Can a breeder require me to show a puppy I buy from her?

Question

The breeder won't sell me a show potential puppy unless I'm committed to showing her or I pay the breeder to show her for me. The only non-show puppy she has is a runt. I don't want a runt for various reasons. I want a good representation of the breed (Shetland Sheepdog), that's why I'm willing to pay the show dog price, but I don't want to show the dog (lack of time, etc). She won't sell me a show dog unless I show it! Is that normal? Or, should I find a different breeder?

Answer 1

I believe a good show quality breeder should require this and only sell to those serious about the breed and maintaining its quality in the line. If you intend to breed then you should be most intersted in showing the dog and meeting potential pet people of a higher standard than your average yahoo to breed the dog with.

Answer 2

Personally, a good home is more important to me than whether or not the dog is shown -- this is pretty typical of most breeders I know. That said, however, if I were to place a "show potential" puppy with someone I knew wasn't interested in showing, I would require that it be spayed or neutered (which is what I require with all of my puppies placed in pet homes, so maybe that's no different).

Remember that a "runt" doesn't always grow up to be a "runt", and that perfectly healthy puppies may sometimes be the smallest in the litter at a given point in time. Unless there is a specific reason (other than size) that you don't want this "runt" puppy, I would take another look at it if the breeder is wanting to put show-potential puppies in show homes.

Otherwise, yes, I'd look at another breeder.

Answer 3

If you are looking for a show quality dog, be prepared to run into a lot of breeders like this. Many breeders will require that you show the dog, or that you breed the dog within a certain amount of time. It's a serious business, and there will be many breeders with this attitude; I have heard of some that require you to sign a "contract".
My brother has a Sheltie, and he is considered pet quality (he's very tall for a Sheltie), but he still has a very nice, thick coat and markings, and a good temperment. If you are not going to show your dog, I would suggest looking around some more; you may have to go with a pet quality dog rather than show quality. You may want to ask at your vet office, or ask friends if they know of a good quality breeder that does not require that you show the puppy.
Good luck with your search!

Answer 4

The runt just means it came out last & did not get as much as the other dogs did growth wise inside the dog while growing, the dog will not stay the runt it will grow into the actual size of the dog it will not be any shape or form different from the rest of the litter once fully grown.
Yes some breeders can do this. On most of my dogs I signed contracts for various things.
If I were you if you do not want to do this go to a different breeder.
As a pup you still do not know what it is going to look like as an adult the pup could change completely a flaw in the coat anything that could actually stop it from being show quality when it got older.
The breeder is just looking for more money out of you, plain & simple.

Answer 5

Breeders who breed show quality dogs usually do sell the show quality puppies at a higher price and with a contract that states the dog will be shown. If the puppy does become a champion, it looks better on the breeder. She can require you to show the puppy, but only if she gets it in writing. Breeders can require you to do pretty much anything, as long as they have it in writing. If you do not want to show the puppy, you may need to look into another breeder.

Answer 6

The whole idea behind responsible breeding is to produce dogs who are great representations of the breed and to prove it in the show ring. Breeding to produce show quality pups is not an easy task and placing show pups in non show homes is not a goal of any breeder I know. I suggest you either wait on another litter to get a quality puppy. I would not sell a show puppy to non committed home either.
You can get a good representaion of the breed with out it being a show dog. The differences in pet quality and show quality 'should' be subtle little differences that really only a trained eye can see. As little as not enough rear angles or less then perfect movement can make a dog pet quality but the average pet owner would not know the difference.

Answer 7

Unfortunately some breeders are more concerned with having their name touted in the show world than they are in having a wonderful home for the puppy. I was so fortunate to have found a breeder that was much more concerned about the home for our beautiful show quality male, the show ring would have been nice but the home was the most important. Thank goodness, because we have had our little boy for nearly seven years and he is the apple of our eye. If I were you I would pass on this breeder, their main concern does not appear to be for the dog but for themselves. There are many other breeders out there. Here's wishing you the best.

Answer 8

The Sheltie we bought a long time ago, was show quality but was too big to show. The breeder asked us not to breed him, because of his size. She was such a responsible and lovable breeder. Well, that was our lucky day! We bought him, never bred him, and he was one of the smartest, fastest learning, trainable, lovable, I can't even find enough adjectives to describe him. My 12 year son, at the time, trained him (with classes), I would take him and our others to watch once a week. He learned so well, that all we had to do was move a finger or some other sign without saying anything, and he would respond, immediately. What a lucky, lucky day that was for us and our family. Never regretted buying a Registered Sheltie that couldn't be shown. He used all those "smarts" for us, to train us, lol, love us, protect us, esp. his children (my teens), be our most cherished companion. That little runt might just be just what you want in a Sheltie and more. Mine was too big. Thank God, cause we got to have him all for us. Wish he was still here.

Answer 9

From a former Rottweiler breeder.

Serious breeders are attempting to improve the breed and show the dog world what they are doing. This happens in the show ring. Believe it or not, it is more important for the breeder to get the dog into a show home than what they are charging for the dog. It is extremely common that people tell a breeder that they are going to show the dog and then don't fulfill that obligation. It's not ethical, but it happens all of the time.

If you honestly don't intend to show the dog, you have to live with your own ethical choices.

If you are honest with the breeder, they will probably help you find another dog.

Again, your choice

Answer 10

Dog breeders spend a lot of time and money on their breeding programs. Their goal is to continue trying to produce the best specimins of their breed. Their "reward" is to showcase the offspring at shows.

Yes, it is common that a breeder will only sell a top potential show prospect to a "show" home.

If you do not want to commit to this, or fullfill a contract, go elsewhere. It will prevent a lot of stress, bad feeling and a possible lawsuit.

Answer 11

Yes, it's totally normal. Any breeder wants their very best in the show ring - I'm totally surprised she'd even considering selling a show quality puppy to someone who's never shown before.

If you won't honor an agreement to show this puppy, then find an other breeder. There's a ton of sheltie breeders out there.