Header photo courtesy of Karen Moureaux, Contact Point Border Collies
You finally decided on the breed of your dreams. You researched and found a potential breeder of your ideal dog on AKC Marketplace.
Ready to pick up your new addition? Not so fast!
Responsible breeders do as much interviewing and questioning as the buyers to make sure their puppies go to the homes best suited for their breeds’ temperaments and energy levels.
“My goal is to match a puppy’s personality with a person’s lifestyle,” said Papillon breeder Margaret van Cleave of Virginia. “An extremely active puppy needs to be in a home that will give lots of stimulation. If a person is sedentary, I might suggest an older, less active Papillon.”
Puppy buyers can expect to fill out a questionnaire or have a interview with the breeder – and sometimes both. Breeders want their puppies to be happy and the new owners to be happy, so assuring they make a good match is crucial.
Some sample questions might include:
“I use the questionnaire as more of a guideline. I always speak to new buyers over the , so they can hear me and my tone and vice versa, and I can guide my questions and interview from there,” said Dachshund breeder Lexa Richmond of Texas. “For me, one of the most important questions is ‘Have you had a Dachshund before?'
“Since they are such a different breed, I find that people who have had them before know what to expect. If they have not owned one before, I always ask about their living situation,” Richmond continued. “Dachshunds aren't always the best apartment dogs and really need an enclosed fence since they are diggers. If the person has children, how many and how young? Dachshunds can be finicky with young children.”
Contact Point Border Collie breeder Karen Moureaux, AKC Agility Breeder of the Year, produces top-performing sports dogs. She has a questionnaire for potential puppy buyers posted on her website.
“It asks for basic information: name, address, , , etc., as well as information on their living situation, previous and current dogs, what the future plans are for the puppy, and references,” Moureaux said. “I'm interested in what they expect from their puppy and what they will be doing with the pup, as well as if they have had previous experience with dogs and what that was.”
Barbara Lombard of Rockstar Shetland Sheepdogs breeds high-drive dogs that excel in conformation, agility, and other sports. She carefully screens for homes that will provide the life that her dogs need. Once interested owners contact her, she asks them to send a detailed .
“I would like to hear about them on both a personal family level and what their current and future goals are with their new pup. Most people tell me their life story. Those are the buyers I know are truly interested for the right reasons in owning a Rockstar pup,” Lombard said. “I then speak with them by to answer any questions they may have and to also be honest about our line of Shelties. I explain all testing that has been done, past accomplishments, and what we love about our dogs, and anything that might be of concern to a new owner. I do advise them that these pups are not your normal, sedate Sheltie.”
Lombard also requires references, such as a dog trainer, mutual acquaintance, or current owner of a Rockstar Sheltie.
“I do check with references to see how they feel this person would be owning a Rockstar. If there is anything that bothers my reference, I let the buyer know that our pups aren’t for them. I keep the references confidential. “
Moureaux calls on her large network of dog sports friends when checking on the suitability of her Border Collie puppy buyers.
“I am fortunate that many people who contact me participate in dog sports, and I have been in the agility world since and know a lot of people. I also have many great puppy owners all over the U.S. and Mexico, Canada, Spain, Germany, Japan, and Russia. So I have a network of people who I can query if I get an application from someone in their area. If I don't know someone and don't have any friends or puppy owners that know them, I will or one or more of their references, starting with their dog trainer, if listed, and then friends that have been listed.”
When a breeder decides that her dogs are not the right choice for a person, then what is the next step?
“I will always recommend what I think is best for the potential buyers. If a Papillon is not the right breed for them, I will recommend a different breed,” van Cleave said. “If I think they will make a good home for a Papillon, but I don’t have a puppy for them, I will refer them to another Papillon breeder.”
Moureaux also will recommend a different breed or “if I think they are OK for a Border Collie, just not a sport bred/working type, I will refer them to a breeder that breeds a different ‘type’ of Border Collie than I do.”
Lombard said she is “very up front and honest. After speaking with people on a personal basis, I have no qualms letting them know that one of our pups isn't right for them. If anything raises a red flag to me, I will not sell a pup. On that same note, if they really want a pup, but I am not feeling a connection, I will put them on our list. I will see how much further involvement they show in wanting a pup.”
Although all these breeders produce dogs that can excel in dog sport competitions, they agreed their top priority is that their puppies be beloved family members.
