Frequently Asked Questions - Webs



Frequently Asked Questions

How much experience do you have breeding English Springer Spaniels?

That’s a good question, and one I don’t mind answering. When you are a small-scale breeder, the “years” don’t necessarily equate with “experience”. Cedarhome Springers (me) has birthed and placed 62 happy healthy springers. I still see several of them, as they were placed with families close to where I live. I’m working on a pictures page with photos of my adults, to give you an idea of what that cute little puppy will grow into.

Why do I have to answer so many questions when getting on the “I can hardly wait” list. I just want a dog, I don’t want to move in with you!

Believe me, I understand. It seems almost as bad as trying to write a check at K-mart. I’m a consumer from other breeders from time to time also, and I’ve had to go through the “grill” too. But there really is a good reason why I want to know about you, your life, your family, your circumstances, and your expectations for your new dog.

As a responsible breeder of springers, I feel there are a lot of expectations included on my part. Standing behind the breed, the breeding, and the baby - I have to do my very best to place with you a personality that will fulfill your dreams.

I am always just an e-mail or phone call away, to answer any questions, offer help and advise, and be here if the dog is returned because you have to find a new placement for it. That’s a lot to ask, if I don’t know anything about the situation the springer is going into. It’s a lifelong commitment on my part.

I usually have a pretty good idea of basic personality traits of my puppies. I’m with them every day - most of the day, for almost two months! I want you to get what you want - and to let you know the easy or challenging parts that make up who they are. If you can get a good “heads-up” when you first get the pup home, you can start addressing and training those aspects first. Let me give you an example: Ella, a beautiful little female from my last litter, was one of the adventurous ones. She was first out of the box, first to try the stairs, etc. She also really wanted to be with me, no matter where I was. If she was outside with me, she wasn’t underfoot, but she was always within sight distance. (A very good trait!) But we ran into trouble when she was on our deck ( she was still small enough to fit through the railings) and I was on a lower part of the yard. The deck is about 4 feet off the ground. She went right through the railing and jumped down to get to where I was. Jumping any height at all is very dangerous for undeveloped bones. I had a fit! Fortunately, she was just fine - but I spent a half an hour on the phone to Oregon, to her new family, expressing that she MUST have a puppy kindergarten/obedience class just as soon as they could get her in one. The very trait that makes her such a wonderful companion and fun puppy, without control, could be devastating. Knowing about, and having a “relationship” of sorts with the new owners is vital. It doesn’t serve anyone’s purpose to let a family with four small children take a puppy that is lacking in confidence, and is a little shy. It would be just as wrong to suggest that pup goes to an avid hunter. It also is the perfect pick for a retired couple who live on 40 acres in Montana, or a bachelor with his own business. You get the idea.........

I know all the questions seem like an intrusion, but believe me, they’re not. It’s valuable information for successful puppy/owner matching.

Have any of your dogs been returned?

Yes, I have had three returned to me. Life circumstances happen to us all. I try to be understanding when things come up that we have no control over. I have a clause in the buyers/health contract that states that if for any valid reason, you cannot adequately take care of your dog that it is to be returned to Cedarhome Springers.

The first puppy that came back was at her new home for 5 days. She was to be a companion to a one-year-old English Setter with a medical condition, who it turns out didn’t really want a friend. She was brought back - I called the next person on my puppy list, and she went to her new home that same afternoon. (They brought her for a visit when she was about a year old - it was clear they all loved each other very much!)

The second: a family unexpectedly was transferred to Germany - and unable to take their 2-year-old springer with them. They returned her to me, and I was able to place her in a new home within 3 days.

The last occasion: an older retired couple bought a puppy and had her for 3 years. The Mr. had a heart attack, and the couple was unable to care for the dog. He was placed the same afternoon I was notified.

I usually have many people on my wait list - some hoping for a little older puppy or young adult dog.

That is why in my description, I state that young adults are available occasionally. It would just break my heart if any of my babies ended up in the pound, or abandoned in the street.

