If you’re looking for a pet, there are two main ways to find one. It’s quite common that people will suggest talking to a breeder who gets his dogs involved in titles and shows as your best option. Some will say shows don’t matter and you can get a pet from anywhere if that’s all you want.
Snobbery?
You’re certainly not being a snob if you consider that your pet should be bred to the breed standard. It’s far from being excessive and it’s necessary to understand just why you’re not a snob.
Reasons why you’re not a snob.
One of the main reasons behind dog shows is to test your new canine friend against the standards set for his specific breed. Evaluations are done on temperament, type, gait, appearance, movement and soundness.
Let’s break these down:
Temperament: Your dog’s attitude towards dogs (and other animals) and humans. Here is the temperament from the breed standard for Pomeranians. “The Pomeranian is an extrovert, exhibiting great intelligence and a vivacious spirit, making him a great companion dog as well as a competitive show dog.”
Type: The type of breed covers character, appearance, temperament, bone structure, condition and movement. The breed type is a combination of each of these facets. It also possesses a character that’s specific to the essence of that particular breed; in the Pomeranian it’s a blend of carriage, temperament and behavior.
Gait: The dog’s gait is how well he moves. Ideally he should move freely, with no trace of bad structure or sickness.
Appearance: The average Pomeranian is a toy-sized, small dog with a wedge-shaped head in proportion to the size of his body. His muzzle is fine, straight and short with a well pronounced stop. His coat color can affect the color of his nose. His dark, medium-sized eyes are almond-shaped. His teeth come together in a scissors bite. He has small ears that sit high and erect. His feathered tail is usually seen laying flat over his back.
Coat: A Pomeranian has a double, thick coat. His outer coat is harsh, straight and long. His undercoat is softer, short and thick. A Pom’s coat coloring can be one or a mix of patterns and colors and they include: orange, cream, red, brown, white, black, blue, tan and black, orange sable, wolf sable, brindle and a parti-color (white and colored markings).
Soundness: This happens when your Pom’s physical and mental health are good, all faculties and organs function correctly and everything is in balance.
The whole package:
A Pomeranian is an energetic, proud dog. He’s highly intelligent, enthusiastic, keen to learn and will be fiercely loyal to his family and handler. A Pom is a great show dog. He’s a fine companion because he’s affectionate, loving and docile. He’s a very independent toy breed, is inquisitive, active and alert.
People who don’t regard themselves as “dog lovers” or “dog people” often fall in love with this adorable, lively dog. He’ll sometimes need a firm hand, especially when training him but he’s a fast learner. If you introduce your new pet to other house pets or other dogs, he’ll generally get on with them. He’s also a great watchdog.
Big picture.
Now you have a better understanding about dog shows, you’re possibly still unsure why this is important, especially if you only want him for a family pet.
You obviously selected a Pomeranian for a few particular reasons. You have already put in the necessary research. Pomeranians are glamorous balls of fluff, highly intelligent and they’re ideal companions because they can sit beside you, at your feet or somewhere close by because they love being with people.
Responsible breeders always try to keep these positive, definitive attributes.
Example: There can be timid Poms and also aggressive ones. Dogs at either end of the spectrum should be taken seriously and temperament problems are often inherited.
If you had a Pom you wanted to show but he’s at either end of the temperament spectrum, the dog probably won’t cope. He may be aggressive towards other dogs and people or he may retreat into himself. Don’t gamble and buy a dog from anywhere except from a show breeder because other sources can easily lie about any aspect of their dog’s history, including whether he had been in shows previously.
A breeder’s dogs will have a proven consistency in performing in shows.
Consider structure and type. Does that dog even resemble a Pomeranian? Can he move easily, without any health issues? It would be wiser to make a purchase from a breeder who has repeatedly proven publicly that the dog can move easily. Don’t rely on a seller who isn’t interesting in proving anything about their dog. Remember that the stakes are high because you want to provide comfort and good life quality for the puppy and ensure your wallet doesn’t empty itself for the wrong reasons.
