Is it wrong to advertise your kennel on the web?

Question

I have heared some say that no good breeder advertise their kennel on the web. But I am not convinced. A lot of good breeder are on breeders.net and even some on puppydogweb.com What do you think? As a beginning hobby breeder I need to do something.

Answer 1

Can't add too much to what's been said, there's a big difference between showcasing your kennel and dogs with a website and selling puppies over the net.

Good breeders' websites:
http://topsfieldbassets.com/
http://my.execpc.com/~rebec/
http://morningwoodbassets.com/

Take note of the emphasis on the dogs' accomplishments and pedigrees.

Not good breeders' websites
http://bcyoung.com/ (Note: 7 litters in 3 months, 2 breeds)
http://www.bassetpuppy.com/index.html (3 litters in 1 month)
http://www.prairiepets.com/puppies.asp?puppy=6 (multiple breeds)
http://www.tompkinsbassethounds.com/contactus.html (promoting blue bassets as "rare", rather than undesireable as they are considered by reputable breeders)

Note the emphasis on selling pups. No indication of background.

On breeders.net I did find a few reputable breeders, as well as club listings. But there were also many breeders listed that I wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole.

Of 10 breeders listed on puppydogweb, there is only one that I would consider buying from.

As a beginning hobby breeder, you need to start going to shows and joining your local and national breed clubs and your local all-breed club. This will help you to research potential sources of good quality dogs, and is an excellent educational resource. This is also good networking, as good breeders will refer other good breeders. Since most of us only have puppies occasionally, we like to be able to refer puppy buyers to someone we know and trust.

Answer 2

If you are doing the right things, and you have quality dogs, and you are going to show all that.. There is no reason why you can't advertise on the web.. Tons of good / great breeders do.. It's just another form of advertising, and I think much better than the newspaper or any of those type things. You can show your dogs, pedigree, health testing, and everything else.. It's like an open book to your kennel and all you are doing.

Answer 3

Many good breeders have websites. Their websites brag of their dog's accomplishments, offer breed information, offer links to health and training information, and generally teach their visitors about their dogs and their kennel. Although many good breeders announce upcoming litters on their site, none that I know would accept payment for a puppy online. Their sites are merely a contact point where visitors can introduce themselves.
My website is more of a photo album of my dogs than anything else. My site is not set up for e-commerce. My puppy people always send me current photos that I proudly display on my website. My website has many photos of my dogs (each has their own page), my family & friend's dogs, a news page, a memorial page and a general introduction. I update the news and the photos year round, and some folks email me on occasion looking for the latest updates.
I'm proud of my dogs, and I'm proud to show them off on the internet. My site is a private website, not something I created on MySpace or a place like that.

ADDED: Is it any worse to take out a classified ad to advertise a litter of puppies, or to do it on the internet? I don't really have an answer ... just thought I'd throw it out there.

Answer 4

a reputable breeder does not use something like puppyfind.

Its one thing to advertise your NAME, and let people know you are out there, and another thing to actually advertise puppies for sale.

A reputable breeder is mostly known by word of mouth, and the wins their dogs take in the show ring.

Many reputable breeders do have a website, but its to show off their CH dogs and not to advertise puppies. Most reputable breeders do not plan a litter unless they have a waiting list. Potential buyers are screened carefully.. puppies are not sold to the first person with cash in hand.

I looked at both of the sites you mentioned. I searched for Crested breeders as thats the breed Im most familiar with. I think I only saw one or two kennels that I recognize as "decent".. I did see a few that are not reputable at all, and many that I do not recognize at all. I did not see any of the top breeders listed.

Answer 5

Advertisement doesn't make a breeder a bad breeder. Selling to anyone and not caring about what kind of homes the puppies go to makes and not taking proper care of their dogs makes a breeder bad. Ideally, a good breeder wouldn't need to advertise because they'd have lots of customers and making money wouldn't be their main concern.

Answer 6

I don't think that it is advertising on the web that denotes a bad breeder - it is SELLING over the web that is highly suspicious. A breeder that sells over the web without meeting potential buyers or doing any kind of research of the buyer looks highly like a puppy mill. BUT, I know plenty of great breeders that advertise online to bring potential buyers to their kennel. They are able to get a lot more buyers but are still able to meet perspective families.

Answer 7

As others have said, I have yet to see anything but puppymills and BYBs advertise on all breed puppy websites (i.e. nextdaypets, puppyfind, etc.). I check my breed frequently on these sites, and have seen nobody that I'd trust or respect.

That said, I know plenty of responsible breeders with personal kennel websites. My kennel is on the web. It's not there to advertise puppies -- since I don't often have them -- it's there to show off my dogs and discuss their accomplishments. I have pictures, pedigrees, show wins, etc. I don't consider it "advertising", because I'm not out to sell anything, unless you count my rescue dog pages as "selling" rescues that need new homes.

IMO, this is a great way to keep track of what other people in the breed are doing, including my friends across the country. I love surfing my friends' sites, as well as people with pedigrees/lines/breeding goals similar to mine.

My site also includes breed-related articles on health, deciding if the breed is right for you, etc. I've worked on my site myself since 1998, mostly because I enjoy doing websites.

Here's an article about deciphering breeders' websites -- basically my viewpoint on why breeders should design sites, and how to tell what you're dealing with:
http://www.kaylenbergsiberians.com/BreedersOnline.htm

In the past, when I have received puppy inquiries via my site (and I've had puppies), I insist that people call me and visit the kennel. I WILL NOT SHIP to someone I've never even met.

Answer 8

I came to the web to look for breeders today! The only breeders I know have breeds I am not interested in. Based on this question I will be looking at breeders.net and puppydogweb.com to see who's in my area.

Answer 9

I see nothing wrong with responsible breeders having websites; a great thing to always include is information on the hereditary diseases your dogs have been screened for, temperament tests, titles, and breed information for people who may be interested. A good breeder doesn't use sites such as Puppyfind.

Answer 10

The issue is not IF you are going to do it, but HOW you are going to do it!

A good breeder lists the ACHIEVEMENTS (Points earned at shows - your dog does not have to be a Champion, but NO dog shall be bred before it was judged by an expert, to assure you are breeding for QUALITY purposes ONLY. Cash is unethical and in my eyes irresponsible, as thousands die every day for the simple fact: Not enough homes!).

Achievements, future plans are listed. Pictures of show wins.

BAD BYB list dogs for sale, list prices, list payment options!

Besides, if you are starting to be a breeder, and I am hoping your dogs are of quality (And approved), you should be linked over the breeder club.

Anyone else who breds for the heck of it (A HOBBY breeder is someone who used to show and has retired from showing, yet still breeds excellent quality dogs) should not advertise anywere. They should get their dogs fixed and support the PUREBRED rescue of the breed they love and fancy.

I used to show -- but there is NO way on earth I am going to ignore the terrible overpopulation in this country.

Why produce when REDUCE should be on everyone's mind right now?