Finding Homes for My Babes: Thoughts on Taking Deposits on Future Litters...

Available Puppies

When I go about planning a litter, the premise behind each breeding is that I'm breeding for myself first. I pair dogs together that compliment each other in health scores, structure, temperament and pedigree, with the hope I can keep back a future babe that will compliment my program for the show ring, or for future breedings. I will often have a loose wait list of potential homes, however I NEVER take deposits on a future puppy until the babes are on the ground and after 4 weeks old. Why do this? Why not take non-refundable deposits before a breeding on a future family member? Many breeders are starting to do this as they go into breedings, in hope they won't be stuck with an unsold puppy, which can cost us breeders considerable time and money.

Why I don't do this, for one, there are so many what-if's that can go wrong in a breeding. Say a lovely client has signed a deposit contract for a non-refundable $1000 towards a future male puppy. The kids are excited, the money is saved, the timing is perfect. The owner-to-be is wanting a pied. Ok, sounds like a plan, right? Breed two pied dogs together, and BAM! In 63 days, out pops a perfect little male to compliment this family. I've also taken deposits for two pied females and two other males. Perhaps that can work, right? If all the starts align, or our magical thinking comes to fruition. Here's a more likely scenario COULD happen, ok? You breed your two beautiful dogs together (after health testing them, of course) and 63 days later out pops a singleton (a single puppy, in breeder language.) As any ethical breeder who is breeding for their own program first, they want to keep back this puppy. It has everything that is dear to the breeder: Health, temperament and structure (in that order, naturally, lol); it's the keeper, the best of the best. Now what does one tell the lovely clients? Sorry, I know you have a deposit down and, boy, does this puppy look perfect for you. But I'm going to keep it and we'll just try for her next breeding... In another 6-8 months. Hmmmm.... I don't think that's going to sit well with little Tommy who already has toys picked out and a name for his new puppy.

Another consideration is TEMPERAMENT. A good breeder will wait to start placing babes until their little personalities come out. A high drive puppy may not do as well with a mellow household. A shy kiddo will do best placed with a patient, quiet owner... and so on. If one has deposits down on a litter, the premise is to fulfill the contract, right? Not to find perfect placement in regards to each little nugget's individual personality. Color and a cute little face shouldn't be the premise in placing a puppy; I want to know the little one, and the new family, a bit, before making the match. It may take a bit more time on the breeders end of things, however the time and money spent is well-worth it in the long run. I don't want to hold someone's deposit and get their hopes up just so I can feel safe that all my puppies will find homes by 8 weeks. Sometimes it takes a bit longer, and that's ok. A good breeder should be prepared to keep back puppies until perfect placement aligns.

French Bulldogs are notoriously difficult to breed. They require "perfect" conditions to conceive; the female drops the eggs and determines how many puppies will be in the litter, the male's sperm determine the sex of the future puppies, and must be of a high quality in motility and mobility. Often we ship our genetic samples from out of state, as GrCH Bucky is often done, which requires constant communication between stud owner and dam, and a perfect timing of her ovulation through progesterone testing. Infection during pregnancy can be a risk, along with absorption mid-pregnancy of embryo's and, of course, complications during her caesarian section surgery. No ethical breeder whelps naturally with French Bulldogs; the risks are too high for the dam, and the puppies.

My last breeding with Ch. Phemme didn't take, as it often happens. She confirmed pregnancy around day 25, and absorbed her embryo's around day 30. This had happened prior to her amazing litter with Bucky, and I was prepared for it. She was put on antibiotics right away, and we had no complications. Phemme is happy and healthy; it just wasn't meant to be. I had a handful of people on my wait list, and I contacted them to tell them no pups this round, and we'll try again at a later date. All of them were lovely and understanding... and no deposits were held to muddle the mix. Many of them were ready for a puppy now, and I would never want to hold them back in hopes of selling a puppy to them for a future date. I hold faith in my heart that if I continue to put the health and well-being of my dogs and breedings in the forefront, I will continue to be blessed with wonderful homes for the dogs I produce. Breeders who take deposits on a nebulous future puppy is unethical, in my opinion. It's used to quell the breeders fears the puppies won't find homes. A simple wait list can suffice; no money needs to exchange hands until the perfect fit is made. I want those babies on the ground, happy and healthy, before I even consider placing them. I hope for a potential client to see a photo of an available puppy I have advertised, clearly illustrating her structure, personality, strengths AND weaknesses; and for that new client to be moved to contact me. All the stars align, the timing is right and the puppy is ready to move on to her new adventure.

xxxx Love,

Natale and the gang in Glen Ellen