In any well-bred litter, it’s possible there will be at least one puppy unsuitable for showing. He’ll have certain imperfections but will still make a great pet. It’s not obligatory that your puppy is show quality if you only want him for a pet.
The bottom line: Every day Pomeranian rescue see lots of Poms being brought in due to poor temperament or lacking breed type due to poor breeding. Many of these dogs will need extensive care by vets and some will need surgical procedures that cost a lot of money. Some people hand their dogs over because they couldn’t properly care for them, whether it’s due to temperament, financial outgoings or other reasons.
It’s not all snobbish, or elitist, or assuming some dogs are better than others. It’s all about acquiring a puppy that matches everything you have been told. It’s helping more puppies get the best care and start in life by being loved and giving love in return.
Lastly, it’s about preserving and loving the Pomeranian breed and everything good about them, today and into the future. Choose the best breeder so you can get the best dog to suit your needs and to love for as long as he lives.
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Don’t think about buying a puppy without reading this book first. Learn how to avoid most pitfalls in the path to puppy ownership and how to purchase the perfect puppy for your lifestyle and family.
The aim of this book is to give you honest answers and to help you to purchase the right dog for your situation.
Here are just a few of the questions you should be asking:
• There are too many breeds to choose from. How can I find the ideal breed?
• Is it a wise move to get a pedigreed dog that’s registered with the Kennel Club?
• What about the trendy designer dogs such as the Puggles or Labradoodles?
• I know these dogs are expensive, so are they really worth the higher price tag?
• Can I go to an animal shelter and choose from among the many mixed breeds available? If I do that, am I taking on problems previous owners have had?
• Where can I look for breeders?
• Are there ways to determine if a breeder is good or bad?
• Many puppies can be found in pet stores. Is it good to buy one of them?
• What sites on the internet can I use to help me with my search?
• How can I use the Internet to find a good dog?
This is a great list of questions that you must get answered before you make any rash decisions or commitments. It can be difficult to purchase a good dog because the internet is flooded with lots of bad information and numerous irresponsible breeders (who are often the culprits when putting more bad information online). There are a lot of cheating people who use the internet to scam gullible people and separate them from their hard-earned money.
To ensure you’ll get the best dog that suits you and your family, you must do three major things:
Do all your research and ask every possible question before you buy your dog.
Care for him and feed him the right way.
Raise and train your new dog the best way you know how.
Friends for Life. Tips on choosing the perfect Canine Companion is available here on The #1 Pomeranian Information Site as an eBook in PDF format. Download and store on your computer, tablet, phone and print a hardcopy if required. READ MORE…..
Plenty of people work full-time and still manage to care for a new puppy. However, there are many reasons why they cope so this article will explain all the aspects you need to consider when caring for your new puppy. For the purpose of this article, we’ll assume you have weighed up the pros and cons of getting a puppy and have decided to make that commitment. Plan on taking holidays from work so you can be at home when you first bring your puppy home. Remember that while your home is very familiar to you, it will be a strange environment for your new puppy.
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Do Show Pomeranians And Pet Pomeranians look different ?
If your puppy originated from a Show Pomeranian breeder, pet quality pom pups and show dogs are often in the same litter. The differences between the two types of puppies are often very minor. The breeder will closely watch the litter develop and evaluate how close a puppy meets the Pomeranian breed standard.
You should get a copy of the “official breed standard” because it specifically lays out everything to look for when it comes to the look of your Pomeranian and whether it meets official standards. Ethical show breeders strive to breed as close as possible to this breed standard, as well as doing extensive health testing and PROVE their Pomeranians in the show ring prior to breeding.
The unfortunate, and very sad, truth is that “breeders” who don’t show usually just breed dogs to produce pups. Every recognised breed of dog has a breed standard. These have been drawn up over a long period of time and, over the years the standards have been revised. Kennel clubs conduct shows to assist breeders to PROVE breeding dogs in the show ring prior to breeding.
