CHECKING OUT BUYERS

 

• References: Contact NBRF to see if they are on their ‘no sell’ list for previous cruelty etc.
• Ask for Vet references for previous pets
• Ask for breeder references if they had a Borzoi before.  If they say they don’t know who the dog was or its breeder, be very suspicious
• Arrange a home visit to check on the size of the yard and height of the fencing.  In areas with heavy snow even 6 feet might not be enough.  I have seen fencing with 4 foot actual fencing plus hedges that would be adequate.  Be sure gates are the same height as the fence.
• If necessary, make papers conditional on spay/neuter records being supplied, or sell on non-breeding contracts.  Note if selling to Canada non-breeding AKC contracts means no Canadian registration, and would prevent the owner from doing obedience, coursing, etc.  Also there is a new regulation there if you are chipping dogs that a Canadian vet must see that the chip is in the area of the withers or not accepted for ID.
• Consider offering a rebate of $50 for the dog achieving graduation in obedience or show handling from a reputable school, or for achieving titles
• Ask to be kept updated with photos and information.  We post these on our web sites to encourage the buyers and to show we care what they are doing with the Borzoi.
• Discuss their understanding of what can be done with a Borzoi, and if they think it can roam a farm, insist they understand that a pen is necessary.
• Discuss their understanding of sufficient exercise, the dangers of exposing them to exertion is high temperatures, etc.  Most Borzoi do much better with a companion dog, Borzoi or not.
• Do not encourage them to believe that Borzoi can be kept loose in the house with rabbits or ferrets.  I have been surprised (both positive and negative) about Borzoi adapting to life with cats.  Even if they attack a cat in one placement, they can be trained to tolerate them in a home with an intelligent trainer. However, I would believe you might have to have a trial placement.
• Be sure they understand how to use motivational methods of training and recommend some books.  The Volhards have authored one of the ‘Complete Idiot’s Guide to Dog Training’ that is easy to understand and pretty good, also easy to find a copy.
• Be sure they understand proper use of martingale collars to prevent the dog slipping a buckle collar.  I supply every client with a collar and leash set, and if it is a baby puppy, they get a leash and a small and medium collar (I make them and they are exactly the same as the Premier Collars, which are not available in Canada except to businesses and few of them stock them).
• Make sure they are well advised on feeding and grooming and have the right equipment.  If the dog is traveling by car and not a van with a crate, ask them to arrive with a seat belt dog harness.
• Be sure they understand about using Advantage for fleas and ticks, and understand about diseases like Lyme disease and West Nile and what to do, as well as the normal schedule of shots.  For border crossings a 3 year rabies certificate is not always sufficient.
• Be sure everyone in the family wants the dog…dislike of the dog by husband is a leading cause of returns.
• Do not sell to people with infant or toddlers unless you have reason to believe they are experienced dog owners, have a crate for time out for the dog, and are in excellent control of their children. We have refused sales just for out of control behaviour of kids when they came to the kennel.  If you break this policy, the dog will likely be returned for biting the child, or be accidentally let loose and killed.
• Some ethnic groups consider dogs unclean, eat them, or fear them.  We have run into serious problems by selling to such people or to mixed couples where the wife, for example, fears and dislikes the dog. People like that can buy the dog as a status symbol, or to show they are Americanized, and the dog will face a very uncertain future.  This must be examined on a case by case basis.  Also, just because Borzoi come from Russia, do not assume people of Russian background make good owners on that basis alone.
• Think long and hard about people who have extremely fancy homes of the furniture salesroom type.  First puppy accident you may get it back.  This happened to me and we had a terrible time getting the papers back even though her money was refunded.
• Keep good records, encourage them to e-mail and write, and if you have not heard from them for a while, phone.
• I have had zip success selling Borzoi to students or very elderly people.  There has been no correlation with age, sex (or sexual orientation) or occupation and wealth and how well the Borzoi has been taken care of.  Avoid people who rescue dogs and live in small homes, rental accommodation, or with relatives, to be sure they are not dog collectors. Be sure they are not over the dog limit for the municipality they live in.
• Finally, if you run into very serious problems with a client and get the dog back, be sure to notify the NBRF and your fellow breeders in the area so that they are not allowed to buy another dog.

 

Do not be discouraged if a placement does not work, and be prepared to take the dog back with papers and refund the money.  I have never had a puppy or dog that could not be sold or placed…One person’s trash is another person’s treasure.

 

HOME