Worries about my boy and questions
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I am also on the Outreach committee and have worked with this material over and over again, trying to get it in a simple and easy to use form. I wrote the article Buying a Basenji to be a summary of all the qualities a buyer should look for when researching a breeder. There is a pdf format that prints on 1 page front and back with the urls so it can be handed out at Pet Fairs, Shows, etc.
I can see where an article like "Know What You Are Paying For" could be another good supplemental piece to the Questions to Ask and Buying A Basenji. What I am having a hard time with is how much simpler can we make these sort of materials? Is anyone willing to give an example since it may just be that people like myself and Pat have just had are hands on this material too long to see it any differently.
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Exactly… and I would love some input from people that did purchase from a BYB on line or otherwise.
What exactly if you saw it, would "pull" you in.... and get you to read the material? What would have "engaged" you when looking?
The sad thing is that there are sites like puppyfind.com and nextdaypet.com that is so easy for people to go and find BYB puppies for sale. Even though there are some responsible breeders (and I do put ads on there for BCOA), what would be something that would catch someones interest?
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We all start somewhere with b's…no need to feel bad...now you know and can help others educated themselves.
These former posts are wonderful re info..
We live, learn and share.
Hugs -
My personal belief is that we all do the best we can, most of the time. You did the best you knew and you have a great dog now. If you had known more, you wouldn't have the sweet dog you now have, so no beating yourself up, please!! If you ever get another dog, you will know where to find a responsible breeder. All basenjis are wonderful, mine are rescues, I know the breeding of 2 but one was for sure from a BYB, and they are all perfect to me!
Many years ago I said that when my old one died, I would drive to California if I had to to find 2 healthy basenji siblings, and then the phone rang with a question about a rescued basenji.."can you take him?"..so much for my plans to have dogs of food breeding for once!
Hug your pup and be glad you found him!
Anne in Tampa
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Maybe I am "different", well, laugh, I know I am different, but I find talking about fees for b's troublesome.
Yes, rescue charges fees, breeders charge fees, put in my mind, picking a dog because of the price and not because it appeals to you, well, that just doesn't seem right.
I am sure that is not the way this issue was meant, its just something I see
that I wanted to share.
Sorry if I am way off base. -
Lexi came from Windjammer Kennels and her cost was $350. Maybe she was "cheap" for a non-backyard breeder…
And well, Miles is a pound puppy. ;)
And was that pup health tested?… not to say either way.. but just a question.... as I don't know anyone that can get 350.00 for a pup... and even get close to covering the cost...
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Maybe I am "different", well, laugh, I know I am different, but I find talking about fees for b's troublesome.
Yes, rescue charges fees, breeders charge fees, put in my mind, picking a dog because of the price and not because it appeals to you, well, that just doesn't seem right.
I am sure that is not the way this issue was meant, its just something I see
that I wanted to share.
Sorry if I am way off base.regardless of what you thing… price is a factor... lets face it.... rescue charges because they have costs to cover.. but in the end... it is the "cost" that make people realize that there is cost involved to being a good pet owner...
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I got little Tayda when she was 2 years old for $400…. already spayed.
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A good friend got her 17 month old neutered boy from a well known breeder in Ga. He was her keeper till his rump grew taller than his shoulders, (so much for finishing and breeding) so she wanted a good home and for only the price of the neuter, my friend got a great boy. Price can be a factor, but good, health tested basenjis are sometimes available for less than rescue charges.
Anne in Tampa
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My two cents about responsible breeders vs byb/pet stores. These are the reasons I was afraid of breeders and went with rescue instead.
First- they are easy to find. There are TONS of pet stores, and those sites like nextday pets, etc. (I found Jack of Petfinder.com- rescue site, but you see what I mean) Find ways to advertise yourselves that are consumer-oriented. People that want companions are afraid of sites like the AKC or BCOA. They figure those are for people who want to breed or want to show. I did. Go to wikipedia and create links to your websites- thats free!
