CASUAL BREEDER: This is the person who has an occasional litter from their pet bitch and it would appear to be a good place to purchase your new pet. Their dogs will be clean and well cared for as they obviously love them. But beware, these people often lack knowledge of their dogs ancestry and any hereditary problems that could be behind their breeding stock. They know very little about the breed and won’t be able to offer a lot of help to a first time Glen of Imaal puppy owner. Their motivation for breeding a litter is often money and “how cute it’ll be to have babies”. If you decide to buy a puppy here - you take your chance - it may be a nice puppy, it may be a problem puppy and, if it IS a problem puppy you possibly won’t get a lot of help!
RESPONSIBLE BREEDER: Is more often than not a person, who shows (or works) their dogs, who is trying to breed the best puppies they possibly can. Not just puppies that look good but puppies that are sound, healthy and have good temperaments. They obviously love their dogs but they also love the breed. They have spent a considerable amount of time learning about their dogs, their dogs ancestry, the breed and dogs in general. If you buy from a responsible breeder you will have the very best chance of buying a healthy carefully bred and reared puppy that will be a joy to own.
We hear you say "Ah.....but we don't want a show dog, we just want a pet". That is something the Responsible Breeder is happy to provide, all of their puppies are given the very best of everything whether it has show potential or not.............
HOW TO SPOT A CASUAL BREEDER
It can be hard to differentiate between a casual breeder and a responsible breeder. The responsible breeder will have spent many hours and much effort learning about the breed. The casual breeder will lack in-depth knowledge. Ask as many questions as you can, find out why they are breeding, what their goals are and how much they support they will give you. Don’t be afraid to ask any question about the breed and health.
Beware of being asked to take a pet bitch on breeding terms. It usually ends in tears. Responsible breeders will usually want to ensure that only the best are bred from and pet puppies often have their Kennel Club registration documents endorsed “progeny not to be registered” & “not for export”
HOW TO SPOT A REPUTABLE BREEDER
Don’t be afraid to ask questions, a reputable breeder will be glad you care and happy to answer your questions.
1: Did the person selling you the puppy breed it themselves? Only buy from a breeder and make sure you see the mother
2: Does somebody know the breeder? Glendom is a small world & everybody knows everybody else. Will they supply references?
3: Is the breeder actively involved in exhibiting at or organising or judging dogs’ shows etc. Reputable breeders are usually actively involved with dogs and in Glens this also includes working them.
4: Is the breeder prepared to take the puppy/dog back if at any time you are unable to keep it. Reputable breeders care about the puppies they produce and will always want to ensure the well being of any dogs that they have bred.
5: A reputable breeder won’t part with a puppy under 7/8 weeks minimum, possibly older. If you are offered a puppy younger than this age look for another breeder.
6: Does the breeder give you detailed care instructions for your new puppy. You should have a diet sheet, and details of when your puppy was last wormed as the bare minimum. Ideally you should receive printed/written instructions on feeding, grooming, worming, day to day care, house training and exercise. The breeder should also encourage you to keep in touch and ask for help.
7: Does the breeder ask you a lot of questions. Reputable breeders want to find homes for their puppies and they will want to be sure you will look after their carefully reared puppy
Rescue centres have discovered advertising a mongrel as a (fill the breed in) cross means they can often charge more money. Glen of Imaal crosses are not very usual as the Glen looks like a mutt itself. If it is a genuine X why would anybody do it intentionally? The usual reason is back to the old thing of money. If you want a Glen why would you have a cross?
Everybody advertises somewhere but if buying a Glen pup via the internet ask yourself a few questions
1: Does the internet picture look like others you have seen?
2: Why is it for sale? Most reputable breeders have more buyers than they have puppies