Getting a new dog - from a breeder or not?

[pubrunner]

Hi All,

Last week, my Rhodesian Ridgeback passed away in her sleep. I've decided that around April time, I'll be in the market for a Rhodesian Ridgeback pup.

I've already scanned the Ads and it seems that I can either go for a 'home bred' puppy (£700-1999) or go for one from a recognised 'prestigious' registered kennel (£2000+).

Some of the kennel Ads state that the parents and pups have had 'health checks' or 'full health checks' - though what the difference is, I'm not sure (?).

I've previously had two Danes and two Ridgebacks; my first Ridgeback and my second Dane were not bred in kennels - each came from owners who lived in areas where many might fear to tread. Nonetheless, they proved to have greater health and longevity than my kennel-bred Dane and Ridgeback.

Given that we require a family pet and have no intention of showing or breeding, is it 'worth' the extra to buy from a well-known kennel ?

Edited by pubrunner on Monday 16th January 09:47

[Jasandjules]

Well, what health issues are common in the breed? Then would you prefer to spend a little more to get a dog from someone who has taken the time to check their dogs to mitigate this risk, or just take a punt on any old dog and hope for the best?!

I never wanted to show or breed, yet we did both.. BUT the priority for us in paying that bit more was to get a healthier dog, at least least reduce the chances of health issues by the parents being tested.

[bigandclever]

FWIW A hundred years ago, back when Ridgies weren't all that common in the UK, I got a bh pup from a breeder in Godalming; and then subsequently she had a couple of litters herself, at the same breeder.

Given the usual caveats about the passage of time and all that, I'd still only go to her. I would also imagine she's at the pricier end of the scale.

https://zejak.co.uk/

ETA good old swear filter working overtime

[Roboticarm]

I've had experience of buying from a proper breeder (KC reg etc) and a home breeder

I will now only buy from a proper breeder, the one purchased from a home breeder turned out (following a DNA test) to not fully be the type I was told so had some unexpected traits from the other breeding, the dog was also nervous and reactive around other dogs as it hadn't been socialised as well.

When buying from a proper breeder you are getting a well bread dog but also you are getting the breeders experience and expertise.


P.S: For me the above applies when looking for a puppy and a specific breed, if not applying these criteria there are some cracking well assessed dogs at rescue centres.

[pubrunner]

Cheers for all the replies - much appreciated !

You've convinced me to get a pup from a reputable breeder, especially given what they cost.

[billbring]

IMO it would be a very good thing if the market for amateur bred dogs disappeared, which would require a lot of education aimed at the typical family dog owner.

A good professional breeder has the goal of bettering their breed whereas a back-yard breeder has the goal of trousering some easy money - that should really tell you all you need to know.

Aside from that, a pro breeder should be putting a hell of a lot of work into properly socialising their pups with careful exposure to various stimuli and laying the training foundations in the 8+ weeks leading up to their rehoming. The typical backyard breeder will likely not be doing a fraction of that work, even if they knew how to.

And then you have the already mentioned, not-quite-what-you-expected breed lineage and lack of health testing. Physical health isn't the only thing to look for either, good breeders will be breeding for temperament which is just as important.

[LotusMartin]

billbring said:

IMO it would be a very good thing if the market for amateur bred dogs disappeared, which would require a lot of education aimed at the typical family dog owner.

A good professional breeder has the goal of bettering their breed whereas a back-yard breeder has the goal of trousering some easy money - that should really tell you all you need to know.

Aside from that, a pro breeder should be putting a hell of a lot of work into properly socialising their pups with careful exposure to various stimuli and laying the training foundations in the 8+ weeks leading up to their rehoming. The typical backyard breeder will likely not be doing a fraction of that work, even if they knew how to.

And then you have the already mentioned, not-quite-what-you-expected breed lineage and lack of health testing. Physical health isn't the only thing to look for either, good breeders will be breeding for temperament which is just as important.

I’ve never heard such a load of rubbish in my life!! I own 4 dogs and have bread from them in the past. I’ve purchased from top commercial FTCH breeders that have been terrible and ‘home’ breeders that have been wonderful.

Generalising in such an ill informed way doesn’t help anyone.

[billbring]

LotusMartin said:

I own 4 dogs and have bread from them in the past.

White or wholemeal?

[Boosted LS1]

billbring said:

LotusMartin said:

I own 4 dogs and have bread from them in the past.

White or wholemeal?

They'll be multigrain imo. Each to his own though;-)

[Thevet]

Boosted LS1 said:

billbring said:

LotusMartin said:

I own 4 dogs and have bread from them in the past.

White or wholemeal?

