IF YOU THINK YOU WANT A PUPPY

You have decided that you would like to become the proud parent of a Keeshond puppy. Congratulations! Few things in life are more satisfying than giving a good home to a loving and lovable puppy! But right now, before you start your search, a little research will go a long way to ensure that ours is the breed for you--and that the puppy you choose is likely to grow into the healthy, happy companion you expect it will be.

Before you fall in love with the first adorable Keeshond face you see, take the time to ask yourself some questions to be sure that you can offer a good home to a Keeshond puppy for the rest of its life. You may decide that this is not the time for you to get a dog, that the Keeshond is not the right breed for you, or that you would rather provide a home to an older Keeshond who needs one.

SOME QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF...

Are You Prepared To...

Take full responsibility for this dog and all its needs for the next 12-16 years? (Keeshonden live for a long time, and this is NOT a task that can be left to children, no matter how well-meaning! It requires commitment from an adult.)

  Invest the considerable time, money, and patience it takes to train a dog to be a good companion? (This does not happen by itself!!!  It is time consuming and can be expensive depending on the level of companionship and obedience you desire.)

Always keep the dog safe--no running loose or being chained outside?

Make sure the dog gets enough attention and exercise?

Spend the money it takes to provide proper veterinary care including, but certainly not limited, to vaccines, heartworm testing and preventative, spaying or neutering, and annual check ups?

Become educated about the proper care of the breed, correct training methods, and how to groom? (Many good books are available. Invest the time to read a few to learn about this breed.)

Take the time needed to keep your Keeshond well groomed? You must at least be responsible for weekly maintenance. If you can't do it all, can you afford to take the dog to a groomer at least once a month.

Keep the breeder informed and up to date on the dog's accomplishments and any problems that may arise?
Your breeder has a wealth of knowledge and should be willing to share that knowledge.  If he or she does not
know the answer they should at least be willing to help in resolving the problem through assistance from other breeder or help in locating a trainer that can help with the problem. 

Take your questions to the breeder or other appropriate professional before they become problems that are out of hand?

Have the patience to accept (and enjoy) the trials of puppy hood and each stage afterward?

Continue to accept responsibility for the dog despite inevitable life changes such as new babies, kids going off to school, moving, or returning to work?

Resist impulse buying and instead have the patience to make a responsible choice? (Be prepared to wait up to 6 months for the right puppy for you)

If you answered yes to ALL of the above, you are ready to start contacting breeders. Start early because most responsible breeders have a waiting list ranging from a few months up to a year. Remember, the right dog IS worth waiting for!

All Keeshond puppies are cute, so take the time in an initial phone call to ask the questions listed in this document or complete the breeder’s questionnaire. You may not find a breeder who fits 100% of these criteria, but if you receive more than two negative responses, consider another breeder.

Remember, your puppy will be a part of your family for many years. NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO BARGAIN HUNT!!

You may have known someone who has (or you may yourself have purchased) a "backyard" bred dog or a pet store or puppy mill dog and had great success. However, it is prudent to remember that such puppies may have health or temperament problems due to a lack of knowledge about breed health problems and genetics or a failure to provide proper socialization at a young age. Responsible breeders do all that they can to screen for and eliminate health and temperament problems. They also can provide you with advice about your puppy both before and after you take it home.

Do not be in a hurry. If getting a Keeshond, any Keeshond, RIGHT NOW, is foremost in your plans, then you are not serious and will get what you ask for...just any Keeshond. You should read books on the breed, attend dog shows, and LEARN.

Finally, responsible breeders are expected to produce Keeshonden to high standards. They are entitled to respect and courtesy from the people they are trying to please. Always be on time for any appointments and be honest in explaining your lifestyle, family activity level, experience with dogs, and knowledge of Keeshonden.  

Keep the following checklist by the phone when you make your calls. Good luck in your search!

QUESTIONS TO ASK OF/ABOUT A BREEDER...

Where did you find out about this breeder? Responsible breeders usually breed only when they have a waiting list of buyers and don't need to advertise in newspapers or put a sign in the yard.

How often is the dam bred? Breeding every heat cycle IS TOO OFTEN and may indicate that profit is the primary motive for the breeding.

Is the breeder willing to provide you with references and telephone numbers of other people who have purchased his/her puppies?

Will the puppy have a limited registration (which means that if the dog is bred, the puppies cannot be AKC registered) with a mandatory spay/neuter contract? A breeder who cares enough about the breed to insist on these for a pet puppy is probably a responsible breeder.