Dog judges study the breed standard and look for sound dogs who conform as close as possible to that standard. In other words, the dogs who are sound, and look exactly how they’re supposed to look, win the high awards. Exhibiting their Poms gives breeders the opportunity to learn more about their breed, compare breeding programs and make important contacts with other breeders.
Breed Clubs often run health and grooming seminars in conjunction with their shows. Show Pomeranians compete in the show ring to enable breeders to compare breeding programs. Show dogs compete so they can be judged and measured to see which ones are closest to the breed standard. It’s an extremely important and essential breeding tool for breeders.
Show breeders select the best specimens of the breed to breed with. For example, a Pom breeder will decide, after doing everything required, which dogs meet the Pomeranian Breed standard and which don’t. Even very small problems such as: a curly tail or a tooth out of line means he’s better suited to being a pet or companion. If a Pom puppy is designated as a show prospect, this means he has no discernible flaws.
Owners will know which puppies may develop into show dogs and have a real shot at winning events. If you’re purchasing a puppy from a show Pom breeder, there will be very little difference in the quality of the pups to the untrained eye. When you check out a show pom and compare it to a pet Pom purchased from a non-show breeder, there will be significant differences.
These are major points to look for:
Weight. A show Pomeranian: Should ideally weight 1.81 to 2.72 kgs. His weight generally will be between 1.6 and 3kgs.
Non-show breeder Pet Pom: Pet Pomeranians purchased from non-show breeders, i.e. backyard breeders ( registered or not ) or puppy farms often mature much larger, even up to 4.53 kgs.
Pomeranian heads.
Show Pomeranian: Breeders strive to breed Pomeranians with the correct head proportions and, as a standard guideline, the head will measure 1:2 in the majority of show Pomeranians. Show Poms often have smaller and better set ears.
Non-show breeder Pet Pom: Pomeranians not purchased from show breeders usually have longer muzzles, flatter heads and bigger ears than Pomeranians bred from most show Pomeranian bloodlines.
Coat. Show Pomeranian:
A show Pom breeder will strive to breed correct coats. Most Poms from show breeders will have abundant, thick coats,with correct harsh guard hairs and dense undercoat.
Non-show breeder Pet Pom: Poms from non-show breeders, i.e. backyard breeders or puppy farms, generally don’t develop that very thick, correct double coat of the show dogs.
Tails.
Show Pomeranian: Pomeranians bred from show bloodlines usually have high set, glamorous-coated tails.
Non-show breeder Pet Poms: often will have lower set curly tails.
Legs.
Show Breeder Pomeranians often have thick-set chunky “Dolly Peg” type legs with small compact feet in comparison to the backyard/puppy farm Pom’s flat feet and lack of a thick leg coat.
Colour: The American Kennel club accept all colours in show events. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) claims that a merle-coloured Pom is a fault that disqualifies it. Despite all colours being “accepted, Judges will have variations in their preferences. Parti-coloured Poms are preferred to have a white blaze.
Faults.
A Pom may have a flaw that obviously prevents him from becoming a show dog. Flaws may include: lower tailset than desired, poor body formation, too big or too small, an undershot/overshot bite and various others. Such dogs will be marked as pets and they won’t be bred. Dogs unsuitable for shows still make fabulous, loving pets. To the untrained eye there is often no discernible difference between the two dogs.
A Pet Pomeranian.
It’s essential to understand that Pomeranians are amazing dogs. The “flaws” that make them unsuitable to become show dogs aren’t negatives. Nobody, human or animal, is perfect. Models and celebrities also have flaws. All dogs are loving and very special. Every Pomeranian is beautiful and should be cherished. Some Pomeranians are rescue dogs and carry scars from their past experiences. Poms of all sizes, shapes, colours, personality types, ages and unique quirks are beautiful creatures and will lavish you with unconditional love, and they deserve the same.
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Details of the differences between the Pomeranian and the German Spitz dog breeds.
