1. What is the difference between a Backyard Breeder and a Reputable
Breeder?
Our bare minimum requirements for someone to be reputable are as follows:
a.
Do something with the dogs other than just breed them (conformation, agility, obedience, therapy, field trials, sledding,
weight pulls, etc.)
b. Health screenings on the parents (OFA/CERF/Thyroid)
c. Written Health Guarantee - Less
than 36 months is a waste of time because many health problems won't show up until after two years of age.
d. Extensive
screening procedures and spay/neuter for pets. Anyone who is in a big hurry to sell you a dog and does not ask lots of questions
is not reputable. And anyone who sells dogs for breeding purposes to just anyone is not reputable.
e. Reputable breeders
do not breed for coat or eye color.
For additional information regarding the differences between back-yard breeders
and reputable breeders, or pet quality versus show quality dogs and puppies, please don't hesitate to ask. We have a number
of websites listed under our puppy buyer links page: http://www.siberianhusky.ws/links/buyer.htm including this well-done page from Destiny Siberians.
2. In what activities do your dogs participate?
We
think it is important for people do to more than just breed their dogs. Our dogs are shown in conformation. We have three
children, full time jobs, and continuing education...and we still show our dogs. We feel it is important for others who chose
to breed their dogs to participate in some sort of competitive activity with their dogs in an attempt to give something back
to this wonderful breed. Otherwise, it is just an act of exploitation.
3. What
are your purchasing requirements?
a. The purchaser must be educated about the breed.
b. Pet puppies must be spayed/neutered before AKC papers will be forwarded.
c. We are very
proud of both the quality our dogs, and the quality of the homes into which they are placed. We place our pet pups only with
loving, caring families that have been educated about all aspects of the breed. Potential buyers must be willing to train
and take responsibility for their puppy, and provide a clean, happy, healthy and permanent home, preferably with a securely
fenced yard. All family members must be in agreement about the decision to adopt a puppy. Above all, the puppy must be a part
of the family and be treated accordingly.
d. We're happy to provide any advice and support that may be needed as
you adjust to life with your new family member, and we enjoy staying in touch with our pups and their new families. We require
that pet owners update us at least twice per year on progress and any health or behavioral concerns, preferably with pictures.
We sincerely hope that all of our puppy placements are permanent, but in the unfortunate event that the new
owners are unable to keep it, we require that the dog/puppy be returned to us or that we assist in finding a suitable home.
4. What kind of health clearances are performed on your dogs?
The
health and well-being of our dogs is very important to us. Our dogs are regularly examined by our veterinarian and have received
OFA hip screening, ACVO/CERF eye screening and show no signs of hereditary disorders. Thyroid panels are periodically performed.
5. When are your puppies ready to go to their new homes?
Puppies are generally sold around 8 weeks of age. The earliest, by law, that they can leave is 7 weeks.
However, we may hold them until 10-12 weeks if we are evaluating show quality or if there is a possible health concern.
6. What do your puppies "have" when they leave?
Puppies
are vet-checked, vaccinated, and de-wormed before they are placed with their new families. They are given one dose of Revolution,
a product that protects against internal and external worms and parasites. They come with a veterinary certificate of health
and our guarantee. We firmly stand behind the health and temperament of our dogs, and offer a comprehensive 5 year health
replacement guarantee as detailed in our sales contract on hip dysplasia, eyes for blindness, and any other life-threatening
genetic defect. Show dogs have a different length of guarantee and it includes other clauses for show quality and breeding.
7. Do
you sell your puppies to anyone who inquires?
No. A puppy is a big commitment for the purchaser and us.
We spend a lot of time, energy, and money in every attempt to produce beautiful, healthy, and well-bred puppies, so we are
very selective on the homes into which they are placed.
- An online questionnaire can be viewed
8.
How should I inquire about a puppy?
An email or telephone call would be
wonderful. However, please tell us a little about yourself. We, so often, receive messages that simply say - "How much
are gray males running?” Please provide information about where you live, why you want a Siberian, and what your plans
are for raising your puppy!
- We have also have a questionnaire for prospective puppy purchasers that will begin
the application process:
9. What is your deposit policy?
What is your price?
Most people who send us a deposit do so because they have met our dogs and are impressed
with the guarantee. In order to hold a place in the order of puppy picks, a non-refundable deposit of $200.00is required.
