The other day at work, I was talking to a co-worker of mine. She has a purebred female Westie. We somehow got on the subject of breeding, and she told me that she has a "breeding contract" for her Westie. The dog must have 2 litters of puppies, and then the breeder that sold my co-worker the Westie would give her the papers for the dog.
My co-worker told me that the breeder handles the mating, and then the Westie is brought to her about a week before she is due with the puppies. The breeder whelps the puppies, and keeps my co-worker's dog for about 5 more weeks after the puppies are born. I expressed mild surprise at this, always having thought puppies should be with their mom for at least 8 weeks.
Anyway, I thought I was fairly educated on issues involving breeding, but I have never heard of this before! Frankly, it sounds a little shady to me, but I could be completely off base. I'm just curious - is this a common practice? If so, do you think + or -?
2007-01-24 09:32:45 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
It is not uncommon. HOWEVER, the bit ch should be of good quality, have health clearances, and have been showed. Otherwise, it is just a money maker for the "breeder". And yes, the puppies should be with the mom for 8 weeks.
I do know people that have shown a bit ch, gotten health clearances, and she was bred and whelped at the breeders place. It is an accapted practice, it is just it needs to be done for the right reasons, like any breeding.
Some people are totally honest that they cannot and do not have the time and patience that is required to whelp and rear a litter. Having that done at someone elses place with someone that does have the knowledge and time is a great option.
I was a "whelper helper" for several years adn that is what I did. I took in a bit ch and whelped the litter and provided the care until the person was ready to take over. There were many reasons they might do this, but it is hard for serious breeders who show a lot to have a litter. You cannot go off and leave them to go to shows!!
If your friends dog is just a pet and has never been shown, it is a BYB type thing!! Just a money maker for the "breeder".
2007-01-24 09:38:33 · answer #1 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like another case of Back yard breeding!!! The puppies should never leave the mother before they are 8 weeks of age and in small breed dogs I accually recommend them staying until they are 10 weeks. How old is the femlale!!! I hope the dog is at least 2 years of age before the breeding takes place!!!
I would never have signed a contract like that. My family breed champion line Rotts for years and never would our contracts have anything like this! You friend probley bought from a back yard breeder and this person is trying to make money without haveing to keep the dog!! 2 litters!!!!!! That means the dog would be 4 years old before they could be fixed Never your friend is being taken for a ride BIG TIME!!!!!
2007-01-24 09:39:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes this happens quite frequently. Typically the breeder offers some type of discount to the owner when the dog is purchased and the contract formed. This is how many people are able to afford a purebred dog. I think its best for pups to be with their mom at least 8 weeks, but many breeders have a different opinion.
2007-01-24 09:40:14 · answer #3 · answered by cs 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's a fairly common practice but one I do not condone.
I also stay away from breeders who want to sell me a pup and demand I take it to training classes because they plan to come round and collect my pup to take to show.Another fairly common practice I'm told.
It's like you buying my car and I stipulate that you can own the car but I can take it for my own use any time I want.It's just a way for the breeder to increase profits in my opinion.Granted they are far better equipped to deal with whelping and a litter of pups than most people are but on the other hand they can demand the dog be bred during the first heat cycle which is far too young in my opinion.They know better but they want that money.
2007-01-24 12:59:30 · answer #4 · answered by misbehavin165 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is an all too common practice..Your friend is technically 'leasing' the female, and this is a frequent practice..ethical? hmmmmm
The upside is: This mom dog would likely be suffering in a cage at that puppy mill, and be unsocialized and unhealthy, instead of being in a loving 'foster' home..
Your friend could have a lawyer look over the contract. I believe that she can have the dog spayed, with the vet saying that it NEEDED to be spayed for the benefit of her health, and the puppy-miller wouldn't be able to contest, after the fact..
2007-01-24 09:41:26 · answer #5 · answered by Chetco 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
No, it's a common co-ownership practice. Breeders often rely on friends or collegues to help maintain their breeding females. It helps keep more good breeding stock available and is great for the dog since it gets a regular home and lots of personal attention when not breeding.
2007-01-24 10:14:35 · answer #6 · answered by heathen 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It is a co-own..it is pretty common practice. I personally would never consider it and I've been very involved in breeding, showing, etc dogs for many years.
2007-01-24 12:25:27 · answer #7 · answered by Great Dane Lover 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definately sounds shady, pups should stay with their mother for a minimum of 6 weeks. Sounds like a puppy mill without having to keep all of their dogs on the premises??
2007-01-24 09:37:37 · answer #8 · answered by jim's girl 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I have heard of this before....mostly with dogs that have champion blood lines and are high show quality dogs.....as far as the puppies go....if they can eat and drink on their own they will be OK but still....they should be around the mother and other puppies until at least seven weeks.....
2007-01-24 09:39:01 · answer #9 · answered by yetti 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
id say keep the papers to the breeder if its just a pet who care if ya got papers or not...no need to bring more unwanted puppiies in to the world...and yes i'd say very shady mill type thing to do
2007-01-24 09:41:33 · answer #10 · answered by dragonwolf 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