Do Good Breeders Ship??

Bodi's Mom

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#1
I was at a local BMD event over the weekend along with many BMD Breeders. I don't know how the discussion got started, but a heated debate regarding shipping puppies to their new owners arose. Somer breeders said they were happy to ship their pups to their new homes, but most declared that it was the sign of a "shady breeder," and not acceptable. Most stated that a "Good Breeder" would demand a meeting with prospective owners at a minimum, preferably at the owners home - but they would NEVER ship. What is the concensus here?

...for the record, the breeder I got Bodi from does ship on occasion, but prefers meeting the owners in person. We were part of the whole process from beginning to end, paying many visits to our breeder's home.
 

xpaeanx

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#2
I think it depends.

If they ship out to just anyone, then no I don't think that they're a good breeder.

However, If they know the person(ie another breeder who wants to bring your lines into theirs, but happens to live on the other side of the country), a show person(confirmation, agility, herding, whatever) that you know of through the show community and generally like, a recommendation from someone who you highly respect or trust, or someone you happen to know or have gotten to know very well... then I see no problem with it.

I think the real key is finding out who it is that you're shipping too. IMO the true sign of a good breeder is finding the BEST homes they can for their puppies, sometimes that's not always just around the corner.
 

bubbatd

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#3
I've only shipped one but knew the owner and it was a direct 1 1/2 flight . I would never sell without knowing the person .
 

FoxyWench

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#4
to some random person the breeder doesnt know at all with no dealings other than via email...? then no its not ethical

however i do think it can be done ethically...
it requires ALOT more work on the breeders part, reference checking, lots of time talking on the phone ect...
personally i couldnt do it unless i knew the person well physically...BUT i dont belive shipping automatically makes a breeder bad...
i do think theres an extreem amout of extra screening work needed to do it correctly though.
 

Romy

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#5
A lot of really good borzoi breeders ship. They aren't common dogs and if nobody shipped it would make things kind of difficult.

Anyway, most of them require a home check which they can get some other trusted member of the borzoi club that lives in the area to do for them.
 

MafiaPrincess

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#6
I agree with the other replies in this thread. Smudge was shipped to me. I spent a year talking to his breeder, we have a mutual friend. Got the breeder's lines into another country and to someone who wanted to do interests different than her own so hopefully it diversifies her lines some if we succeed.
 

Dekka

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#7
Bounce and Dash weren't shipped. But we knew that I was going down to get one, there was no home check or even that much conversation. We have a mutual friend who is very well respected who knows our dogs and sees what we do with them.

I could have had Barb pick one and bring it back for us.
 
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#8
Pixel was shipped to me from Florida! I had never met her breeder, but we talked over email and phone a lot- also I had great references- my vet, dog friends, and we have some mutual "blogger" friends.

Also when I was working with rescue we would ship rescue dogs without meeting people- again references, home checks, and lots of talking on the phone made things easy.

So I agree that it would depend on how it is done.
 
R

RedyreRottweilers

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#9
Shipping or not shipping puppies IMO is not a way to tell a responsible caring breeder from one who isn't.

I have shipped puppies before. I almost certainly will again, however, only to KNOWN well screened parties.
 

Doberdogs

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#10
Shipping or not shipping puppies IMO is not a way to tell a responsible caring breeder from one who isn't.
Agreed.
I have had a puppy shipped to me from a reputable/responsible breeder. I was well screened before hand and had waited and was on a list for over a year for the puppy.
 

Fran101

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#11
I think if done responsibily, shipping is a great way to get puppies to new loving owners.
i think its more about screening who they are shipping to! if all it takes is a credit card payment and your name and adress to get a puppy.. then its probably not a very good breeder

:) i love that i can look at breeders from all over the country and find the RIGHT breeder not just a close breeder.
 

bubbatd

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#12
Most of you know how I feel ....good breeders don't need to advertise on line .
 

Lizmo

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#13
Yes, I'd agree with those that said good breeders will ship. I've known many breeders who will :)
 
R

RedyreRottweilers

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#15
Personally I don't see a thing wrong with advertising or having a website on line. Plans for my next litter have been on my website for months now. If people don't know what you are planning they may not contact you about a puppy. I like to make breeding plans known well in advance so I can collect a list of outstanding homes for the potential puppies before the breeding takes place. Getting a list together early also gives me time to get to know people I may not have had a close relationship with before they expressed interest in a puppy. It also depends on what frequency one is breeding. One litter every year or two is one thing, but if someone is actively showing and breeding several litters a year, advertising can be an important and valuable tool in finding the right homes for the puppies.

JMO as always.
 

Inga

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#16
Well my dog was shipped to me and I certainly felt the breeder was a good breeder. I still do. My puppy is now 18 months old and she (my breeder) is still interested in how he is doing. Communications did not quit once she had my money. If I had not had a good experience then I would never ever have a dog shipped again. Since all went well, I am thinking about another pup from her at some point. I agree that shipping is not a lone qualifier to a good or bad breeder. It is something to think about when looking at potential breeders though. I think it is scary when people call a number or get on a website place an order, pay with credit card and have a puppy shipped. That is NOT a good breeder. IMO
 

Dekka

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#17
In these days of internet info.. you would be stupid IMO not to have a website. How else are you going to combat the puppymillers and online sellers? If the average dog owner can't find you then they will go to a bad breeder.

Heck even the breed clubs have online listings of the registered breeders (which in no way implies being good)

Grammy you say people should call the breed club. But the thing is MANY of the breeders on their lists will be sketchy. All you have to do is pay your money and there you are. I would rather have a website where I can list all my dog's titles and accomplishments as well as health tests. When I go looking for a pup or breeder infoI ALWAYS check out the website. If there is no website I would likely pass.
 

YodelDogs

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#18
Shipping or not shipping puppies IMO is not a way to tell a responsible caring breeder from one who isn't.
Well said and I agree with you.

I have shipped puppies before. I almost certainly will again, however, only to KNOWN well screened parties.
Me too. Although I prefer not to ship, my pups go to the best matching family regardless of their location. It's funny though that I have had people drive all the way to Georgia from Ontario, Michigan, Virginia, and numerous other "all day long drives" to come pick up their puppies. :)
 

Gypsydals

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#19
I would say yes there are good breeders who ship. Sometimes its just economical to drive across country for your puppy. Any good breeder is going to talk extensivly with their puppy people BEFORE shipping.
 

Barb04

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#20
I don't think shipping determines if a breeder is good or not. One of our dogs came from California and we lived in Connecticut. There was no way we were going to drive cross country.
 

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