Common Mistakes to Avoid

Buying a puppy or a dog is a serious decision that requires much thought and research BEFORE going out "puppy shopping". After all, a puppy should be with you as a member of your "pack" for at least 12-14 years.

A puppy should NEVER be purchased as an impulse, or as a gift for someone, without first making absolutely certain that the person receiving the gift actually WANTS a dog.

You must REALISTICALLY evaluate your lifestyle and determine first, if a dog is suitable. Do you work long hours and seldom home? Have any possible allergies? Live in a house with a fenced yard or an apartment? Do you have children and what are their ages? Are you aware of the cost of upkeep on a dog, including food and veterinary care?

If you have honestly addressed all these questions, read all the information and are still thinking a dog can add something wonderful to your life, your next task is determining what dog is most suitable to your lifestyle.

Check out Bonnie Dalzell's Borzoi Faq sheet for general information on the Borzoi.

Read Corrine Miller's So, You Think You Want a Borzoi.

OK, you've done your homework and have decided that a Borzoi is for you. How do you find the "perfect" puppy for your family?

PET STORES:

Pet stores are convenient, located in most large suburban shopping malls, and offer a large variety of puppies of different breeds. Great place to buy a puppy, right???

WRONG!!

Pet store puppies come from "puppy mills", large commercial businesses who breed large nembers of puppies, then sell those puppies to brokers, who in turn, sell those puppies to pet stores.

The dogs being bred at the puppy mills don't even have to be good examples of the breed; they don't have to be healthy or free of genetic problems...they only have to have AKC papers and produce puppies.
When the dogs can no longer produce puppies, they are auctioned off to other breeders, sold to labs for research, or killed.

 

BUYING A PUPPY
The official AKC statement on buying a puppy

Storks Don't Bring Puppies
An excellent site with lots of useful information

Borzoi Club of America on Ethics

Borzoi Club of America's Breeder Guidelines
Good general info that'll aid you in your quest.

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BREEDERS:

The ideal place to get your
Borzoi puppy is from a RESPONSIBLE breeder. Unfortunately, not all breeders are responsible. The American Kennel CLub estimates that only 15% of ALL AKC registered puppies come from "repeat" breeders, and even then, not all are responsible.

S
o, how does one tell if a breeder is responsible?

ASK QUESTIONS!!! Remember, you have already done your research on the breed. 

One of the hallmarks of a responsible breeder is that (s)he ONLY breeds with the intention of improving the breed. This person is usually someone who actively exhibits their dogs in AKC events, usually conformation shows, but can also include performance events such as agility, obedience, and coursing.

A responsible breeder is not usually going to have two or three litters at a time, so someone with several litters at once to choose a puppy is one to be wary of. Ask questions, always remember to ASK QUESTIONS.

Since you have done you research into the breed, you should know what genetic health problems can affect shelties. A responsible breeder tests their dogs for these problems BEFORE the dogs are ever bred and should be able to show you the proof of testing.  These include CERF (Eyes), thyroid panel, and can include heart clearances as well as OFA numbers.

Sadly, a breed club membership does not insure quality of breeder or the dogs, so PLEASE, research!!


Questions to ask your breeder

10 Rules of Ethical Breeding

Recognizing an Unethical breeder

Ethical Breeder VS Unethical Breeder

Thoughts on Responsible Breeding

Responsible Breeder Checklist

Types of Breeders

Responsible Breeders Vs Backyard Breeders

What is a Responsible Ethical Breeder?

Choosing a Breeder

Finding A Responsible Breeder

What Makes a Breeder Responsible?

Finding A Responsible Breeder: Myths & Facts

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Another option:

Different breeds of dogs have different characteristics. If you aren't sure what breed you are looking for, or breed doesn't matter (but remember, you will have to figure in size, care required) PLEASE considered adopting a puppy or dog from your local animal shelter. Some of the best dogs I have ever had the pleasure of knowing have been mixed breeds that have been rescued from pounds/shelters. Another option, if you would consider an older dog, is purebred rescue. Most purebred dog clubs have a rescue program, where dogs of that specific breed are rescued from shelters or from bad living situations, and then, thru the work of volunteers, are rehomed with families just like you. One of the benefits of getting a dog from rescue is that, most often, the rescue dog is housed with a "foster home", who is able to get a good idea about the temperament of that particular dog and place him with the right family.

Why adopt?

National Borzoi Rescue Fund

National Breed Club Rescues


When you choose a dog from a shelter or rescue, remember, you are saving a life!!

Thank you to Gael, of Galaken Shelties, for the permission to use (with some changes to fit my breed) her tips on finding a breeder!

 

All photos displayed on this web page are Copyrighted 1995-2008
 by Renee McCartin & Mielikki's Hunt unless otherwise noted.
Permission must be obtained in writing by Renee McCartin for any use.