The Truth About Breeding

Many breeders have different reasons for breeding. The biggest question that needs to be answered is, are we part of the problem of pet overpopulation? If we produce puppies, sell them to loving homes as a spayed/neutered pet, and offer to take back the dog at any time in it's life, we are not part of the problems of pet overpopulation.

If we sell puppies on full registration to a show or breeding home, we have to ensure that we are selling the puppy to a responsible home. Are we sure beyond a doubt that the puppy will not end up in a puppy mill? When considering a breeder home, we have to ensure that they have the same goals. Do they abide by the breeder's code of ethics and do they have goals beyond selling puppies? Some breeders only sell to show homes. But I believe there are breeders that can make a positive impact on the breed without showing. When a breeder fully understands improving health and quality of breeding lines, they are still making a positive impact, whether they are obtaining titles on all their dogs or not.

Show breeders want you to believe that only through showing, are the lines conforming to breed standard and the best quality. But three times in the last year, I have seen dogs that have excellent champion pedigrees and the dogs themselves had horrible bites and were not show quality. If the premises were true, then their bloodlines would be much better quality than those without as nice of a pedigree.

My point is, that just obtaining titles does not make a breeder. Just breeding does not make a breeder. A breeder has to have a comprehensive set of goals and an understanding of the big picture to make a great breeder. I want the whole picture in myself and I am constantly striving to improve, to learn, and to grow as a person and as a breeder.

There are greater goals than making money. I have talked to people who's goal was to make money and they weren't afraid to admit it. But I think they'll find disappointment when they have complications with breeding and whelping. My bigger fear is that the dogs will suffer if a breeder cuts corners to make a profit. This is usually what happens when someone has money as a primary goal.

A breeder has to make their budget balance unless they are independently wealthy. But most ethical breeders reinvest their profits into their dogs, improving facilities, showing, or purchasing additional breeding lines. Breeding is an expensive hobby but a few litters a year will balance the budget and if you're lucky and don't have as many complications in a year, you may make a profit. But you can count on the profit being gone with the next complication or replacement of dog supplies or facilities.

Showing is one of the biggest expenses and some may skip showing to skip the costs. But I will tell you up front that I skip showing right now because of the negative politics. I am very sensitive and I love breeding for the good feelings. I avoid negativity in life and in breeding. I plan to show and am supportive of showing, but every time I get close to stepping up, something is said or done that hurts my feelings and I retreat to my happy world that I have created for myself. Life is too short to be caught up in who has what bloodline, who beat who in the ring, or who is talking about who. I want to enjoy my dogs, and the families I meet through the dogs. When I am depressed and struggling, I can hold a puppy or sit and watch the dogs play and all feels right in the world again. There are heart breaking moments too, but in the end......it's rewarding to see the smiles on the family that you send a new puppy home with.

I breed because I love dogs first of all. Norwich Terriers are the cutest little dogs. Have you ever heard that puppies are cute but then they grow up? Norwich Terriers never seem to grow up, they just get cuter! I love photography and taking pictures of my dogs is very rewarding. I enjoy a typey Norwich, grooming them, and trying to get a beautiful photo that shows them off. My second love is the social aspect of breeding. I get emails from people all over the states, sometimes just asking a question or introducing themselves as a Norwich lover. I love the relationships that you build with a puppy owner. They send updates or stories about the dogs and you know that you have done a good job. You've made someone happy! Even with questions or concerns that a family may have, you are support to them, someone to lean on even if you don't have all the answers.

I am an OB nurse and although I haven't worked since my youngest son was born, I tell people I'm still working....at home! LOL Breeding is much like nursing. I care for the adults, ensuring they are healthy. With AI there is technical medical knowledge needed, and I enjoy the medical aspect of reproduction. I monitor their pregnancy, and assist them in whelping. This is the most stressful time because I don't have contraction and fetal monitoring like I would with a human. But I can monitor the puppies in the birth canal and we still have to make the call when we need a vet's assistance. As the puppies are safely delivered, I monitor the Mama's postpartum. We watch for infection, that the puppies are properly latching and "breastfeeding". We monitor the growth of the puppies. I am their nurse as I educate the new family about caring for their new family member. And finally, I send the baby home with their new family and I'm an educator as they adapt to their new family member.

