Seeking Advice from Moms of Pure Bred Dogs and or Breeders

Updated on December 10, 2010
H.C. asks from Apollo Beach, FL
12 answers

Ok first of all, excuse me for my ignorance thats why I'm on here to ask questions. My family is interested in getting a pure bred standard poodle. I found a breeder about 200 miles from my home that has a dog that we are very interested in. When I asked her about the papers, she said "for this price, she has papers but they don't go with her" ($300) The dog is almost a year old let me add, so that is why I'm assuming the price is lower. I'm not sure what to think about that statement. Does that mean she doesn't want me to breed her? Wasn't planning on it anyway. Or sell her for a profit? Wouldn't do that either. But is that the reason she would not give me papers or is she hiding something? I don't know, whats your opinion ladies?

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So What Happened?

I got a puppy from another breeder. A full blooded standard poodle and I couldn't be happier with her. Thanks y'all for steering me clear of that crazy lady and finding someone else.

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M.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

For some reason dogs are cheaper in texas, and the dog is not a puppy, which would reflect in the price.
But why have two prices? one for paper and one without - ask how much the papers would be - maybe she is lying and the dog is not registered. It is really nice to have the papers in case you do want to breed, or show. tell her you want the price for the papers, and if she wont give it then move on.

edit - sounds reasonable enough - another $200 for the papers. I suppose it depends how much you like the dog - why is she selling him at a year old, does he bite, or have a behavioral problem, or was he mistreated.
maybe you should wait and get a baby - standard poodles are cool dogs - way better than a lab - lol

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B.K.

answers from Chicago on

Here's a better alternative:

http://adopt-a-poodle.adoptapet.com/

You're probably talking to someone in a puppy mill. That's why you're getting the run-around. Rescue dogs are purebreds and need homes. I'll bet you'll find one closer to you than 200 miles.

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D.A.

answers from Dallas on

Found some standard poodles listed on petfinder.com (some are purebread). There are so many unwanted dogs in this world. Be careful whom you are buying from and educate yourself in puppymills. If people continue to buy from pet stores such as pet o rama and puppymills than people will continue to breed these animals. Not all breeders fall in to this category, but unfortunately alot of them are just out to make money. Good luck in whatever you choose!

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J.R.

answers from Glens Falls on

I'd steer clear of her. A reputable breeder will have the papers, will have the mother on site, and will generally have a contract for you to sign that states you agree to neuter your pet and not breed the dog. There would be absolutely no reason for her to keep the papers and sell the dog. You know, you can find pure bred dogs in rescue (there are breed specific rescues) and you'd probably be better off. I feel so bad for the dog but if this lady is some kind of backyard/puppy mill breeder, the health status of the dog could be at risk. Please be careful

3 moms found this helpful
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R.K.

answers from Boston on

There are so many unwanted dogs I would go to a rescue and stay away from breeders and pet stores if it were me. Our mini schnauzers are both rescues are they are the greatest dogs.

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K.M.

answers from Kansas City on

I have a pure-bred Doberman that we adopted in 2001. She is AKC, but we did not register her because we had no intentions of breeding her. If we would have registered her, it would have cost more. My brother adopted an AKC Doberman last year and paid A LOT for him. He was told he'd get a little refund (couple hundred bucks) if he got him fixed--which he did (not for the money, but because he didn't want to breed him).

I wouldn't assume the lady is shady, so ask her why the papers don't come with the dog. Also, do you like the dog? Does she have a good temperament? Do you have children? Is she good around your kids? That is more important than anything!

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C.R.

answers from Dallas on

I really suggest finding another breeder.
C.

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K.O.

answers from Atlanta on

I'd find another breeder. If it's a puppy, most reputable breeders will sell on a limited AKC registration - that means that you don't have breeding rights and if you do have an accidental breeding then the litter can't be registered, so you won't be able to sell AKC pups. Also, with a good breeder, expect to have a contract. Where did you find this "breeder"? If it's in the paper, kijiji, or something similar then it's more likely not a reputable breeder, you will have no idea what you are actually getting, and the price will reflect that.

I know great danes, not poodles, so I'm not sure how different they are amongst breeders. I can tell you that my pup was 5 times your price tag. And although it seems pricey (I used to think that was ridiculous), there is a lot that goes into a planned, reputable breeding, including health testing, temperaments, showing (even if you don't want a show dog, the purpose of showing is to evaluate breeding stock to better the breed and keep to the standard), prenatal care, etc. I'd start looking for breeders through a good source like www.poodleclubofamerica.org.

A.C.

answers from Cincinnati on

My aunt breeds poodles. Standard and toy. $300 is cheap for a poodle. Which makes me wonder...... Is it actually a 100% pure bread dog? Doubt it! If this is the price she's agreeing upon then she needs to hand over ALL the goods or I would not go with this dog. It sounds fishy & like she's hiding something. Good luck!

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L.D.

answers from Dallas on

That sounds suspicious. I wouldnt take the dog.

We got a lab a few years ago and I researched obsessively - I found a kennel club and called the members and asked questions about various breeders. When you get a dog from someone who breeds them for fun, or from a puppy mill, they dont pay attention to the health histories and personalities of the parents and grandparents of the dogs, and can breed dogs that end up with personality problems or health problems that are not only expensive but also heart breaking. If you get a dog from someone associated with a kennel club, they are breeding dogs with the aim of improving the breed (not to make money) and also have a reputation to uphold. You will also end up spending more money - probably closer to $800 than $300.

Or, you can get a dog from a shelter. Mixed breed dogs are not prone to many of the health problems of purebreds and need a good loving home.

If you are not set on getting a poodle, think about a lab. I did NOT want a large dog but got one because my husband really wanted it. Now that I have two small children (2 and 1) I am THRILLED with the dog. He is wonderful with them and they love him. I could never have imagined how good he would be with them. My son's first word was the dogs name, "Ben."
The other way t

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T.H.

answers from Kansas City on

$300 sounds cheap to me too. I wonder if the papers are for the mother or father and not the pups and they're trying to be sneaky or something?? I don't know too much about this topic either to be honest, my husband took care of our dog when we bought him! We have a pure bread (Old English Sheep Dog) but we had to sign something saying we wouldn't breed him, etc. (not that we were planning on that either, but people are sensitive about it!)

I would also wonder if she's discounted the dog for some odd reason..."for this price" makes me question the situation a bit. Maybe ask her if she'll give you the names of some of her previous clients or something to see if they're happy with the dogs and can be a reference for her.

Good luck!

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

That raises a red flag for me.

We have Cockers and have always been given the papers, even if we were not going to breed. We have 2 who have passed away and were not from the best of breeders. They both had long lives but both cost us a small fortune with surgeries, etc. We loved them both until they died. They each lived to be 13-15 yrs old.

We currently have 2 cockers 11.5 and 6. Both from good breeders, healthy dogs, no health issues. The 11.5 yr old is showing signs now of the tumors, and things that start happening at this age and we know his time is limited. The 6 yr ols is still extremely active, loving life and loving her tennis ball.

We also have a toy poodle (4) from a breeder. He is a picture of health as well. This breeder was so attached, she still emails me and I send pics!! Great dog but she is no longer breeding dogs.

Like I said, with all our dogs, we never planned to breed them but we were furnished with all paperwork to register them with AKC.

This person sounds fishy or maybe they are trying to see who will pay more $$$ this time of year!

Good luck. Poodles are so great and no issues with allergies!!

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