At Timeless Keeshonden, we breed for quality, not quantity. Breedings are few and far between, and we rarely have puppies available, but would like to help you find a responsible breeder and the right Keeshond for you. We also encourage you to investigate the possibility of adopting a rescue. Our current crew includes three Rescue Keeshonden and they are all beautiful, intelligent, loving Keeshonden. Click on the 'Keeshond Rescue' Link to learn more about Kees rescue and find sources for available rescue Kees.
All puppies come from a breeder, but there are many types of breeders. Following is information to help you choose a responsible breeder.
RESPONSIBLE BREEDERS are able to answer buyers' questions, keep any puppies they cannot place, do not overbreed their bitches, and take back ANY puppy that does not work out. They breed because they wish to contribute to the betterment of their breed. They health test their breeding stock and guarantee the pups are free of genetic diseases and replace the pup should the disease crop up. A responsible breeder considers each of their puppies to be their responsibility for the LIFE of that puppy and can be expected to follow up to see how their 'kids' are doing.
Responsible breeders rarely breed more than a few breeds of dogs, and work to become experts on their breed(s).
Responsible breeders are usually members of their breed club and are active in dog showing or sports of some sort.
Responsible breeders evaluate their puppies as show and breeding quality or companion (pet) quality and sell them on contracts accordingly. Companion pups are sold with a spay-neuter contract, and with limited registration. Companion quality puppies are not deficient or defective, but may not meet the breed standard for size, color, coat type, bone structure, head type, etc. Often 'show quality' pups are placed in companion homes because that puppy buyer is simply the right home for the puppy.
Responsible breeders are available for advice and to share trials and triumphs with for the life of the dog.
Responsible breeders can be located by contacting area or national kennel and breed clubs. A fun way to find a breeder is to attend a dog show, spend the day watching and rooting for your favorite, and talk to the breeders there. Most will know of upcoming litters from reputable breeders. Few responsible breeders advertise (in local newspapers etc.) because they have no trouble placing their dogs, and often have homes for most prior to the breeding.
It is best to speak the breeder the first time without the puppies present. It is difficult to walk away from a Keeshond Puppy once you have seen it. Ask to see the sire and dam of the litter and assess their temperament. (Often the Sire will not be onsite, but you should be able to contact the owner of the sire and ask them questions as well.)
Ask about genetic diseases that affect the breed. Ask to see ratings results of the parents OFA hip certification and other testing records. There is no acceptable reason for failure to test the parents.
Ask about the contract and guarantee, and for the names of previous puppy buyers to call for references.
Ask to see the pedigrees of the sire and dam. If there are lots of champions or titled dogs in the pedigree, the puppies are most likely good physical examples of the breed. You can also look up the pedigree for your prospective Keeshond puppy by using the Keeshond Pedigree Database link on the 'Links" page.
Expect the breeder to ask you a lot of questions. Most will have you complete an application or puppy buyer questionnaire. You can also expect them to ask for references and to check them. If the breeder doesn't care where his puppy goes, he probably simply does not care about the puppy.
WHAT ABOUT A PET STORE PUPPY? Although you may get a good pet from a pet store, chances are that you will get a pup that has one or more problems caused by poor breeding practices and the pet store will have no answers for customers seeking to solve those problems. Often pet store employees don't even know who the breeder of the puppy is, have never seen or met them, and have no clue about the quality or temperament of the sire and dam. They will also not be knowledgable about your breed and will have no advice for consumers seeking to solve health or traning issues. They may offer a guarantee for certain conditions for a specified period of time. Most genetic disorders don't appear or cannot be reliably tested for until the dog is at least two years old. Most pet store guarantees are for one or two years.
Contrary to popular belief, most pet store puppies cost as much or more than a puppy from a reputable breeder, and may wind up costing more in the long run do to health or temperament issues. REMEMBER, the breeders of puppies sold in pet stores DO NOT CARE who their puppies are sold to. They have no say or interest in the well being of the puppy. Their PRIMARY reason for breeding is profit.
COMMERCIAL BREEDERs generally have several breeds of dogs and breed with profit as the primary motive for existence. They dogs may or may not be healthy. The dogs are probably not screened for genetic diseases and breeding stock is probably not selected for resemblance to the breed standard or for correct temperament. Most commercial breeders sell their puppies to pet stores or to brokers who sell to pet stores.
BROKERS buy puppies from commercial kennels and sell to retail outlets. Puppies are shipped by the crate-load on airlines or by truckload throught the country.
BUNCHERS collect dogs of unkown origin for sale to laboratories or other bunchers or brokers. There is much suspicion that they buy stolen pets and collect pets advertisied as "Free to a good home" or adopt unwanted pets from shelters and sell them for laboratory research.
PUPPYMILLS produce puppies hand over fist with no breeding program, little attention to puppy placement, and poor health and socialization practices. A puppymill may or may not be dirty, but it is usually overcrowded and the dogs may be neglected or abused because the breeder can't properly handle as many dogs as he has. Puppymills usually sell their dogs to pet stores through brokers, but may also sell on the internet. Please see the "No Puppymills" link on the Keeshond Rescue Page.
BACKYARD BREEDERS generally sell puppies which were bred by accident, or bred on purpose for a variety of reasons. This breeder is usually ignorant of the breed standard, genetics, behavior, and good health practices. They rarely offer health guarantees. Many backyard breeders can be seen selling puppies in parking lots and on the side of the road. Again, they do not care who buys their puppies and may not be available if help or advice is needed.
BUYER BEWARE!!! Please keep in mind that many puppymillers and backyard breeders are aware of what it takes to be a reputable breeder, and though they choose not to do testing, etc, they can be very convincing. Often they have websites with cute puppies and testimonials from happy families. Be sure and do your homework! Watch for the following 'red flags':
Special thanks to Jinnie at Solstice GSP & CWC for extra inspiration for this page.
