I just want to share a story that really set me out a while ago.
As a breeder we're all responsible for the pups we sell, and when selling a 8 weeks old puppy we inform about the "flaws" and sickness/illness in the breed and what to look out for. And as difficult it is to see what this cutie will grow into, we sell all our 8 week's puppies with written information about it's well-beeing and that it is NOT sold as a rising star, or if it is a dog to be bred to.
However - If a puppy grows into this "star" and owner chooses to breed on the dog, it is then our responisibility to tell what to breed to and what to look out for?
I was contacted by the proud owner, when they decided to breed the bitch, and I ask what they looked for in the breed. They told me about a mini that they had seen and loved, and I said that I do not have dogs looking like her, but I have a male that is half-brother that could suit the bitch well. And he could fill out the bitch's details. Then they could have a start on the way to "the look" they wanted.
Litter born, and puppies looked good - until suddenly I got a phonecall about the recommandation of this combination.... How I did not mention the 2 dogs related to this combination had the one-eye cateract, and that it was something wrong with a male in the pedigree that had Myotonia.
I tried to explain about the cateract and how we are recommaned to breed on this. And how vet's in Norway and other contries means that cateract is inherited.
And I also explained about the myotonia desease and what we had done with our stock that was related to the carrier.
The owner of the bitch still didn't understand how we saw things and I just ended the phone-call, with telling them that I'm sorry, but if there is so much faults and flaws in this combination I hope you will be so serious about your stock that you choose NOT breed on these pups....
Later on, a couple of the pups has done quite well in shows and now the are proudly announced as stud's.
What is there to say????
We was told that we did not inform enought when selling that bitch / recommanding the breeding and withheld information about our dogs.
What kind of information should be explained in big words and what should be mentioned?
When selling a pup in Scandinavia, we do not use terms as "Pet" and "show" on puppies. We do either sell them spayed, and we have nothing saying on what to do with the dog.
If you as a owner choose to breed to it, is it us as breeder of the dog that should be "aware" or should the owner that owns it, make sure that they have enought knowlegde to be a breeder?
If you breed puppies I asume that breeder is the correct term, or are you still a puppy-buyer?
For us it looks to be a problem in the future with owners that think they know-how just points the finger at the pedigree instead of understanding the pedigree.
Wonder also if the owner of the stud-dog is informed about the faults and flaws in his pedigree, as they are now breeders and responsible for what he is bred to...
Greypix's Cuddles at Olinus
Greypix's Dark Dante