just want a pet then it wouldn't matter. If I want a dog the excels in home protection I am not going to get a Samoyed or Pug. If I want a dog that will excel in agility I would not get a English mastiff or great dane. If I want a dog that will go swimming I probable will not get an English bulldog. If I expect to have a lot of friends visiting and I don't want to put my dog up when they come over I won't get a Fila.
I know I like dogs that protect. I know I like dogs of certain sizes and temperaments.I tend to like short hair dogs because I don't want to deal with as much dog hair from shedding or grooming. There are long hair dogs that I like and have considered. Like the caucasian ovcharka. I really like them. But because of the hair I have not made a move to get one. It is still very tempting because I like their temperament. If I ever get another long hair dog that would be it. The latest pup I purchased does not have the size of a dog that I would normally get. But it has all of the qualities that I like in a dog but not the size. It doesn't realize that it doesn't have the size. If I didn't have the larger dogs I would not rely on it for home or family protection. But I will still do the protection training with him. I would never suggest this breed for home protection. But it has the courage to do the work. I do like that it will go to the ground to hunt rabbit, foxes, etc. It will fight a racoon. It will get bitten but not give up in the fight. They are very determine to get its prey.
