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Puppy Matching
Cocker Spaniels
Buff
due 1-1-09
Chocolate
born 11-08-08
Parti Color
due 1010-09
Golden Retrievers
Gracie
born 12-24-08
Darby
born 11-29-08
Sage
born 11-27-08
Vizsla
Puppy Shopping List
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| Ok the first thing you need to decide is what breed
you want.
Not every dog breed makes an ideal pet. Some dogs are
better than others, young families for instance want a pet that
is able to withstand the energy of children. Middle age
couples or 'empty nesters' may find a totally different dog
appealing.
Seniors will have an entirely different need.
One thing is for certain. Each puppy in every litter is
an individual and should be matched to your family. (read more
about puppy matching from our link on your left)
Purebred dogs have many advantages over mixed breeds.
Consistency in size, temperament and physical characteristics
that are predictable by breeders.
BUT there is a caveat. They are only as good as the integrity of the
breeder behind them.
The AKC divides them into groups. Each
group of dogs has characteristics which define how they came
into existence. Some make better family pets than others.
YOU need to find out which is compatible with your family and
lifestyle. There might be plenty of breeds that are "cool
looking" however they are difficult to live with. Some are
popular because of movies or TV...but once they are in your
home...not so popular with you.
As an advocate of the purebred dog it is my job to educate
and inform and when at all possible, help you make an informed
decision on which breed is the
best choice for the next 10-15 years.
Dogs are not
disposable in my world...so my interest is to make sure that
whatever type of dog ends up in your home, it is a relationship
that will flourish and last for the lifetime of your pet.
Here is a link that will help you with the breeds.
Dog Breeds
American Kennel
PLEASE feel free to call me for
information. As an all breed professional pet groomer and
boarding kennel operator I have had decades of experience with
all types of dogs. Purebreds and mixed breeds. I
invite you to take advantage of that experience.
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How do I go
about finding a puppy?
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There are a few sources to buy puppies
from.
Best Source &
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
-
Is a reputable breeder.
Found through your vet, by referrals from other pet owners or
breeders, a breeders directory or
through kennel clubs or registries. Dedicated folks who spend a
great deal of time with the health, welfare and betterment of the breed
in mind.
Beware...
- The Classified Ads* usually list pups sold by
people who know little or nothing about the breed they are selling,
have not done testing and are trying to
make quick buck or recoup the cost of their pet store purchase
.
But you will find breeders there. Ask the questions listed. You can often tell by the answers to your questions which folks are
real breeders and which
folks don't have a clue of what they are doing.
The Internet. There are literally thousands of
web sites...anyone can build one and look great from that presence.
We recommend that if all possible you visit the person you find on
the Internet. They should have an open door policy. Beware of
charging a puppy by phone or PayPal and NOT being able to visit.
While we do have a web site...we encourage and welcome visitors.
SOURCE TO STAY AWAY FROM
- PET STORE, they buy from out of state puppy mills
or brokers
these are puppies that are mass produced with little regard to their
future health and well being. You will not find health testing
certifications on one individual much less the whole pedigree. They
are raised in less than deplorable conditions and are often sick.
Many never make it to the store. Very rarely do they resemble
the AKC standard of what the breed should look or behave like. The
most undesirable place to purchase. You will pay WAY to much for the
lowest quality pet.
Be Informed-Rescue dogs
-
I have nothing against
dogs in the pound, shelters or rescue organizations. Many a
fine pet has come from these sources thanks to the dedicated folks
who give generously of their time and money. Most reputable breeders
take back dogs that they bred that owners cannot keep.
Shelters and Rescue are filled with the pet store or
indiscriminately bred dogs that are displaced for every silly reason
you can think of. Some of the dogs have 'issues' be they
behavioral or health. Use discretion and realize that you may be in
for a lot of work. For mixed breeds we recommend you go to the
animal shelters or various rescue organizations. DO NOT BUY A MIXED
BREED such as...labradoodles, goldendoodles, puggles...cockapoo's...ect.
Designer dogs are no bargain. Also keep in mind the dogs in a rescue program are there for a
reason. They may need some rehabilitation and need a lot of patience and
understanding.
The definition
of breeder can be vague. Technically anybody who has bred a pair of
dogs that has had puppies is a "breeder". A dog is only
as good as the integrity of the breeder...pure and simple. A purebred
offers consistency in size and temperament. Known characteristics
of the breed that come through generation after generation.
I like to compare it to putting gas in
my car, because I can do it and it runs well, does not make me a master
mechanic.
Breeding dogs is a complex process
beginning not at the time of the breeding, but years before that, by
persons who have carefully studied pedigrees and tested potential
breeding pairs for generations. A reputable breeder can provide you
with that information, show you the sire *and/or dam of the puppy,
and show
you the certification of health testing.
