borubloodhounds

Whenever I get an inquiry for a puppy I spend alot of the time explaining this process. People want to be first on a list or get "pick of the litter". The term pic of the litter must be erased from our vocab because in reality that "PICK" is a matter of opinion and prefference. Please understand the "pick " in my opinion always stays with me!

It is very difficult to be a breeder.... and please everyone. sometimes breedings are unsuccessful, or sometimes there is a smaller amount of puppies than hoped for or perhaps some that did not make it. I always do my best to fullfill everyones hopes but at times there can be dissapointment.
I do remember being on the flip side waiting for a puppy. I remember anxiously awaiting new photos daily/weekly and wanting to know which puppy was going to be the one I got at 10 weeks of age. I completely understand!

When I have a litter Planned I will take applications. Interveiw and assess the homes. Then I will take a few people on a list. once I have confirmed the pregnancy with an ultrasound I will have a better idea of how many puppies are comming. Then once the puppies are 2 weeks old I consider them in the safe zone with fingers crossed. I will then go through the sexes/ colors according to the requests from potential owners and know what we have.

I do not decided where any of the puppies are going until at least 8 weeks of age. I repeat.......I do not decide where puppies are going until at least 8 weeks of age!

with many backyard breeders/ puppymills.... you will see puppies claimed and sold as early as 2 weeks of age.....or even pick of the litter identified by the breeder this young. It is a farce!

I believe in assessing puppies at 8 weeks of age . At 8 weeks the entire litter is graded on their structural quality, breed type, and temperament . they also go to the vet to be checked for any health problems which can be detected at this age such as eye issues, Cardiacs, bites, and hernias .

According to the studies of Pat Hastings at 8 weeks of age the puppy you see as far as sturcture/balance/ muscle is the puppy you will see as an adult. we grade the entire litter even if we see obvious pets among the puppies. We believe these assessment records allow us to learn more about our breeding program and better prepare us for the future. We assess temperaments through a temperament test which are very accurate. remember you can change behavior you cannot change temperaments. Temperaments are very important there are several different indications for temperament and this helps us to place puppies correctly matching them with the family that will suite them most.

After these assessments take place we will have an idea who we are interested in keeping and which puppies suit which owner best. It is not uncommon to place a show quality puppy in a pet home, and what I will say is I will not turn down an excellent pet home for a show home. sometimes even the most beautiful puppies are not cut out to be show dogs....as some can be less confident dogs who preffer to be at home with their familt and that is OK.

Throughout this whole process I am the one that spends 98% of the time with the puppies........I get to know them and Know what is best for them and for the new owners. Sometimes people want the biggest one.... the biggest puppy in the litter does not always turn out to be the biggest as an adult,,,same with the smallest.... My smallest from my first litter is now one of my biggest!

I am open to sharing opinions on the puppies and I am open for requests sometimes they work out other times they don't... I always do my best. But the placement of puppies is crutial to any breeders breeding program. It would be silly not to put the most scent driven and structural sound puppy in the trailing home. It would be silly to put the most high energy puppy with the family not cut out for it. Sometimes one must trust the breeder.