“I look for someone who will love and appreciate the pup. It's always nice to get a great sport home for my pups because that's what my focus is geared toward, but I don't discriminate if people are not actively involved in dog sports,” Moureaux said. “Most important is to get the pups placed in an active and loving home where they will be appreciated and considered a member of the family.”
Van Cleave said her ideal owner is “one that spends lots of quality time with her Papillon. The puppy needs to be part of the family. I want owners who will not hesitate to call me with questions and keep in touch.”
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Hanna Ingold - January 9,
Considering starting a dog breeding business? Breeding dogs can be rewarding, but knowing where to begin is challenging. From selecting the right breed to choosing appropriate whelping features for your kennel, there are many factors to consider. To assist you, we’ve created a comprehensive guide outlining the steps and considerations for how to start a dog breeding business. Let’s dive in:
One of the reasons starting a dog breeding business is so unique compared to other dog businesses is that it requires knowledge of breeding. You’ll need to be knowledgeable about dog genetics, breeding practices, whelping, and puppy care.
The success of your business starts with choosing the right breeds and breeding partners.
The first step in launching your business is to ensure you meet all legal and financial requirements.
This step requires a lot of careful preparation to ensure that you have the best setup possible for your business. Below you’ll find a more comprehensive guide on choosing the right dog kennel for breeding.
Establish ethical and effective protocols to maintain high standards in your breeding operation.
Build your brand and attract customers with effective marketing strategies.
Ensure a responsible and ethical approach when selling puppies.
Continuously evaluate your business to identify opportunities for growth and improvement.
Breeders should start by designing and developing a kennel tailored to the needs of the dog they are producing, from puppy to adult. A dog owner or professional breeder should also consider how the kennel will affect their dogs’ health, behavior, and happiness. Illness, behavioral issues, harsh circumstances, and costly corrections can all result from poorly built kennels.
Both inside and outside the cages, your kennel should have enough airflow. When there are many dogs in a small enclosed space, both odors and airborne microparticles can accumulate. Without ventilation, not only will there be unpleasant scents, but it will also be easier for infections to spread.
The smallest feature that is included in your dog kennel for breeding can sometimes save you a lot of time and mess. Choosing a custom dog kennel with simple slide-out trays, raised flooring, and drain trenches makes cleaning a breeze. It also keeps urine and feces from accumulating in the kennel, leading to messes and illnesses in the puppies.
Consider the standard guideline when sizing your kennels, not too big, nor too small. Your dogs may become more difficult to train if they have too much room to roam inside their kennel. If the kennel is too small, it becomes uncomfortable, and inhuman, and can lead to behavioral problems.
Choosing kennels constructed of long-lasting materials like stainless steel can help improve your kennel’s safety, lifespan, and cleanliness. Plastic cages may save money in the short term, but they are easily broken and scratched, causing harm to your puppies. In addition, because plastic absorbs liquids, urine, feces, and spills can settle into the material, resulting in ugly appearances, bad scents, and health risks.
The whelping process is a critical stage in any dog breeding business, and having the right kennel setup can make all the difference. A kennel with built-in whelping features ensures a smoother birthing process for the mother and supports the health and growth of her puppies. Here’s what to look for:
Investing in a kennel with these features not only simplifies the whelping process but also sets the foundation for healthy, thriving puppies.
At The Dog Kennel Collection, we specialize in designing custom commercial dog kennels tailored to the needs of breeders and other industries. We’re happy to collaborate with you to equip your kennel with essential whelping features through our trusted supplier, Backyard Pet Supplies.
Want to see how we’ve helped other commercial dog businesses like yours? Hear from our customers, like Chantel, who called it the best decision she made for her dog breeding operation. Let us help you create the ideal setup for your breeding success!
Find a dog kennel dealer near you for you to start breeding by just clicking on the button below and putting in your address information. We can bring your dog kennel to your door with our trusted dealers all over the US.
If you need any further assistance or have any questions regarding our commercial dog kennels or anything else on our website, please contact us, and we will be sure to help you find the dream dog kennel that you have been looking for.
We hope you enjoyed reading about how to start a dog kennel for breeding. Our commercial dog kennels are very popular buildings for dog trainers, breeders, boarders, groomers, and veterinarians. You can start your dog kennel for breeding by requesting a catalog and choosing the kennel that will fit your needs. It starts with a click, then you will fill out the form with some contact information, and then we will send you a catalog where you can see all of our dog kennels.
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