The German Spitz and the Pomeranian share the same ancestry. The Poms were larger dogs in the early days, and were used for hunting, herding and almost everything else their owners required of them. Because the two breeds are very closely related, they’re similar in many ways and comparing their sizes, colours and physical characteristics helps you better appreciate the ways in which they do differ.
Pomeranians
Both breeds originated in Germany but the Pomeranian, as a breed, was developed in the United Kingdom. Pomeranians are smaller today than 100 years ago and are classified as a toy dog breed because of their small size.
The Pom is a short-backed, compact toy dog who thrives on being active. His double coat comprises of a harsh-textured, profuse, long outer coat and a dense short undercoat.
A breed characteristic of the Pomeranian is the heavily plumed, high set tail. The Pomeranian is the only spitz type dog whose tail should lie flat and straight up his back.
The Pom is inquisitive, alert, intelligent and expressive. He’s sound in action and composition and is buoyant in the way he carries himself. The Pomeranian is animated, commanding and cocky in nature. An average Pomeranian weighs 2 – 3 kgs but if you wish to show your Pom, his weight should be 1.8 – 2.2 kgs.
The FCI Toy Spitz ( Pomeranian) standard stipulates a height requirement of 20 cms at his withers. Poms come in a wide variety of colours: a very common colour is red or orange but other colours include: blue, black, white, cream, brown and sable as well as colour combinations such as blue and tan, black and tan as well as brindle and spotted versions.
You’ll find that Poms are highly intelligent and very friendly. They develop a powerful bond with their family and can live as long as 16 years if they’re healthy, treated well and, most important of all, loved.
The German Spitz
In FCI countries, the Spitz is a group of Spitz dogs, each governed by size/height.
• Wolfspitz/Keeshond. 49cm +/- 6cm.
• Giant Spitz. 46cm +/- 4cm.
• Medium size Spitz. 34cm +/- 4cm.
• Miniature Spitz. 26cm +/- 3cm.
• Toy Spitz/Pomeranian. 20cm +/- 2cm.
• Dogs under 18 cm are undesirable.
Each separate variety of the Spitz will have a specific weight that matches its size.
They can be any colour or combination of colours and they generally live a long life. As with the Pomeranian, these dogs are generally happy, agile, highly intelligent and buoyant. They’re happy to do as little or as much as you want. However, if left alone for long periods, they can become noisy and misbehave. They do enjoy barking and will warn you if something is happening or if an intruder is at the door.
In the USA and the UK, the German Spitz competes in the utility group. In Australia & New Zealand the German Spitz is in the non-sporting group.
The German Spitz is divided by height:
Klein: 23-29 cms (9-11 5ins) Mittel: 30-38 cms (12-15 ins).
During the late 1970s, the German Spitz were imported into the U.K. in an attempt to resurrect colours lost to the breed in that country. Mrs. Averil Cawthera imported Spitz wanting to reintroduce the white Pom (as opposed to the German Spitz). Many imports came from Holland and they included Tum-Tum van het Vlinderhof of Lireva.
The introduction of these dogs into the English Pomeranian world caused considerable angst amongst Pomeranian breeders and exhibitors until, in 1984, the kennel club intervened and set up a separate register for the German Spitz. At the Annual Meeting of the Pomeranian Club in 1978, a motion was moved to consider “to note persons placing the Victorian Pomeranians.” In 1982, a special general meeting of the Pomeranian Club was held in an attempt to resolve the issue of the German Spitz. Prior to the separate register, several of the imports had been bred with Pomeranians and some of the top winning Pomeranians today have German Spitz imports way back in their pedigree. Many years ago dog fanciers brought varieties of the German Spitz from Germany to the US and named them American Eskimos.
What is the difference between Pomeranian and German Spitz?
The FCI countries include Pomeranians in the group of Spitz dogs as a Toy Spitz/ Pomeranian and the standard states that the height at the withers for Toy Spitz/ Pomeranian needs to be 20 cms +/- 2cm. Australia, the UK, the US, Canada and numerous other countries place the Pom in the toy dog category and he competes in the Toy group.