On what basis was the sire chosen? If the answer is "because he lives right down the street" or "because he is really sweet," it may be that sufficient thought was not put into the breeding.

How long has the breeder been breeding Keeshonden? Does he trace health problems in the dogs he sells? If he is new to the breed, has he carefully researched the genetic problems that may lurk in the background of his lines?  Remember, there is no perfect line.  The breeder should be willing to discuss problems that are known to this breed.  If a breeder states “Oh, My Line Doesn’t Have Any Problems”  Then be sure to ask what screenings are done to prove these problems do not exist.  Even dogs that are clear of all health problems can produce a problem.    Expect the breeder to know the history behind his or her dogs and the dogs they are breeding with.

Will the breeder take the dog back at any time, for any reason, if you cannot keep it? This is the hallmark of responsible breeding (and the quickest, best way to make rescue obsolete).

Will the breeder be available for the life of the dog to answer any questions you might have? Is this someone you would feel comfortable asking any type of question? If you feel intimidated or pressured, keep looking!

Is the breeder knowledgeable about the breed? Does he or she represent his dogs as honestly as possible and try to assist the serious novice in his understanding of the breed? Is he or she involved in competition with their dogs (conformation, obedience, agility)? Responsible breeders try to breed dogs as close as possible to the breed standard. Responsible breeders also do not sell puppies to pet shops or commercial pet mill establishments, donate puppies for raffles or auctions, crossbreed or sell crossbred puppies, or give stud service to unregistered bitches.

Are there a majority of titled dogs (the initials CH, CD, etc. before or after the names) in the first two generations? The term "champion lines" means nothing if those titles are back three or more generations or if there are only one or two in the whole pedigree. Also, remember that not all champions are created equal and that a champion may or may not produce quality puppies.   Same as for breeders, just because their dog is number one in the nation does not necessarily mean their puppies are better than the breeder who’s dog is in the top 25.  Many excellent breeders do not “Special” their dogs due to time and/or extreme cost.  You want a puppy from someone that knows the breed and stands behind their dogs, not just a breeder that has the most red, white, and blue ribbons on their wall.

Are the puppy's sire and dam available for you to meet? If the sire is unavailable can you call his owners or people who have his puppies to ask about temperament or health problems? 

* Is the breeder knowledgeable about raising puppies, critical neonatal periods, and proper socialization techniques? Puppies require exposure to gentle handling, human contact, and a wide variety of noises and experiences, and should not be removed from their dam or littermates before 8 weeks of age. (The KCA Code of Ethics suggests puppies not be sold before 7 weeks but you should be pleased to have your puppy remain with the breeder for up to 12 weeks of age.)

Does the breeder provide a 3-5 generation pedigree, a complete health record, and material to help you with feeding, grooming, training, and housebreaking?

Does the breeder advise you to have the puppy checked by a veterinarian within 3 days (72 hours) of sale, with additional time allowed if the puppy is sold on a Saturday or Sunday, and provide a written agreement to refund the purchase price or take the puppy back and replace it if it is found to be unfit by a veterinarian? Has the puppy received the necessary immunizations and been checked for parasites and treated if necessary? Is the breeder knowledgeable about and working to control and/or eradicate conditions, including those that are particular to the breed, such as hip dysplasia, patella sub-luxation, eye problems, heart problems, allergies, thyroid disorders, epilepsy, and umbilical hernias? 

Have the puppies' temperaments been evaluated and can the breeder guide you to the puppy that will best suit your lifestyle? A very shy puppy will not do well in a noisy household with small children, just as a very dominant puppy won't flourish in a sedate, senior citizen household. A caring breeder will know the puppies and be able to help you make a good match.

Do the puppies seem healthy, with no discharge from eyes or nose, no loose stools, no foul smelling ears? Are their coats soft, full, and clean? Do they have plenty of energy when awake yet calm down easily when gently stroked? If the puppy is in good weight, a slight, clear nasal discharge may be quite common.  Small umbilical hernias almost always close with age.

Does the breeder have only 1 or at most 2 breeds of dogs? If there are several breeds of dogs, the breeder may not devote the time it takes to become really knowledgeable about our breed. If there are several breeds it may indicate that the primary purpose for breeding is profit, rather than a sincere desire to sustain and improve the breed.

Does the breeder belong to the Keeshond Club of America and/or a regional Keeshond Club and abide by the KCA Code of Ethics?  If not, are they a member of a local kennel club?  If the breeder is not a member of at least one dog organization then continue your search for another breeder.

     

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