They'll be multigrain imo. Each to his own though;-)

buying from a registered "breeder" is only a good thing if the breeder has done the work to enhance the good traits wanted, someone such as myself can breed superstars or horrors just as easily as the next.
If it is DNA type screening that you want, to avoid some of the specific inheritance issues, then that is easily requested or done by oneself if you want. Things such as hips/elbow xrays are a useful tool to guide but are only a guide, nature can occasionally put a different spin on what we thought should arrive.
I would suggest that recommendation is key, and if possible, meet some of the other offspring.
PS Mike, how is Mole getting on?

[fttm]

Roboticarm said:

I've had experience of buying from a proper breeder (KC reg etc) and a home breeder

I will now only buy from a proper breeder, the one purchased from a home breeder turned out (following a DNA test) to not fully be the type I was told so had some unexpected traits from the other breeding, the dog was also nervous and reactive around other dogs as it hadn't been socialised as well.

When buying from a proper breeder you are getting a well bread dog but also you are getting the breeders experience and expertise.


P.S: For me the above applies when looking for a puppy and a specific breed, if not applying these criteria there are some cracking well assessed dogs at rescue centres.

Hang on a minute, if you bought it as a pup without jabs it can’t be socialized outside it’s environment. That’s your job later .

[Byker28i]

fttm said:

Roboticarm said:

I've had experience of buying from a proper breeder (KC reg etc) and a home breeder

I will now only buy from a proper breeder, the one purchased from a home breeder turned out (following a DNA test) to not fully be the type I was told so had some unexpected traits from the other breeding, the dog was also nervous and reactive around other dogs as it hadn't been socialised as well.

When buying from a proper breeder you are getting a well bread dog but also you are getting the breeders experience and expertise.


P.S: For me the above applies when looking for a puppy and a specific breed, if not applying these criteria there are some cracking well assessed dogs at rescue centres.

Hang on a minute, if you bought it as a pup without jabs it can’t be socialized outside it’s environment. That’s your job later .

We bought Luna from a proper breeder, a black labrador. She lived 6 days had a major heart defect and it cost us £4k over two days at the specialists to have her die in my arms. The breeder hadn't taken out the puppy insurance she told us she had, so we were left liable. I suspect she knew as Luna had been turned down at the last minute...

We got Asha from a home environment. A local vet nurse bred her dog the once only, we had full details of all the mother and fathers pedigree, the medical checks and scores of both, all given to us to verify. We saw the mother, all the other pups...

[Sub8]

pubrunner said:

Hi All,

Last week, my Rhodesian Ridgeback passed away in her sleep. I've decided that around April time, I'll be in the market for a Rhodesian Ridgeback pup.

I've already scanned the Ads and it seems that I can either go for a 'home bred' puppy (£700-1999) or go for one from a recognised 'prestigious' registered kennel (£2000+).

Some of the kennel Ads state that the parents and pups have had 'health checks' or 'full health checks' - though what the difference is, I'm not sure (?).

I've previously had two Danes and two Ridgebacks; my first Ridgeback and my second Dane were not bred in kennels - each came from owners who lived in areas where many might fear to tread. Nonetheless, they proved to have greater health and longevity than my kennel-bred Dane and Ridgeback.

Given that we require a family pet and have no intention of showing or breeding, is it 'worth' the extra to buy from a well-known kennel ?

Edited by pubrunner on Monday 16th January 09:47

Very sorry to read that - May I ask what a Ridgeback is like as a family (pet) dog? I love a hound and we are considering a RR as a possible contender. Experienced long term dog owner mostly rescues, Rotty's, springers (never again lol!), Bernese, mutts.

[Marniet]

I was looking for a specific breed (Dandie Dinmont Terrier) so had no option other than to go to a reputable breeder as there are so few born every year in the uk . I found dealing with ‘breed enthusiasts’ a bit challenging at times but did end up with a beautiful wee dog , lovely temperament from a breeder who had extensive knowledge of the dogs history / lines , health tested etc and I was able to meet parents and siblings . Handful of breeders in the uk who all know each other and talk to (and about) each other. I didn’t pay a fortune for her either which surprised me and over all I would go down that route again if buying a pup.

[pubrunner]

Sub8 said:

Very sorry to read that - May I ask what a Ridgeback is like as a family (pet) dog? I love a hound and we are considering a RR as a possible contender. Experienced long term dog owner mostly rescues, Rotty's, springers (never again lol!), Bernese, mutts.

I got my first Ridgeback in 1991 and over 30 years on, my next dog will be a Ridgeback - indeed, I've already agreed with a breeder when I'll be getting it.