The heads of the two breeds vary greatly with the Pomeranian having a shorter muzzle: Pom ratio of length of muzzle to skull is 1/3 to 2/3. The small ears are erect and mounted high. The proper set of ears is preferred to the size and ears will often be hidden in the ruff. In contrast the head of a German Spitz is flat on top but is shaped like a broad wedge. The muzzle should be roughly half the length of his head so, when compared to a Pom, the muzzle is longer when factoring the animal’s size. Their ears should be triangle in shape and set high on his head. They will always be visible, unlike Poms where the ears may be too small to notice if they’re hidden in the Pomeranian’s abundant coat.
The Pom’s heavily-plumed tail lies flat and straight on his back. His buttocks are behind the tail’s set. The German Spitz’s tail curls over the back and is carried to one side or curls into a ring shape.
The Pomeranian’s coat: abundant outer coat. Forelegs are well-feathered. His hind legs and thighs have a heavy coat that runs to the hock, creating a skirt. You can trim your Pom to ensure he’s neat for the show ring. When seen in silhouette, the German Spitz doesn’t have enough coat to resemble the Pom.
The standard is: “Abundant around neck and forequarters with a frill of profuse, but not excessive.” Because the Spitz dogs are usually in bigger proportions, the compact look of the Pomeranian isn’t there. The German Spitz isn’t a breed that needs trimming except for the legs beneath the hocks, the anal area and the feet. Anything else isn’t acceptable.
“Pomeranians” bred by breeders who don’t compete at dog shows will frequently resemble the German Spitz more than the Pomeranian. This is more often a result of poor breeding practises rather than having a German Spitz in the dog’s pedigree. Similar can occur in colour breeding programs. Pomeranian breed type often quickly deteriorates and reverts to German Spitz type. Coat, size, shortness of back and pigmentation are usually the first breed qualities to deteriorate with white to white Pom breedings. This syndrome can be called “return to from whence it came” or “drag of the breed” and is evidence of the breed’s origins.
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Breeders will generally sort litters by quality. Companion/pet, a breeding dog and show potential. When it comes to “quality,” a show dog is regarded as the highest and a pet as the lowest. Despite this, if you purchase from a show breeder your puppy will definitely be high quality. It’s often impossible to fully determine show quality until he becomes an adult. The higher the quality you want, the more time you’ll spend looking for him. A pet may be found in a couple of months but if you want a breeding-quality dog, you may wait a year before achieving success. Lastly, finding a great show dog might take you a few years.
Pet/companion quality
A pet generally has at least one trait that stops him from being a suitable show dog. He may have minor issues such as larger ears. He may have major “problems” including not having much of a coat or being too big. One common issue in the male Poms is when one or both testicles don’t fully descend. There’s nothing wrong with the health of a pet-quality Pomeranian. He’ll still have a great temperament. Acting as a companion or pet is regarded as the most significant task a Pom can fulfil so owners will regard this type as being of the utmost highest quality. The best breeders generally will see puppies that are of pet quality with the proviso that they be desexed or that their registration be limited. If your Pom ends up becoming a higher quality dog, the breeder can remove the limitation on the registration. However, reversing a desexing procedure can’t happen but such dogs can still compete in all forms of competition except for conformation showing. Some shows now have classes for neutered dogs.
Show quality
As with all dogs, those of show quality need to be in good health with ideal temperaments. If you’re to have any chance at winning, the dog needs to demonstrate the qualities expected of a show dog. You’ll also pay a lot more money for a show dog. It’s essential to note that breeders who never show their own dogs generally won’t produce show winning dogs. The dog’s pedigree needs to contain many champions. Expect to wait a long time for a show dog, as compared to a pet. The number of demands you have in place will affect the speed at which you’ll find a worthwhile show dog, usually a few months.
There are two reasons for the longer wait.
• Many factors will be affected by age. If you definitely want a good quality show puppy, you probably should wait and find an older puppy (that’s more expensive). The odds are greatly increased if you do wait.
