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The Shomberg Puppy Placement Philosophy
Just Pick One, Right?
In years past, the breeding of purebred dogs was not nearly as refined as it
is today. Long gone are the days when people were allowed to look into a pen
containing an entire litter of puppies and decide which one they'd like to
take home. People often had very unique ways of determining which puppy
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"There is no psychiatrist in the world
like a puppy licking your face." |
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-Ben Williams |
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best suited them - usually based on supposedly educated, handed-down theories,
and, more often, superstition. We've all heard that "the runt is tougher
because he or she had to fight to live," "the shy one will be quiet
and submissive," "the aggressive puppy will be more protective of the
kids," or the ever popular, "the one that untied my shoe laces just
stole my heart."
Today, reputable longtime breeders have developed far better and more precise ways
to evaluate their litters, with an eye towards determining which puppy is best
suited to a particular home and owner or family. Conscientious breeders make the
effort to know each and every puppy and what makes them special, the better to
know what makes each puppy right for the new family whose lives it will share.
It's an awesome responsibility for any breeder, but one that must be welcomed and
accepted - long before any breeding is done - as a part of the
commitment to breeding dogs.
People looking to become a part of our waiting list should understand that we
take our breeder responsibilities very seriously. Hopefully, prospective owners
are drawn to us because of our dedication, and because we raise our puppies with
such care and love. They are our number one priority from birth, and for the
next eight weeks of their lives, and rightfully so. Read more about our puppies'
first 8 weeks of life in our article Learning To
Positively Imprint The GSP Puppy.
Actually, The Puppy Picks You (with a little help)
 We spend considerable time and effort raising each litter, and prior to their
finding loving owners, no one will come to know each puppy more closely than us.
During the first four weeks of the puppies' lives, Sharon acts as their human
guardian, staying only steps away at all hours of the day and night, and listening
for every little sound they make. Sharon holds them and assures them with
voice and touch, lets them know how much they are loved, and watches them as they
take those first wobbly steps and dip their noses into puppy gruel for their first
ever taste of dog food.
It's this nearness and constant observation of their entire development that makes
us aware of each puppy's special characteristics. Such a direct familiarity with
the entire litter enables us to provide the best possible guidance in matching up
puppy and owner. When the time comes to welcome their new family member into
their lives, new owners can be assured that they're taking home a puppy that will
thrive in their care. We want new owners to truly understand that our ultimate goal
is to see that both owner and puppy are happy for life. The hard work, sleepless
nights, and even having to part with such sweet pups is actually a source of great
happiness because of our dedication to making such successful puppy-family
connections.
We feel it's important to clarify that when it comes time to match puppies with
owners, we do not line up the pups as good-better-best, and don't rank potential
owners as first pick, second pick, etc. based on who's been waiting the longest
or any similar status. Rather, we choose to get to know the individuals who want
to take our puppies home - we get to know their lifestyles, the activities they
enjoy, and the expectations they have for this new little creature in their lives.
Our limited number of breedings allows us the luxury of being very selective in
choosing just the right homes for every dog. We do not have an ironclad list of
yes/no issues when screening potential owners, but there are a number of considerations
we will always bring up as we get to know you. For more on that subject, be sure to
read about our
puppy placement practices. Those considerations are our responsible
and loving commitment to making sure that new owners will be providing for the
pup, without reservation, all of life's basic comforts and needs.
Are There Ever "Leftover" Puppies?
There are no "leftovers" here at Shomberg and no puppy is considered
less than exceptional in his or her own right. In evaluating puppies within a litter,
we make sure to consider every aspect of personality, conformation, activity level,
health and overall quality. We want each new owner to feel that when we suggest a
particular puppy for them, that we've taken into account what we've learned about
their needs and expectations. That's what goes into making a perfect fit.
We know that every potential new owner has an ideal puppy in mind, and we'd never
make anyone take a puppy that they don't want. We do ask that buyers remain open to
considering a puppy more for its personality and temperament than its coloration or
gender. Of course we try to accommodate a person's preference for gender and
coloration when possible, but Mother Nature isn't always so agreeable and often we
have more or less of a particular color or sex. Likewise, there are certain
puppies that might be better suited for specific activities such as conformation,
hunt tests, obedience, agility and hunting upland game. Special consideration is
given to areas of particular interest and competition venues in which people choose
to participate. If a prospective buyer absolutely cannot accept a puppy because
of strongly held personal preferences, then we will always respect the decision
to decline the puppy.
Supply and Demand
If someone makes a decision to have their name placed on our waiting list, it will
remain until they ask to have it removed. If we cannot accommodate a buyer waiting
for a current breeding, they are welcome to consider a future breeding that might
be planned. If that isn't agreeable, we'll be most happy to refer interested
buyers to another respected and ethical breeder who might be able to assist with
a puppy from a litter they have bred.
We ask that new and prospective owners never feel that they are bothering us when
asking questions or inquiring about the breed in general. We enjoy sharing the
knowledge that we've gained over the past 40+ years. Loving these dogs as we do,
helping you to understand them and appreciate them is a labor of love. We are
dedicated to ensuring that your puppy will live a long and happy life with you,
and that you'll come to love the breed as we have. Watching people's eyes light up
when they hold their puppy for the first time is simply what we love.
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