[My_Harleigh]

I am not sure if this is the correct section for my question. But I was reading the Sticky here about BYB and puppy mills. I can honestly say I was bawling reading those stories and it got me all worked up because I don't really know where Harleigh came from. I do have papers that have the name and address of the breeder and her sire and dam. I also have vet bill printouts of what the breeder had done to the litter Harleigh was in and how much money he put into them. HOLY COW! I tried Googling them and I find nothing.

So my question, perhaps to the breeders that belong to this forum, is it ok that I try to contact these people to find out more information on Harleigh's parents and background? What should I ask? Is that weird? Have you ever been contacted by your puppies owners later down the road who were not initially the original owner who got them from you?

I think you got the idea what I am asking. I am SO afraid of Harleigh having health problems down the road. I just feel I have the right to know if there are any health problems in her background. However, I don't know if what the people tell me would be true.

Opinions, advice, stories?
Thank you!

***UPDATE***
Well I finally made the call tonight.

Got a hold of a guy who was on the papers and vet info that was given to me when I got Harleigh. The conversation started out awkward as I almost didn't know how to start off. Come to find out hes a crummy jobless kid who wanted to make money but ended up losing out his @ss for breeding. GOOD! Because he said he would never do it again. Here's the story

A friend of a friend had a male Brindle Boxer. 2 years old name Cruizer. The owner couldn't keep him and gave him to his friend. Well the guy who I talked to took one look at Cruizer and said we need to breed him because he is so big.

 

[JeepKuntry]

Re: Should I contact the breeder?

I'm willing to wager than 90% or better of the members have had a dog by a backyard breeder, or they've rescued.  With that being said, most wouldn't be able to provide you with good medical records.  Charlie came from a byb.  Sadie came from a guy that I met through one of my hunting websites.  Her parents had alot more records.  I know I've learned alot and even on future pets, I'll ask more questions, and want to see more medical records, etc.

 

[HannaBanana]

Re: Should I contact the breeder?

IMO I would at least try.   You could get no where or you could get somewhere and anything more than what you have now is worth the effort right?    Most of the times people are not going to want to hear the health problems the puppies they produced have.  However if purchased from a reputable / responsible breeder then they would want to know 100%.  

Each breeder IMO should keep a journal of health history, problems, owners and what not of all litters produced.  This is a great data base to know what exsists in your lines and shall something pop up, what and who you have to adjust in future breedings.  

Problem with BYB or millers is that very rarely they care to do this.   They dont keep records of the health of EVERY dog they produce.   Communication usually ends when the check or cash clears the bank.   You may stumple across a BYB who does care and stays in contact.  But if they really care and want to know - why's arnt they health testing??   If you care that much, then take the extra step!

So to answer your question, would it hurt, nope not going to get you any less  than you have now.  I would ask about the sire / damn.  Their ages, any know health issues down to UTI to anything.   (they may lie and say they are healthy).  I would ask also if any known issues have been reported on any off spring of the combo.   Have any passed and if so why?     I personally think you many not get any solid answers because if they are bad, most likey they will not tell the truth.   But at least you then can educate them about all the medical expenses you have spent on your pup etc.   Maybe they will take it into consideration, and maybe they will go back to check collecting.  But at the end of the day, at least you tried and your efforts could maybe make a difference even if just a 5 % chance - better than nothing!!!!

 

[tootsie]

Re: Should I contact the breeder?

Depending on where you got Harleigh from will really answer your question. If you got her from a reputable breeder, they will not mind any questions you have and should be honest in answering them. Again, if they were reputable they would have done all the appropriate health testing before breeding. You could ask if there is any cancer, heart issues, or hip dysplasia in their lines, but I really don't see why it would matter. Even health tested dogs can come down with cancer or heart issues down the road. Just like people. Who knows why some get cancer and some don't?
I know where you are coming from. Having a rescue, I have no idea what so ever on her background or even where she came from. Who knows what the future will hold. I think your best bet is to take things day by day and just love and enjoy Harleigh. If something comes up later in life, then you can deal with it. Take it from someone who has dealt with many health issues, that our time with these precious boxers is way too short to dwell on what could happen. Just enjoy her!  

 

[PradazPurdy]

Re: Should I contact the breeder?

I agree whole-heartedly w/Heather (HannaBanana)! :yes:

 

[My_Harleigh]

Re: Should I contact the breeder?