They should also be available to you after the puppy is in your
home for support.
*Technology is a wonderful thing, keep
in mind when asking to view the sire that he may not be available to
view. Often times he can be across the country or deceased (for many
years) and the puppies are the result of "frozen or fresh chilled semen"
shipped from far away and implanted in the dam.
Often there will be limits
to meeting the sire of the puppies because of those scenarios.
Ask the breeder:
- How long they have
been involved in breeding dogs. Do they have references from their
peers?
- Are they or
have they been involved with showing dogs in conformation or
performance?
-
What testing has been done on the breeding pair?
(Certain breeds have specific tests done, they are important to the
health of the offspring. )
- Can they show you certification?
-
What the potential
problems are in the breed, what is the breeders experience with them?
- What
is the history
of the pedigree to the best knowledge and experience of the breeder?
Many breeders work with certain pedigrees for decades.
-
What are your
responsibilities as a pet owner once the puppy is in your home?
To find out about our process
click below
Getting one of our dogs |
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A reputable breeder will not take
offense to any of those questions. In fact, they are comforted by an
educated buyer who is asking those very questions.
The reputable breeder differs from "puppy
mill" breeders or "backyard breeders" in many ways. The puppies in
a pet store or 'flea market' setting are purchased en mass by
retailers from huge commercial breeding establishments.
- Reputable breeders would never
sell or present their puppies in pet stores or flea market
settings...
- A reputable breeder will not
discount a puppy because of its age or gender.
Reputable breeders will not discount puppies because
you are buying 2, that is IF they will even sell you 2
A well bred puppy is distinctly different looking
than a poorly bred pup. BUT, you have to know what you are looking at.
We urge you to do your homework. Visit the breeder or breeders you have
researched. Take some time BEFORE you are going to buy.
Resist impulse purchases at pet stores
. A
referral through a Veterinary office, a National Breed
Club, from other breeders or happy pet owners with the same
breed you are considering, are worth their weight in gold.
A reputable breeder will not disparage the reputation
of another breeder. So try not to ask. However if they don't
have puppies. You might ask where THEY would go. They will
however direct you to someone they DO recommend.
Reputable breeders
do NOT advertise in the classified ads.
Due diligence is your
responsibility, when buying a pet for yourself or your family,
especially when children are involved.
Your standards should be high.
If you discover that you have not budgeted enough to add a puppy
to your home. I urge you to postpone the purchase until you can
acquire the best puppy for your family. The breeder that you choose
should live up to your expectations or
exceed them. Breeders should have done the hard work laying the best foundation
possible for the puppies.
Just make sure you are comparing
all factors involved in making a wise choice.
Most reputable breeders ask around the
same price for their puppies, so try not to put so much emphasis on
price. Cheaper is not a "deal" in when it comes to buying a puppy.
Indicate you are looking for 'pet' quality, a simple fact is, there are
high quality pets available in every litter bred for show.
As much as we breeders like to think
every one of our dogs is perfect, some minor issues that may prevent a
puppy from being show quality. They are, mis-marked puppies, something
as simple as a white spot in the wrong location, dentition that may be
off, a puppy may indicate that he/she will not meet some of the strict
guidelines we breeders aspire to meet, for instance not tall enough or
to tall...Or they may prefer to be a lap dog instead of a 'star'.
None of these issues would have an
affect on the dogs ability to be a perfectly suitable pet but will have
an impact on a show career.
Its hard to imagine, but like many
other purchases you make or have made in your lifetime, dogs come in different levels of quality.
So
do your homework find out what the REAL price of a well bred dog is and make a wise choice.
I guarantee you that a well bred pet is not $300 dollars, nor is
it $2000 (referencing our breeds only)
A pet quality Cocker Spaniel for instance is around $900
dollars, a show quality puppy is around $1500. You do not need a
show quality puppy...
One final note worthy of mentioning...because we
have been involved for many years we pour our heart and soul
into our puppies and value our reputation. Because of our efforts we get well educated puppy buyers
who want the best. Often our puppies have deposits on them prior to 2 weeks of age.
Occasionally we run into
a purchaser who wishes to wait until the puppies are 6-7 weeks
old to make a final decision. In that case, you will more than
likely miss out on a puppy. If we do not have pups available we will recommend other breeders who live up to the same standards
as we do...often their pups are sold rapidly as well.
So once again, do your research and settle on
your breeder and work closely with them, if possible before the
pups are born. It will be the
best decision you will make!