Second- there are fewer questions asked, which I know is bad for the dogs, however, when I was looking I saw a few sites that said that home visits would be made. I am a really messy person- my house is not dirty, but it is messy. Shoes everywhere, clothes unfolded on the bed, things are never put away. I didn't want someone coming to see that….it just scared me! I am not saying that you shouldn't do home visits, I think you should. Just don't make a huge deal about it. When you talk to someone, tell them what it is that you are looking for in a home visit. I mean, knowing what I do now....if you are a messy person before getting a B, you learn real quick to clean up after yourself!
And third- price is a factor. Or, I should say that the assumption of price is a factor. People assume that breeders will cost more, so when they find a "deal" at a byb, they buy there figuring that they are getting a quality bred puppy for a lower price. But, like Sharron said, there is a fee for a rescue pup, too. You don't need to lower your prices- I know that you aren't making money, and I know that you have to cover costs. Make sure your potential buyers know what they are getting: Shots, good breeding, (explain why- mom and dad have great temperment, etc...) endless resource for behavior and breed questions from you, puppies are socialized and exposed to different stimuli...I've even heard that breeders will often board the pup if the owners are going out of town. Sell your service!Anyway, that is my opinion. I would love nothing more than for all puppy mills to be run out of business, and I never ever had to adopt from a shelter again. I would run happily to my nearest breeder and ask to be put on a waitlist. In the meantime, I am happy when a B finds a happy home, as I think everyone on this site has, whether he came from a pet store, byb, rescue, breeder, or if he just dropped from heaven.
I hope I don't offend...
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Go to wikipedia and create links to your websites- thats free!
That is a great idea. When I was researching which breed of dog I'd like to get, I was on wikipedia A LOT as well as the other more "professional" sites like AKC.
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My two cents about responsible breeders vs byb/pet stores. These are the reasons I was afraid of breeders and went with rescue instead.
First- they are easy to find. There are TONS of pet stores, and those sites like nextday pets, etc. (I found Jack of Petfinder.com- rescue site, but you see what I mean) Find ways to advertise yourselves that are consumer-oriented. People that want companions are afraid of sites like the AKC or BCOA. They figure those are for people who want to breed or want to show. I did. Go to wikipedia and create links to your websites- thats free!
Second- there are fewer questions asked, which I know is bad for the dogs, however, when I was looking I saw a few sites that said that home visits would be made. I am a really messy person- my house is not dirty, but it is messy. Shoes everywhere, clothes unfolded on the bed, things are never put away. I didn't want someone coming to see that….it just scared me! I am not saying that you shouldn't do home visits, I think you should. Just don't make a huge deal about it. When you talk to someone, tell them what it is that you are looking for in a home visit. I mean, knowing what I do now....if you are a messy person before getting a B, you learn real quick to clean up after yourself!
And third- price is a factor. Or, I should say that the assumption of price is a factor. People assume that breeders will cost more, so when they find a "deal" at a byb, they buy there figuring that they are getting a quality bred puppy for a lower price. But, like Sharron said, there is a fee for a rescue pup, too. You don't need to lower your prices- I know that you aren't making money, and I know that you have to cover costs. Make sure your potential buyers know what they are getting: Shots, good breeding, (explain why- mom and dad have great temperment, etc...) endless resource for behavior and breed questions from you, puppies are socialized and exposed to different stimuli...I've even heard that breeders will often board the pup if the owners are going out of town. Sell your service!Anyway, that is my opinion. I would love nothing more than for all puppy mills to be run out of business, and I never ever had to adopt from a shelter again. I would run happily to my nearest breeder and ask to be put on a waitlist. In the meantime, I am happy when a B finds a happy home, as I think everyone on this site has, whether he came from a pet store, byb, rescue, breeder, or if he just dropped from heaven.
I hope I don't offend...
Not offended at all, it is great to hear comments from people on what they do or do not preceive about breeders. It is important….. and it is important that breeders listen to these comments. I have tried to make my site user friendly.. and get the message across that not only do I have show/performance Basenjis (because I want them) but that I raise wonderful family companions.