By understanding who I am, one can understand why I am a breeder. This is the truth about breeding and the truth about me. I am eager to find other breeders with the same commitment and heart. Sometimes I wonder if I will find any, because the Norwich world is so small and so political. A breeder once told me, you have no friends in the show world. They're your competition. The only friends you may have are those with a different breed. I hope that isn't true. I honestly believe that in order to improve a breed, it has to be on a large scale and breeders have to work together. Breeders can benefit each other if they would just accept working together and not against each other.

I believe in honesty, integrity, community, and ethical breeding. Despite the negativity and politics, I finally realized that if someone doesn't like it, it can't hurt me if I stay true to myself.

The Norwich Terrier Breed

Have you asked yourself why it's so hard to find a Norwich Terrier puppy, and why they are so pricey? The Norwich Terrier is one of the hardest breeds to breed. They are prone to more complications, and are harder to get pregnant. I've had a terrible time settling Calli, our AKC champion. It breaks my heart because she's so adorable! I want puppies from her so badly! We'll keep trying and see how it goes. I feel terrible for the families waiting for a puppy, but thankfully they understand that we're only working with nature.

We are moving to a new home this fall, so we'll be making do until we have a new play yard built for the Norwich. We hope to have a litter by Morgan this fall, but if things are too hectic with moving and/or building a new home, we may have to postpone litters until next summer. The updates will be here or on the puppies page.

When reading about the statistics of the puppies born in the US, it's amazing that anyone can find a puppy. Compared to 60,000 Golden Retrievers registered in the US per year, only 800 Norwich Terriers are registered. This is amazing! As I watch for more lines to add to my breeding program in the future, I'm amazed at all the faux Norwich advertised that are brindle in color, or have black points. I pointed it out to one breeder in a friendly way, and she said she had the papers as Norwich. But people! That doesn't mean they aren't forgeries, fraudulent, and you're propetuating the problem!!! Does anyone else care that they aren't even a breed they're advertised to be!? Some may be ignorant, but I've educated myself in my short time as a breeder and I think some choose to turn 1 cheek and they don't want to try to better the breed. It's very lonely and difficult to find consciencous breeders that aren't more interested in their own motives.

Does anyone just really love the TRUE Norwich Terrier breed and want to breed healthy puppies with good temperment and conformation for the purpose of loving them, and not just for the sake of titles? Please contact me if you do! I want to meet some loving Norwich Terrier friends who live by the golden rule!

Purchase from Ethical Reputable Breeders

So you've decided the Norwich Terrier breed fits what you are looking for, and you're committed to a new addition despite the hard work, sleepless nights, chewed up furniture, potty training, etc. You've begun reading up on obedience training, crate training, and are ready to look for a new addition. Consider if a puppy or adult would work best for your family. By skipping the puppy stages, sometimes an adult is easier to house train and accept as a new addition. The Norwich breed adapts well so rescue or retired breeding adults make wonderful companions. Breeders often have healthy adults ready for retirement at 4-6 yrs of age, which makes a mature companion with many good years left to offer. Expect to pay $1000-1500 for an adult adoption fee. This fee assists adoption agencies and ensures that someone can't profit from the adoption of adults. It isn't as much about the money as it is intended to ensure that a responsible buyer is serious about the commitment. Free or "cheap" dogs are subject to scammers who pretend to be a good home and then sell the animal for lab experimentation or profit. If a puppy is what you are looking for, ensure that you purchase a puppy from an ethical reputable breeder. Ethics involve the code of ethics for breeders. There is purpose and intent in their breeding program, to increase quality and health of the breed. They health test their dogs and breed the healthiest individuals they can. They are very familiar with their lines, where they came from, and where they are going. Health disorders are tracked from the dogs they are breeding, the lines they come from, and the offspring they produce. They provide quality care to the adults and puppies, ensure that the puppies go to quality forever homes, and are responsible to the lives of the puppies and dogs they produce. Reputable breeders mean that they have a history of providing good quality care, and good customer service. They will have happy customers and quality references including a veterinarian that they work very closely with. A reputable breeder doesn't have to have a 20yr history, everyone has to start sometime. But a reputable breeder is knowledgable, educates, is a good communicator, and their top priority is the quality placement of their animals. They should be well aware of the health disorders within the breed. They should educate the buyer about the breed, and assist families in making good decisions about purchasing a Norwich Terrier. The breed is not meant for everyone and the key to a successful match is to understand the expectations of the buyer. Reputable breeders often have waiting lists and you should expect to pay $2000-4000 depending on the puppy.When inquiring with a breeder, be prepared with your list of questions and first offer information about yourself, what you are looking for, and what your expectations are in adopting a new family member. Do you have children or what is your life stage? Do you work outside the home and if you do, are you able to drop in at home to let the puppy out mid-day? What is your experience with dogs? What breeds have you had previously and was it successful? Are you prepared to attend obedience classes and offer quality time to your new addition? Take time to talk with the breeder and expect a reputable breeder to be involved in this process. If they only push the sale of a puppy without educating or understanding the home you will provide, they are not the right breeder for you.

