WPG Breeder!

UnknownDreamland · April 2010

So a while ago I began asking about potential breeds for a potential second dog! This is even more likely now. I've chosen a breed, I'm emailing breeders(well, one so far, but I have another one in mind.), and we've got as nice a neighborhood as you can get. It's not definite that I'll get my second dog, or even my WPG. But my parents understand that dogs(and art. xD) are my passion, and I can't express my passion through dog events and such with Bella because of her... issues. She's dog shy(been attacked 6 times... all but one by pit bulls. Stupid owners.), she's lazy, and she has no will to do what I'd like to do. Plus, I'd like to get in the AKC events with a purebred dog, which I have -never- owned before. The WPG is a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, they are a gun dog, though I have no intentions of hunting. Tracking seems like it'd be fun though! ;D These dogs are truly amazing, and if anyone remembers, it was most likely one of Auzzy's two breeds(he came from a hunting-heavy state, so it's entirely likely)! So bonus points for that! The breeder has responded to me and I'm very happy with the response. But as I've never emailed a breeder before, or even gotten a breeder dog and I know some of you have, could you offer me your input? What I wrote: "Hello! My name is ______ and my family and I recently moved to a great little town in Utah. I've been fascinated with the wirehaired pointing griffon breed since I first found out about the breed roughly three years ago, and have done a fair amount of research on them since then. I'd love to add a WPG to our family(we're major pet lovers) at some point in time! I was wondering if you could answer some questions though. I'd like to do a lot of activities with my dog from agility to obedience to just fetch in the backyard and it would pain me for my dog to develop something such as hip dysplasia at a young age that prevents him from enjoying himself because of pain. So my question here is, do you health test your dogs before breeding them? What sort of results do you expect when planning to breed your dogs? As I've said before, I'd like to do lots of mental and physical exercises with my dog and just having parents that do a variety of these things could show potential intelligence in the puppy. Do you compete your dogs in conformation or anything? What age do you let your dogs leave their mothers? What sort of socialization do you expose the puppies to? I was also wondering where you get the dogs you breed from. Other breeders? If so, who? Or do you breed some of them yourselves?" What they wrote: "_______, You sound as though you have put some time into researching the breed. If you haven't already you need to look through my web site and the connected links for more info on the breed. There you can see the type of work I do with my dogs and their testing for both health and working in the field or ring. So I test hips and thyroids and pay close attention to bite and eyes. Elbows are sometimes tested by some breeders but I have no history of that in any of my lineage. The newest concern amongst some is the "Biege" Ky gene. I breed my dogs for hunters mainly and sell dogs throughout the continent. I hunt my dogs as well as compete in Obedience with AKC, the breed is a great ring dog. I keep my pups till 10 weeks of age and start working with them as their eyes open as I try to expose them to everything I possibly can over the next six weeks. I would be glad to talk dogs with you when ever, or better yet come up and visit the kennel as I have 4 of my dogs here. I am expecting my seasons whelping to be born in June. This litter is spoken for but you are more then welcome to come to the kennel and see the way I handle my young pups and dogs. Thank you for your interest in the breed." Are there anymore questions I should ask? Are there any red flags? <img src="http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs18/f/2007/161/a/e/Poppy_takes_a_rest_by_fuzzywuzzywombat.jpg"; alt="http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs18/f/2007/161/a/e/Poppy_takes_a_rest_by_fuzzywuzzywombat.jpg"; class="bb-image" /> Just to show you how pretty they are. C: Image by fuzzywuzzywombat of deviantart.com

BuffyBoarding · April 2010

So my aunt breeds boston terriers so i know a little about dog breeding but not a whole lot. so my opinion may be wrong but... It seems like the breeder is very honest, and offering to let you come see the dogs/pups is awesome. Around here we have some breeders that don't even want to let you see the parents. So that's definitely a plus. If you're interested, i'd go and see her dogs and see if they're what you're looking for and if not, you can always choose a different breeder. It never hurts to email/contact more than one breeder and ask them the same questions.

UnknownDreamland · April 2010

Yep, I'm looking at other breeders. The thing that made me email this guy first is the fact that he's less than 2 hours away, compared to my second choice who is 17 hours away. I'd def. check him out though if I went with him. Especially since he's not that far away. Thanks!

ChibiWerewolf · April 2010

They're so beautiful. xDDD I adore the fur patterns! They look so soft. :B I love their copper colored eyeballs. xDD

Goldy · April 2010

Definiately search around. My cocker was AKC blah blah all that and I found out later that the lady purposely registered her ACA before she was sold to me. EVEN though her parents were both AKC champions. Find out what restrictions your going to get before you buy. I asked and was told I'd get AKC papers, however she sent the parents papers... It was ridiculous. We all know ACA is bull.

UnknownDreamland · April 2010

I know, right Chip! 8D So amazingly gorgeous! Oh, wow PT. What sort of question(s) could I ask to prevent that from happening?

reina__ · April 2010

Phone the AKC and ask if this breeder is in good standing with them and if they've registered litters with the AKC before. I like that they test hips and thyroid. That's what I would test, especially for a working dog. Hypo/hyperthyroidism is most of the time not diagnosed. Irritability, anxiety in the form of hyperness, and delirium can all be symptoms of hyperthyroidism but just be sloughed off as an energetic/slow dog or have aggression issues. Hips, well that's a given. What kind of hip tests do they do? Many people prefer PennHIP because it is a mathematical testing, while OFA is an objective testing (doctors look at the x-ray and their opinion is what the dog's OFA score is). 0.30/0.30 is EXCELLENT. 0.70/0.70 and up is borderline to poor. Ask if they do PennHIP. Other than that..... they sound honest as said before, and that they care that you've done research. You'll find that if a BYB thinks you know more than them, they'll get defensive when you ask simple, smart questions. All the best to you!!! They really are a great breed.

UnknownDreamland · April 2010

Quoted from their website: "The AKC/NAVHDA registrations are recognized by Purebred Canine Registries, worldwide. We will provide a written history of testing done to insure genetic health on request. This includes a certificate for PENN Hips 80 percentile or better and OFA for Normal Thyroid of breeding dogs." I'll try calling the AKC too, thanks! I was hoping you'd reply, too. XD Thank you so much, Reina!

reina__ · April 2010

Sweet. You're welcome!

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WPG Breeder!

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