I need help for a friend looking for a Scottish Terrier breeder

[Catlady711]

I know you guys know alot about this kind of thing so I was hoping you'd help me with some tips and info.

A friend of the family is wanting to get a Scottish Terrier purebred from a breeder. She knows I work at a vet hospital, love animals and wants to make sure she makes a good choice so she asked me to help her. She'd recently had to put her Scotty to sleep from old age. She had inherited that dog from someone else and fell in love with the breed. Her only personal experience with a breeder was a very bad one (the breeder was a BYB and my friend didn't know any better).

She truely wants a purebred Scotty with AKC registration so please don't suggest the Humane Societies as I've already suggested those to her and that's not what she wants. Not sure if a Scotty Rescue group would be out of the question though, but she's got her heart set on getting a young puppy not an adult. She does spay/neuter and has no plans of breeding or showing the dog.

I know a little about things to look for in a breeder for dogs, but certainly not everything I'm sure.

Here's what little bit I do know to look for:

Only 1-2 litters per year
Specalizing in only 1-2 breeds
Vet checked and wormed and first shots
Health guarantee


What other things should I look for in a Scotty breeder for my friend? Is there a list of questions I should ask a breeder for her? I want to make sure anywhere I recommend to her will be a reputable breeder, not a puppy mill or BYB.

Thanks in advance for your tips/time.

[Freedom]

I use the Bichon Information Station for a lot of these things. The essays apply to all dog ownership issues, only a few are bichon specific. Scroll down watch the left column for BREEDER. Those essays will outline many things to watch for.

http://www.bichonfriseusa.com/

Under the TESTING essays, the CERF link isn't working properly, but you can search for CERF canine and find info on that. Each breed may have its own additional tests as well. I am sure that once they get into reading and researching, they can track down any specific tests recommended for Scottish terriers.


Also, if they are not in a rush, they could attend local dog trials, dog agility competitions, etc. and find someone that way as well. Those are the folks who are into improving the breed and even if they don't breed they often know someone who does. (If the competition is APDT, the dogs may be neutered / spayed, not so for AKC competitions. But that is not the point, other than as to why some of those at the meet may not breed.)

[Catlady711]

Thank you, I'll check out that link.

Not sure my friend is into going to dog shows that I know of, but I'll mention it to her.

[Giselle]

Bottom line for EVERY breeder: He/she must be breeding to improve the breed itself.

That means that the breeder is actively proving his or her dogs. Possible forms of proving their breeder stock:
- conformation
- Schutzhund
- herding
- Earth dog trials
- lure coursing
- French ring
etc.

I do not consider agility and obedience *alone* to be proof enough for breeding ability because any dog, shelter/mutt/registered purebred/etc., is capable of performing in agility and obedience. But not every dog can compete and excel in the above activities. For example, lure coursing is geared towards sighthounds. Protection and working dogs are naturally suited to Sch. Terriers are made for Earth Dog, etc.

The breeder should be health testing via:
- CERF
- OFA
- PennHIP
- Optigen
- von Willebrands
- Thyroid
- any other genetic ailment that the breed is particularly predisposed to, i.e. for Bedlington Terriers, they should have their copper levels checked often for Copper Toxicosis.

If you're looking for a reputable breeder dedicated to improving the breed, I highly recommend checking the breed's national club first:
http://clubs.akc.org/stca/weare.htm

Please check out their health site, too:
http://clubs.akc.org/stca/geneticissues.htm

Word of caution: Ever since our current President came into office, his Scottish terrier, Barney, has sparked a surge of popularity. Popularity almost always proves detrimental to a breed's general health. Ergo, use EXTREME caution when you are screening breeders.

[Giselle]

BTW, I don't know if I can unconditionally agree with some of these:

Only 1-2 litters per year
Specalizing in only 1-2 breeds
Vet checked and wormed and first shots
Health guarantee

I don't know of many reputable breeders who schedule their litters to 1-2 per year. Some only breed when they know they're going to be able to use some fantastic dogs, which is sometimes 1 litter every few years. Others will find some *superior* dogs and do a couple litters at a time. It really fluctuates with the quality of dogs they find.

I also know of some AMAZING breeders who specialize in more than 1-2 breeds. It takes time to familiarize with a breed, but it's not unheard of to have a reputable breeder in more than 2 breeds.

Vet checked, wormed, and first shots are as basic as food and water. Even BYB's and PM's usually do this. I wouldn't even keep this in mind while looking for a breeder.

Health guarantee: READ IT. Please please please read whatever health guarantee a breeder gives to you. Some only guarantee the first year. Yeah, okay, but a lot of genetic diseases crop up after the 1st year. What then?! Read the health guarantee, consider the genetic diseases prevalent in a breed, and weigh the risk. Health guarantees are very tricky things because it's such a multi-faceted issue, so please read the guarantee carefully.

[Catlady711]

Thank you for the info Giselle! It was very helpful.:)

There is a breeder my friend mentioned she heard about. Their site does not impress me in the least, there is alot not mentioned that I feel should have been. I think it's a higher class BYB myself, (higher class, meaning they claim to have the parents tested and cleared for VWD at least and have a 1 year genetic health guarantee listed but not expounded upon).

I sent them a lengthy email of at least 25 questions that I felt should have been put in their ad. I wouldn't be surprised if I never hear from them, or get canned response or lacking answers.

I'll keep what you mentioned in mind when looking at any others she mentions or I run across. Thanks again.

[IRescue452]

Don't forget to check if the breeder is on the AKC suspension list
http://www.barkbytes.com/suspend/suspindx.htm

[Giselle]

Oh yeah, high class BYBs definitely exist. They're the most lucrative types because they're so well-tuned as to what the prospective buyer looks for and they use a lot of gimmicks that deceive even more experienced dog people.

Choosing a breeder is an art and a science. I'm glad that you clearly have been able to pick up on it so quickly :D Fire those questions away! If you don't receive a satisfactory answer to any of those questions and it causes you concern, don't be afraid to walk away. There are literally HUNDREDS of other breeders out there!

[Catlady711]

I guess in a way it makes it easier for me to be picky/objective since I'm not the one wanting to get a new pet. I think that's another reason my friend asked for my help.

Thanks for that link also. I didn't know a person could be suspended from the AKC or that there was a list to check that.

[CavalierKingCharlesSpaniels4ev]

http://puppydogweb.com/breeders/scottishterrier.htm

[Giselle]

That link lists some of the worst puppy millers/backyard breeders I've ever seen. Sorry to be negative, but honesty can be brutal in the realm of dog breeding. :/

[moosmom]

How about Scottish Terrier RESCUE??? Why line a breeders pocket when you can offer a Scottish Terrier rescue a home?? JMO

[Catlady711]

Since I see my thread popped up again I thought I'd update you on my friend's search.

After talking to her she decided to adopt a dog instead of getting one from a breeder. However during that time she had some health problems which will be long term and has decided not to get another dog at all. She doesn't feel that she will be able to properly care for one now with the health problems she has which include sleeping alot, tripping and having alot of difficulty walking.

Just thought I'd let you know what the outcome was. I thank everyone for their help and I'll keep those tips/links in mind in case any other friends ask me about breeders.

[moosmom]

Catlady711,

AWESOME!!!

[IRescue452]

I'm sorry to hear about your friend's illness :(. She could always look at an adult scottie to lessen the workload of a new dog during her illness. Whatever is right for her though.