Before you buy a Siberian Husky!
When you purchase expensive items from merchants you expect them to be of quality and that you’ll be given a written warranty, right? So, why is it that the same is not expected of the pure-bred dog breeder? You are paying money for a dog who is supposedly worth what you are spending. Unfortunately, the general public has made very poor assumptions about registration papers and the proper place to purchase a quality dog. Most people under the IMPRESSION that a quality dog can be obtained through the classified ads, auctions, raffles, flea-markets, parking lots, street corners, pet stores or operations where puppies are available constantly. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Unfortunately, the Siberian became over-popularized and there are still many greedy or misguided people called backyard breeders, trying to and make a quick buck. These people don't know much about the breed, it's Standard, genetics, or correct temperament. Now the Internet is filled with professional looking websites by puppy millers & backyard breeders choosing to hide behind a screen in order to sell poor quality dogs. They have and are strongly contributing to the decline of the Siberian Husky. We now see the result of what the uneducated and unscrupulous have done to this wonderful breed. Our pound & shelters are over-populated and our rescue programs are finding dogs with aggressive temperaments, hip dysplasia, thyroid problems, severe allergies, epilepsy and worsening eye problems. It is important that you learn as much as you can, before you invest your money and emotions. If you want to share many happy years with a Siberian Husky, make sure it has a correct temperament, good health, and good looks. You may have to wait a bit before finding such a dog, but it is worth the wait.
Moral, Ethical and Caring Breeder
Good breeders, like good owners, make a lifetime commitment to their dogs. A reputable breeder will ask as many questions of you as you ask of them. They are interested in the welfare of the breed and wish to preserve it's inherent qualities, not in turning a profit from the breed. They will rarely sell you a puppy on your first visit and may want to visit your home or get references. A good breeder will require you to notify them should you be unable to keep your dog, and be willing to take the dog back if a suitable home cannot be found. They are often members of all-breed or Specialty clubs and have signed a "code of ethics." An Ethical Breeder will only produce a litter from parents that are certified to be free of Hip Dysplasia and inherited eye problems. CHD is a crippling hereditary disorder, and can cause the dog great pain and in some cases may require very expensive surgery. There are varying degrees of dysplasia and an affected animal will not always be symptomatic. CHD CANNOT be definitively diagnosed on the basis of external appearance or palpitation of the joint. An OFA certification is not obtainable until the dog is at least 2 years old. An alternative, Penn Hip, can be done on dogs as young as 4 months of age. The Siberian is one of the few breeds that has had a dramatic decrease in the incidence of hip dysplasia from 1980 through 1995. The breed statistics changed with a 42.1% increase in the number of OFA "excellent" dogs, and a 55.6% decrease in the number of dysplastic dogs . It is due to the efforts of he Ethical breeders who continue to test their dogs to ensure the numbers of affected dogs remain low. Siberians can also have several inherited eye problems such as, cataracts, PRA, corneal dystrophy. Clearances must be done on a yearly basis for any Siberian being bred. Three types are available, the Canine Eye Research Foundation CERF, Siberian Husky Ophthalmic Registry SHOR or a written exam by an accredited member of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists ACVO. An eye clearance is only done by specialized veterinarians and ethical breeders must often travel to other cities to use the services of a canine ophthalmologist. A responsible breeder produces litters from parents that have proven themselves in the conformation ring at dog shows or racing on the trail. Shows are a competition of breeding quality dogs, not a showcase of pet tricks. Dogs are judged by their breed standard on structure, movement, and breed type. Show Quality is breeding quality. So, if they don't show or work toward sled degrees, they shouldn't breed.
