QUOTE(yltan @ Apr 20 2009, 10:02 PM)
As on my previous posting that I am looking for Pom, can anyone share some tips on how to chose Pom before I buy one. What features should I see...
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All I want to stress that RESEARCH should be first on the list of things to do as a new person?well before buying a dog and especially before breeding a litter. Doing thorough research can help you avoid a multitude of heartaches. Learn what to look for in a promising puppy yourself before taking someone else's word on it. Too many people prey on newbies by selling them puppies that are obvious washouts from the start梕ither out of malice or out of their own ignorance (or simply their own personal taste, which may not be your own!). In fact, don't buy puppies ?buy older prospects (6mos+) or adults where you can. These dogs you are less apt to fall in love with due to their puppy cuteness, and you can't be disappointed by how they mature, because they are already more grown-up. They may be expensive but they are worth their weight in gold if you buy the right ones ?which is where research, again, is key. Pay attention to the different breeders you come into contact with. Get to know for yourself firsthand who is generally considered "trustworthy" and who seems to get into a few too many scuffles with unhappy puppy buyers.
Secondly, study pedigrees! I use The Breeder's Standard software to collect pedigrees. I've been doing this for 7 years and I now have 80,000 dogs in it. You don't need that many yourself ?don't worry! I'm an addict ?but do pay attention to what sort of pedigrees produce the type of dogs you like. What dogs appear in them most often? Do you see a pattern? Type and soundness are not things that happen by accident ?consistent quality is the product of a careful breeding plan. Look at the breeders who seem to have achieved that and look at their pedigrees ?or better yet ask them ?to determine what their approach is.
Thirdly, study DOGS. The more poms you can get your hands on, the better. Learn structure and movement, as well as develop your eye for type. Remember that you will have a favorite "style" but you must always make sure as best you can to reconcile this with correct breed type. The more dogs you can see and feel, the better your eye will get. It also pays to be familiar with the ancestors of your dogs, up close and personal ?not just in photos. This isn't always easy, but wherever possible, try to get your hands on your dogs' close relatives. A great deal can be learned through these observations. Fourthly ?write those observations down!! I am very guilty of never doing that.
Go to every dog show you can ?and if you can manage it, go to as many National Specialties as you can. There you can see what the breed has to offer from all over the country and in some parts of the world. If a local dog show is a dinner, then the National is a 7 course meal!! A lot of local stars shine less bright in the face of some truly special dogs from out of the area. And if the dogs you like are from somewhere else, I say go for it. No sense settling for what is convenient if that is not your cup of tea. If you try your hardest nothing is impossible. Trust me.
Once you have done those things, then think about buying a dog. It will probably take you at least a year to get to the point where you're beginning to be prepared for this ?and even then you might regret your first purchases. But hopefully after doing some thorough research you'll have some contacts that breed the kind of dog you like and are willing to sell a dedicated newbie something to get their feet wet in the ring. Sound hard? Well, nothing worth doing is ever easy.
Good luck!
Apr 6 2009, 10:03 PM
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