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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Dan, Some show breeders make it darn
hard to buy a puppy from them with a lot of conditions in their
contracts. Even for Pets.. </span></font><font
color=navy><span style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>> I have not seen that very much at all
among Basset breeders, and I’ve looked at a lot of contracts in the
process of developing my own contract. I’ve also talked with a lot of
Basset breeders across the country, and I have not run across the kind of
barriers that you are attributing to breeders of show dogs. There are
significant conditions in contracts to buy show prospect puppies, because we
are letting intact bitches and dogs go – and those dogs represent our
breeding programs, and have the potential to be bred. But *<b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>most</span></b>* pet puppies are not subject to those
conditions. For example, in my own contract, pet puppies must be (1) spayed or
neutered by a specific date; (2) returned to me if the purchaser is unable to
care for them: (3) given adequate food, water, shelter, veterinary care; (4)
kept as a personal pet, primarily in the home (not housed in the yard); and (5)
never carried loose in the back of a pick-up truck (which is against state law
in most states to begin with. Sound excessive?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>It is also sometimes difficult to even
find show breeders or breeders who will respond to requests.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>> I have offered on this list to help
people make connections with *<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>reputable</span></b>*
breeders of quality dogs, and I believe that other reputable breeders on the
list have offered the same assistance. I have never *<b><span style='font-weight:
bold'>once</span></b>* been taken up on the offer – and have several
times later seen happy announcements that people got a Basset over the internet
or from other questionable sources.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>I like puppies to stay with siblings
to 10 weeks. I think it improves bite inhibition a 1000 fold.
You also have less dog to dog agression. But some show breeders
take forever decididng which dogs to keep and which to sell.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Generally, a breeder of show dogs will
have some “clear pets” who can go at 10-12 weeks, some clear show
prospects who won’t go at all and maybe a couple of “I’m
just not sure yet” pups who will stay on longer to 16 or even 24 weeks.
But it is not impossible to get a younger (10-12 week old puppy), who are still
VERY puppy in their antics, looks and cuteness, from a good breeder. I’d
also point out that a 4-6 month puppy is still pretty adorable, that they are
often well on their way to housebreaking, leash trained for walks, fully
vaccinated, and have some house manners – so for a working family, they
can really be an ideal pet.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>What people have to be prepared for to
some extent is thinking ahead to when they will want a pup and making contacts
well in advance. In our society of instant-gratification, I want one and I want
one *<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>now</span></b>*, it’s hard to find
puppy buyers willing to do that – but if they are, they are generally
rewarded with the best pet pups in the litter, including in some cases puppies
who are in fact suitable to show, but the breeder doesn’t have enough
show homes available and so places them as pups.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>And that said, even breeders with
established wait lists will often have puppies come available as time for
placement comes and people on the wait list drop out for one reason or another.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I reiterate my offer to help people find
reputable breeders if they are thinking ahead a bit about their next dog. Try
it – I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised not only to find well
bred and well socialized puppies, but a lifelong mentor and support in the
breeder as well.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Sylvie McGee<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>HeavenScent Bassets <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><font size=2
color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>Olympia</span></font></st1:City><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> <st1:State
w:st="on">WA</st1:State></span></font></st1:place><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><a href="mailto:sylviemcgee@comcast.net">sylviemcgee@comcast.net</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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