There has been some conversation on TV
regarding 'designer dogs' . They
are mixed breeds. They are NOT healthier than purebreds. The exorbitant
price tag that they come with is another scam perpetuated on the pet
buying public. You can get a purebred dog with all the qualities
and even better ones for a more reasonable price and a warranty. If you
are looking for a particular size, coat type or temperament be aware
that a mixed breeds cannot provide consistency in any breed
characteristics. Only a well bred purebred offers several generations of
health tested dogs of superior quality. And remember, a dogs is
only as good as the integrity of the breeder standing behind it!
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A little
about how I became involved with dogs.
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During my early teens, (early 70's) my
family acquired a Miniature Poodle. I became fascinated with the
grooming process and would "practice" on the family pet. By the age of
16 I was a professional pet groomer and expanding my interests quickly.
My first job as a Professional Pet Groomer linked me with the world of
purebred dogs, preparing them for the show ring, handling and much later
breeding.
In 1985 I rescued a Cocker and fell in
love with the breed. By 1986 I had added a Golden Retriever to my ever
growing family of dogs.
In 1986 at the age of 28, I was able
to purchase the kennel where I had
my first job and gained my "dog experience". And it was
a good thing too, since most cities limit the number of dogs you can
own and I was over that number!
Since 1986, as an all
breed pet groomer and now a boarding kennel operator I became more involved
with breeding and showing dogs. Choosing the Sporting Dogs above all others.
Bred to be man's companion in the
field the Sporting dogs by virtue of their warm sunny temperaments are
enjoyable to be around and work with. I feel the breeds in the Sporting
Group make the best pets of all the breeds of dogs, but I am a little
prejudiced.
My goal was to breed and show dogs
that I bred. In 1990 I bred my first litter of Cockers for the show
ring. The first Champion under the Clinton Oaks prefix emerged from that
litter.
Since that inauspicious beginning, I have bred,
owned, co-owned or handled to their Championship titles, over 24 dogs,
in 3 different breeds. (4...if you include an Afghan Hound I co bred)
Included in those titles are multiple Best In Specialty Show, Sporting
Group Placements, Best of Breed wins, Tracking Titles, Obedience Titles
and Hunt Test titles.
I couldn't have done any of that
without the great breeders that had gone before me. Those breeders had
laid the ground work of our fine pedigrees. Coupled with my mentors that
I admire and continually learn from, even after all these years,
I
feel it is a recipe for success.
Because of their experience and
knowledge that I have tapped into, I have remained grounded and focused on what was really
important. I give
special
THANKS to
Cherie
Berger of Meadowpond Golden Retrievers
and
Dee Lange
of
Gaitway Cockers
and of course, to my family, who have put up with my dog habit over the years.
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Our Mission
Is to breed a mentally and
physically sound Golden Retriever, Cocker Spaniel and Vizsla, a
companion that will be welcome anywhere as performance dogs and/or
family companions.
I realize that a well bred dog should
be a functional member of society and also be able to perform the duties that
they were originally bred for.
I've learned that families prefer to
find a well bred dog, with health clearances and the experienced support
of
their breeder to be most paramount to their owning, maintaining and
training their pet. My job does not end when you leave with a dog bred
here at Clinton Oaks...it is a relationship that we prefer last the
entire lifetime of your pet.
Most all show dogs are used eventually
in a breeding program, they should well represent the breed standard and
be free of any debilitating diseases before being bred. Breeding those
dogs presents a small percentage of "show quality" animals, those not
kept for show are sold as high quality pets to loving homes.
Without pet owners who provide those
loving homes, we breeders would not be able to progress in our breeding
programs.
These pets will become somebody's
family member. By vigorously testing our breeding stock, by using
only individuals that pass that testing and by providing these families
with support on how to raise and train their newest family member we
now have over two decades of happy families.
While we are most diligent you must
understand that we breeders are dealing with genetics. Despite our best
efforts, problems may still occur. As caretakers of the breed, we will
always do our best to breed healthy pets, unfortunately we have little
or no control over recessive genes. We do participate in yearly
screening of our breeding stock with a board certified Ophthalmologist,
Cardiac screening, PennHIPP certification...and any other tests that may
be breed specific.
I am a
member in good standing with the
American Spaniel Club,
The Vizsla Club of America,
and the The Vizsla
Club of Michigan,
The Macomb Kennel Club
I
am also listed in the
Ann Arbor Kennel Club
Breeder Directory,
the
ASC Breeders Directory and on the
American Kennel Club
web site.
Feel free to browse our site, visit
the ABOUT US
link and
contact me with any questions you may have. Even If we do not breed
the type of dog you are interested in, we encourage you to call, we will be happy to
refer you to a reputable breeder in the breed of your choice.
Thank you.
Gina Vesco
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