Question to anyone who has ever bought or bred a dog.

[Ataro]

As some of you may already know, I am in the process of researching for my next puppy. I've contacted quite a few breeders, and one recurring thing I notice is that they shy away from giving detailed answers and some answer as if I am being rude by asking questions in the first place.

This leads me to think of several things:
1) They are hiding something
2) They think I want to bargain with them about prices
3) They can't be bothered to answer the questions

I know I email them asking a lot of questions, but I, too, am also open to answering any questions they may have for me.

So, what's your opinion? Do you think it is rude to ask about the conditions, contract, prices etc?

Many kennels in Australia post this information on their website, but in contrast European breeders don't. It seems logical to me, to get as much information as possible - about the parents, the bloodlines, the breeder's opinion, health guarantees and contracts, price ranges and things to consider etc. After that, I like to speak on the phone and meet the people and their dogs... I think that is reasonable, or am I missing something here?

 

[Gelcoater]

So, what's your opinion? Do you think it is rude to ask about the conditions, contract, prices etc?

Is it wrong to ask? Short answer,NO.

However.It might be a case of culture gap?
As an example.I remember your an Ausie,but live in Mexico at this time.I don't know if you learned Spanish as people of Spain speak it,or as people from Mexico speak it.From what I understand( I speak very little Spanish) the dialects are somewhat different.I was told by someone(an Indian,from India,not Native American) the difference is huge between the two.Something said in Mexican Spanish could be considered quite rude in Spain,but normal talk in Mex.He speaks at least 4 languages and a very smart man(a former nuclear physist)(sp?)so I don't question his view here.he went on to say while he learned the English language,it took a while to get "the feel" of how to use it without coming off brash.
Is it possible there's a bit of language/culture gap going on here?
Maybe it's not what your asking but the vocabulary used to ask?
Just throwing a random view at this,so......

 

[Ataro]

With the Spanish bit, it's certain words you've got to be careful of, not general conversation. For example saying "bum" can come off as saying "ass" in terms of how there might be a difference in vulgarity, and it gets worse when you start with slang. But that said, I only emailed one Spanish kennel and his answer to my questions about which health tests he did on his dogs was "the necessary ones".

I've emailed a couple of German ones (I learnt German in Germany, in case you're wondering), a couple of French ones (didn't have any problem with them) and the other people who got back to me had a good level of English. If anything, the ones with bad English so far haven't had such a reaction. I'm thinking this must be a cultural thing somehow (not sure how), but I'm so far unconvinced that it's about language.

 

[Poppy]

What kind of questions are they not wanting to answer or being rude about???

 

[Ataro]

Health testing, whether there's a contract (and in the case that they have a set form - what's in it, or sending me a copy of it), prices. Sometimes they're also ambiguous about the sire of the litter, although they do say the mating has already been planned and arranged. For example, they might say something like "I'm planning to mate such and such with the son of Champion X" (if they say anything at all)

 

[Poppy]

Honestly I think some breeders just don't like to take the time to answer your questions and they are bothered by them...They want low maintance buyers: here's the money and here's the puppy. They probably feel like you are high maintance for asking so many questions and don't really want to deal with you. However, you are totally correct in asking the questions and the breeder should take as much time as necessary to answer your questions. So you just have to keep looking for a breeder that appreciates that and is happy that you are being responsible with the purchase of your puppy.

 

[Ataro]

Now that I think about it, it does make sense if they think asking questions equals high maintenance buyer. Although, shouldn't they be happy to talk prices then?

 

[Gelcoater]

With the Spanish bit, it's certain words you've got to be careful of, not general conversation. For example saying "bum" can come off as saying "ass" in terms of how there might be a difference in vulgarity, and it gets worse when you start with slang. But that said, I only emailed one Spanish kennel and his answer to my questions about which health tests he did on his dogs was "the necessary ones".

I've emailed a couple of German ones (I learnt German in Germany, in case you're wondering), a couple of French ones (didn't have any problem with them) and the other people who got back to me had a good level of English. If anything, the ones with bad English so far haven't had such a reaction. I'm thinking this must be a cultural thing somehow (not sure how), but I'm so far unconvinced that it's about language.

I was just throwing out a thought there.And,I am not the most educated or worldly of people,so take my comments with a grain of salt.In American english,bum would mean a lazy,non working person or your rear end,in England (as far as I know)it means ass,but not asshole,just posterior,or hind end.As another example,fag means a smoke or cigarette in England,the same word means a gay man in the US.
I took one year of German in highschool.The teacher(who had a doctorate in language) told us,while I can teach you how to speak the words,I can't teach you the feel of it,it's something you have to go there and experience to "know" the language.

