Ebony was basically along for the ride. I wanted to see if her attitude toward showing had changed. Not really. She loves going to the shows, but hates being in the show ring where some stranger (the judge!) will be touching her. She did show better than before and managed to take Reserve Winners Bitch to the major on Sunday.
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What to Look for As You Search
for A Reputable Lhasa Apso Breeder
by Joyce Johanson
Dear Potential Lhasa Apso Owner,Thank you for your interest in the Lhasa Apso and for taking the time and effort to "do it right." By that, I refer to your visiting this site to find out more about the breed and to determine if the Lhasa Apso is the right choice for your family. I assume this is just one of your many stops along the way as you read and learn about the breed.
What should you, a potential Lhasa Apso owner, look for as you search for a Lhasa Apso breeder? Just what is a reputable breeder and what should you reasonably expect from him/her?
The first thing you should expect from a reputable breeder is questions. . .lots and lots of questions. We're a nosy bunch! Some of us will ask these questions as we talk to you on the phone. Others will mail you a questionnaire. We'll ask why you want a Lhasa Apso; what your past experiences with the breed have been; what other pets you have; the ages of your children or grandchildren who visit often; your philosophy of raising and training a dog; your philosophy about making a dog a part of your family; and your philosophy of crate training. We'll ask for information about the research you have done on the breed (especially if you have never had a Lhasa before) and where you found the information. We'll want to know if you have a fenced in yard and, if you don't, how you intend to protect and exercise your Lhasa. We'll ask if you understand the amount of care a Lhasa's coat takes and if you have made arrangements for a groomer to care for your dog or if you plan to do the grooming yourself. We'll ask if you want a male or a female (and why) and if you're looking for a companion puppy or a show prospect. We'll ask what you understand about the Lhasa's personality. (For example, what does "chary of strangers" mean?) And, if you don't know the answers to some of our questions, that's okay. We'll take the opportunity to educate you on some of the joys and tribulations of owning a Lhasa. Oh. . . and we'll probably ask for names and contact information of references, and it's just fine for you to ask the same in return.
The next thing you should expect from a breeder is answers to your questions. You can be nosy too! You should be given ample opportunity to ask questions about the breed in general and the breeder's dogs in particular. Make a list before you make the phone call and add to the list during the conversation if necessary. Many of your questions should be generated from the reading you have done about the breed. Don't be afraid to ask questions regarding how and where the puppies are raised and socialized, the number of litters the breeder has each year, the number of years the breeder has been involved with the breed, the breeder's practices regarding waiting lists and deposits, and the breeder's health guarantees, return policies, policies on spaying/neutering, policies on withholding AKC registration paperwork, and prices. Ask whatever you think you need to know to help you find a puppy that is right for you.
You should expect information. A good breeder wants you to know everything you need to know before you welcome a Lhasa Apso into your life and a relationship that could last 15 years or longer. Most of us enjoy talking about the breed - and our own Lhasas - so we might give you more information than you really want. A good breeder will be able to provide you with resources for finding more information, especially if you seem not to have done your homework before you called!
You should expect honesty and integrity. A breeder's value system should reflect the "treat others as you want to be treated" philosophy. Unfortunately, that is not always the case, and more than one puppy buyer has been hoodwinked by a breeder who seemed honest and sincere. (I might also add that more than one breeder has been taken in by a puppy buyer who was less than honest. The trust factor works both ways.) The American Lhasa Apso Club (ALAC) has endorsed a Code of Ethics for its members that covers behavior related to breeding practices, kennel management, sales, advertising, written agreements, and health guarantees.
Once you've chosen a breeder, you should expect the following:
1. An opportunity to meet the puppy's dam and sire. If the breeder does not own the sire, he will not be available for you to meet and that's okay, but you should be able to meet the puppy's mother.
2. An opportunity to meet other Lhasas the breeder has produced (most of us enjoy showing off our dogs!) Ask to see siblings of the sire or dam or other offspring of either dog. Many breeders can pull out photo albums to show you pictures of the puppy's relatives back many generations.
3. A health guarantee that outlines how long the guarantee is in effect, what particular diseases or conditions are covered by the guarantee, and what procedures to follow if a health problem arises while the guarantee is in effect. Don't expect the guarantee to cover injuries or illness caused by accidents, neglect, or abuse, including improper diet, improper grooming and coat care, or inadequate veterinary care while the dog is in your possession.
