“We wouldn’t get a puppy from any old breeder. Dentbros Dogs tick all our boxes and more. Highly recommended!”
Puppy owner
As I pause between litters, I thought it would be useful to ask my forty-two puppy owners for some feedback. So I sent them out a ‘Customer Satisfaction Survey’. I thought it would be helpful to establish whether they were generally happy with their dogs and felt they had had a good service. Can I improve on how I do things?
Survey results
The results (from almost 50% of the homes) are embarrassingly positive. Almost everyone would recommend me to a friend and are very satisfied with their dog. The dogs were universally described as:
good temperament
healthy
beautiful
easy to train
good value for money (50%)
“Both of our boys have been the most wonderful temperaments , being very affectionate and characters in their own right.”
In addition they are confident, fit in with the family and are a pleasure to own. I was described as being extremely or very responsive to any questions or concerns about the dogs. Most people would like to have another dog from me.
“We are delighted with the puppy we bought from Dentbros. She is beautifully calm and affectionate and very well behaved at home. She has also settled well with our older dog.”
What should you be paying for?
These are some of the costs I incur when producing a litter:
health tests for bitch, including hip scores and annual eye test
mating
scan
wormer
specialist food and milk for bitch while pregnant
KC registration
Assured Breeder fee
KC Breeder affix
toys for puppies
run and fencing
bedding
puppy food
eye & hearing tests for puppies
puppy packs and books
In addition to this, there is of course my time. I spend the whole of the 8 weeks I have puppies at home, with them. During this time I receive around 150 different visitors, including many different people for the pups to experience.
“Really appreciate the time and effort Penny puts into breeding and raising these dogs. She does a tremendous effort, and it really shows in the dogs temperament. Highly recommend her.”
I cuddle the pups every day, checking them over and generally handling them. They are part of our family life. I spend time communicating with the potential owners, sorting out who is having which puppy and making sure they are the best fit possible. It’s important for me to get to know the owners during that time, and I am available to discuss any worries or concerns that they have.
I spend time dealing with the associated administration of having puppies. Registering them with the Kennel Club, organising their health tests and generally making sure they have a great start in life.
As seen by a Veterinary Nurse
“We couldn’t have asked for a better service. We feel very lucky to have found such a quality breeder. I had high standard before but other breeders will really have to work hard to come in line with you. My very trusted vet and friend who also breeds and is a behaviourist was incredibly impressed with the information we were sent home with also the lovely touches like his puppy bag and all the little details. The book as well. Just everything.
“We really cannot leave any constructive criticism or negative comments because there just aren’t any. You should be incredibly proud as a breeder and dog owner as you are sadly the exception and will feature heavily in my advice when I speak to clients who want to buy a puppy. As a nurse I see many different types of breeder, some good, some just awful and some just don’t know what they are doing. So thank you as a nurse for being such a fabulous caring and committed breeder. It’s really refreshing. Also Lenny is just the most polite, laid back handsome happiest puppy ever we are so lucky. THANK YOU!”
Here’s one happy puppy owner!
Why I do it
My favourite part of my life is having puppies! It’s lovely spending time with the pups and the mum of the pups, focusing particularly on her and strengthening the bond I have with her. I love producing healthy, happy, confident dogs, who enrich the lives of the families they live with. I am proud to be a Kennel Club Assured Breeder and I consider myself to be a responsible breeder.
A responsible breeder
“What could possibly be a better job than this?”
If you want to know more about being a responsible breeder, why not FOLLOW ME? Then you will receive an email when there is a new post. Please CONTACT ME if you would like me to know more about me or my dogs? And feel free to COMMENT if you want to tell me what you think?
Buy the Workbook
The Workbook – A Year With Your Puppy is available to buy. It was written and designed to be a hands-on, interactive book for you. It will help you survive the first year with your puppy, but also act as a memento of that time and the journey you have been on. You can write notes and stick in pictures of your puppy throughout the year. Lovely!
19 thoughts on “A Responsible Breeder – what does that look like?”