As you all know I am sure the issues I have had with a specific puppy buyer. I am looking for a questionaire and maybe a home visit checklist. I want to avoid selling my puppies to ediotic, psychotic people like the couple that I sold Maudie to. I would rather give my pups away to wonderful loving homes than sell one for a million bucks to people like them!! If anyone has questions and/or a checklist and want to share them with me please send them to breshearsratterriers@yahoo.com I appreciate all of your help. I would have never forgiven myself if that stupid heffer would have put my puppy to sleep!! Right now I have 5 pups and I love each one of them and I want them to get the love and companionship that they deserve!! I started breeding not only for the love of the breed, but the smiles and happiness that I bring to the new owners and pups lives. This situation makes me want to become an animal police woman like is on animal planet...I hope that the everything works out for Pal and Lulu. I will pray for them. Breeding is heartbreaking.  

Okay not to offend anyone, but I just had a guy call about our current litter. He lives on 5 acres. He is wanting one of our pups--but he is wanting to have the pup outside. I explained to him that they are hardy breed, but they weren't built to be outside. In my opinion ratties are indoor lap dogs. Mine won't even go outside if it is raining--I have to force them out and then as soon as they potty they are ready to come back in. I told him that I am strongly against putting them outdoors full time. He says that ratties were bred to be outdoors to hunt vermin. Which that to me is really not the case either. I know the story of Teddy Roosevelt and they were indoors at the white house killing rats. My babies even wear sweaters in the winter time. To me it is wrong to put a rattie outside and leaving them outside. That is more for bigger dogs like malamutes, that were born to withstand temperature fluxuation. HELP!!!! I just want other opinions on this situation....This guy didn't know much about ratties either. I explained to him that they are really a mix of a bunch of breeds put together into one. I don't think that he believed me. I do have a copy of the rat terrier family tree that I plan to show him. He also asked me if they like to jump on children--that question really bothers me. I have a couple that are really calm and a couple that never sit still. I mean with proper training they would probably be calm and not jump on kids, however if he puts it in the back yard I am almost positive that the rattie won't get the socialization or the training to know how to behave. Let me have your opinions--I know that a lot of you have had ratties for years and you are alot more experienced than me. I just don't think I feel comfortable with the situation.

That is exactly how I feel. I don't want to see one of my babies stuck out side and forgotten about. I honestly could see that happening. My sister had a pug and she put him out in the back yard...never played with him...just fed and watered him everyday and acted like that was a hassle. It made me very angry!! I eventually talked her into giving him away. He now lives with my mother in law and lives the great life.  He sleeps in the bed, even though his farting will blow you away!! He seems so much happier now! I just don't want to put one of my pups in harms way. We live in Missouri and we have some very strong winters and some very hot days in the summer. I would not think of leaving my babies outside.

oh and yes they are bred to hunt vermins, but not bred to be left outside....  like some people do with coon dogs.... and i don't care where you live, in canada or texas or florida,  they should not be left outside...  

they are very thin coated dogs, and they don't have enough fur to cover them up, and in the summer,  they still can get sunburn, like people....  

I wouldn't know what to say to him about it....  but to be straightforward about the dogs and how they are and what they can do and can't do.... 

