Buying Long Distance
I have always bought long distance because the pedigree I wished was not around where i am.
I have had good and bad experiences "early" in my dealings.
My own fault of course and I am not blaming anyone but myself for my lack of research.
The Bad experiences:
When I didn't buy from a breeder that had OFA numbers for her health testing, I just trusting her that it was done like she said it was...it was not..
I got blinded by the fact that she had a puppy I wanted when I wanted it.
Shame on me... If I had purchased a puppy from OFA'd parents then I could have saved myself a real disappoinment on a puppy that failed OFA after 2 years $$.
Thankfully now I do know I can check the numbers on OFA myself (didn't know about this early on).
For anyone else wishing to do this here is the web page:
http://www.offa.org/
NO OFA = health testing
NOT DONE PERIOD.
In Canada I just got my Poodle OFA hips, elbows, patella, cardiac, thyroid for:$300.00 All of the results of ANY OFA'd dog is displayed on the OFA web page
UNLESS they fail something, then that will not be displayed if the breeder doesn't wish for it to be displayed (another reason to double check OFA results).
Plus the shipping expense to OFA which is around $45.00 or less.
This is a small cost for a breeder to pay 1x for the lifetime of the dog.
Especially when they are charging $1,000.00-$2,500.00 a puppy.
Breeder never did get me those "current" photos, video of the parents.
So when my puppy faded out a great deal at 6 months of age I was suprised as the breeder "said" their parents were dark color.
Pedigree didn't arrive before I had to make a final payment... Puppy arrived before the pedigree. When the pedigree arrived I was horrified...Yes solid champion pedigree that was so inbred beyond normal limits. Result was a totally crazy hyper poodle that would not fit in my household.
You can search pedigrees that are certified on the AKC web page $
or for free (not always acurate but give you an idea) here:
http://www.poodlepedigree.com/
Getting a puppy and not receiving registration papers...
After 6 months still no registration papers... phone call to the registry confirmed litter had never been registered...
ALWAYS get a litter registration number before you get the puppy (especially if you plan on showing or breeding).
I bought a puppy from a breeder that trash talked every breeder that she had not sold to or bought from. Every question I asked about health testing was fluffed off, as she complained about everyone else not health testing. I totally fell for it, thinking she must be a good breeder to be so upset about other people...HA HA... the health testing paper work on the parents she said she would send me, arrived, and were for other dogs in the pedigree or outdated CERF testing (has to be done yearly to be valid). So disappointing when Breeders you trust, try to deceive.
Good Experience:
Breeder was available at all times with quick email responses to what probably seemed like paranoid questions to her at the time. Breeder was not "afraid" to email me and have her comments appear in writing. I found breeders that were dishonest wished to
ONLY speak on the phone (nothing they said could be tangible, if on the phone).
Wanted to know about me and refused to sell breeding rights to me without knowing my plans and pedigree. Most reputable breeders will only sell on "limited" registration as they care about their breedings.
Breeder had goals and plans on keeping pups from the same breeding I was interested in, because they were showing their pups. Breeding for a reason not just for income.
Price was at par or above the average. I'm not saying you can't get a great deal out there...but the "deals" I have gotten have always come with a lot of cost later down the road. Good breeders have a great deal of expenses doing health testing and showing and general care for their dogs, that BYB's just don't have, so their price is lower. Taking your chances when shopping for a bargin. I choose to know pay upfront and know what or have a better chance at getting quality over discount.
My good breeder belonged to a breed club because she said she wanted to learn more about the breed and what is going on in the dog community and for health clinics and such. Most clubs have a code of ethics to follow and if a member doesn't meet those they are no longer a member. The bad breeder with the discounted puppy was not a member of any clubs as she said they were too clicky ... I found out later there are many clubs you can be a member of that are not clicky, "if" you have an interest in learning more about any topic surrounding dogs. But if you are not willing to follow the club's ethics or guidelines, then you won't/can't be a member.
The puppy I bought was microchipped and had a Health certificate with the microchip number on it to prove it was the same puppy that was Vet inspected healthy.
POINTS:
You should not have to do a great deal of research to find information about a breeder's dogs. If it is a struggle to find stuff or get informtion...RUN..
Good breeders will have health testing numbers right on their dog's web page as they will be proud to show them and hope you will verify them.
Good breeders will display all the titles and accomplishments of their dogs with show photos ..because they are proud of what they have achieved and will continue to achieve.
Good breeders will be able to send you updated photos or videos of their dogs....OR... have that on their web pages BEFORE PURCHASE.
If dealing with breeders on the phone then have all your questions written down so that you can keep a breeder focased on answering your questions. Don't get baffled by all the double talk.
I hope some of my experiences will help someone !!
Tinypoodles