• Pomeranians only have small litters (1-4 puppies at any one time) and only a few of these puppies are of show quality.
If you’re sure a show-quality dog is what you desire, think of these points:
As a puppy ages, flaws may start to appear. He may keep growing and end up too big or he may develop another issue which would make showing difficult. No dog is 100% perfect. Dog shows can be a lot of fun but they only represent a tiny amount of the overall time spent with your beloved dog. Never let it upset you. Try to compete in one or more of the other categories your Pom is suitable for attempting.
Always be respectful of the breeder. If you do buy a good show dog, aim to compete in shows. Show breeders put in a huge amount of time and effort into producing quality show puppies. Their significant reward is the pride they feel when one of their puppies wins in a show. It’s unwise to promise to show a dog and then just hide him away somewhere safe and out of the public eye. You must work hard to earn the respect and trust of a breeder. If you’re a novice at showing dogs, breeders may feel unsure whether to even trust a top notch puppy that’s ready for a show. One method to gain their trust is to win an obedience title with a different dog…maybe through the purchase of a pet dog.
Breeding quality
Breeding-quality dogs should come from the highest backgrounds. Occasionally they may have a fault that stop them from being the best show dogs (for example, being slightly over size or having a curly tail). However, these dogs have other merits that counteract the negatives. Breeding dogs are always free from any serious genetic problems.
Checking out pedigrees
All kennel club registered dogs have a pedigree; a type of birth certificate. However, most pedigrees only list information from the last 3-4 generations. When you see the actual document regarding registration, on the left it will list the dog’s parents. Then the pedigree travels backwards, going from one generation to the one before, and so on. On the paperwork, it goes from left to right. The male (sire) is listed above his progeny’s name and the female dog (dam) is always listed below.
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Once you have a list of breeders or breeder with puppies available, it’s time to go and visit them. The majority of breeders don’t have large-scale facilities and generally aren’t geared towards unplanned visitors. They may just have a small kennel or could be doing it all from their home. It’s unfair to just drop in on breeders unexpectedly. So make some calls and book appointments at mutually suitable times. Then you’re sure to get the best attention but don’t drag things out as the breeder will be very busy. So choose only a couple of the best breeders on your list and book to see them. Breeders don’t like you going from one kennel to another and spreading potential germs and diseases unwittingly. Wash your hands prior to your visit and, if asked, remove your shoes when entering. Sorry the complete article is only available to our Premium members. Please join us now. Copyright Pomeranian.Org. All Rights Reserved.
So you need to find the best Pomeranian breeders. Somebody who’s willing to answer questions and is passionate about his dogs. You need to be able to build a relationship with the breeder, not just buy a dog. The right breeder can tell you about any health issues the puppy may have, what his temperament is like, what pup’s parents and grand parents look like and much more. The breeder will also become a friend and mentor to help you through the ownership transition period and down the track if you have questions of any type. You’ll discover that you belong to a large extended family of owners of puppies and you can also learn how your puppy’s litter mates and other doggie relatives are going in their new lives. Here are questions you can ask to help you determine good breeders and the best Pomeranian breeder for you.
Can I visit the puppies in person?
Good breeders may stipulate that you do this so they can see how well you react to the dogs and answer questions you may have. Unless he has a sick dog, there’s NO legitimate reason to say “no” to a visit. If they so “no” and don’t offer any excuse, hang the phone up and then ring the next breeder on the list you have made.
Is the breeder a Pomeranian specialist?
Being involved in more than one breed is certainly challenging so breeders who are truly serious about what they’re doing will focus on the dog breed they are the most enthusiastic about. If the breeder appears to be breeding two or more dog breeds, it’s highly likely that he operates a puppy mill on a small scale.
Are there always puppies available for purchase?
If the answer is “yes,” the puppy you consider buying won’t have received enough care and love from the breeder. The puppy needs to live in a home, not in a garage or kennel. On the other hand, a breeder may have been doing this successfully for many years, and may have sufficient facilities and extra help from other experienced people.
