ChooseBreeder

Once you have decided that the Chesapeake is the right breed for you, you are faced with the next hurdle, Choosing the right breeder! If you do not know of anyone personally who is a breeder then a great place to begin is the American Chesapeake Club Breeder's Directory. While this is not going to guarantee that the dog you purchase from a listed breeder is going to be a fantastic dog, you will get a list of persons to begin contacting. Another great source is the local Kennel Club or an Obedience School in your area. If the opportunity presents itself you should attend a show or trial and speak with the persons in attendance.

COURTEOUS: You are NOT doing the breeder a Favor by buying one of their dogs! There are thousands of hours and dollars invested in establishing a top breeding program. If you want a good dog expect to pay good money for it. Haggling over a breeder's price is an insult. If the dog's are more than you budget can handle then thank the breeder for their time, explain this simply is out of your reach, and go on to the next person on the list. At this time you should expect to pay $800.00 and up for a well-bred Chesapeake.

CONSIDERATE: When calling on the phone, first ask if this is a good time for the breeder to talk with you. If they say it is not simply ask when you might call back. When leaving a message on an answering machine, give the breeder the option to call you back collect. When visiting a show, either wait until after judging to approach the Breeder for information or ask if you would speak with them later in the day. Most Breeders LOVE to talk about their dogs, BUT, during and just prior to judging they need to be 100% focused on what is going on in the ring.

PREPARED: Have a notepad, writing utensil and a list of questions written down which you wish to ask. How long as the breeder been breeding?, What are their primary goals?, What health clearances do they have for their dogs?, (THE CBR BREEDER SHOULD HAVE AT MINIMUM HIP/ELBOW/EYE CERTIFICATIONS FROM O.F.A. AND OR PENN HIP AND C.E.R.F. ON THEIR BREEDING STOCK. OPTIONAL BUT, STRONGLY RECOMMENDED WOULD BE DNA PRA TESTS.), What guarantees do they offer?, Do they have a written contact?. Give each breeder a 'page' in your notebook with their name, address, phone number, and best time to call as the heading. Below this you may make notes as to the breeder's answers to your questions and any other facts they may give you that you would like to make note of. BE PREPARED TO ANSWER A BATTERY OF QUESTIONS FROM THE BREEDER! If you like what you hear arrange a visit or ask for photos to be sent to you, (be sure to return them if so requested!).

Primary concern is for the lifetime welfare of the dogs they produce. Expect to see a clause in the Breeder's contract for the return to them of the dog is you can no longer keep or decide you no longer want, ususally without compensation. The same would apply to cases of neglect, abuse, or other improprieties.

Chooses or suggests the right dog for the right buyer. Through numerous conversations with you, the breeder is better qualified to select which pup you should purchase due to all of the time they have invested in getting to 'know' their line. Take advantage of their expertise! They should be there to help for the life of your dog.

A few more points to bear in mind. While a top breeder devotes all of their energy to producing the best animals that they can, Mother Nature and YOU the buyer have the final say on what that animal will become. Improper feeding, poor socialization or training cn interfere with the best breeding programs!

Will sell you at minimum what you have asked/paid for. Don't expect to get a breeding quality animal at a pet price. The best breeder's sell their pets on limited registrations. This means that they can be shown in obedience agility and hunting events but not conformation or field events, Nor may these animals be used for breeding.