Here is a letter we received (among several others) after posting our announcement. Later we asked Daveena to send us the questions she asks her puppy buyers, as we thought the info could be helpful for new breeders;  she graciously wrote back with them. They are a general guideline on questions to ask both dog buyers AND breeders selling a dog, to get enough information and base a sound decision on. Thanks Daveena!

Hi Sonia,
 

I just saw your updated warnings on your site.  I have to tell you that nine out of ten people who contacted me when I used your site for advertising my pet puppies were WONDERful people!  It was very hard to choose the right home there were so many great homes to choose from. 
 
BUT there was that one or two who were "insulted" that I did not choose them and gave me "heck" about it.  I calmly answered their emails and explained my position of having too many buyers for the puppies and that I had to evaluate each home on it's ability to MATCH the puppies disposition and temperaments. 
 
I do not place my shelties when needed on a "first come first serve" basis and usually take my time in deciding which home is best for which dog.  I have yet to have any dog or puppy come back to me and all of the new buyers are still quite satisfied and thrilled even at their new family member.  But it takes careful evaluation and time to make sure the fit will be right. 
 
I cannot believe that people could be that rude in dealing with trying to buy a puppy/dog.  And sometimes the breeders are rude as well from what people have told me! 
 
I ALWAYS take the time to talk to people about shelties in general and talk and talk with them about the puppy I might have available.  I never shrug off anyone who wants to know more about this wonderful breed.  I have spent entire shows talking to strangers about the dogs and have made some new friends this way. 
 
Breeders/show people need to take the time to be polite to the people who enquire about their dogs and buyers need to understand that not all dogs fit all people and that they don't need to feel insulted if they are not chosen as a new home for a particular puppy/dog.  In my particular case I had over 20+++ enquiries for just two pet puppies from placing the ad with your service.  I simply could not believe the overwhelming response but I did manage over time to whittle down the prospective buyers and now all my pet puppies are in their new wonderful homes and all of my decisions have panned out wonderfully. 
 
Just my thoughts!!!  Such a shame people feel a need to be rude in this world. 
 
Daveena Michael

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Here are the questions I always present the prospective buyer(s) before I even let them come see the puppies. 

 
1.  What is your home situation like?  (Apartment, Condo, Home, Rental)  And how long have you rented/owned your current dwelling?
2.  Do you have a fenced in yard that is sheltie safe?
3.  Describe your family and it's members or anyone else who lives in the home full time and how they relate to the dogs. 
4.  Why do you want a sheltie?  And/Or how much do you know about the breed?
5.  How many dogs do you now own and describe them. 
6.  How many dogs have you owned in the last ten years and describe them and where they are now.
7.  Do you have a regular vet and if so I need their name and phone number to call them for a reference.  (Anyone who has dogs and does not have a regular vet is immediately dismissed as a prospective buyer unless they are new to their neighborhood.) 
8.  Can you provide three references other then your vet?  Can be neighbors, relatives or friends.
9.  Do you do any activities with your dogs?  (i.e., performance, 4-H, therapy, etc.)  And if so how long and what in particular? 
10.Do you mind a home check if possible or at the very least can you provide me with pictures of your home and the fenced in yard area?
11.What is your annual income range? (this tells me if the prospective buyer has the financial means to take care of a dog properly)
12.Are you or have you been involved in any bankrupt proceedings or in any other financial trouble in the last ten years?  (again, tells me if they can afford to take proper care of a dog for it's lifetime)
13.Are you planning on crate/potty training? 
 
 
For placing a potential show puppy I always ask the below if I don't know them personally:
 
1.  What is your home situation like?  (apartment, condo, rental, own home)  And how long have you rented/owned your current dwelling? 
2.  Do you have a fenced in yard, kennel building, or do you keep the dogs as housepets? 
3.  How long have you been involved in the breed or other breeds and in what capacities? 
4.  Describe your household and it's members/involvement with the shelties.
5.  Why do you want to own and show shelties?  If you already participate in showing shelties, how long and what accomplishments have you made to this point?  (i.e., any Am/Can Ch's, performance titles, etc.)  If you want to show shelties for the first time then why and how did you get an interest in this breed? 
6.  Do you mind a co-ownership situation?  or do you want to buy outright?  (this tells me a lot about why they want the dog)
7.  Do you have a regular vet and if so I need their name and number for a reference.
8.  Can you provide three references other then your vet?  Can be neighbors, relatives or friends.
9.  Do you do activities with your dogs?  And if so what in particular and for how long?
10.Do you mind a home check if possible or at the very least provide me with pictures of your home and yard/kennel? 
11.What is your annual income range?
12.Are you or have you been involved in any bankrupt proceedings or in any other financial trouble within the last ten years? 
13.Where do you see yourself in the breed in five to ten years? What are your long term goals/expectations?
14.Do you understand that a show potential puppy has many hurdles to pass (i.e., hips, eyes, teeth, size, etc.) and that it is a possiblity you will have a pet to either place or keep at some point?  And if so what plans do you have for this type of situation? 

 

In the opposite direction there are some very good questions people should ask of breeders: 
 
1.  How long have you been in the breed?
2.  How many Am/Int'l/UKC or Can Ch's have you finished in those years? 
3.  How many litters on average do you breed per year?
4.  What related clubs are you a member of and for how long? 
5.  What testing has the parents had done and what are the results?  Ask to see a copy of the test results in writing as well.
6.  Ask to see the dam or sire in person to ascertain the quality and temperament of the parents.  If the sire is not on the property then ask to see full pedigree, test results and photos, and ask for the phone number or email of sire's owner so you can verify the sire's temperament and history yourself. 
7.  Do the dogs reside primarily in the house or in a kennel?
8.  What type of activities do you participate in with your dogs?  (i.e., performance, conformation, 4-H, therapy, etc.)
9.  Ask for at least 3 references one being their usual vet.   
10.Take or ask for a tour of the parts of the home and kennel if applicable where the dogs primarily stay?
11. Ask to meet more then one dog to ascertain the general temperament of the dogs they own and breed.   
12. Ask about any health issues that might crop up in the lines, such as, hip dysplasia, missing or crooked teeth, eye abnormalities, etc. 
13. Ask about shots, heartworm or flea/tick preventative and if they are UTD. 
14. Ask if the puppies were well socialized and how. 
15. Ask if they have been started to crate/potty train and when/how. 
16. If looking for a show puppy or dog never buy sight unseen unless you have complete trust in the breeder's ability to evaluate a show puppy/dog successfully. 
17. Ask to see the contract and go over it with a fine tooth comb!  Make sure it covers any and all stipulations/guarantees and that both parties agree and understand it completely before signing. 

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