Much of the information you will read states that reputable breeders show to championship and that you should only purchase puppies from show breeders. However, I know several good breeders who may show from one time to another, or maybe not at all, and they are excellent breeders. They are breeding not to win titles, but for the love of the breed and the love of placing puppies in forever homes. They are honest and have beautiful dogs from reputable lines. I personally believe these breeders are ideal for a long term relationship and someone that you can connect with and feel comfortable working with. I've been made to feel inadequate and like the breeder didn't have time for me, and I certainly don't want anyone else to go through that. So if they show great! If they don't, ask more questions such as how do they judge their dogs against the AKC standard? You might find that they are an excellent breeder with strong goals and attributes to back up the reason they don't show. Simply winning titles doesn't equate honesty, integrity, or top quality lines. There are good and bad breeders in all realms.

How do you find a reputable ethical breeder? The Norwich & Norfolk club is a start, but keep in mind that this is a list of club members only. They are part of a group of people who are members because of who they know and not what they are. There are many reputable breeders who do not live close enough, or who do not want to particpate in "Club" activities. These breeders may have a circle of reputable breeders who are still great breeders but just happen to not be club members. Many of the classifieds are full of back yard breeders (breeders who only breed 1 male and 1 female pet and aren't knowledgable or have a breeding program). Scammers also steal photos from breeders and pose as a seller on those sites. The Norwich Terrier is ridden with many "fakes". Scammers crop the tails of Cairn Terriers and sell them as Norwich. You can find multiple brindle "Norwich" available and yet brindle is not even an accepted color in the breed! There is a difference in brindle vs the accepted color of grizzle! These are not AKC registered puppies and they are simply not Norwich Terriers. Bargain puppies are no bargain! Research sites that have standing breeder ads and not just single puppy ads. Puppy Dog Web.com is paid advertising for breeders. Breeders.net is a site that allows you to search for puppies by breed and zip code, to find a breeder nearest you. The American Kennel Club AKC.org has breeder classifieds, but the ads are taken out upon a litter being born, and I never use their ads because most of my puppies are already sold at that point in time (expect breeders to have a waiting list). Once you find a breeder that you like, investigate the timeline for puppy availability. Sometimes there will be a puppy available, other times you may have to wait several months. Even planned litters are sometimes changed by nature, so be flexible and understanding of what breeders can't control. If they don't have puppies available, ask if they have friends who may have puppies available. Ethical reputable breeders often know other breeders or have friends that they would recommend. Although they will not tell you the horror stories about a particular kennel or talk about other breeders, if someone were to approach me and say they were looking at a particular kennel, and ask if that would be a good one, I may discretely tell them to keep looking.

Breeder Check List

Here is a checklist to keep in mind when shopping for a good breeder.

