What to tell the breeder?

[Thehallk]

Hi Guys,
I'm just writing an email to my breeder to ask about allergy history with Gilly's lines/littermates, and I'm wondering what sort of things a breeder would want to be updated on?

Here are some examples of things I dont know if the breeder would want to know:
Gilly's right foot is pigeon toed inwards. She's in no pain, has had x-rays and both vet and radiologist say it's just conformation and no evidence of ED or chips or anything of hte sort. Should I let my breeder know about the pigeon toe even though it's just conformation?

Gilly seems to have a bit of entropion. She's had an eye infection once but we're not sure if that was related to the allergies or if it was from what the vet says is a really mild entropion. Tell my breeder?

How often do you like to get updates with pictures, news, etc? I'm not "close" with the breeder and life can be hectic, so i'm not emailing her every month or anything, but would you be concerned if you weren't getting updates regularly?

I know that breeders like to be updated with health concerns, but I don't want to go overboard emailing her with every little concern!

 

[Pipelineozzy]

I'd tell her all of it..but not in a confrontational way if you know what I mean? I mean..I talk to my puppy people almost weekly...they are all on my facebook, and they tell me things or "ask" me if it's "normal" etc. As long as the breeder doesn't feel confronted by any of it..I would assume they would want to know about it. And I wouldn't panic on the entropion thing anyway..if the dog has allergies..theres a good chance it's just mild facial swelling rather than entropion, as an actual case of entropion does NOT come and go at all.

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

You can mention these issues to the breeder, with an informational approach. A good breeder wants to know what is in her lines, good or bad. She may be helpful with some of the issues.

 

[Jeannie]

Good luck. I tried to contact Adam's breeder because of his bite. She blew it off and basically said to live with it/don't bother me. I purchased Adam as my first show dog. As the time went by I talked to people at the shows and Adam has what is known as the "Kennel name" bite.

I figured it was just the breeder but when I was told Chase had OCD I contacted the breeder and I got the same response.

In neither case did I ask for money back or any thing, I just wanted them to know what their breeding produced. I thought they would want to know. I guess I was wrong.

 

[Ginny]

Contact her - this could be an opportunity to get communication between the 2 of you going.

 

[Angela]

You could start off by sending an up to date pic and mention you are interested in whether littermates are having allergy issues. Don't be confrontational, it doesn't go down well!!!

 

[padkins]

Is your breeder on Facebook? That might be a great way to keep in touch. Maybe you should just ask the breeder how often they would like updates, etc. I think that it depends on the relationship you have with your breeder.

 

[BoundlessNewfs]

I would mention ANY health concerns to your breeder, in as nice a way as possible, just so they are aware. You may end up having a very good relationship with them, and find them to be a great resource for any future issues.


Jeannie, I got a similar response from Lucy and Maggie's "breeder". She said I just wanted someone to blame. Honestly, I had approached them in the MOST non-confrontational way, and just wanted them to be aware of some serious health issues in those lines, so they could adjust future breeding plans.

When Lucy passed away this summer, I did notify them...and to their credit, they responded in a very compassionate way.

 

[Thehallk]

I did send a picture and for now just asked about allergy history (i hope I didn't come off as confrontational!) I certainly wouldn't place blame, but just trying to pinpoint what this is and that if anyone had a similar history it might help. I couldn't find her on Facebook, but She's always been very open and helpful in the past through phone calls and emails but she's never asked for updates so I wasnt sure. If she responds well to the allergy question I'll go from there and figure out how to best approach the other issues. Thanks!

 

[new_2_newf]

I've been able to pepper my breeder with questions...she's on my facebook, so she see's pictures/updates all the time, but I can shoot her off a quick email or message and ask questions when I want to know, or want or her to know something specific....he had some funny reactions to medications when he was neutered and stuff like that, and the exchange for us has been really good.

 

[marylouz]

As a breeder I want to hear anything and everything from my puppy people - just ask Amanda <g>. For instance - with your girl who is toeing in in the front- how old is she, is it one or both feet - toeing in is fairly common in the breed - when evaling for a "keeper" pup I actually look for one who is a little toed out since I know they are going to come in as they grow. For allergies - I have now 2 pups from different litters who have allergy issues (a 5 year old and a 9 month old) and I have been able to share info with both about things I learned at the National seminar on skin problems, etc. that provided them with more info than they got from their vet so it worked out well for us. I am always happier with puppy families that share more than less with me.

 

[new_2_newf]

one thing that I've also found helpful was to have an experienced newf person (cause I'm totally NOT) look at something I'm worried about and write a note or something. In this case, it's a local breeder that I know (that didn't breed my dog)...she can talk the same language as my breeder, so she has helped me understand what was being asked of me and helped me explain things to my breeder in a way she understands since she's 17 hours away and can'y physically look at him or put her hands on him. where there is a will, there is a way. I just try to be honest if I am unsure or don't understand, or if I am scared something is wrong, I'll tell her that I'm freaking out and then why.