Skyehaven Shetland Sheepdogs
Sherrie and Cam Sparling
Ile-des-Chenes Manitoba Canada
R0A 0T0
(204) 878-2957
www.skyehaven.ca
Buying a Puppy with Show/Breeding Potential
General Information
All Skyehaven puppies which are placed in show/breeding homes are placed subject to rigid conditions as outlined in a separate legally binding contract, and are co-owned with the purchaser. All Shelties sold by us for breeding must be shown to their Canadian or American Championship, and in addition must have all their genetic health clearances completed, prior to being bred.
Raising, training and presenting a show dog, requires a great deal of effort by the owners. A rigorous schedule of bathing and grooming and training the dog for the show ring must be followed.
A companion puppy is as healthy as a show one, with minor differences such as size, colour, set of tail or ear placement etc. being the decision making factors involved in determining whether a puppy is of show or companion quality. Companion puppies can be trained for competition in obedience, agility, flyball etc., which can be great fun and earn the dog an official title as well.
A show dog must remain un-neutered or spayed. This requires more protective precautions for the owners of both males and females.
A dog sold as “show breeding/potential” must have its eyes tested yearly by a Board Certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist. At the age of 24 months sedation and radiographs must be done of the hip joints, in order to ensure the dog is free of Canine Hip Dysplasia. The radiographs must be sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals in the USA, and a rating given. We further require that all show/breeding potential puppies be VetGen DNA tested for von Willebrand’s Disease and for thyroid disease using the TSH, FT4 and TgAA tests available from VitaTech labs in Ontario, or Michigan State University in the USA.
All of our puppies with show potential are co-owned with us until all contractual agreements have been met.
With females we generally receive back one puppy, said puppy being first pick of the first litter, bred to the stud dog of our choice.(A litter by definition being 3 or more puppies.) With males we retain the right to three free stud services at any time during his lifetime.
Questionnaire Re : Buying a Puppy with Show Potential
Name:
Address:
Telephone: E-Mail:
General References:
1. Name ______Address: ______
Telephone: ______e-mail : ______
2. Name ______Address: ______
Telephone: ______e-mail : ______
3. Name ______Address: ______
Telephone: ______e-mail : ______
1. Why do you wish to purchase a puppy for showing? Please answer in detail.
2. How much experience do you have showing in conformation with Shetland Sheepdogs or other breeds? How many champions have you bred or finished?
3. Who will show the dog; yourself or a professional handler?
4. If you were to hire a professional handler what criteria would you use in choosing the person?
5. Showing a dog to its Championship can be an expensive and time consuming hobby. Have you investigated what is involved in this sport?
6. Where are you planning to show?
7. How much time can you give to this activity?
8. How frequently do you plan to attend shows for competition?
9. Keeping a dog in show condition requires great commitment. How much time can you devote to exercising and bathing and grooming a show dog ?
10. At what age are you planning to begin showing this dog?
11. Why do you wish to breed your dog?
12. In what way are you trained in breeding and whelping a litter?
13. Are you comfortable with having us or our representative visit you to see the facilities you have for breeding?
14. Please provide us with three references from the show and breeding community in your area.
1. Name ______Address: ______
Telephone: ______e-mail : ______
Kennel Name and Breed:
2. Name ______Address: ______
Telephone: ______e-mail : ______
Kennel Name and Breed:
3. Name ______Address: ______
Telephone: ______e-mail : ______
Kennel Name and Breed:
Additional information you would like us to know about you:
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