So, this is the first time since the creation of The Dog Journal that I have allowed myself to talk about the impact that Covid has had on the way we sell puppies. Why? Because I’m tired of hearing breeders laud Covid as the “golden era of selling puppies” that will probably sadly never come back.
Written By: The Dog Journal
Think about it, during Covid, all one had to do was raise a puppy with four legs and a tail, and the puppy found a home for an overpriced number. Quality didn’t really matter. You could be doing everything right, but the breeder next door that only wanted to make a quick buck could sell the same number of puppies for as much as you could, and without putting any of the hard work into breeding quality. Today, quality matters. You set yourself apart by the work you put into your breeding program.
Think about it, during Covid, all one had to do was raise a puppy with four legs and a tail, and the puppy found a home for an overpriced number. Quality didn’t really matter. You could be doing everything right, but the breeder next door that only wanted to make a quick buck could sell the same number of puppies for as much as you could, and without putting any of the hard work into breeding quality. Today, quality matters. You set yourself apart by the work you put into your breeding program.
Unfortunately, over Covid a lot of bad transactions were done, and a lot of new puppy parents were misinformed and not properly educated about how to care for a puppy. This led to a lot of puppies or dogs ending up back in the breeder’s hands, in rescues, or just simply unwanted. That wasn’t fun, and it seems like puppy parents and prospect puppy parents are taking more time to do the proper research before making a commitment, which increases the odds of long-term success by a lot.
According to the experiences we personally are having, as well as the successful stories we hear from other breeders, if through this crazy time of Covid, you as a breeder stayed true to your commitment of quality, and bred for health, temperament, and happy customers, your customer base has grown more loyal. Current and prospect puppy buyers become much more loyal when they can see your commitment to why you do what you do, versus just “selling a puppy.”
Now, in this issue, we’re going to see if the people that support the program would actually pay more or choose a puppy coming from a program like this over one that does not. Please remember that there are lots of other good reasons to keep becoming more ethical and stepping up our game, but in this article we are talking only about the monetary gain that can happen.
Nationally recognized as one of today’s top professionals, George Hickox has owned and campaigned numerous field champions and Dog
of the Year.
Sponsored by Senate Ag Committee chairman Elder Vogel, was introduced and referred to the Senate Ag Committee on May 31. It was presented to the Dog Law Advisory Board at their meeting on June 1, where all comments were favorable, and there appeared to be a broad consensus of support. The bill includes numerous other provisions that enhance the Pennsylvania Bureau of Dog Law’s ability to perform its mission, including more vigorous oversight and inspections of nonprofit and rescue-type kennels. The Pennsylvania Professional Dog Breeders Association (PPDBA), the nation’s oldest professional pet breeders’ association, supports the bill.