I've had a male Ridgeback and bhes and they've all been really brilliant family dogs - in fact, they are solely 'family' dogs. Other than family and extended family and close friends (people they knew), mine pretty much ignored anyone else . . . unless there was something that caught their attention, such as a possible threat. They like to quietly sit with, or near their owners, but they're not an 'all over you' sort of dog.

When we've been out and people have stopped to admire and stroke the Ridgebacks, they have always been quite reserved and aloof - they are not an 'everyone's friend' sort of dog. If I left the house for an hour or a week, they'd give me a big (brief) welcome and then retire to a comfortable spot, to keep a close watch on what is going on - seem to sleep with one eye open - they are alert to situations which differ from the norm.

I'd say that they are certainly not a dog for an outside kennel, as they have very short 'thin' coats - requiring minimal grooming.

Oh yes, one thing in common to all mine, was that they very rarely barked, but if they did, I knew that I had to take notice.

Edited by pubrunner on Thursday 19th January 10:10

[Sub8]

pubrunner said:

I got my first Ridgeback in 1991 and over 30 years on, my next dog will be a Ridgeback - indeed, I've already agreed with a breeder when I'll be getting it.

I've had a male Ridgeback and bhes and they've all been really brilliant family dogs - in fact, they are solely 'family' dogs. Other than family and extended family and close friends (people they knew), mine pretty much ignored anyone else . . . unless there was something that caught their attention, such as a possible threat. They like to quietly sit with, or near their owners, but they're not an 'all over you' sort of dog.

When we've been out and people have stopped to admire and stroke the Ridgebacks, they have always been quite reserved and aloof - they are not an 'everyone's friend' sort of dog. If I left the house for an hour or a week, they'd give me a big (brief) welcome and then retire to a comfortable spot, to keep a close watch on what is going on - seem to sleep with one eye open - they are alert to situations which differ from the norm.

I'd say that they are certainly not a dog for an outside kennel, as they have very short 'thin' coats - requiring minimal grooming.

Oh yes, one thing in common to all mine, was that they very rarely barked, but if they did, I knew that I had to take notice.

Edited by pubrunner on Thursday 19th January 10:10

My cousin has one and hes a very friendly and loving boy, within the family circle. How about exercise requirement? I mean I`ve always walked ours twice a day, short morning and a longer (~1hr min) afternoon. I believe you could happily run with a Ridgeback but do they want / need that level? I think their prey drive is also quite high?

Edited by Sub8 on Thursday 19th January 10:33

[pubrunner]

Sub8 said:

My cousin has one and hes a very friendly and loving boy, within the family circle. How about exercise requirement? I mean I`ve always walked ours twice a day, short morning and a longer (~1hr min) afternoon. I believe you could happily run with a Ridgeback but do they want / need that level? I think their prey drive is also quite high?

Edited by Sub8 on Thursday 19th January 10:33

I think a short morning and longer afternoon walk would be fine, though I'd add in an extra 10-15 min 'comfort' break before bedtime.

I would frequently run with mine, which they really enjoyed as a kind of 'pack' exercise; basically, they love being out with their family, regardless of whether it is a walk or run. With mine, their prey drive was directed towards squirrels and rabbits . . . and they'd chase cats that might come into the garden. They never showed any interest in sheep or cows - I live in a rural area and they never showed any interest in livestock.

[Sub8]

Great info. Many thanks!

[LimaDelta]

My sample size is tiny, but our experience of a so-called 'reputable' breeder was terrible, and of our non-professional farm litter has been great so far. As for the comments above, I think it is the breeders looking to make the money, not the family/farm litters.

[Roboticarm]

fttm said:

Roboticarm said:

I've had experience of buying from a proper breeder (KC reg etc) and a home breeder

I will now only buy from a proper breeder, the one purchased from a home breeder turned out (following a DNA test) to not fully be the type I was told so had some unexpected traits from the other breeding, the dog was also nervous and reactive around other dogs as it hadn't been socialised as well.

When buying from a proper breeder you are getting a well bread dog but also you are getting the breeders experience and expertise.


P.S: For me the above applies when looking for a puppy and a specific breed, if not applying these criteria there are some cracking well assessed dogs at rescue centres.

Hang on a minute, if you bought it as a pup without jabs it can’t be socialized outside it’s environment. That’s your job later .

Who bought a pup without jabs ?!?

I can only think you've taken socialisation to mean meeting other dogs, there alot more to it than that.
The dog I got from the breeder had been socialised with people, kids, other dogs who live there, cats, been taken in the car, been used to everyday items like vacuums etc all things which help the dog develop into a well rounded character

Edited by Roboticarm on Thursday 19th January 21:43