Picking a Breeder
So here is the big question! I've got about a year or so before I'll be ready for a puppy. I've done A LOT of research in past year about the breed itself. Now its time to buckle down and pick a breeder so I can secure my chances of actually getting a puppy. So like I said the big question: How do I decide on a breeder?! I've kept in contact with Marsha from Mijikai Kennels. I like that she does keep in contact with everyone on her mailing list and every time I email her she is very prompt, professional, and informative. I would choose her for those reasons but I haven't talked to any other breeders (making me a bit bias) so I don't want to limit myself. Please help, not sure where to go from here!
Comments
Picking a breeder is difficult, and I think more difficult because they are so fractioned. Some like others, and argue with others. They are very clicky, and I think that is a detriment to the breed in N. America. It gets very politicy. :-) For instance, Marsha and Pam are friends. They do not like Marian from Classy Kennels. Brad on here is friends with Marian, however has no issues with anyone. Brad may be up in running with a litter by next year as well. So, now he's added to the list of breeders. There's Sylvia in New York, but I don't know anything about her dogs. There's also Peggy (? on that name). But again I don't know anything about her dogs. My breeders Roberta and Steve only have Joteii and Kuma (Koda's parents) that they breed. Koda's parents are Classy dogs, from Marian. Classy is kind've known as the largest and having the most champions. Pam and Marsha are currently more active in showing their dogs. Marian had a heart attack about a year ago.
So how to choose? I struggled with this one. There are certain things that I looked for in a breeder. Accessibilty/communication; pedigree of the pup; finding brothers and sisters online to ask their owners questions about temperment, health, etc.; I looked closely at the mother of the pups and how she interacts with them for the first 8 weeks (I would not purchase a pup from a first time mother, JMO); and how the breeder was going to socialize the pups.
I came up with a list of topics to discuss with each breeder, and just decided which one was the best fit for me. I did choose Roberta and Steve over the rest. I felt like she was very responsive to my questions. She has also come out already to visit Koda. It was a great experience, and I could tell how much her and Steve both really love their pups. They gave him so much attention, and it's hard to explain but owners get a look in their eyes when they are watching their dogs play. Kind've like how someone watches their kids. They looked at Koda like that, and I will always cherish them for that. So, ofcourse I am bias too! lol.
Koda comes from Classy lines. His pedigree is flawless with some of the top Kai's in the nation as his grandparents. Pedigree wasn't an issue at all. Some might say that Classy dogs are the best. But, I'm sure they are bias as well. :-)
I found a couple of Koda's older brothers and sisters online from forums, and asked their owners questions. All of them had great temperments, one being a therapy and seeing eye dog. All of the owners said that they were very laid back, cool calm and collected at home, bonded strongly with the family, and were very easy to train. I can say that Koda holds all of these qualities. He's a mama's boy. Which I love. He is also very patient with children and other dogs. He's the fav at the dog park. Everyone loves it when Koda plays with their dog because they know that there will be no issues. (Can you tell I favor him a little? ha ha ha)
Roberta and Steve live with their dogs inside the home. Koda's parents, Joteii and Kuma, live with 3 of their pups. They also have a couple of rescues, a Klee Kai and a Malamute. Both dogs had hip dysplacia and Roberta and Steve took them in and took care of them when they probably would have been euthenized and not adopted out. I like breeders who give back. I know Pam and Marsha do rescues as well. Roberta also has children in the home, and for me this was important. My niece spends a lot of time with Koda. She chose him for me because he was the puppy who went up to her daughter the most. She is the same age as my niece. It worked out well. He loves Cierra very much, and took to her right away. Being in the home and socialized with children fit my lifestyle.
Now as far as the mother. Many behaviorists would agree that the mother is the key player in developing your dog's mental health, well-being, and temperment. A mother who cares for her pups will produce pups that will be more secure, stable, trusting, and out-going. Jojo was the main reason that tipped me to Roberta and Steve. She lives with 3 of her children, and still mothers them in many ways, i.e. cleaning them and sleeping with them. She kept Koda and his siblings well cared for, never left their side, cleaned them all the time (Koda came to me not smelling like a puppy. He smelt good, and he likes to clean me in the morning and evening. It's his thing, but he got this from Jojo). Jojo was also very trusting of the children playing with her pups, Roberta and Steve handling them, letting strangers hold them, allowing prospective owners to come into the home, and letting them outside on the grass to play around and get potty trained. Koda came to me potty trained.
