Greetings, everyone;
I have a couple of questions, hopefully some of you have some
answers! (oh, and that the answers match those questions, I know,
picky, picky!)
First is regarding referrals. Having spent 20+ years in the Labrador
world I've come to think of refering people to other breeders as a matter
of course; we freely and happily share information about someone else
with an upcoming litter. There are some breeds, I've found over the
years, that don't operate that way. It's almost as if they wish to 'horde'
the potential sale, and won't refer out if there's a chance that they could
'make the sale'. I'm not going to name breeds, but any of you out there
that have been in the AKC scene for a few years probably knows what I
mean! Even when I've had or expected my own litter I offer other names
to people calling me for a puppy; that's just the way that I operate. I
guess I'm thinking that if people have the opportunity to talk with several
breeders that they'll find exactly what they want, build a rapport with
that breeder, and come to appreciate their final choice even more after
having compared the available dogs...
Okay, with all that said, how do all of you breeders feel about
making or receiving referrals? Do you welcome a call (or email) from
someone who has been given your name by someone that you may or
may not know? Do you feel apprehensive when someone you don't
know phones you saying that "so-and-so told me you had puppies"? Do
*you* make referrals to other people, whether or not you have a litter of
your own coming up?
I ask these questions out of curiosity. I am excited about the litter
that I have coming at the end of September, and I really do enjoy talking
to people about puppies, and the possibility of them acquiring one of my
babies for their family. But I'm also realistic enough to know that some
people don't want to wait, or I might not have any puppies available - or
<gasp> none at all. I've talked with several people in the last few
months that are interested in what I have to offer, but I've referred each
and every one of them on to other people that I know in my area - and
out of the area if they are. Some have already spoken with the people
I've referred them to, some have not. (I think that the people interested in
our breed are getting a bit more sophisticated in their search, and that's
a good thing indeed.) So, what say you???
My next question is regarding the so-called hygiene trim. Jasmine
practically sits when she urinates, and all too often her bloomers are
wet when she's done. I'm not going to be showing her at *least* until
next spring, so I'm thinking that I should consider this trim. Could
anyone describe it to me, or is it just a matter of tidying up the
bloomers, trimming them back a bit? Any information would be
appreciated!
TIA,
Sandra
(Okay, okay, it's "Feathering", not bloomers; but they do look like the
bloomers I had to wear in the play in high school that was circa 1915!!!)
Dark Star Labradors and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
They'll drive you happy! <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> c2001
Opinions expressed are my own, & are no sillier than yours.
http://www.angelfire.com/sports/darkstar/cavaliers.html
http://www.angelfire.com/sports/darkstar/labradors.html
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