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Home |
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Where NOT to buy a puppy...and why |
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Shibas are not for everyone, and there is a great variety of health and temperment issues in the breed. BEFORE you buy that cute little fuzzball there are some things you should know. |
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How to find a reputable breeder |
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Do NOT but a Shiba advertised cheap in your local paper or fall for a fancy website. Do some research on the breeder. A reputable breeder will show his /her dogs at AKC events and will belong to the NSCA and other dog clubs. |
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A reputable breeder will not insist on meeting you. You should make at least one trip to the breeders facilities to see the dogs in person and make sure the dogs are clean and well kept. |
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Many people think that since they are just looking for a pet puppy they do not need to buy from a show breeder or that it is simply not important where they get their puppy from.
They think if they get a young pup and raise it with their family it will just mature into the dog they want it to be.
Unfortunately in Shibas there are major temperment problems and also health issues that show up. I have known pet breeders who keep and breed dogs that are so agressive that they cannot touch them or that are so shy they are only comfortable with one family member.
The dog has Champions in its pedigree or produces big litters so it stays in their breeding program. You will NOT see these dogs when you go to their kennel. They will show you another mom or dad to the pups, one you can pet and play with.
This temperment is very hereditary and your puppy may end up with emoptional issues even with the best of training.
A show dog has to have a good temperment as he is expected to go to a large arena where there are over 1000 dogs and people. A reputable breeder will have happy friendly dogs with AKC Championships. |
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A pet pup in the mid-west will cost between $600 and $900. The pup should come with AKC limited registration, a vaccination record and written information |
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Warning signs of an unethical breeder. |
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Uses a registry other then AKC |
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ACA, APRI and CKC are certain red flags. A reputable breeder will have AKC registered dogs and puppies. Many of these alternate registries will issue papers on dogs of unknown parentage. The owner just mails in a photo and tells them what breed they think the dog is.
May unethical breeders use these registries to avoid AKC inspection for sanitation and recordkeeping. |
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Does NOT show their dogs, but brags up Champion lines and breeds to sell companions or pets. |
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This breeder is trying to pass themselves off as being ethical and many people are fooled by a pedigree or a fancy web site. They like to have a Champion male and usually have 10-12 inferior females they breed to him. They do not have time to show or showing is too political. In reality their dogs are poor qualityand may have been sold as a pet by a reputable breeder and then aquired by these people who are now using an alternate regisrty to get papers on the pups. |
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Tells you what you want to hear to make a sale. |
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Avoid a breeder who tells you things that contradict general breed information. If they are telling you that a fenced yard is not necessary and you can train your Shiba to come when called or to get along with same sex dogs, be careful. Some breeders will promise you the moon to make a sale. They have super 3 year sales contracts that you can never enforce if there is a problem. If it sounds to good to be true it probably is! |
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Offers Shibas available in every color |
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A breeder who does not even care to breed a correct color certainly does not care about health or temperment. A reputable breeder will breed for reds, sesames and black&tans with correct markings. If they are offering creams, or pintos stay away! If you want an odd colored Shiba go to rescue. MSIR has many adoptable Shibas in a variety of colors and these dogs have been screened for health and temperment issues. |
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Links to great sites! |
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So do some research on this breed BEFORE you buy. There are typically only one or two reputable breeders per state in the Midwest. You can find them listed on the National Shiba Club web site, and can also find out more about Shibas at the Midwest Shiba Rescue Site, links below. |
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National Shiba Club |
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Midwest Shiba Rescue |
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