Since babies are on the brain I have a question :)
Submitted by Fatboy on November 15, 2011 - 12:57pmFor those who flew to pick up their baby bully, how did you go through the decision process prior to pick up? Did you fly out once before the actual transfer or did you rely solely on pictures from the reputable breeder? I ask because I have a feeling, when we get Fatboy his sister, I'll more than likely travel to get her.
And does one fly back with the puppy in cargo?? Or do you get to put them underneath the seats since they're still small enough to fit there?
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Fatboy aka Stinky :)
As far as making that
As far as making that decision, we had pics of everyone in the litter.......actually let me step back and share this story:
We looked around through Washington, and knew we just could not bare to wait a couple more months, we really wanted to get her potty trained before the snow hit and most of all we were impatient once we decided to make that 100% decision. So after decided we would not find one locally we started looking at breeders online. We has certain criteria in mind as we screened these breeder websites before we even made the first phone call. I had spent many down time hours at work looking for a few weeks, and so had Paul. One day I found one I really liked, that met our set criteria...so I sent the link to Paul at work. Within 30 seconds I recieved an email from him, with a link for a Puppy. It seems that our emails we sent out almost the same time, AND it was the same breeder, AND it was the same puppy! GO figure.
ANYWAY back to answer your question; We had 3 week old pics online to choose from and we thought we knew which one we wanted, then we asked the breeder for more pics, and included 2 other pups, she sent 4 week old pics, along with some group pics. Then we changed our mind again and were looking at the original plus an entirely different one with a reverse brindal. At the 5 week pic--multiple pics (this took place over 8 days) we narrowed back down to Kippah, and the breeder sent us video of her, litter mates and parents.
It was then that we felt confident Kippah was our baby---and SHE was the one that Paul and I both sent to each other simultaniously!
Loves and Smooches, Kippa and Mama (Annette)
what was the particular criteria on your list?
Just curious for future reference. I've heard 'Don't even consider a breeder that asks for money upfront or a 'downpayment' but I honestly wouldnt know what criteria to use.
Ya all giving me Puppy Envy BAD :P
Last steps taken May 26, 2014 -- Been rolling along ever since . . . .
Same here!
We did put a down payment on Fatboy at 6 weeks but only to secure him. The deposit was refundable if we wern't able to get him after he was ready to go home with us. And it happens EVERY TIME....I get puppy fever whenever people post pics of their new additions XD
Fatboy aka Stinky :)
I agree, a downpayment is fine
As long as it can be refunded if you decide not to get a pup. I paid one for my first bully.
Why would a downpayment be
Why would a downpayment be bad? I can only imagine the number of people who fall in love with a puppy, tell the breeder they want them -- and then get cold feet or buyer's remorse or whavever, and never come back to get the puppy. A deposit, to me, seems like a good way for breeders to know that people are serious, and that the puppy is really and truly spoken for, when other people come to see the litter.
A deposit on a specific puppy is not bad
If you are positive that's the puppy you want. Unfortunately, some breeders will accept deposits on future puppies. Never put a deposit on a puppy that is yet to be born.
We have experience with
We have experience with Persian Cat Breeders, as we were one ourselves for awhile and had great success in shows. We also used to raise, breed and show goats. And to put it mildly I have a few strong opinions........I'm sure no one ever figured that out about me.
I would not consider dealing with a breeder that also handled (for example) Min Pins, and Cockatoos.........trust me I found this. Like I said, I form opinions easily...but to me this has 'greed' written all over it.
I woud not consider a breeder that could not maintain open communication with me, when I have questions I would like them answered within 24 hours, I would like pictures when I ask for them...and they need to be up to date. Vidoes are great too, great to see them move around with litter mates.....We had MANY conversations with our breeder, even one on a Saturday morning when we were trying to get the right toys for her....and she answered the call, answered all the questions and gave us some additional tips, and THEN told us she was in the hospital for a minor surgery! That is dedication to her puppy families in my opinion.
I wanted a breeder that could give me references, both from clients and from a Vet.
I wanted a breeder that wanted to educate me, so I asked some questions that I already knew the answers to.
Most importantly I wanted a breeder that wanted the best for each individual puppy, not just a commitment for money.
I live by the rule 'follow your gut' if it does not feel right there is most often a reason
I did put a deposit down, but I was not pressured to do so at all. She did hold Kippah for a week while we were making sure she was THE one. She did ask for a deposit, but what I am trying to say is that we took 2 weeks to make up our mind, and she was not pushy for the money at all
Loves and Smooches, Kippa and Mama (Annette)
When I flew to pick up my puppy....
I knew the stud owner and he put me into contact with the breeder. I had several phone conversations and exchanged lots of emails with the breeder before I decided on the puppy. I did send a deposit once I picked out the puppy. I then flew out and met the breeder at the airport with the puppy.
