12 replies to this topic

[jford]

Hello all!
My family (Mom, Dad and one 6 year old daughter) and I have just decided to get our first dog, and we love the Havanese! This site has helped answer so many of our questions. One of the big ones we are left with (besides deciding male or female, although we're tending to view this as we did the birth of our child: we really don't care as long as it is healthy and happy!) is where to go. I've read all the links on choosing a breeder, and that has been helpful. But I would truly love it if someone could point me to specific breeders (or those to stay away from).

We live in Rochester, NY (upstate), and are willing to travel a couple hundred miles to check out places--we'll make these family fun weekends. Does anyone PLEASE have any suggestions??

Thank you so much for any help or advise you can give.
Julie

[Kat]

It's very hard to publically recommend or not recommend breeders. Although there are obvious red and green flags, there is also some "yellow area" where you need to make a judgement call of your own comfort level. Additionally, someone who was being uber-resposible two years ago when so-and-so bought their puppy may be less so now.

But, here are some good resources!

The Havanese Club of America has a breeder directory:
http://www.havanese....w=article&id=57

There is also the Greater New York Havanese Club:
http://www.gnyhc.org/

And the Delaware Valley (PA/NJ area) Havanese Club:
http://dvhc.homestead.com/

Also, going to dog shows is good! Click on the states nearby and look for an all-breed "AB" show (AB, AB/O, AB/O/JRS, etc). There are also toy breed specialty shows coming up in New York City in two weeks. If you need help navigatin the dog show stuff, let us know!
http://www.infodog.c...winfo/state.htm

Edited by Kat, 25 January 2012 - 12:53 PM.

[Leeann]

Welcome to HT Julie. I dont think I can add anything to what Kat has already posted, good luck in your search and keep us updated as you go.

[Suzi]

I was a new Havanese owner a little over a year ago. I think it sounds like you are being a very responsible buyer. I have learned so much just by joining a local Havanese club. Most of the people in the club show so when you do go to a show you will know who is who. I have been able to view and decide what breeder or Breeders have the look ( so many different variations ) Like some Havanese have larger heads than others, Some have very silky coats some have a more wavy coat.
A lot a good reputable breeders have waiting lists so getting involved and meeting them will put you in a good position to be added to there list.

[Marj R.C.]

Welcome to Havanese Talk, Julie! I think it's wonderful that you and your family are doing the homework necessary to make as good a choice as possible. A dog is a 12-15+ year comittment, so it's worth taking the time. Kat worded things beautifully. Thank you, Kat. The links should help point you in the right direction or someone could private message you with actual recommendations if they're inclined to do so.

[Carefulove]

Julie,

I am in CT and looked through some of the sites posted above when I first started looking for my first Havanese (back in 2009). Ultimately, I did not feel comfortable with any of the breeders in the Tri-state Area that I contacted (You can PM me if you want more details), so I ended up going to MN for my first Pup and now to NC for my second (just after Christmas).

Don't limit yourself to a certain Area, sometimes Your puppy is just a bit further Away!

[SOX' MOM]

I think the otherS have given you a good beginning point to look for your puppy. Good luck!

[Jane]

Welcome to HT, Julie!

I'm glad that you have found the information on HT to be helpful because the best thing you can do is to educate yourself so you can be an informed buyer. It is worth the effort and time it takes to find a healthy, happy Havanese who will be your loving companion for 15+ years. Even if people recommend a specific breeder as "good" or "bad", you need to do your own homework and ask questions to verify, verify, verify. People can get very emotional about their dog's breeder and may rave about how wonderful they are. But, that can be based on warm, fuzzy feelings, rather than objective information.

Feel free to ask any questions that you have as you go about your search!

BTW, I was born and raised in Rochester, NY!

[BeverlyA]

You can tell how happy we all are that you are here and doing research into choosing a good breeder. I think everyone has given great advice too. I especially second Carefulove saying that your perfect breeder might not be right by you. I found for me, my perfect breeder is a couple states away, but having her as a constant resource and the peace of knowing about the puppies background is more than worth the price of a plane ticket. I know I can call her anytime, day or night, with any kind of question or concern and she will be glad that I called rather than take a chance with the dogs health. That was something that was important to me and everyone needs to decide what is important to them in a breeder.
I think the idea of going to a show is great as is joining a club.

[Amanda]

Welcome! HT is a wealth of information with some wonderful memebrs who give great advice. I would advise you look up health testing on the parents/line of the breeder first. You want your best friend to be with you as long as possible. Meet the breeder and his/her dogs, make sure the dogs are socialized-one of the things I have recently heard about is how many dogs a breeder has/how many litters. Is your puppy being held and loved each day. This also comes into looking at the temperment of hte parents- while socialization is improtant, some temperment traits can be considered genetic, look for a breeder who shows- dogs should be bred to improve the breed, and do the research on training, puppy classes, etc. You need to keep up all the work the breeder has put into your puppy.

Keep us posted and feel free to ask questions. You can also search old threads.

[jford]

Thanks so much to everyone who so warmly responded! I'm obviously new to this, and so I'm not sure of the protocol, but I would love to speak off site to those who would be interested. I can be contacted at jford1@rochester.rr.com
Again, thanks so much for the warm welcome and great advice.!

Julie

[jford]

Sorry, a typo with the email. It is jford9@rochester.rr.com.
thanks!
Julie

[Amanda]

Julie- Also if there is a member you want to pm you put your curser over their name and select send message.