Let the Buyer Beware
Registration Certificates, whether issued by AKC, SKC, CKC, UKC, FCI or any other agency that holds Stud Books, are not proof of quality. They are not a "license to breed." They simply tell you who are the parents of the dog. Claims of "Championship bloodlines" does not indicate quality. Steer clear of any website that actually states it is a commercial kennel, professional breeder or USDA Licensed. It’s just a polite way of saying, Puppy miller! If you visit a website that lets you “order" a puppy like an appliance or a book … it’s not the place you want to buy a dog! If they prominently display the acceptance of pay pal or credit cards, you should question their priorities in breeding their dogs. If they are members of the BBB (Better Business Bureau), that says it. They are in the business of churning out dogs. Quantity equals profit. Bottom line. A sure sign of a bad breeder is advertising Christmas puppies or “special prices” or discounts to clear out older litters. Places advertising Christmas Puppies or 3,4, 5 or more breeds for sale… their expertise lies in churning out puppies. Parents on premises, sounds great but it probably means they bred the cheapest way they could. There are also those that will flat out lie about Championships, working titles, showing, club membership and health clearances. Ask to see the Certificates of Title, rosettes, show photos, etc. Visit the AKC website to verify that the parents are champions, you will need their AKC numbers for the verification. If claims of hip or eye clearances are made, visit OFA, CERF or go the SHOR web site to make sure the info is legitimate. Contact the SHCA or the Kennel club's Secretary and verify their membership, the seller SHOULD have their contact info. Put a face on the breeder. Many of the unscrupulous hide behind inviting web pages. It is wise to use Google, Copernic, or other search engines to check out any potential breeder. Have they been convicted of crimes, abuse, or suspended by clubs or registries? Be an informed & educated buyer.
Please do not accept justifications such as:
“It's all political.“ or “We just do not have time for showing.”
“We specialize & our dogs are 100% purebred, AKC registered.”
“My vet and the testing facility have informed me that testing may have been necessary decades
ago, but hip dysplasia is low and testing is not necessary, now.”
“ We know our dogs are good and the vet says they're beautiful."
“ We just love our dogs, everyone should own one.”
These are all poor excuses for, "I just want to make money at the expense of the Siberian Husky.
Beware of any sites or ads that proclaims to specialize in blue eyes, perfect markings, breeding extra big over sized, heavy boned, extremely rare colors, wooly or triple coats. These are all signs of a someone who doesn't know a thing about the breed nor do they attempt to adhere to the standard. Backyard breeders & Puppy millers turn disqualifications, faults, or unimportant factors into exotic sounding selling points because there is nothing else of merit that they can say about their dogs. They depend on the fact that people think a web site indicates that they are reputable. When in fact, they are hiding behind half truths, blatant lies and a screen. Testimonials are intended to be a statement testifying to a benefit received, or a character reference. More over it is found that the Backyarders & Millers use this marketing tool in an attempt to set the buyers at ease. Ever notice there is never one complaint posted? For the most part, testimonials and celebrity endorsements are simply fictional. Who’s going to verify them? If one does question a testimonial, the advertiser simply says they lost contact with the puppy buyer. It is fortunate that most people understand that testimonials are an insult to their intelligence. Be wary of the Breeder who requires a non-refundable deposit, even if the breeding didn’t take or there was not a puppy for you. Forcing you to wait until the next litter or forfeit your money. Bad breeders attempt to better their image by offering contracts & guarantees like a reputable breeder. Please educate yourself regarding the worth of a guarantee & the time stipulations it carries. What good s a 6 month guarantee for eye or hip problems when it is seen that these diseases are usually don’t become apparent at such a young age. Another attempt to appear credible is the display of the AKC logo on their websites. Often proclaiming they are a proud member of AKC. The truth is there are NO individual members of AKC. It is comprised solely of show giving kennel clubs.
Ultimately, If you do not see key words like, "Champion sire & dam, OFA, CERF, SHOR, Pointed Dam” go elsewhere! Ethical Breeders are out there. Visit our LINKS page for a list of websites in which to start your search. Hopefully, you'll find the breeder & dog worth the wait. However, if you just find all this unnecessary, please consider a adopting a rescue dog. Do not condone and encourage the actions of the bad breeders with the purchase their puppies, their older dogs are already waiting in rescue. Please don’t play a part in the problem when you can help halt pet overpopulation.
An Ethical Breeder will voluntarily give you:
1) A written sales/return contract outlining showing, breeding or neutering.
2) An effectual health/temperament guarantee with replacement or refund policy.
3) Come Back Home Commitment. Lifetime responsibility to their unwanted dogs.
4) Copies of both sire & dam's Penn-Hip, OFA or prelims for hips.
5) Copies of the eye certifications for the sire & dam by SHOR, CERF or ACVO.
6) Health record including shots, de-worming, medications and medical history.
7) Registration Certificate
8) Provide help & guidance through the tough times!
