Breeder Info

By definition a Breeder is: One who raises animals and brings about their reproduction. This is a very broad definition that is all inclusive. When in the process of obtaining a family companion, your puppy, you must be more selective. Be patient and prudent and you will get a puppy that will give you many years of love and great joy.

There are various types of Breeders:
THE CONCIENTIOUS HOBBY BREEDER The best choice for obtaining a puppy that will have been bred for good health, temperament, and conformation to the standard of the breed. These breeders will have given careful consideration to the choice of the stud and will have looked carefully into the background of both the dam and sire in an effort to bring about a mating that will produce a puppy that is better than his parents. These breeders are breeding in an effort to improve the breed, producing dogs to be shown and later entered into their breeding program. The Dam and Sire will have been tested regularly and intensivly for known hereditary Wheaten diseases. The breeder will be happy to share these test results with you. When you contact such a breeder about a puppy you will find that the breeders main concern is the welfare of the puppy, not only at the time of placement, but throughout it's life. You will be asked many questions about yourself, your family, your life style, your past history with dogs, how you plan to provide for the welfare of your dog, and your home environment. These questions are aimed at determining if the breed of dog is the correct choice for you and if your home is the environment that the breeder wants for his/her puppy. If you are serious about getting a life long companion that is right for you and your family you will welcome this scrutiny that is also aimed at doing what is best for you. I recommend that you get your puppy from a Breeder that is a member of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America or a local SCWT club. This is not to say that there are not good breeders who are not members. However, by going through a member Breeder you have some assurance that he/she has a long time commitment to the breed and its welfare, and that this person is known to the breed community and has been screened for ethical behavior before club membership was granted. Such a Breeder will have the mother of the pups on the premises, will be happy to show you pedigrees, will discuss any health problems in the line and in the breed in general. Will have tested his /her dogs before breeding, and will be happy to answer all your questions. This breeder will be available to you for the life of your dog to offer advice and assistance.

BACK YARD BREEDER These people are not serious breeders. Usually friends or neighbors who happen to own the same breed of dog will decide that they should breed their dogs and make some extra money. There is no consideration of pedigrees (background) or health issues. Most of this type of breeder has no experience with or knowledge of what breeding entails. The bitch will not receive any prenatal testing or care and the pups will live or die on their own without the benefit of Veterinary care. Money is the only consideration with these breeders.

PUPPY MILLS / PET SHOPS These categories are combined as most of the animals found in Pet Shops are obtained from puppy mills. This is, by far, the worst source for your puppy. The purpose here is simple…profit. While there is nothing illegal about this type of operation the method of operation ignores, completely, the welfare of the breeding stock and their offspring. The breeding stock is usually confined to a very small cage area for their entire life with the fecal matter dropping through the wire mesh flooring. These brood bitches are bred every time they come into season and are usually discarded by euthanasia or placement when they can no longer produce (4-5yrs). There are many stories of these dogs dying after being placed because of the prior abuse and lack of proper care. There is no thought given to medical background or temperament and many of these pups will die in shipment or in the back rooms of pet shops. These breeders have been reported to manipulate pedigrees and generally will not show you a pedigree before the sale. The following is a quote from a Wheaten owner and is published with his permission. Poignant and to the point. "If you decide you are willing to risk getting a puppy from a mill because you can't wait, how can you justify contributing to the terrible conditions the mothers of these puppies live in. If you care about dogs in general ,and the breed in particular, how can you ignore the fact that the mothers of your puppies are living terrible lives in crates in somebody's barn? Buying puppies born to those mothers condemns them to a life no dog should live". Many people forget all about the mothers of puppy mill puppies. Don Zwier Puppy mills will often place their puppies with resellers. These are people who pose as breeders but are selling puppy mill stock. They will not have the mother of the pups on the premises, will not show you a pedigree, and often have a story about selling the puppies for some other family member . As soon as they have your money you are on your own. Most won't even take your calls at this point. Be on your guard…do not get your puppy from a back yard breeder, "mill", pet shop, or one of these "fronts"!