Weimaraner Association of Canada


What to expect

 

  1. You may have to wait a year or more for a puppy. 
  2. Good breeders generally, don’t have puppies available year round or even every year.  They breed selectively and no more often than once per year for each bitch.
  3. The breeder to ask you many, many questions.  They want to make sure that this is the right breed for you and that the puppy will be safe and happy in your home.
  4. You will be expected to sign a non-breeding agreement and likely, an additional contract.. 
  5. Good breeders only want the best of their puppies to be used for breeding.  A puppy bound by a non-breeding agreement can still be shown in all sanctioned events.  The additional contract should outline both the buyers and the sellers responsibilities and obligations (see below).
  6. Expect to pay a reasonable non-refundable deposit.
    Breeders have to pay a number of costs before the puppies go to their new homes including stud fees, shipping the bitch to the stud, additional veterinary expenses and advertising costs.
  7. Request and expect to receive copies of the dam and sire’s registration certificate, OFA certificates, pedigrees and copies of any other health certificates before you agree to take a puppy.  Have your veterinarian look them over if you are not familiar with these certificates.
  8. Expect your puppy to have been socialized and exposed to many things including traveling in a crate.
  9. Expect the puppies to have at least one vaccination and deworming.
  10. Expect the puppies to have been weaned no earlier than 3 weeks and fed a quality puppy diet.
  11. Expect the breeder to have good knowledge of health issues in the breed and in their lines.

 

What NOT to Expect

 

  1. The breeder to phone you back if it is long distance unless you indicate that you will accept a collect call.
  2. The breeder to “hold” a puppy for longer than 8 weeks of age unless you have made prior arrangements.
  3. Your puppy to be fully housetrained when it arrives.
  4. Do not expect a warm reception when all you ask is whether they have puppies available and how much the cost is. 
  5. Most breeders do this as a hobby and if they consider the costs of showing and promoting their dogs, they do not make money from breeding.  Their primary concern is getting the puppies into appropriate homes. Asking only for the cost is usually taken as an insult.

The additional sales contract should cover:

  1. ·         Terms for lifting the non-breeding agreement
  2. ·         Terms for cancelling a co-ownership agreement.
  3. ·         Obligations of the buyer in regards to vaccination schedule.
  4. ·         Obligations of the buyer to provide a safe environment/quality food/training/healthcare.
  5. ·         Obligations of the seller in the event that the dog develops hip dysplasia or other hereditary disorder.
  6. ·         Length of time that the contract is in effect.
  7. ·         Consequences for breaking the contract.

Submitted by Denise McLean, 

(* this article has been edited for the website)