Ashstone's Owner Screening Questionnaire
Thank you for inquiring about our Labrador Retrievers. We are dedicated "fanciers" who participate in various dog related events. We breed to produce what we believe to be quality Labrador Retrievers that conform to the breed standard, are intelligent, and have wonderful temperaments. We also focus on doing all we can to produce physically and mentally sound dogs.
Through competitions, membership in both the local and National Labrador Retriever Clubs we are exposed to other points of view, educational programs, updated rules and regulations and more importantly have an opportunity to share concerns, information and ideas with other concerned and knowledgeable dog people.
When we have litters, we make sure our puppies are sold to loving committed homes. We do our best to screen the owners to ensure a good match between the puppy and the buyer. Before the puppy leaves our home, it has been well care for and socialized. The puppy does not go to it's new owner as a trained, well-mannered finished product. It is up to the puppy buyer to complete the job we have started. The new owner is responsible for the further development of the puppies personality, through structured discipline, training, guidance, and love. In an effort to ensure that our puppies are going to receive the love and care they will require throughout their lives, we ask all potential buyers to complete this questionnaire. If you wish to be put on our waiting list you must complete and return the questionnaire to us.
All of our PET puppies are sold on a Spay/Neuter Contract -without exception, which means that if the dog is bred, the resulting offspring will not be recognized or registerable with the CKC/AKC. Pet puppies are required to be spayed/neutered by the age of eighteen (18) months - no exceptions. Any planned or accidental breeding taking place is subject to a disciplinary fine and could result in the repossesion of the dog. We attempt to evaluate each puppy’s personality by observing them during their development. We attempt to match the puppy to the buyer to produce the best fit of puppy and family. The order in which you will be allowed to pick is determined by the order in which your name appears on our waiting list. Therefore if having a number of puppies to choose from is of importance to you it is in your best interest to complete and return the questionnaire in a timely fashion.
I have certain criteria that I deem necessary for the well-being of my puppies. Each applicant's questionaire will be reviewed and weighed against my ideal. We only place Labrador puppies in apartments or townhomes on certain conditions. Homes without fenced yards, unless there is a separate dog run, (invisible fencing is not acceptable) and homes where no one is available during the day to take care of the puppy are not acceptable. You will be notified if you are accepted as a future puppy owner of an Ashstone Labrador with further instructions on how to complete the reservation process and a list of the proper equipment and supplies to obtain prior to bringing your puppy home. At the time you purchase your puppy you will be given information on training, feeding and care of your puppy and, a copy of the pedigree and a completed sales contract (which you must sign), our health records, as well as any additional information that we feel may be needed. Also included in our puppy booklet are pull out sheets for name choice for CKC registration which is obtained by the breeder and report forms that follow the weight and feeding of the puppy during the critical growth stages. These forms must be sent back at the stated intervals.
We make every effort to ensure that our puppies are free from inherited defects, by screening perspective breeding stock for those problems common to our breed (hip & elbow dysplasia and PRA [Progressive Retinal Atrophy]). However due to complex genetic interactions and environmental factor's beyond our control we cannot guarantee that a puppy purchased from us will be free of genetic disorders.
THE
BREEDThe Labrador Retriever takes two-three years to
mature mentally and physically. The Lab is also keenly intelligent,
thriving on stimulation and socialization and has a high 'pack drive.'
Successful ownership requires 'building time' into your schedule to
include your dog in activities, and the training and exercise he requires.
These are not self-socializing dogs.Owning
a dog is a lifetime commitment, and in the case of the Lab this can be
10-15 years. Please take a moment to consider and answer these questions
so we can both decide if this the right time for a Lab, and indeed if the
Lab is right for you.
YOU,
YOUR FAMILY AND HOME Labradors require a clear idea of 'pack
structure' and order. Humans must be the clear leaders and a successful
adjustment and relationship with all people regularly in contact with your
dog is essential. Also, a fenced yard is an important safeguard for your
dog while outside with you. The purchase price of your dog is just the
beginning. Dogs require annual vaccinations, heartworm testing and
preventatives, health certifications, spaying or neutering, quality food,
boarding in your absence, training, toys, crates etc. You don't need to
own a home in the suburbs with a fence to be the idea owner. However, you
do need to be realistic about the problems of owning a dog in an apartment
or condo.
Please complete the following information and click on the "Submit" button at the bottom of the form when done.
List previous dogs you
have owned, training experience and where are these dogs now? How do you plan to
accommodate your Lab's needs for exercise, companionship,
socialization and education? Do you own your own home? Can you afford not only to purchase, but to
care for a dog for 10-15 yrs? Who will
have the major responsibility of caring for your Lab? Do you have children? What ages and experience with
dogs? Will your children be involved directly in the care
and supervision of the dog? Will your current family obligations allow time and
opportunity to include the dog in your activities? Is the family willing to include the dog in excursions
and activities? Are there other animals in the household currently?
Please describe. Do they like the company of other animals? Other information you feel will be helpful for us to
know about you and your family. Please describe some of
the characteristics you would like to find in a Lab. Where will your Lab spend most of it's time? As a
puppy and as an adult. Will you use a crate for housetraining. Do you have a fenced secure yard? Do you have a problem with spaying or neutering your puppy? If yes,Why? Do you prefer a male or female dog? Why? Do you have a color preference? Why? Do you have a projected adult size preference? Why? Do you have an age preference? Why? THE
BREEDER Are you willing to return the dog to Ashstone Labradors
should you no longer be able to care for it? Will you follow the breeder's instructions for care,
rearing, training and agree to maintain regular contact with them
about the well-being of the dog?
Did you read, and do you know, understand and agree that there is no guarantee that the puppy/dog
purchased from us will be free of genetic defects?
Ashstone Labradors
Owned and Loved by
Cheryl & David Drake
Victoria Harbour, Ontario, Canada 705-534-7654 Copyright © 2003 - All
rights reserved. Revised: January 12, 2003
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THE BREEDER Responsible
breeders feel they have a lifetime commitment to each dog they are
responsible for bringing into the world. Most require all sales to be by
written contract, with the rights and obligations of both parties spelled
out. A contract is in essence a 'memorandum of agreement' about the
conditions and terms of sale spelled out. If you have questions about the
wording or have a concern you would like addressed in a contract, the time
to discuss it is BEFORE YOU
SIGN.
YOU, YOUR FAMILY AND HOME
THE DOG
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Is this person home all day or most of the day?
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No
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Name
E-mail
Address
City,ST,Zip
Phone
times.