It is applied towards the purchase price of $700.00 (for pets),
We send out puppy pictures via email,
generally on a weekly basis. The photos are not meant to serve as a means for you to select a puppy. Puppies are evaluated
for show potential around 8 weeks of age. Some puppies will remain here, and others may go to show homes. Once those placements
are determined, the puppies that weren't selected for show homes will be made available to the homes seeking pets in the
order that the deposits were received. However, the temperament and disposition of each puppy is considered in relation to
the types of homes they may be going, as well. We have the final discretion on the puppy placements. Also, we request that
people with high ranking deposits schedule their pick up times early, as we cannot delay letting others below on the deposit
list select simply because we cannot arrange an agreeable pick up time.
We try to accommodate coat color
preferences as much as possible; however, if you are offered puppies that do not suit what you are looking for, you are not
required to take one at that time. You are welcome to wait for a future litter that may contain your preference. Your deposit
would move up in the order once people above you had selected their puppies, but will not be refunded.
The purchase
price for show puppies is $1000 and will involve co-ownerships for novice show persons.
The purchase price for show
puppies going overseas is $2000 US. Puppies must be kept until they are old enough to past Customs requirements. No co-ownership
will be involved. References will be required and checked. One half of the purchase price ($1000) is the deposit amount required
to reserve a puppy. All shipping expenses are the responsibility of the purchaser and must be paid in advance of the flight.
10. What if I want something specific
in terms of coat color and eye color?
If you will settle for nothing less than, for example, a light
red, open-faced, amber-eyed female.... then don't send us a deposit. We can't guarantee that we will have a puppy
that meets that description, and even if we do, if she is a show puppy, we may be keeping her. Our primary focuses when breeding
a litter are the health, temperament, and conformation of our dogs. Eye and coat color are the last of our concerns. We do
not begrudge anyone for having preferences – we have our own … but we cannot promise to accommodate those preferences.
11. Where are your puppies raised?
Puppies live in our home . They are socialized and begin crate training. Most of our adult dogs
are house broken and are raised with our children and house cat. This is not a guarantee that any Siberian will adjust to
cat-life, though.
12. Do you ship
your puppies in the U.S? Do you ship your puppies overseas?
Although shipping within the US is an option,
it is not our preference. We have had people drive from Alaska and fly in from Florida in order to escort their puppies home.
We have, ourselves, purchased puppies and had them shipped by air. The puppies tend to have diarrhea for the first day after
their trip, so it is somewhat stressful for them. Shipping and crates are an added expense for the purchaser. And then, the
purchaser does not get to meet the parents of the puppies nor see how they were raised. More often than not, if you live in
the US and are too far away to come visit, we will probably try to refer you to a reputable breeder in your area. For overseas
inquiries, obviously, shipping is the only option, so show inquiries would be considered in such cases.
Shipping
within the US for freight and crate usually costs around $250.00 U.S.
Shipping outside of the country varies, obviously,
but a round-about estimate on a 5 month old puppy is $650.00 U.S. * Health certificate, additional vaccinations, and other
related fees are additional.
13. What if we want to purchase a
dog from you for breeding purposes?
If you already have a Siberian who was purchased from a pet store
or a back yard breeder, we cannot sell you a show/breeding prospect puppy unless we have proof that your current dog is spayed/neutered.
We generally require co-ownership contracts so that we can monitor the manner in which the dog is bred. We would be more than
happy to explain our reasons for being strict with our breeding quality dogs, but if you would like first hand experience
in understanding why we do this, please visit your local Siberian Husky rescue organization (as there will undoubtedly be
one nearby) or, better yet, offer to foster or rescue some of the unwanted Siberians who have resulted from irresponsible
and uneducated breeding practices.
If you are truly interested in becoming a REPUTABLE breeder, we’d
be more than happy to work with you, or refer you to a mentor in your area.
14.
What kind of food do you feed?
We feed National and Iams:
15. I live in Florida where it is hot - can I still get
a Siberian?
The answer to this question should technically go under breed characteristics, but since
we receive this inquiry so often, we’ve included it here, as well.
Siberians have two layers of coat – a
top-coat (guard coat) and a thick insulating undercoat, which they lose twice per year. As with any pet, you must use common
sense! If it is very hot outside, don’t have the dog outside for extended periods. We only sell our dogs to inside homes.
Getting a dog for the purpose of tying it outside or leaving it in a kennel is inappropriate. So, having the dog outside for
extended periods should not even become an issue. However, if you do opt to take your dog outside with you, make sure he/she
has adequate shade and water when the weather is hot. The top-coat on a Siberian, especially reds, can bleach out, burn, or
lighten up due to over exposure to the sun.
For additional information on the breed characteristics, please visit our
related pages:
16. What should
we do to prepare for our new addition?
Please review this link with information on bringing a puppy home:
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