Doodle for auction??

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

I just heard about a doodle breeder who donated a puppy to be auctioned at a community event. What are your thoughts about this?  Would a "reputable" breeder do this?  Do you think the outcome will be good for the puppy or do you think this will increase the chances of it ending up in rescue or worse if it's not a good fit for the winning family?

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I understand from your point of view, Carol, and I agree with you, but I have to defend auctions somewhat.The charity event for the pup that introduced me to doodles, was a church event so there was no drinking.  Impulse buy maybe, but that is how my DH and I have gotten all our dogs - oh we might have waited a week to let the idea gel totally, but the decision was impulsive.  At some point the  actual decision is always impulse for us, even if we had been thinking about getting a/another dog.  Our first Springer was from my son's preschool teacher; our lab mix was a puppy rescue held at the pet store; our second Springer (looking for years) but choosing him was impulsive; Ned was from seeing a doodle at a campground - finding a breeder and puppies before we even went home, and getting Ned a week later; and Clancy was at a pet adoption fundraiser (we tried to generate interest in him by posting here and on the DRC site as well as e-mailing all our friends - for a week before taking him ourselves).

[Carol Brand]

Nancy, no slam against you or the way you acquired your dogs, but I guess the long and short of it is...  I don't want to sell to impulse buyers.   As a breeder, I'm looking for buyers who are as picky as I am.  

I want 1st time Poodle owners to thoughtfully consider whether or not a Poodle is the right choice for them.  Owning a Poodle comes with certain responsibilities: training, grooming, exercise etc.  For experienced Poodle owners,  I want them to be discriminating buyers who have thoroughly researched the purchase of their next Poodle and I want them to think about whether or not the breeding I'm doing is right for them.   To this end we talk in depth about pedigrees, structure, temperament, drive, health testing, the puppy evaluation process and what I am trying to accomplish with the breeding I'm planning.

[Amber (with Maggie)]

I spent weeks researching doodles. Researching local dogs up for adoption and reading up on all of the breeds and personalities. Having been a dog owner before, I knew I didn't want a terrier and I didn't want a large dog. I had long conversations with my mom, who would be a dog sitter for my dog and house sitter should I have to go on work trips. I called my vet to talk about the diseases of certain breeds I was interested in.

 

Once I identified the breeder, I took time to get to know her and her dogs. My decision to get Maggie was impulsive because when I saw her I knew she was the one. However, a lot of time and planning went into that impulsive decision.

 

I think it is much smarter and more responsible to donate something the same value as the puppy than it is to donate a puppy. Or, if the person wants to say "the next two puppies I sell, I will donate the proceeds to the charity." That takes away the gambling aspect of it and confirms that the puppy has its personality matched to the owner. And the owner has been vetted by the breeder.

 

Just because the organization is for a good cause (and it sounds like they all have been) doesn't mean that the dog's well being isnt being under valued.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I actually do agree with you, Carol. I just wanted to point out that there can be good pet owners out there that didn't necessarily do tons of research first.  A lot of it is naivete - something that you, as a breeder member of dk, have educated us about. This is a good thing.

 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

And I'm guessing the application didn't look like this:

http://www.suzanneclothier.com/content/hawks-hunt-gsd-puppy-buyer-q...

I've heard it's easier to get into Harvard than to get a puppy from Suzanne Clothier, lol.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This is from the "About Us" page of one of the poodle breeders from whom I would be comfortable buying a puppy:

We are extremely careful about choosing homes for our puppies. We brought these wonderful loving trusting creatures into the world. And we have a commitment and responsibility to them. Every puppy is entitled to a long, happy, safe, and healthy life with a loving family. So please do not be offended when we interview you in depth both orally and in person. We do this because we care so much about our poodles, not because we don't trust you. We assume that because you have come to _____ Poodles, you want a puppy bred and raised by someone who truly cares and isn't simply looking to find a home and take a check. We also assume that because you are looking for a lifelong family member, you will have many questions for us- and you should. Please ask for as much information and as many questions as you can think of. Visits are welcomed and except in very special situations, required before bringing an ____ puppy home.

Wouldn't it be nice if all breeders were this careful about choosing homes for their puppies?

[Ginny Nightingale]

I am totally in agreement with this--after raising 15 pups over the course of the last 11 months--they are so precious and trusting--I would want only the most responsible people to own them. Luckily, my breeder, who sells the pups, does a thorough job when placing them and people do get turned away if they do not have the right situation for a puppy. It isn't fair to anyone to bring a puppy into an inappropriate situation. That said, mistakes can be made or situations can change. I helped her with grooming a neglected 11 month old pup who was returned to her by someone who said the dog was not trainable and was a biter. the dog was full of mats and needed shaving, but was as gentle as a lamb and quickly re-homed. The original owner just had some changes in her life that were the real reason for no longer being able to care for the dog, but for some reason, she felt compelled to blame it on the dog (maybe she thought she would get her money back?!)

Anyway, a responsible breeder would always be there to take the puppy back and do what she/he could to get them into a loving home, whether the dog has been purchased the usual way or at an auction.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

This is how I plan to choose my next puppy/dog, but as I posted, it seems when I look at my history, we are impulse buyers most often.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

In Clancy's case, (and JD's) I think it's more that a dog who was meant to be yours comes into your life in spite of the fact that you thought you had made other plans, lol.  

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Boy, is that the truth!  I can't imagine big ol' doofus Clancy anywhere but in our home.

[Jennifer and "Cooper"]

Totally bad idea.  It's going to end up being an impulse purchase because people are going to get caught up in the bidding process and trying to "one up" the competing bidders.  There is a good chance whoever "wins" the puppy will take it home and then realize what a commitment it is to have a puppy and the puppy will end up being rehomed one way or another.  (More than likely an "or best offer" ad on Craigslist or someplace similar in an effort to recoup some of their money.)

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Unacceptable-this is like an impulse buy and to me that is wrong in every way.Adding a puppy to your family takes planning.

The ONLY way this would be ok is if they were already on the breeder's wait list.