As far as "questions", yes, sometimes people are put off by the questions asked, however... if you look at the questions that you as a buyer should ask they are pretty detailed... So it works both ways. As far as home visits, I hear you about "messy"...ggg... but I would not hold that against someone.. and would find it difficult to think that a responsible breeder would also... other then to make a comment "you will, if nothing else, learn to pick up your stuff with a B puppy"... In fact I always tell people that. What I think is really important is that anyone considering a Basenji visit with Basenjis.... most breeders if you are not local to them can find someone for you to visit with...
Great idea about Wikipedia....
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And that is also why I wanted the "how to select a responsible breeder" link front and center on the site also, not embedded in the "is a basenji right for me"… as all those questions are there for people to use... Take some time to read it (my link is the same as what in on the BCOA site) and see if that would have made a difference to you when you were searching.
Not to criticize, but to respond to the request for input...
As a print and web writer and editor, my first reaction is that this is simply much too long. A much-shortened call-to-action version would hook people, then could lead them to a link to this complete piece. Most folks will glaze over and not even start this long a text section - the length overwhelms them and they tune out.
I'd volunteer to edit this if you'd like.
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Ha, ha....well, you could ask to see the entire facility, but I probably won't show you my messy bedroom, or our garage that hasn't had a car parked in it since we built it (too much other cr@p).
In all sincerity though, a good breeder should welcome you into their home as a guest, and you should be able to see how all the dogs live, and for the most part, how the breeders live.
As LVoss menitoned, often time the sire of the puppies may not live with that breeders, as it is uncommon that the best match for the bitch happens to live under the same roof (although it certainly can happen!) -
And that is also why I wanted the "how to select a responsible breeder" link front and center on the site also, not embedded in the "is a basenji right for me"… as all those questions are there for people to use... Take some time to read it (my link is the same as what in on the BCOA site) and see if that would have made a difference to you when you were searching.
Not to criticize, but to respond to the request for input...
As a print and web writer and editor, my first reaction is that this is simply much too long. A much-shortened call-to-action version would hook people, then could lead them to a link to this complete piece. Most folks will glaze over and not even start this long a text section - the length overwhelms them and they tune out.
I'd volunteer to edit this if you'd like.
This is from the Basenji Club of America, not even I can edit… gggg... I will pass along all comments however and hopefully we can get it in a "better place" and somethink that will "hook" a reader
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I would love to see what a "hook" page would look like that could be used as a preface to the "How to Select A Responsible Breeder" from BCOA or something members could use on their website with a link to the BCOA material at the end.
Even if BCOA will not change several of us get a large number of hits on our websites or are members of local clubs that have websites that get a lot of hits so anyway we can hook people looking for information the better.
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I do have to do home visits for BRAT rescues.
I always tell them I don't judge dusting or clutter…but I do want to see the fence and I will point out areas that will be "basenji" arranged, if they don't get it out of reach.
We all have a different level of "clutter" comfort.
Mostly, we just want to check out that what the ap says is true and point out areas of concerns... -
These pages on BCOA are great hooks:
http://www.basenji.org/learn/Unfortunately you have to hunt for them - they're very novice-friendly and would make a good home page intro. Or a direct jump from Is a Basenji right for me? They should lead (instead of directly to the very long Select a Breeder piece) to a short piece specifically on choosing a reputable breeder, with links to longer pages geared to folks who click answers to questions like: Do you want a puppy or an adult dog? Do you want a pet/companion or do you plan to show or breed your dog? Are you interested in Rescue? Different audiences need different info.
I'm not sure that BCOA is really trying to be friendly to the novice basenji owner/buyer though. They seem to be appealing to their own audience, which is a more sophisticated basenji owner involved in showing and/or breeding. Though those folks probably like cute basenji pix too - that main site is pretty darn dry.
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Someone who works with Karen did a home visit when we first started considering a rescue. In the end, we didn't go through Medfly, but I found the home visit very helpful, informative and reassuring - though the idea of it felt sort of intrusive when it was first brought up.
Don't know if Sharron would have approved my "fence" ;) but the urban basenji owner who did our inspection didn't find a problem, which eased my mind, and we haven't had either pup escape (or even try, actually).