I would ask lots of questions about the mother's temperment, how she takes care of her pups, her security level in allowing other people to go near her pups, and when she begins to ween them and how.
Really from there, it's going to be up to you. Go with your gut instinct on whether or not this specific dam and sire are the right ones to parent your puppy and if that dog is going to fit into your lifestyle.
Have you asked Marsha which dogs she will be breeding next year and for references from owners of their puppies? If you want to speak to my breeder, her email address is rvhsvh@yahoo.com. If you need others, I can send them to you. I just don't have them on this computer.
Please feel free to ask me any questions. It's a big decision. Thank goodness it's only from a small pool of choices.
Thanks again
Jenine
Keep me posted on your progress. And please again feel free to ask me any advice or vent. lol
Jenine
That's funny that you asked her that question. She made me tell her what a day in the life of one of her pups would be in my home. I never thought to ask her the same question. She is not formal with her questions, but the more you talk the more you will see that she asks a lot. But no formal survey or anything like that. She will go with her gut.
I do know that she did deny one woman who was trying to get a puppy from Koda's litter. She thought that the woman was not a good fit for having a dog at that time in her life. I'm so glad she liked me. I don't know what I would do without Koda!
Ive got another question for you, I'm going to assure you work an 8hr day outside of your home, what do you do with Koda while youre at work or if you go out?
When he first came home, I put linoleum (cheap stuff) over the floors in the kitchenette and had him in an expen, but the little stink learned how to climb it in two weeks. After that I used the expen to keep him out of places I didn't want him to go like near the couches and coffee table. I kind've switched it up, rather than keeping him in I kept him out of places. That way he didn't climb it.
On days that Koda stays home, I get off early and take him to the dog park. My long days are Mon, Wed, and Fri and I try to get out an hour early on Tues and Thurs. We spend about an hour and a half there to get him all exercised out. If you have a dog park nearby they are great to get them to really runaround and get tired. I think he pretty much sleeps when I'm not home. I should put a puppy cam in the house. ha ha ha.
Saturdays and Sundays are spent hiking somewhere, going to an open off leash spot (yes I fully trust Koda off leash when no cars are around), or going to the park. The one thing with Koda is that he expects to go out everyday. He's kind've spoiled. :-)
Stacey has Koda's sister Tora on here, and I think Tora stays home and Stacey keeps her active with her other dogs and walks in the morning and evening. I do think that a lot of people have their dogs at home all day. The one thing I will say about Koda is that he does great on a schedule. He doesn't care when I leave him to go to work, but he is excited to run to the door when I get home to go to the park.
With Maymay now being here, I'm not sure what it will do to his schedule. I can't really afford two dogs in daycare. I also can't trust her in my house. She's 1 1/2 and not potty trained. Right now, she is at my parent's house. I'm still wondering whether or not she will come here full time. I would hate to crate her all day. I'm lost as to what to do. I should start a thread asking people what they do.
If Koda ever has the boys over for a poker game, I will kick his butt! He would probably loose all my money. I can't picture him as being a good swindler or hustler. Koda likes to play with labs. Kai's can be picky on what dogs they want to be their friends, but labs have always been fun in his mind.
Unfortunately without a Good Canine Cert, you can only do recreational basic agility, but once you receive that then you can move onto more advanced stuff. Either way it's pretty cool.
This is the woman's website I'm looking into right now. She does everything according to AKC. Sounds like she knows what shes doing
One word of advice..have your Kai get to know her as soon as possible. Kai's tend to not trust all strangers, but if they are introduced as part of their lives early then they will have a long and lasting relationship. Introduce your pup right away and think of bringing him/her there for doggy daycare early on even if it's just for a couple of days.
I have VPI Pet Insurance, but they are saying that Koda will not be covered for some things when the policy renews because he caught a bat last year. Little stink just jumped up and got it in his mouth. I took him to the vet after. He's ok, but I don't walk him at dawn anymore. So, I'm checking out the ASPCA insurance and PetsBest to switch him over in June. I think it's worth it. Especially with a dog that likes to hunt rodents. If one bird beak scratched him or a squirrel bit back, I know that I could take him to the emergency vet if need be. They are very expensive! It costs me $27 per month for Koda since Kai's don't have any known health disparities, i.e. hip dysplacia, LP. You do have to call to get a quote since Kai will not be on their website. I'll let you know what I end up going with and why.
As far as Roberta Scroll up a little bit... (10 comments ago including this one)
I know that Joteii was just about to come into season. I hope everything is ok. It is very unlike her personality not to respond to emails.