I do not breed to sell showdogs. I do not breed to sell studs and broods.
I breed to have a puppy for myself and obviously the ones we do not keep get sold. If you follow this blog then you know already the background of what we put into producing a litter. I want the puppies we sell to go to the very best, most loving, enriching, lifetime homes and to be spoiled as much as if they remained here with us. I am not breeding in order to improve your kennel.
I am not breeding so that you can have your next BIS or next Special.
If you decide to show and its fun for you and the puppy – fantastic – I am here to support you. If you decide to run agility, barn hunt, dock diving – fantastic! Have fun. Don’t be extreme about it – have fun, be safe – enjoy the wins and be a good loser too. Your dog doesn’t know the difference.
Do not ask me for the best puppy in the litter. That one is mine, or at least mine to sell to whomever I want. It could possibly be you. But it also may not be you. Also ‘the best’ is relative. To me they are all my best efforts. I didn’t breed this litter in order to produce disqualifying faults or subpar Staffords. I did my very best to produce the very best Staffords I possibly could given what is available in this world to do so.
When you contact me asking for a puppy be prepared to be grilled. I want to know that the life these puppies will live will be as good as, or better than, the life they would experience if they lived with us. I’m not impressed by your show wins. I’m not impressed with your friends in the breed over seas. I’m not impressed with who you know or how many dogs you have shown or bred. I’m not impressed by Top 10, OTCH112, MACH57 or a dozen Group 1’s.
I am impressed with your follow through and commitment to your dog. If you have done fun stuff with your dogs did you stick with it or just take one class and give up. Did you title your dog? Did you take classes with your dog even if you never intended to compete but the classes were fun and you and your dog enjoyed the regular time together? Do you go on long walks every single day rain, snow or shine? Does your dog go with you on vacation? Does your dog go to work with you? Does your dog have a bigger social media following than you do? Are you realistic about how life will be with your dog? ie hang on the sofa, sleep in the bed, chill in the garden?
Do you only employ positive training methods or are you heavy handed instead? Are you patient when training or are you inconsistent, easily frustrated and demanding? Do you understand this breed and are prepared to be responsible if your dog decides not to like your cat/neighbors dog/chinchilla? How do you feel about a teething puppy and your inability to protect your great grandmothers antique piano? How would you respond to your puppy if you were negligent and allowed your puppy to chew your brand new iPhone X?
My point is this – do not call me and tell me you want the perfect puppy or even my ‘best’ puppy. Call me and tell me why YOU are the BEST home for a puppy I produced. Then, if I sell you one, follow through. With the puppy…and with me.