Breeding any kind of animal is not as easy as one thinks. As a breeder myself, I have come to learn over the years, that dog and other pet breeders deserve far more patience and understanding than they receive. We love our animals and babies as one of our own. Spending countless hours at our veterinarians and groomers. Pouring endlessly over every detail of behaviour and diet. We spend many sleepless nights caring for mothers and raising their young. It is therefore natural that we seek only the very best for their offspring.
Understandably, over time, interbreeding and bad breeding habits have given rise to many undesirables. It is one of the reasons we breeders have placed such high standards on ourselves in an attempt to uphold the integrity of our chosen breed. Kennel clubs and breeders together formed a governing body to ensure that the integrity of the breeds are upheld with specific requirements put in place for the breeding of any animal. Laws have been instigated and enforced.
'Puppy Farming" is of course a very large concern to everyone not just breeders. Dogs are kept purely for litter production with no care for the health and treatment of the dogs or their offspring. The animal welfare are quick to inform the local associations of these atrocities when they are discovered and the farming is quickly shut down. However there are still many 'farmers' out there. The internet, and social media have made it even easier for this type of breeding to occur undetected. It saddens me that this happens, but it is these types of situations that have forced stronger laws to be implied.
In Australia, for one to become a breeder, one must first be a financial member of an animal governing body. Then undertake an examination to receive a Breeders License or Prefex. Furthermore, the breeder must be registered with the federal government as a breeder and receive the Breeders Identification Number or Supply Number. This supply number must be noted on all paperwork and is required for micro-chipping. The Breeders Prefix, Membership Number and Breeders Identification Number (Supply Number) must be displayed or given when requested. If you don't see it and isn't freely given chances are these persons are are not what they appear to be. Buyers should be encouraged to research the breeder if they are unsure of any aspects.
The internet is a nest for scammers and disreputable persons and I can understand where all the distrust comes from. A scammer can post pictures of puppies they have lifted off another site and pass it off as one of their own. My advise is this.
*Ask for regular updates and pictures.
*Schedule a visit if they are located nearby.
*Speak personally to the breeder and become familiar with them.
*Connect to their Social Media Pages if they have one.
*Visit their websites and read the blogs or comments left by other users.
It is a lot harder to get videos and pictures of the same puppy as it grows. A scam artist will not be able to supply these things nor will they allow or encourage any kind of home visits.
A trusted breeder will however willingly answer questions or supply information. Trust is a two way street, the more familiar you are the greater the trust.
If searching the internet for a puppy, remember that most reputable Advertising or Social Media Sites will be a "Group" or organisation where members are asked to join. Safe sites will always ask for Identification and Supply Numbers to be placed on their sites or in an advertisement, however, even if they are not displayed, any buyer has the right to ask for them.
Just like our buyers, breeders are extremely cautious. A puppy questionnaire allows us to make assessments with regards to the ongoing health and welfare of our babies.
A security deposit is just that, security and is asked for two reasons.
1. To secure the sale and protect the seller.
2. To ensure the buyer that the puppy performs to the standards agreed upon.
Just as one would not expect to take possession of an item without payment, it is in the sellers best interest to have confirmation of final payment prior to dispatch, especially if travel is involved. This is where a puppy contract will seal the sale agreement and allow both parties to come to an agreement with regards to payment. It may be hard for a buyer to understand our motives, but it is even harder for a us to turn you down.
Even with all these things in place, we as breeders are forced to justify our methods and our costs. It is not cheap raising a litter nor can one put a price on the heartache we endure when the time comes to find good, loving, caring forever homes for them. Yet here we are still trying our hardest to prove ourselves to potential buyers. Doing everything in our power to get the best for our puppies whilst keeping our dignity intact.
So please, think hard about all these things when you next look at purchasing a puppy. Be wise and safe, do your research and tick all the boxes.
For more information on Supply Numbers the Australian Department of Agriculture website has a Breeders Supply Number "Look-Up" page where you can research the supply numbers. Following is a link to this page:
https://qdbr.daf.qld.gov.au/supply-number-search/