QUESTIONS TO ASK the Bichon breeder

[EDDEL]

I said before I would start a thread with the list of questons that members ~ looking to buy a Bichon pup  ~ should ask of their breeder, but never got round to it.


I do not profess to be an expert, nor am I saying that members who didn't ask the following questions when acquiring their Bichons are bad mommies or were wrong.


Many of us (myself included ) wouldn't change a thing in the past, because our fluffs ~ to each & every one of us ~ are the ones meant for us .  But going forward, I know all of us wanna do the best by our future fluffs, and that includes NOT supporting puppymills and backyard breeders , as well as helping would-be Bichon mommies in their search of a Bichon Frise pup .   As lovers, guardians, & fanciers of the breed, I feel we can all do our part , however small it might be.


Members who join our forum , thinking of getting a Bichon, are lucky in that they can tap our members' experience , and learn of the atrocities of puppymills (which many of us didn't even know about until AFTER we got our Bichons / joined this forum).  These soon-to-be Bichon owners are so lucky in that they get to start out right in their Bichon-motherhood .

[EDDEL]

QUESTIONS TO ASK THE BICHON BREEDER
(collated from DOG FANCY Magazines, March 2009 issue & May 2005 issue which featured the Bichon Frise;
as well as from DOG FANCY Magazine - Popular Dog Series - Bichon Frise issue)

• Do you test for eye problems like cataract and glaucoma?  Can I see the parents' and grandparents' clearances from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) to show they are clear of eye problems?

• Do you test the parents of your litters for luxuating patellas (ie. slipping kneecaps) or any other orthopedic problems?  Can I see the parents' and grandparents' certificates from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) to show they do not have hip displasia?

• Does either parent have a history of allergies ?

• Has either parent experienced kidney/bladder stones  ?

• Do you test for heart & thyroid problems ?  Are the parents registered with the Canine Health Information Center database?

• How many generations of Bichons do you have living in your home, and can I meet them?

• Do you have a pedigree showing the ancestors?  How is the general health of the parents, grandparents and great grandparents?  (were they long-lived?)

• What are their temperaments like, and have they been raised around children?  What are you doing to socialize the puppies ?

• Are you already starting to house-train the puppies ?  What can I do to effectively house-train my Bichon?

• Can you tell me about the different personalities of the puppies in the litter?  Can you help me choose a puppy with a personality that matches my lifestyle?

• What vaccines has the puppy had and who gave them?  Will I be given a record of these shots?  How many times has the puppy been checked by the veterinarian ?

A responsible breeder will ask you a number of questions , too, such as:  Why do you want a Bichon?  Are you committed to lifelong care?  Is the puppy going to be alone alot?  Do you have children?  How many and how old?  Other pets?  A reputable breeder is concerned where he/she places pups , and screens potential families carefully.

Beware of the breeder who is too eager to sell (eg: willing to ship you the pup so long as you've paid a deposit to reserve the pup, and then paid the balance).


Hope this helps!

[Annie36]

Your a peach Del.....thanks for doing this for all of us

[EDDEL]

Annie (I do these threads not for thanks/recognition) .

[maRSHALL]

how long is a bichon pregnant

[lorraine]

I am not a breeder but I understand it is nine weeks. 

[MyBichon]

What are the common things to look at when choosing a Bichon Puppy? Is there some common illness or degeneration I should be aware of and how to recognize it?