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You
have decided the Pomeranian is the dog for
you. What's your next move? What steps should
you take to insure that your pup meets your
expectations to become all the things you want
him or her to be? Doubtless this purchase should
receive thoughtful consideration. Choosing a
reputable source for your puppy is primary to
your objective. Since it is almost impossible
for you, the buyer, to know what any of the
puppies will grow into physically and
emotionally, you must rely entirely upon your
faith in the person from whom you are purchasing
your puppy. There are three options open to you in
choosing this person:
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Pet Shop or
Dealer - The worst possible choice.
Pups may be poorly bred and raised. They are
usually thought of as merchandise, e.g. a loaf
of bread, to be sold for a high profit. Profit
is possible because little has been put into the
care of these pups. Many are sickly. Pet shops
rely heavily on impulse buying, which is no way
to choose an addition to the family.
- Backyard
Breeder - Also a poor choice.
This is the person who owns a pet Pomeranian and
thinks it would be 'fun' to have puppies. Maybe
it would be a great experience for the kids.
Even worse, perhaps it's being done to make
money. Frequently this breeder knows little
about the breed history or the accepted breed
standard and knows even less about grooming and
care. Backyard breeders almost never x-ray hips.
They are usually not aware of breed problems and
often do not care. Their goal is to produce pups
and to sell them quickly.
- Hobby Breeder - The best
choice.
The serious and dedicated hobby breeder regards
his dogs as just that, a hobby. He does not
expect a profit. Breeders who are dedicated to
the breed they love breed dogs for thrill of
producing the very finest possible specimens of
the breed. The result is superior quality. These
breeders acknowledge responsibility for each and
every puppy produced and stand behind every dog
they breed.
Unequivocally,
your choice should be from the ranks of the
hobby breeder. It is an interesting fact that
poor quality pups from pet shops and backyard
breeders are usually sold for the same price,
and sometimes even more, than quality pups
purchased from serious hobby breeders. All three
types of breeders sell puppies that are AKC
registerable, but registration is neither an
assurance of quality nor an indication of
dedication to the breed. The question is, how
does one recognize the serious, dedicated hobby
breeder? While the list below identifies many of
the attributes and characteristics of the
serious hobby breeder, few breeders will meet
all of them. Do not be afraid to ask questions
or to confront a prospective source with these
requirements. It is your right and you can rest
assured that a dedicated and reputable breeder
will respond positively and with pride. If your
breeder meets all of these qualifications,
you're in good hands.
Finally,
don't be impulsive. Keep in mind that you will
pay for quality no matter where your puppy comes
from. Whether or not you get it is up to you.
Your breeder should belong to
the American Pomeranian Club, a local Pomeranian
Club or a local all-breed club.
Ideally, he or she belongs to all three, and
possibly other organizations as well, although,
some-times not all the options will be
avail-able to them. Usually, participation in
dog clubs indicates depth of involvement. The
breeder is exposed to other points of view,
learns more about their breed, general dog care,
modern breeding practices and is kept up to
date. Frequently they will be breeding in
accordance with a club "code of
ethics".
Your breeder should be
involved in some form of sanctioned competition
with his dog(s). This means your breeder is not
breeding in a vacuum. The breeder who does not
show may have no idea how good his dogs really
are and is deprived of the opportunity to share
information and ideas with others. Showing
provides competition which encourages breeders
to produce better dogs. Breeders who show are
not relying solely on a pedigree to indicate
quality. The show ring is the forum that
indicates the degree to which a dog conforms to
the standard for its breed. Even though you may
not want a show dog, you deserve a pet that was
the end result of a carefully planned litter a
pup which received the same care as a potential
champion. The breeder who shows is known by
others and has a reputation to uphold and will
be as careful and honest in selling you a pet as
he or she is in selling show stock.
Your breeder should give
you a reasonable period of time to have your pup
checked by a veterinarian to determine its state
of health. If a problem should arise, it can be
quickly resolved.
Breeders should give you
written instructions on feeding, training, care
and grooming. The breeder should also supply you
with basic information about the breed, either
as a gift or give you the opportunity to
purchase it at a nominal cost. You should also
receive the pup's health and vaccination
records.
Make it clear that you
expect the breeder's responsibility to continue
after you have taken the puppy home. Many
dedicated breeders will ask that the pup be
returned to them or placed with new owners that
meet their approval if, for some reason, you are
not able to continue ownership.
Be prepared to answer a few
questions yourself. Reputable breeders are
genuinely interested in finding quality homes
for their puppies. Don't be offended if the
breeder asks whether you have a fenced yard or
what kind of dogs you have had in the past and
what happened to them. A serious breeder will
want to know what kinds of situations their
puppies will be subjected to and what kind of
care they will receive. Some breeders may seem a
bit hesitant to sell you a pup until they know a
bit more about you.
Breeders should be willing to
have you visit their premises and should be able
to show you a clean environment, well socialized
pups and a dam with a good temperament. Puppies
should seem happy and self-assured.
Breeders should be willing
to give you references names of people who have
purchased puppies from them in the past or other
Pomeranian owners or their veterinarian.
Breeders should provide a
contract or some written, signed conditions of
sale. You should also get a copy of your puppy's
pedigree and you should be able to see a copy of
the AKC Registration Application Form.
Breeders will often require
that your pet be spayed or neutered when it
reaches the correct age and may withhold
registration paper work until proof is provided.
The most important reason for this is to insure
a healthier animal. Spayed or neutered dogs are
far less prone to many serious maladies. In
addition, serious breeders spend a lot of time
and effort planning breeding programs designed
to improve the breed. They selectively carry out
their programs with only the best quality
available. Pets should be loved and enjoyed as
pets. Reputable breeders don't want their dogs
used just to make puppies, or worse yet, end up
in a "puppy mill" where they will be
used to mass produce Pomeranians.
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