Are all the dogs registered with the kennel club?
If the answer is no, you can hang the phone up immediately. Good breeders always ensure all dogs are registered.
If they claim that Pomeranians have zero health worries, the breeder is obviously the wrong man for the job. If you’re told there have been a few medical issues, let him keep talking. No dog line is 100% free from all possible health risks and you may have discovered a breeder who is honest.
Are you and your dogs involved in conformation shows, agility trials or obedience trials?
Are the pup’s parents titled? If they do participate at shows, that signifies a huge commitment to Pomeranians. Titles additionally signify the commitment and that the dogs are high quality.
Ask to see the dog’s pedigree, or the parent’s pedigrees which should be available upon request.
If you can’t view pedigrees, the breeder isn’t reputable. Documents which should be provided by the breeder: • Health declaration, medical history, veterinary signed vaccination record, registration certificates and microchip paperwork. • You’ll also get a contract, a warranty and written information about how to care for your new puppy. It’s impossible for a breeder to guarantee everything related to a puppy. However, you should get a health warranty covering the first few weeks and, if the dog has a hereditary disease, a partial refund may apply. Your contract must have a section outlining the process if you can’t keep your puppy, for whatever reason. Good breeders will say that the puppy is returned to them so he’s not ending up in a dog shelter or handballed from owner to owner. If your puppy is an adult before you decide to send him back, a breeder won’t generally give you any refund as adult dogs are harder to place in good homes.
Are there any particular breeding requirements?
Dog breeders may place dogs in households at reduced prices on contracts known as breeder terms. The breeder might ask you to breed your dog when ready and offers a free stud for a litter or a share of the litter. You shouldn’t feel forced to breed and may want to neuter or spay your dog.
Does the breeder stipulate that you must neuter or spay the dog?
This has nothing to do with competition. The reason is that they’re concerned about the “big picture” in terms of the breed and your puppy in particular. The puppy you buy will usually be ideal as a companion instead of being a good breeder or good at shows. The best breeders also worry about an unknown breeder trying to breed and making some bad mistakes because it requires a lot of extra knowledge before you can even begin. Instead of de-sexing the dog, you may choose to have a limited kennel club registration. If you breed your dog, her puppies won’t be permitted to register.
When can I take my new puppy with me and go home?
The answer to this question will tell you whether the breeder is good or bad in one clear-cut question. The breeders who are only in it for the money will be more than happy to sell the puppy immediately so they don’t need to spend more on him. There won’t be any thought put into the puppy’s age or health. No reputable breeder would allow you to take the puppy home prior to him being eight weeks old.
A good breeder will give you a fair price that’s not too high or low. Costs will vary depending on location and other possible factors.
Are there any previous buyers I can chat to about this?
Genuine breeders always keep in regular contact with prior buyers so if the breeder has no details, don’t buy from them! The good breeders are very proud of the puppies they sell and they know that same pride is shared with the new owners. The breeder may ask if he can arrange for previous buyers to make contact with you but this is simply a privacy issue. But end the discussion if no information is forthcoming. While you’re asking specific questions of the breeder, you’ll soon realise that he’s assessing you as a potential new owner too. If he’s not doing this, it can be an indication that he’s not genuine. If his interest mainly involves how fast he can get your money and offload the puppy, that’s time to look for a better breeder.
The Best Pomeranian Breeders are keen to find the best homes for puppies. To help the breeder decide if you’re a good fit, he’ll ask you numerous questions such as:
• Have you had prior experience caring for dogs and other pets and, more specifically, toy dogs? • What is your home like? Do you have a family? Will the puppy be kept inside or outside? • Can you afford to care for a new puppy? He’ll outline costs such as food, exercise, grooming, training, health care and general safety concerns. • He may ask you to de-sex your dog. • He may request that you wait a couple of months until the next litter is ready. This will help weed out the impulse buyers. Copyright Pomeranian.Org. All Rights Reserved.
