Over the past several days I've read a number of postings here about why breeders ask so many questions and sometimes come off to PPO's as aggressive and rude.
My own experience has been somewhere in the middle: I'm a first-time PPO. Nowadays (armed with info I learned here on the Berner-L) I understand some of the questions I'm asked by potential breeders of my future Berner puppy. A good breeder has an incredible amount of time, money and emotional investment in his dogs and their puppies - and I respect that. It's a two-way street, and with knowledge comes power. I now have a few questions of my own that *I* ask breeders, too. I'm not so desperate to be a Berner parent that I want a dog from a backyard breeder. I'm not so desperate that I'll take any pup a show breeder wants me to take, sight unseen. I want to meet the dam and sire and assess their temperament, as well as the puppies when they arrive. And when I'm not running my mouth off with an almost endless stream of questions, I'm listening to the questions and comments from the breeder, too. Is she more concerned about her dogs than my bank balance? More concerned that I understand the joys AND the potential sorrows with this breed, and am prepared for a lifetime commitment to a Berner puppy? If I don't hear probing questions being asked of me, then I have to wonder about how committed she will be to ME and the ongoing well-being of the puppy after the sale. Personally, I expect to have a long term relationship with my eventual Berner breeder (blush: not THAT kind of relationship!)... and if I didn't like the breeder, or their home, and all their dogs before the sale - we're not likely to have a great relationship when I need guidance raising my Berner boy later on in his life. If I meet a breeder that asks impertinent questions, or acts defensive, or aggressive.. (I haven't yet but you never know) my attitude would be "well, there are lots of other fish in the sea." And ultimately, the good breeder is going to send her puppies to the best homes available, especially if there's a waiting list. Meanwhile, as a PPO I've met a breeder I like at the recent PVMBDC specialty event, where she was showing her dogs. And she seems to think I *might* be OK too. I hope to go out and visit with her and her Berner posse at her home in a couple weekends. Two of her girls have puppies coming next month and maybe we'll find we're a good match for each other's needs. If not, I'll just keep looking. Besides, I'll always have the Berner-L to keep me company! LOL - Alex Ford Alexandria, VA "I am not young enough to know everything." - Oscar Wilde
