Do Breeders Also Sell “Regular” Poodles As Pets?
When shopping for your new poodle (and if you’re not planning on dog showing) explain to the breeder that you are looking for a “pet quality” Poodle. This doesn’t mean there will be anything wrong with the puppy; it means that, in the breeder’s opinion, the puppy will not achieve a championship in the show ring.
The word pet means something different to a breeder than it does to you. For a breeder, pet means “non-show quality.” To you, it probably means a dog you are going to take home and love. If you are thinking about showing your Poodle as a hobby, tell the breeder you are looking for a “show-quality” dog. Don’t use the word pet—even though he will be one.
Whether you’re buying a Poodle for a pet or for show, a responsible breeder will ask you many questions about your home situation and may even want to speak with your veterinarian. Although these questions can seem intrusive, a good breeder is looking out for the welfare of her dogs. Ask a lot of questions yourself, even if you think they are silly.
The breeder may use terminology like “inbreeding,” “line-breeding,” and “out-crossing.” If you’re not familiar with such terms, ask what they mean. Your questions show the breeder that you care about what you’re doing and want to learn.
dogandmaster on November 26th 2006 in Dog Breeding