What happens if I am having trouble training the puppy?

PLEASE, PLEASE call or e-mail me if you’re having questions or problems - as soon as they arise! It is extremely difficult to fix a problem that has been going on and not dealt with. The sooner we can get a behavior management technique that will work, the sooner everyone will be happy. I don’t mind “stupid” questions - all questions deserve an answer. I am also working on a training and tip page - (with the possibility of a short, concise training e-book in the future). Until all that is in place, feel free to call, or e-mail.

I do STRONGLY recommend obedience training classes. This is for several reasons. Although training at home works great, sometimes it’s hard to socialize your dog, while you’re working on the fundamentals. A puppy kindergarten class accomplishes this. Consistency in training and expectations are vitally important. Especially if there are several people that are going to be giving direction to the puppy. Kids, spouses, grandparents, etc. all can go to the training classes as observers (make sure this is ok with the instructor - if not find out why - and find another instructor). With a common instruction basis that all are aware of, the consistency for the puppy is greatly enhanced. Then everybody wins.

Why do you sell your pups with a “limited” registration?

There are a couple of reasons. One is to protect the Cedarhome Springers pedigree lines and kennel reputation. If someone wants “breeding rights” according to AKC regulation, the papers may not be “limited” status.

If you intend to show, and the limited status would effect this, we can write a “non breedable” contract to address this. AKC is also starting to allow dogs with limited registration to compete in the show ring, if they receive their “companion dog certificate” first (CD).

If, however, you intend to breed your dog, I need to know before hand.

Not all dogs are breeding or show candidates. I try to do my best in evaluating the puppies before they go home. Usually, I price them accordingly - but remember, this is only my opinion, and many things can change and influence the outcome. As a fellow responsible breeder there are guidelines for breeding we would need to discuss. The quality and pedigree of these dogs are above the “well lets just let her/him have a litter with the neighbor dog” group. And please remember - that our name and kennel reputation follows in the pedigree - no matter which way that goes.

What makes your operation different from the breeder down the road?

My set-up here when we have puppies is: I deliver them, help wipe 'em down, check vitals, weigh, measure and give a type of apscar (to make sure we give extra help if any need it). They are “handled” right from the start (imprinted, if you will). And of course, pictures!

I do this MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY - every day, for as long as they're here.

They’re bathed if they need it, toenails trimmed every week, turned upside down, stimulated, and soothed. I have a radio on at all times, so they get used to human voices and music from week one. And of course pictures!

At fourish weeks, we start the weaning process, but they are with their momma, and often times Aunt, and Dad playing and learning throughout the day. I’ve found that each litter develops at a slightly different rate. The addition of soft food, and then hard puppy food depend on how they’re doing. They are exposed to stairs, grass (I start the house training process now), and are in and around the house, getting used to the sounds and routine. They "kennel-up" at night, and whenever I can't be right there to watch them and keep them safe. I have a wonderfully large whelping/nursery pen (Currently adjacent to my family room).

My children are adults (by size anyway), but they play with and interact/train the puppies daily, (and Michael loves to hug and cuddle with them). I also have a middle-school aged neighbor that helps to socialize them. My friends with small kids bring them over for "puppy play days". The pups get several rides in the car, have been placed in an airline kennel for travel, and have been seen by the vet a few times. They have had at least their first shot, been wormed, rolled in the mud, gotten my floor all dirty, get quiet times in a lap by the fire and watch a little TV. They learn what sit means, work on basics like come, and "gate manners". Some do pretty well at retrieving, even this early. By the time they go to their new home, they have a foundation of knowledge that make it much easier to adapt and train. Another added benefit is that I have a pretty good idea what type of personality each one has now with their strengths and challenges. Part of the fun for me is matching the puppy to the person/situation.

It is a labor of love for me – my passion, if you will. Not all breeders share this ideology.

I hope all this droning on helps a little in your search. At least when you ask the next breeder, you'll have some info to compare.

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