BUYER BEWARE!!!

By Adriana Pavlinovic

When looking for a bloodhound puppy or adult to add to your household, steer clear of breeders who make claims like those below, ads that advertise the comments below or websites that promote any of the following comments:

  1. HEALTH
    “I’d know if my dogs were not healthy.”
    “There is no history of (hip, elbow, heart, etc.) problems in my line.”
    “We don’t need to do health testing; all our dogs are guaranteed.”
    “OFA dogs can still throw dysplastic pups, so testing is useless.”
    “Testing? Whaddaya mean did we test him?”
    “You cannot test anything but adult dogs. Anyway ours are fine.”
    “The vet said sire/dam was healthy at last vet visit. “Lots of Bloodhound eyes, legs, etc.
    look like that.”
    “Shipping at 6 weeks…”
    “It’s normal for a Bloodhound pup at 8 weeks to weigh 8 lbs…”
    “We have imported dogs because they are bigger, better, and live longer.”
    “Our dogs live longer than other Bloodhounds.”
    “Free of genetic disease.”( NOBODY can HONESTLY claim this)
    “Our lines don’t have health problems.”
  2. TYPE
    “We import the best and we breed for European type.”
    “Bigger is better; we breed the biggest Bloodhounds around.”
    “All our pups are AKC type.”
    “Champion bloodlines!”
    “The father once won a first place when he was shown.”
    “Grandad of the mom is a Reserve Grand Champion.”
    “I just breed quality pets not showdogs.”
    “I love my dogs too much to show them.”
    “I’d show him/her if I had time.”
    “I know he’d win if I showed him!”
    “We’d show, but we sold off the show puppies, so have just breeders.”
  3. TEMPERAMENT
    “We have the mother/father locked up, as they are protective.”
    “He’ll warm up to you once you get home.”
    “Most Bloodhound puppies do that (snarl, cower, pee on themselves, etc.).”
    “We could never get him trained, but he’s a real sweetie at home.”
    “You can train my Bloodhounds for guard and attack work.”
  4. FINANCING AND SHIPPING/PICK UP
    “We welcome pet buyers.”
    “All our dogs are sold on/with full papers.”
    “Glad you called! We got 2 females for $500.00 each still left.”
    “We’ll sell you any pup in the litter you like.” (a knowledgeable breeder should select the proper home for each puppy based on the PERSONALITY of the puppy)
    “We’ve been breeding for 20 years and have 100’s of happy puppy buyers!”
    “Read what our delighted buyers have to say about us.”
    “Most Payment Types Accepted: EZ Credit Terms”
    “Credit Cards Welcome.”
    “Terms & payments available!”
    “We have special pricing and can help you with a deal on one of our dogs.”
    “We ship worldwide; satisfaction guaranteed!”
    “We’ll bring your puppy right to your door.”
    “We’ll just meet you in a rest area with the pup you choose once you’ve paid.”
    “You can pay us the rest with the pups from her first litter.”
    “IF you buy two, we’ll give you a special deal.”
    “Since this one has no tail, I’ll lower the price.”
  5. COLOR
    “ALL COLORS AVAILABLE!!”
    “We have rare, unusual, & special colored pups to show you.”
    “You can still show him with that white on top of his head.”
    “If the white on his head doesn’t go away as an adult you can still breed him.”
    “Oh yeah, brindle is a rare Bloodhound color.”
  6. GENERAL SALESMANSHIP ( DO they come on TOO strong/TOO practiced)?
    “Satisfaction guaranteed!”
    “Pets & breeders looking for good homes.”
    “Gorgeous, wonderful, super special, amazing, terrific pups!!!”
    “Good Christian family with really great Bloodhounds for sale.”
    “We guarantee you we are reputable—not a puppy mill!!!”
    “Members of the AKC.”
    “Affiliated with the DNA Sire Program”
    “All –OUR—dogs are loved!!” (Like others are not?)”
    “We hope soon to have something good enough to show.”
    “We’ve had some super dogs thru the years, we just never got around to showing, but ours are real winners!”
    “This pup was priced at $1000.00, but for you, I’d be willing to go…”
    “His last litter was sired when he cleared a 4’ fence.”

Ask questions! If someone tells you the sire of their litter is a “Reserve Grand Champion,” ask them what that means. Ask to see photos and certificates backing up any claims (championship, mantrailing, tracking, etc.)

Ask to see the OFA hip, elbow, and heart certificates and any others for health clearances i.e. thyroid, or CERF, or Penn Hip, etc. etc.. It is not uncommon for a Red Flag breeder to say they OFA when they don’t, since most people don’t ask for proof. If they claim their dogs are “typey,” ask what that means. It should mean they look like the breed standard says a bloodhound should look. This is a term very widely used- both by knowledgeable breeders and those who’ve learned the language that sells their pups. If they have been in the breed for 20 years , ask what they have accomplished? What have they contributed to the breed? If they have been breeding only the two (or more) dogs that happen to be in the backyard at the time for 20 years, they have not contributed much.

Why does this article encourage you to purchase only from a member of the American Bloodhound Club? Because ABC members sign a Code of Ethics and are responsible for any puppies that they produce, for that dog’s life. An irresponsible breeder is interested in your pocketbook, and is not concerned with how many of their dogs end up in breed rescue. The American Bloodhound Club contributes to the AKC Canine Health Information Center (CHIC), provides free expert information on the breed, and supports non-profit organizations with donations to fund health research, care and rehoming of bloodhounds, and promotes activities through their membership to benefit the breed. When you go to buy a bloodhound puppy, buy from those who ACTIVELY SUPPORT THE
BREED YOU LOVE.

©Adriana Pavlinovic , 2010, 2011, 2012