Thoughts and FAQ Puppy Contracts explained
Greyghost
Kennel is a small breeding kennel in north-central British Columbia.
We breed Weimaraners, and only Weimaraners, for health, temperament and
conformation. Our dogs are kept happy and busy in a number of activities,
including hunting, obedience and agility trials. Our goal is to provide our puppy buyers with versatile dogs
that will be loved, loyal and valued family members for many years.
There
are concerns about inbreeding and genetic health issues in every breed of dog,
and Weimaraners are no exception. Our
breeding plan addresses these issues; we keep only the best bitches for breeding
and carefully select stud dogs from unrelated but complementary bloodlines to
sire our puppies. As part of our
program, we have included long-haired Weimaraners, and have been very pleased
with the results. The pups are
healthy and have great temperaments, and the longer coats are a bonus in our
cold climate.
We
breed only occasionally, and spend as much time selecting new owners for our
pups as we do sires. Matching the puppy’s drive and activity level to the new
owner’s experience, lifestyle and personality ensures a harmonious
relationship.
For more information on Weimaraners, check out websites such as that of the Weimaraner Assoc. of Canada at www.weimaranercanada.org, the Weimaraner Club of America at www.geocities.com/~weimclub, and/or read one of the excellent breed books which should be available at or through your local library. If you think that a Weimaraner is the dog for you, please feel free to contact us for more information on our puppies and our breeding program. We have a package of information, including a copy of our contract and a questionnaire for you to fill out and return, that we can send you via e-mail or regular mail.
We can remember all too well the
excitement and problems associated with the search for that perfect puppy. These are the questions we asked (or should have), and the
ones we are most frequently asked now:
When are there going to be puppies available?
The
next litter is planned for the Spring of 2006.
Why so long?
We
breed only occasional litters, as do most quality small-scale kennels.
Our interest is in having - and being able to provide - quality dogs, not
with turning a profit. Generally we have a full waiting list by the time the puppies
arrive, and we can start the process of matching puppy and owner profiles as
soon as the pups take their first steps.
How long is your waiting list?
Most
people have to wait a year for a pup. As
a rule we don’t have a waiting list much longer than the size of the litter
expected, as this would not be fair to people waiting eagerly for puppies.
We try to match every qualified puppy buyer up with the right pup,
whether this is one of our own or by referral to another good breeder.
How much are the puppies?
Generally
around $1200. Older pups, because
of the extra time and expense put into keeping and training them, are more.
Top quality show/breeding pups are also more.
Isn’t this a lot of money for a puppy?
No,
it is about average for a purebred pup of any breed. If you are quoted significantly less, (and/or offered a young
puppy for immediate delivery) you are probably dealing with a puppy mill.
The worst of the puppy mills can still present an attractive website and
professional looking promotional
material; if you aren’t sure, ask
(or e-mail) other breeders in the same area - most of them are happy to share
honest information about other breeders. (There
are not enough litters on the ground at any one time for good breeders to be in
competition with each other.)
Can I pay less for a puppy if I just want a pet, and don’t want the papers?
No,
it is illegal to charge extra for registration papers, and illegal for CKC
members to sell unregistered dogs.
When do you require a deposit?
We
require a non-refundable deposit at the time the litter is born.
Do I get to pick my own puppy?
Each
puppy is a unique individual, and not just a pretty face.
Although we encourage
new
owners to visit (on appointment) and get to know their puppies, we feel that we
are in the best position to evaluate the pups and select the right home for each
of them.
Do I have to spay/neuter my puppy?
Yes.
Unless it was purchased for show/breeding purposes, there will be a
Non-breeding Agreement registered with the CKC.
Unregistered and/or unplanned puppies bred from our pups would simply add
to the glut of unwanted dogs abandoned and euthanized every year, and we would
not sell a pup to anyone who didn’t understand this.
Why do you have a contract?
The
contract not only protects both parties, it also protects the dog.
It eliminates any misunderstanding in outlining the expectations and
commitments on both sides.
For more information about puppy contract read this: Puppy Contracts Explained
Do I have to show the dog, or have it shown?
Only
a very few of our top pups are sold under breeding/showing contracts, and their
owners undertake to show the pups, or have them shown,
as specified in those contracts. Otherwise,
no, not unless you want to. All
owners are encouraged to have fun with their dogs in or out of the show ring.
There are a growing number of organized activities that you and your dog
can be involved in, and Weimaraners excel at many of them.
At Greyghost Kennel, we love talking about our dogs, and would be happy to discuss the finer points of our dogs, our policies, our contracts and dog activities. E-mail can be the most convenient way to make contact, or you can reach us by phone in the evening (8-9 pm is a good time) or on weekends. If we don’t answer, keep trying - we are probably outside working with the dogs, playing with the dogs, hunting, training, at a dog-show or agility trial.......
