Hi everyone,

First and foremost I want to thank everyone for your kind and helpful suggestions on my other topic thread about breeders in or around MN.  I took the advice of a lovley individual named Peggy and posted my question about breeders on Annie's ratter chatter board. I recieved a response from an individual giving me some information about a hobby breeder who just had a "ooops" litter this winter-"ooops" meaning he didn't want it to happen in the winter but in the spring instead. This indivdual is a farmer in or around Mankato MN who has been doing this for over 40 years. When I spoke to him he told me that he keeps his dogs in a barn year round, and his expectant mothers and puppies in a heated "nursery" room.  Does anyone know if this is a common practice for most breeders?  He encouraged me and my husband to come to his farm and ask as many questions as we wanted, but he did say he does not do OFA testing.   I also wanted to know if it is common for this breed to be hesitant around strangers-or kind of aloof?  From what I was told by a couple of other people who have bought from him is that the dogs-meaning I think the adults, will come to him(the breeder) happily but are aloof to other people. I just wanted to know if this was a bad sign or not.  I also wanted to know if any of you have had any experience' s with a breeder like this or perhapes even this particular breeder?

Thanks a bunch everyone and Happy Valentine's Day!

Corina

Corina, I can't advise either. Savanna is a little shy around peope sometimes. Don't know about breeder dogs though. Sounds like the man has a typical breeder situation for a farmer, not that it is bad. Used to see this type of thing when I dealt with horses. (was always surprised they kept their dogs in the barn too!) If he doesn't test, means your pup could have faults or health issues. Just be aware of that. My girl came from the streets, so I can't say what her history is. I will love her and take care of her no matter. Just be sure you can do this, if you pup has health issues. ( do we ever really know what will be in the future?) Good Luck and keep us posted on what you decide! We love new pups!!

I'm not too sure about the barn thing??? In my opinion, I would prefer to buy from someone who  brings them up in the house around people. A loving environment. No offence....

I just finished reading a book about dogs, and it says that if a dog only comes to the breeder and is shy around others is because there is not enough socialization with the dogs. If the dog is shy it could be alot of work to bring them out of that personality. This is just what I read, I am sure there are others with better advice

While you are right, this is common for people that breed farm dogs. Tracey, Daisy'smom has a farm bred dog, and I bet you she wouldn't  trade that girl for anything!!

I say Daisy is a sort-of rescue, because working the farm would've played hell with her fancy pink manicure

 Soooo, you see my point! Not every girl born on a farm needs to stay there!

Posted By DaisysMom on 02/14/2008 5:58 PM
Well, Deb is right. I wouldn't trade Daisy for all the world And, yes, she was breed by a farmer in Illinois who only breeds very rarely and only on demand for ratties to work farms of neighbors/friends, etc.

I say Daisy is a sort-of rescue, because working the farm would've played hell with her fancy pink manicure

I think the thing to keep in mind, that in some areas, these dogs are still working dogs and aren't as "spoiled" as some of our family pets. I believe they are still loved and well cared for, it's just different is all. I won't say they're wrong to raise them in barns. I've never been a farmer with a working dog, so it's not for me to say.

Daisy is sociable. Granted she isn't a great lover of all people and she prefers to come to you on her own time; however, I've seen TONS of dogs from excellent breeders raised in homes with people and children and handled all the time who are the exact same way. I don't think there are any guarantees.

She did, however, come "pre-loaded" with some abilities. She knew to fetch and bring it to me without me ever formally teaching her at all. She will "go to ground" after things like moles, bugs etc. and has from day one.

If it were I, I would go and visit and see for yourself. Good luck.

Great advice Tracey What I responded with was what I read in a book about training, and it was one person's personal experience, so that' s just it, one person's experience. Sorry if I have offended anyoneI hope I didn't......

Original poster: Please see my post directed to you here:

http://www.rat-terrier.com/Home/tabid/37/forumid/7/tpage/1/view/topic/postid/222645/Default.aspx#222645

There are a lot of options

Dang, you're fast Sarah!  I was just reading down this thread and about to post exactly what you just said.  My puppy book says so long as they get lots of socialization by 4-5 mos. of age, the dog should mix well with people.  If this breeder's in a rural area, many of his ratties will no doubt be farm working dogs, so being raised in a barn I would think would be a good thing.  Helps them to not be afraid to go in a barn or to be around larger animals.  Sounds like to me he's just giving them a head start on being a good barn-clearing ratter! 

OK...gotta stick my 2 cents in here!! Please don't take offense!!  I got Max from a friend of ours who, admittedly, "lets" his female get prego too much.  There is a male rattie next door that manages to come over when she is in heat.  Max was born in a barn, there was NO interaction with other dogs or many humans.  He was in HORRIBLE shape...he almost lost one of his eyes due to infection.  I do the best I can to educate this friend, but he's a hunter and they are always wanting to get good hunting dogs and so they do the best they can....Maybe it's a redneck, southern thing...but it is a FACT OF LIFE.  Max had absolutely NO trouble adjusting to my LOUD, RAMBUNCTIOUS, family.  I even had two small children that he had to contend with.  I think that socializing a pup is only as hard as you make it.  If you get them out there early (and we did, Max was 5 wks old on the day we got him and two days later he was on the waterfront for the 4th of July celebration) then it really doesn't matter WHERE they came from.

Hope I didn't offend anyone...just my opinion.

Congratulations! Sadie is a great name. I hope to see pics soon!

Congratulations on Sadie!  Can't wait to see pictures!!!

I posted pics of Sadie (or as I have started to refer to her -Sadie -Pee-Pants) over on the pics of ratties forum.  Check her out!

-Corina