4. A sales agreement with return policy that explains under what circumstances the dog may be returned for money back or for a replacement puppy. You can also expect the breeder to request the right of "first refusal," meaning you are expected to contact him/her should circumstances prevent your keeping the Lhasa, even when he/she grows up. The breeder may take the dog back (usually no money changes hands) or may help you find the dog another home.
5. Your puppy's AKC registration paperwork. Depending on the sales agreement, the AKC registration paperwork may be provided at the time of the sale or at a later date. Most breeders require that puppies sold as pets be spayed or neutered and that they receive documentation of the procedure. If the breeder does not intend to provide registration paperwork, a statement of that fact should be part of the signed sales agreement.
6. Continued support. Most breeders want to maintain some kind of contact with puppy buyers. They realize that their job as a breeder does not stop with the puppy sale. Your breeder should be a resource for you as your Lhasa grows and should welcome your questions as opportunities to educate you further about the breed. By maintaining even intermittent contact with puppy buyers, a breeder becomes educated about his/her lines, how they mature, and the problems that may arise. By keeping in contact with your breeder, you are doing him/her as well as yourself a favor. (P.S. Breeders always appreciate occasional photos of the Lhasas they have bred.)
Good Lhasa Apso breeders are not hard to find, but you need to do your homework about the breed so you know the kinds of questions to ask and can feel comfortable with the answers you receive. Again, thanks for being interested in the Lhasa Apso. Good luck as you search for the right breeder who has just the puppy you've been waiting for!
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I have been busy trying to keep these two clean and brushed. At the beginning of March we had spring- gorgeous and warm so the snow melted and that's always messy and dirty. Then last Wednesday we got 2 feet of snow which was awful. And now that is melting so once again dirty and wet everywhere. It's exhausting."
(Looks like Sunny got tired of waiting and took a nap!)
He is definitely a guard dog. He is very sensitive to sounds, strangers outside, etc - even more than his older Lhasa Apso brother, Dresden, who is 7 years his senior. Duncan is also the most affectionate of the 3 Lhasas I have had.
Duncan and Dresden continue to bond, play, snuggle/sleep together and tag team me when one or the other wants a treat, a walk, or an outing to a favorite pet-friendly store.
Thank you for entrusting Duncan to me."
Courtney sent this photo of Amelia. The two of them have begun confirmation showing
"The Better Breeder Institute’s Code of Ethics is written keeping the best interests of our dogs at heart, as well as the families we entrust our puppies to. Conscientious breeders should exceed the minimum requirements and expectations, setting a standard for others to follow. The goal always being to produce quality dogs that closely conform to their breed standard, of sound temperament, are vigorous, and free of health problems. To that end, I hereby pledge and certify:
1. To support the preservation and advancement of my breed.
2. To plan each breeding with the primary intention to improve my bloodline within the foundation of correct breed type and original breed purpose.
3. In every breeding, to analyze the pedigree and conformation of both the sire and dam, with consideration of the breed standard and the principles of genetics.
4. To only incorporate dogs free of serious or disqualifying defects. Further, to refrain from using any dog that is found to consistently produce afflicted puppies.
5. To perform all health screens on my breeding stock as recommended by my national breed club.
6. To maintain high standards of health, maintenance, and care for my dogs. Facilities are to be kept clean and orderly.
7. Not to sell any puppy until it is at least eight (8) weeks of age.
8. To be judicious in the sales of my puppies and concerned about the type of buyers they are placed with. I will not sell puppies into homes where I question the care, treatment, or safety of the puppy, or to dog wholesalers, retailers, pet shops, or at auction. I will require buyers of pet-quality puppies to spay/neuter them at a safe & appropriate age.
9. That all my puppies are seen by a licensed veterinarian and given a full veterinary exam before going to a new home. Any health issues or concerns are to be fully communicated and detailed to the buyer.
10.With the sale of every puppy, I will provide the buyer with a properly-executed sales contract, health guarantee, registration papers, and diet, vaccination, and parasite control records at the time of purchase.
11.That my advertising, marketing, and communication will be factual and honest, both in substance and implication.
12.To be available to my puppy buyers for whatever reasonable advice and assistance they may need through the lifetime of the dog.
13.To request that my puppy buyers advise me if they are ever unable to keep their dog so that I can either take the dog back or help assist in placing the dog in a new home.
14.To conduct myself equitably, ethically & professionally toward everyone, whether partners, clients, or competitors."
Joyce
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