You are right about just enjoying her. I think I read way to much about this breed and I get worked up. It's my nature. I am a worry wart about my child and now my pup. I guess because I have the guys name and number and address right in front me, is why I am even considering it. But if I call and they tell me there were some pups that had this and that, I would worry even more about every little bump, trip and stumble.

 

[PradazPurdy]

Re: Should I contact the breeder?

I also agree w/the 'just enjoy them' -- if you worry about every little thing, they'll pick up on it & probably WILL get sick....

 

[southerngirls]

Re: Should I contact the breeder?

i agree as well, trying is better than not trying at all. Most reputable breeders have something in their contract of purchase stating the puppy should be returned back to the breeder, but not all have this. Hopefully you will get some answers. Good luck and keep us posted

 

[15842]

Re: Should I contact the breeder?

Yep, just go with it.  It wouldn't hurt to ask but you're still going to love Harleigh just as much even if her parents may not be the healthiest in the world.
I try not to concern myself with what may happen 8 years from now.  Whenever anyone says "You know your boxer is prone to 'x', I always respond "He licks his own butt and I still love him!"

 

[PradazPurdy]

Re: Should I contact the breeder?

"He licks his own butt and I still love him!"

LOL - good one! :thumbup:

 

[HannaBanana]

Re: Should I contact the breeder?

Even some of best bred boxers past 10 years of age could develop something.   So *if* the info is out there and not to hard to get, would be nice to know, however if not, then best you can do is just give them a great quality of life and be prepared to stand by them when something pops up, but just dont fear every day the unknown

 

[PradazPurdy]

Re: Should I contact the breeder?

:yes: Nicely put, Heather.

 

[sharonL]

Re: Should I contact the breeder?

You got great advice already....it never hurts to try but at the same time you may not get the answers you want....Even if they cant answer your questions, even if they tell you all in the world of the mom and dad are grand...you could still have a problem....you may never have a problem....Ya know!

 

[maplesfolks]

Re: Should I contact the breeder?

I would try if I were you, and if you get unpleasant answers, well it doesn't necessarily mean that your puppy will come down with those things but at least you'll know what to watch out of and maybe you'll learn about some precautions you can take.  Also if it's a reputable breeder they'll be happy to see some pics of Harleigh and to get an update on her. I keep in touch with our breeders and they love the updates, good luck either way, let us know what happens

 

[Barbs2Ks]

Re: Should I contact the breeder?

I would try to contact them (IMO) its better to have an idea of parentage and health issues then not knowing anything.  If I knew who to contact for Kiah, I would.

 

[Guest]

Re: Should I contact the breeder?

i would be afraid to contact them for fear of the original contract stating that if the owners were to get rid of the pup they would have to give it back to breeder..in that case they could take the pup back from you...so I would be afraid to call...just me though

 

[samsonsmom]

Re: Should I contact the breeder?

I'm in agreement, at least make an effort to see if you can get in touch with the breeder...Myself, I want to know anything I can..Those of us who have rescues, we are clueless to our babies backgrounds and sometimes it would be nice to know..Will I let it rule my life by not knowing? Absolutely not..Would it destroy me if I learned something bad happened to a parent? No way...I take each day as a blessing that these wonderful creatures are in my life and enjoy them

 

[My_Harleigh]

Re: Should I contact the breeder?

Thank you ALL for your point of views. Everyone has valid reasons therefore I am torn. I would NEVER want Harleigh to be taken away from me due to a contract. And the fact of not knowing may be the best for me as, stated before, I am a worry wart and I can see myself using the info I might gain from a breeder and think she has everything under the sun. But who knows, the breeder might like to hear from me.

Thanks again you guys!

 

[samsonsmom]

Re: Should I contact the breeder?

A good breeder WANTS to hear from you after you have purchased a pup...Rhonda still gets regular updates & pics on Angel and I will do the same with Flick..it's in their interest as well to know what's going on, especially if a health issue arises..PLus a lot of breeders do like to post pics of their babies, even the pet pups on their website

 

[Ky_IsisnOnyxsMama]

Re: Should I contact the breeder?

i agree also..cant hurt to try...i wouldnt worry about losing harleigh...they can easily see your pup is well taken care of..dont stress it either way...you could just ask...you dont have to give your name and address...