And,Learnt........noted I hope that didn't come off as smart assed,but proving a small point.

 

[Poppy]

Now that I think about it, it does make sense if they think asking questions equals high maintenance buyer. Although, shouldn't they be happy to talk prices then?

yeah, and the price thing could be that if you have to ask maybe you are too concerned with price or maybe can't afford the dog,etc. Like they are thinking you shouldn't be concered with the price of the dog because you are getting such a high quality animal. Some people think if you have to ask price you can't afford it...does that makes sense. These breeders sound like people I wouldn't want to deal with.

 

[Ataro]

Gel, I didn't take it as smart assed, I just wanted to say I think it is the wrong register (it's formal, straightforward language and not small talk or creative writing).

And Poppy, yes, I can see that, and I think talking to a foreigner they should at least perhaps think of the possibility that this person has just got no idea and wants to know. For example, I wouldn't be asking an Australian breeder about the exact price until later if I knew they were a good breeder because I already know what the price range is and know what to expect. But in this case I just don't know, and even if it is a high quality animal - how can I be sure they're not going to try to rip me off once I make a commitment?

 

[Poppy]

Gel, I didn't take it as smart assed, I just wanted to say I think it is the wrong register (it's formal, straightforward language and not small talk or creative writing).

And Poppy, yes, I can see that, and I think talking to a foreigner they should at least perhaps think of the possibility that this person has just got no idea and wants to know. For example, I wouldn't be asking an Australian breeder about the exact price until later if I knew they were a good breeder because I already know what the price range is and know what to expect. But in this case I just don't know, and even if it is a high quality animal - how can I be sure they're not going to try to rip me off once I make a commitment?

Yeah, you would think they would understand. Sounds like they are pretty impatient and rude. Find someone you click with and is happy to answer you questions and chat with you.

 

[Gelcoater]

Gel, I didn't take it as smart assed, I just wanted to say I think it is the wrong register (it's formal, straightforward language and not small talk or creative writing).

And Poppy, yes, I can see that, and I think talking to a foreigner they should at least perhaps think of the possibility that this person has just got no idea and wants to know. For example, I wouldn't be asking an Australian breeder about the exact price until later if I knew they were a good breeder because I already know what the price range is and know what to expect. But in this case I just don't know, and even if it is a high quality animal - how can I be sure they're not going to try to rip me off once I make a commitment?

An up front price should be part of any sales pitch.I don't think that's out of line asking a price up front.

 

[4Dobies]

I agree that the price should be up front, I also think that if you ask a reputable breeder about health testing and the parentage of the puppies they should be proud and happy to give you a response to those types of questions. Any other type of answer or avoidance to your questions would immediately send up a red flag to me.

 

[Ataro]

Ok something interesting: I asked the woman who imports Euro dobes for her opinion and she pretty much went off at me about being cheap and how if you ask about price it's a red flag because it supposedly implies that you can't afford to take the dog to shows or train it

...the same woman has the prices for her puppies listed on her website.

 

[Gelcoater]

I agree that the price should be up front, I also think that if you ask a reputable breeder about health testing and the parentage of the puppies they should be proud and happy to give you a response to those types of questions. Any other type of answer or avoidance to your questions would immediately send up a red flag to me.

Once again,this could be culture barrier.I have been to Mexico many,many times.You of all people(living in Mexico) should understand the art of the 'haggle" in some cultures is the norm and expected.I'm not saying this is the case,just a thought.

 

[4Dobies]

Wow to me that is just crazy, regardless of what you are buying whether it be a dog a car or even just a small commodity don't most people ask about the price before they plop their money down.

 

[Ataro]

Gelcoater - this has never happened to me in Mexico. They always state a price, whether or not it's open to haggling is an entirely different matter.

2Dobies, I too find this quite crazy and confusing.

 

[Gelcoater]

Gelcoater - this has never happened to me in Mexico. They always state a price, whether or not it's open to haggling is an entirely different matter.

2Dobies, I too find this quite crazy and confusing.

It never happened,or you never tried?It may be a huge eye opener for you to try.

 

[Ataro]

Try what?

 

[Gelcoater]

Try what?

Haggling a price.It didn't matter if it was the price of a pack of gum from a street peddler,the price of a ponch in a shop to the price of a fishing ponga for the day,the first price given and the price paid weren't the same,but somewhere in the middle.