• Puppies are born on premises
• Breeder does not sell to brokers or retail shops
• Facilities are clean and well kept
• Puppies have been handled, and introduced to children and other dogs
• Breeder interviews you and offers information on the breed to ensure a good match
• Puppy comes with limited registration as a pet, and is to be spayed/neutered
• Breeder promises to take the dog back (not return your money) if you can't keep it
• Breeder provides a 3 day money back guarantee, and a 1-2yr health guarantee by contract
• Breeder raises no more than 2-3 breeds, it's difficult to be competent in more breeds
• Breeder's primary concern is finding a good home for the puppy or dog rather than making a sale
• Breeder was happy to answer questions and makes you feel comfortable asking for advice
• Breeder is familiar with and abides by breeder's Code of Ethics
  

Breeders Code of Ethics

An Ethical Breeder Does the Following:
1. Breeds with the intent of improving the breed. Does not breed with the goal of making a profit. The costs & sales have to balance each other but if done ethically, breeding is not “profitable” if labor & expenses are accounted for. Puppy mills make profits by providing a lack in care, facilities, and mass producing in unhealthy conditions.
2. Chooses breeding adults based on health, disposition, and confirmation guided by the breed standard. Breeding pairs are matched based on these characteristics to make the next generation better.
3. An expert in the breed. Is knowledgeable about the health defects of the breed, the history, proper care, characteristics, etc. Provides health care screening and testing as appropriate for the breed.
4. Only breeds 1-3 breeds, is an expert in each, and does not cross breed. Very few crosses have meaningful purpose, such as Labradoodles to create a hypoallergenic service dog. “Designer Dog Breeds” are irresponsible and only contribute to pet overpopulation because many crosses lack the goal of ethical breeding- “to improve the breed”.
5. Provides safe, sanitary, and appropriate facilities, maximizing the healthy conditions, offering exercise, entertainment, and comfort of the dogs and puppies.
6. Dogs are kept clean and appropriately groomed.
7. Feeds premium quality food and maintains appropriate weight and condition of the dogs and puppies.
8. Provides one on one care to a whelping bitch, ensuring the safe delivery of the puppies. Monitors her before, during, and after whelping for abnormalities or complications.
9. Minimizes her stress and protects the health of the puppies for the first few weeks after whelping by not allowing public visitation.
10. Appropriately socializes puppies to loving touch and developmentally appropriate interaction at appropriate ages.
11. Does not wean and remove puppies from their mother before 6 weeks of age, and does not adopt puppies to families until at least 8 weeks of age. Although human socialization is very important at 4-8 weeks of age, even more important is dog socialization by their mother and litter mates. Human socialization is most important at 8-16 weeks of age.
12. Places puppies and dogs in forever homes appropriate for that puppy or adult. Screens prospective buyers to ensure that the breed is what they are looking for and that they are able to provide a proper home for a dog and for the breed in particular.
13. Is responsible for each puppy for its lifetime and is willing to keep any puppy that is unable to find a proper home. This includes assisting buyers in finding the dog a home if they are unable to keep it for it’s lifetime, or finding foster care for the dog until appropriate placement is found.
14. Gives appropriate, and at least standard, health care guided by a licensed veterinarian. Willing to take extra initiative to care for an individual dog or puppy, despite extra costs involved. Considers life quality and acts responsibly in the humane end of life care for a dog or puppy.
15. Keeps accurate and detailed records of the medical care, pedigree, and registry information according to the registering association’s guidelines. DNA samples are collected and registered according to the guidelines of the registering association. Dogs and puppies are appropriately identified, preferably by microchip implantation.
16. Offers puppy health guarantees. Appropriate guarantees are a money back guarantee shortly after purchase. This allows the buyer to ensure the puppy is healthy and free of communicable disease. A congenital or hereditary defect guarantee should also be offered for at least 1 year.
17. Retired breeding adults are never placed in shelters or euthanized if they are appropriate for a pet home. They should be placed in an appropriate, quality, forever pet home or provided foster care until that home is found.
18. Never sells to brokers, pet stores, or preferably not to back yard breeders. Educates buyers about the risks involved in buying from these sources, and educates the public about why back yard breeding is not ideal or appropriate.
19. Sells puppies with limited registration with a spay/neuter contract unless the puppy is sold to another ethical, reputable breeder.
20. Networks with other ethical reputable breeders and/or is a member of an association supporting their breed.
21. Shows fairness, integrity, honesty, and respect in all aspects of their personal and professional life. Good communication is imperative for good customer service, veterinarian support & interaction, etc.