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"AKC Registered" does not mean that the dog is a good representative of the breed, nor that it is healthy or could possibly show. It simply means that it is "registerable" (recorded) in the AKC database. This accolade does not guarantee merit.

Likewise if a person lists their dogs as "European background" or lines, this is not better than AKC or American lines. Why? Because the Europeans do not have the same health criteria that we possess. They also have to have dogs if they are listed as champions that do both bite work and conformation. What this tells you is that their dogs by nature have a much higher prey drive. European lines are not better than American lines.

Breeders who health test, feed quality food, regularly visit the vet, give all shots and worm, clean and disinfect their kennel areas, and do all that is needed to keep their dogs healthy, charge more for a puppy because that is what goes in to a great companion or show dog!

A breeder who asks questions is not prying but trying to determine if you are compatable with the breed. Be patient with them. They spend alot of hard work on the puppies and view them as an extension of themselves. They do not want the puppy to be placed in a home that doesn't value them, nor a home that is not going to be the best situation. They need to get to know you. We care about our puppies AFTER THEY ARE SOLD! We welcome questions, enjoy pictures, and love to hear stories about puppies we have whelped.

When you ask a breeder, "Do you have health checks on these dogs?" and the answer is, "The vet says they look good" this is not the answer you want. You need to know that the parents were tested and registered with the OFA or Cerf or Penn Hip, or a board certified doctor that has this standard in his criteria. It is not necessary to list on the OFA site but to at least see the paperwork that the parents have been seen by a veterinarian for preliminary health checks. X rays and checks such as this make good dogs more expensive. If every dog used for breeding is health checked this costs the breeder about 500-600 a dog and the costs are rising every year.

When you ask for a pedigree and the breeder is reluctant to share this information with you, this should be a red flag as well. You should insist on seeing pedigrees on both parents for several generations back....the more the better. If you see that a given dog or sisters and brothers of that dog are used multiple times (line breeding) you need to pass on this dog. http://www.jenarae.com can give you this information.

If possible you need to visit with the Breeder at their facility. Do not expect to spend more than 30 minutes to an hour at the facility as the breeder is busy. It takes time to clean and care for dogs. Most breeders work somewhere else, besides at their puppy hobby; and really are pressed for time. Many breeders know they have to accomodate visitors and some charge a minimal fee to visit. This fee can be taken off the price of a puppy should you decide to want one at a later date. They may also require you to deposit, and fill out application form before visiting. Breeders are not a place to take your children to "play" with puppies. Most breeders would prefer only one to two adults per visit. This visitation accommodation is for a quick view of the breeding dog and to feel comfortable with their facility and the situation in general. Puppies can be easily injured if dropped or handled incorrectly. Breeders are not amusement parks to take children to see if they like the puppy. You as an adult need to make the big decision.

If you think that going to a kennel and it is like shopping at the mall, breeders are uncomforatable with this practice. If you don't know much about the breed and this is why you are going, read, read, and did I mention READ about the breed? Don't use your visit as a substitute for you not doing your homework on the breed. Visit a show, watch and ask a few questions there as well. Don't expect to spend two hours at a kennel and use this time to pick the breeders brain. It is unfair to them to make them vocalize what you could learn yourself.

Many breeders complain that Visitors often use the time they spend at a breeders home visiting to learn and to get informed and then go on the net and buy a cheaper puppy. If the breeder does charge for a visit, don't be surprised, it keeps the people who just want to amuse themselves from taking a breeders valuable time. Do not be put off by this, you will find that a great breeder is in high demand and many times is so busy that they have to set an appointment for you days in advance. If a breeder meets you at your first request within minutes of your call, they are desparate to sell their puppies. Many breeders have their dogs sold before they are even born. These breeders can choose when they are able to meet you so as to take care of the daily business of chores and responsibilities. Busy breeders keep a clean and tight ship and find themselves cleaning and vacuuming when others are socializing. Keep this in mind when you want to call and set up an appointment.

. . . .BAJORON has the going price for a puppy in relation to the vet bills, cleaning supplies, health checks for sire dam and puppy, they feed quality food (they do not give a dog cottage cheese, eggs, goat milk or food that is not digested well by a canine), they house in quality surroundings, purchase toys for the puppies, feed out of high quality bowls, dogs are kept temperature comfortable, taken to the vet when necessary, and many other little things that the public doesn't see. This all costs lots of $$$$. A puppy is not an item that we feel we can scrimp on. If you find a dog for 400-1700 there is something missing. You need to ask yourself what that is. We just got a call from a gentleman with whom we spent an hour or more on the phone. He acted as though he understood the dangers of the present health situation with the Bouvier des Flandres, and what to look for. He decided he could purchase a cheaper dog, His phone call was sad.........His first question was, "How do I get this breeder to quit breeding? She sold me a dog and it is one year old with glaucoma so bad, I have to have the dogs eyes removed." Then he said, "What do I do now?"

Bajoron has had Bouviers for over 25 years. They have known many of the breeders who now no longer breed or who have passed away and contributed much to the breed. Because of our many afiliations with clubs, shows, vets, veterinarian colleges, other breeders we have compiled a vast data base of dogs who have fallen ill and passed away with SAS or been blinded by Glaucoma (including the gentleman in the last paragraph) . We claim to have researched and we have. So many hours cross referencing pedigrees, and dogs that we have a great deal of insight in to the pedigrees and what each line has classically produced and passed on. We have started to see others claiming to have this knowledge as well. We firmly doubt this as many of these kennels who claim this have the pedigrees we sceptical of. There are like minded kennels that have the same idea, but they are far and few between. Remember if a kennel can only claim to have the Best in show dog, or the best in show specialty dog, an award of merit or is a Westminster winner, this is not the end game for producing a dog! The real reason to produce a dog should be for a great companion that can also compete and stay healthy while being satisfied to have you as their leader (a great temperament). Winning is not all that and a bag of chips. It is icing on the cake.

These next items should alarm you if they are present:

If they have strong odors (not typical one poop that is sitting there from a recent accident) but a basic bad odor this means that the facility needs cleaning. Note that puppies can cause this but an area void of puppies should not reek of horrible smells!
You can't visit with the sire or dam. (Remember sometimes the sire is not present due to the fact that the female was sent to him for breeding) Also a bitch is very protective of her puppies. It is not uncommon for a Bouvier to bark and show an unwillingness for you to pick up her puppies. We at Bajoron just look at puppies, we don't allow visitors to handle puppies, as many illnesses can be contracted this way. Besides the puppies you may see are already sold and you would not want your puppy being "examined or played with" if you had purchased a puppy from us, by a stranger. We are primarily interested in you seeing we care and have a nice set up for our litter.
if the person is not willing to let you see the living arrangements. Do not expect to go in to the other dogs living area as this can cause a disruption in the older dogs and of course they are going to bark. They are gossiping about the humans!
if you ask to see records and they are reluctant to show you this should alarm you
Multiple breeds (one or two breeds is fine) but more could indicate a puppy mill situation. Breeders who show dogs frequently specialize in 2-3 breeds so they can justify traveling to shows to champion their dogs.
if you purchase from a puppy mill, you are not "saving a puppy" but furthering the owners' abilty to produce dogs that are questionable. It is best you walk away.
If the breeder insists you meet them somewhere besides their facility, that should alarm you!!!!!

A good dog is an investment. The decision should not be based on price alone. Do your homework. Visit with the breeder or send a friend that lives in the town they live in. This dog will be a member of your family and you need to consider this fact carefully. Good luck in your quest!

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lynn@bajoronkennel.com