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Buying A Purebred© Betty Sleep
Jun 1, 2001
As a cat and dog breeder, I get many requests for pets. Whether the person is looking for a puppy or a kitten, I give them the same advice. When looking for a purebred pet, deal with a
reputable breeder, someone who has a clean, well run cattery/kennel, and who can supply references, health clearances, pedigrees, copies of contracts, etc.A breeder who refuses access to any of these, has something they don't want you to see.If you can, find a breeder who shows their animals. Ask what their show records are. Championships are a hallmark
that their cats/dogs have met the criteria set down for that particular breed. There are people who do not show, and this is not necessarily a bad thing, but it requires careful scrutiny to make sure they are an honest, ethical breeder. Always buy your purebred cat/dog on a contract that clearly lays out your responsibilities as the purchaser, and the breeder's responsibilites as the vendor.
A purebred is most often defined as an animal registered with, or eligible to be registered with, an organization which is authorized to conduct that registry by law or granting of a
charter. It is not enough for someone to start the ABC Kennel Club and record their matings of breed X. No matter how many generations they may have "registered", the dog is not considered purebred unless the registering body has a reciprocal agreement with a duly authorized organization, such as exists between the American Kennel Club, and the Canadian Kennel Club. I am frequently asked why purebreds cost "so much".
First of all, a breeder who cares what they're doing buys their breeding stock wisely, sometimes investing a great deal of money in just one animal. Others will simply buy whatever animals they can get their hands on to breed with, often paying lower prices because of poorer quality, and just throwing them together in a melting pot of backgrounds and bloodlines.
Then there is our time. You never, ever, get back money for the time spent in training, showing, grooming, and caring for your animals. It just doesn't happen. When someone says to me, "boy, you must really be making a bundle", I ask them if they want to see my vet bills. One C-section on a cat can mean you're in the hole for that litter and the next one. Add in the costs of food, litter, equipment, training, and the show fees to earn those championships (which don't grow on trees), and there is very little profit left. At best, most of us hope to break even.
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The copyright of the article Buying A Purebred in Household Pets is owned by . Permission to republish Buying A Purebred in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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