Great!! That is what I was worried about. I hate to turn people down, but at the same time I want all my pups to go to great homes. I feel bad turning people away, but at the same time I don't want to put any of my pups in a situation like Maudie's!! It could have turned out alot worse!! I am so glad that I picked Maudie up when I did!! That is the sad thing...there are so many uneducated, unworthy pet owners out there that it is hard to find good homes anymore. When I first started breeding I looked into doing home visits, and I was afraid that would freak people out. Now since I have some experience, I don't really care if it freaks them out....If they are freaked out I feel that they have something to hide. Like the guy who called this morning asked if I had a kennel. I told him no that my dogs are house dogs and that I am just a hobby breeder....that seemed to disappoint him. To me I would rather raise my babies in my home, than in a kennel. I feel more comfortable that way. I did purchase one of my dams from a wonderful kennel....J & L Kennels. I had never seen an actual kennel before and it really suprised me. All of the dogs were very friendly and very clean. Until that point I was against kennels. I felt that all kennels were going to be dirty and "puppy mill" like. Boy did I have an eye opener!! I also purchased one of my pet girls from a lady that had them in her house. If I knew where this lady moved to I would turn her in, in a second!! There was feces and urine everywhere!! Even in the poor puppies puppies food and water bowls!! Just to give you an idea of the ladies mindset, she actually told me that she could finally clean up the house since I was buying her last 2 puppies!! I purchased Ellie and her sister. I did rehome Ellie's sister. She went to a very nice family in a town close by me. I did breed Ellie once and it turned into a disaster. She is the most loving girl you have ever seen!! She constantly wants attention and to be loved on. With pups however, she hates them!! Before their eyes and ears had even opened she was growling and snarling at them when they would try to nurse. Maybe it was because of her background, maybe it is just her. I really don't know, I do believe it was very bad judgement on my part to allow her to breed because of her background. She will be spayed as soon as she is out of this heat cycle. I have made sure to keep her seperate from the boys! I am human and I did make a mistake.....but I admit that I made a huge mistake. WOW, I am going way off topic....The moral of this story is that people make mistakes, especially if they are uneducated. I want my puppy buyers to be educated and not make mistakes--even though I know they will. To me my job as a breeder is to educate them as best as I can, and if for any reason they give up on the dog, I am responsible for that pup. I brought the pup into the world, therefore they are my responsibility forever. I don't want my pups to start off in a bad situation I know is only going to get worse. I want them to be spoiled and loved beyond belief. I had a breeder not too long ago email me about my pups. Little did she know she is also in one of my yahoo groups. She had typed an email stating that if any of her dogs ever showed any form of aggression, she would have them put to sleep.  To me that is just wrong!! I feel that if a dog shows aggression they should be spayed/neutered and they should immediately be put into a training program. In my opinion dogs are not disposable. I have a teddy roosevelt style male (shown in my avatar--the adult) and he is so snippy with other males--human and doggies. I keep him seperate, from the rest of my doggies and he well supervised with my son. Everytime one of my girls go into heat, Benny starts his aggression. He growls and snarls at my husband and any other males that cross his path. We have been using the NILIF methods with Benny, which he has improved dramatically....but he still shows some aggressive behaviors. I still wouldn't dream of putting him to sleep. He is my baby. He is not allowed to breed. As a matter of fact he is going to be neutered before my girls next heat cycle. I would never attempt to rehome him for fear of the new owners putting him to sleep. He is actually a great dog....just like humans dogs have their faults. Don't get me wrong Benny is not rabid, but at the same time he has to be treated with caution. (He is not allowed in public with out a muzzle.) To me that is being a responsible pet owner. Taking care of your dog, no matter what he/she turns out to be. To me as a responsible breeder, you have to be able to be able to accept your animals faults and be able to admit that they are not breedable. I know that I have went way off topic and am rambling now, but I love to talk doggies .

~Brandii   

I completely agree with this entire post. The portion that I highlighted, is what I am going to tell him. That will be the end of discussion words. I am also going to tell him that if he doesn't want an indoor dog the rat terrier breed is definately not for him.

This potential buyer has no clue so don't feel bad about turning him down.  Ratties do NOT belong tied out in the backyard.  And if he has to ask whether they will jump on children....well that's a training issue and he, as the owner of the pup, is responsible for that training! 

My thoughts exactly

Hi, i dont post alot but just thought id ad my 2 cents on this, i breed on occasion 2 to 4 litters a year  if even. but i have turned down alot of potiential buyers i will keep a puppy as long as it takes to find it the right home.  sometimes your gut instinct will let you know but ive also been wrong too. email them alot or talk to them by phone alot it will deffently give you an idea of what there plans are with the puppy. and i agree ask them questions but be careful also as i know alot who will tell you what they think you want to hear so go with your gut, at the end when all the pups are in new homes you will feel alot better with your decisions and if you make someone mad so what the puppy's life in a good home is worth more than that. good luck

I just wanted to add something.  Do not feel bad about turning down a potential buyer, don't worry about offending them or hurting their feelings or disappointing them.  They will find another dog if they're determined to.  Your first duty is to your puppies and finding good, safe, happy homes for them.