For my next puppy, I shopped around and talked to lots of breeders. A certain breeder was recommended to me by 3 different people. I gave her a call and we talked bulldogs for a long time. We talked terms and conditions and we agreed on everything. Since this was a show prospect puppy we had extra details to the contract. I drove to her house to pick up the puppy and while there, I met her other dogs as well. It worked out so well that we are good friends and i just bough my second puppy from her. It was a very positive experience.
And you drove right past my town and didn't even stop.
Humph!
LOL! Just kidding:-) I was so glad you got Trace:-) And now your new baby...lucky stick! I wish I was smelling that sweet puppy breath again....
Hey, of topic here. Do you guys have any hay over there where you are? I need some in the worst way. Trying to find it without knowing anyone in other states to ask is difficult!
Amy and Sophia
When I flew to pick up my puppy....
I knew the stud owner and he put me into contact with the breeder. I had several phone conversations and exchanged lots of emails with the breeder before I decided on the puppy. I did send a deposit once I picked out the puppy. I then flew out and met the breeder at the airport with the puppy.
For my next puppy, I shopped around and talked to lots of breeders. A certain breeder was recommended to me by 3 different people. I gave her a call and we talked bulldogs for a long time. We talked terms and conditions and we agreed on everything. Since this was a show prospect puppy we had extra details to the contract. I drove to her house to pick up the puppy and while there, I met her other dogs as well. It worked out so well that we are good friends and i just bough my second puppy from her. It was a very positive experience.
The last time I flew to pick
The last time I flew to pick up a puppy was over 10 years ago so times have probably changed, but they did let me keep the crate by my feet on the plane.
Question for Redflame
I'm from Washington State too and had a question about the breeders you looked at here. I bought both my babies from a local breeder and absolutely love her and my babies. Though, the females she has aren't the best looking, the babies they produce are amazing! She will not breed females that have a small trachea, they have large nostrils so no breathing problems, nor will she breed any dog with tail pockets. What more can you ask for! Never any food alergies, nor skin alergies. I have had the easiest time with my babies not having to worry about anything (other then my first one coming down with a rare infection, unrelated to breeding discospondolytis) They don't have big nose ropes, which is sometimes a good thing, but they are cuter if they do, but it also can add to breathing problems. I can't say enough for my breeder here in Washington State. She is there if I need anything or any question answered. I'd recommend her in a second. So I was just wondering who all you looked at here?
Shay
Pic of one of my babies sorry it's so big!
Oh I guess it didn't come out
Oh I guess it didn't come out all that big. I thought it was going to be where you had to scroll down to see him. Well, anyhoo this is Jackson, he turned 1 August 23rd, a whopping 58 lbs already. He is the best dog ever, I couldn't ask for a better baby. I'll try to get a side profile so you can see his awesome colorings. We get stopped all the time when we are out with people saying he looks like a tiger because of his stripes.
Blurry cell picture, doesn't do his coloring justice
questions for you, unrelated to thread topic
You mentioned a dog of yours had discospondolytis -
What were the dog's symptoms, testing done to diagnose, treatment and outcome? I ask because that is one of the many diagnosis floated by one of several Vets that have seen/treated a young female Bulldog I have that has been quite sick.
Discospondolytis
It all started out that he couldn't use his back legs/hind end very much and would cry if you picked up ip. He was only 4.5 months old, so unlike typical bullys, he would tall you he was in pain. I thought there was something wrong, so I took him to our vet,, who took xrays. They thought they saw a fracture in the spinal area, which would affect the nerves, so the xray was sent to the neurologist. The neurologist said it looked like discosponolytist. (It's an infection of the spine and it targeted his L7 disc area) He got so bad that he wouldn't use his hind end at all. The inflammation was so painful he just cried if you picked him up etc. We even put a mattress downstairs to sleep with him so we didn't have to carry him down the stairs all the time.
Jackson went downhill in the 10 days waiting to get into the neurologist, so you would know if your baby has it. The inflammation increases along with the pain.
Anyway, we took him to the neurologist and he did an MRI (the best way to diagnose it) and sure enough, it was. He had to be on antibiotics for 6 months and have monthly xrays. It is caused by numerous things, his happened to be strep. The most common is e-coli or brucella or foreign body ingestion of a plant part.. it is pretty rare, just an infection that attacks the spine instead of the rest of the body. When I first read about it, the meningitis/sepsis part freaked me out. We got him to the neurologist ASAP.
They did the MRI, put him on a 48 hour drip while waiting for the blood and urine work to come back. He was in the hospital 3 days and seems totally normal when he can out. I couldn't believe it! What's weird, is the antibiotics actually fuse the vertebrae together, if not it's surgery. Some vets only keep the dogs on the meds for 3 or so months, but like my Dr said, it could come back so he goes the entire months, 3 times a day. It's very costly, but what wouldn't you do for you baby! It cost me about $3500 total, but I still have my Jackson:)
Okay, I'm sure you all have all the information you need on this subject I think. If not, feel free to ask more.