What you need to know..
Below is some general information on dog breeding and why puppies are hard to get hold of.
Current wait time for most chow puppies from a reputable breeder is 1 - 2 years.
Breeding
Bitches should only be mated once 18 months old. Bitches in general only come into season 1 - 2 times a year. In season means they can be mated. Once mated there is not guarantee you will get puppies. If they don't get pregnant you have to wait another 6 - 12 months (depending on their individual cycle) until you try again.
IF they happen to get pregnant an average size litter for a chow is 3 - 5 puppies. Larger litters of course a possible but a rare.
If the breeder is also involved in showing chances are they will keep one for them selves.
Sometime if a Stud dog is used they will get a puppy as the fee for the stud.
So from say a litter of lets say four puppies that leaves you with 2 for sale.
Also state governing bodies dictates that a bitch can only have 5 litters in her lifetime (this is to stamp out puppy farming)
If she has a litter you can have another litter with her straight away but you then have to give her a 12 month break. Or after having a litter you can give her a 6 month (generally one cycle) break before mating her again. This is by law of the governing body.
A bitch can also get pregnant and then resorb the puppies this is basically the doggy version of a miscarriage.
So you think you have puppies coming and then you suddenly don't.
Puppies can be born but have deformities, puppies can also die suddenly with in the first week of birth.
You just want to buy a puppy why am i telling you this?
If a breeder has a small kennel of only a few breeding bitches then any of the above dictates, how many puppies they have for sale, it also dictates when they are available.
This is why it is so hard to get a Chow Chow puppy. This why we are so strict on who receives these little miracles.
This is also why you should never say to a breeder that its your partners birthday in August and you'd like a puppy for them then.
If we could control when we get them it would be great but after reading the above i hope you understand that just getting them is extremely hard putting a date on it is impossible!
Be patient with your breeder they are dealing with all of the above plus more plus family life plus working full time.
For breeders they do this out of love and betterment of the breed at cost personally and a most of the time financially.
They have slept beside the whelping box for the first week to make sure they puppies don't get squashed by their mothers.
They have cried over puppies they could not get breathing when born.
They have spent money on their dogs rather than, go on holiday, up date the house or splurge on them selves.
They have sent hours researching pedigrees to breed the best dog possible.
Its a hobby for most and not a business, please remember this when contacting breeders, be kind, be patient and give them the curtesy of a detailed inquiry rather than a one liner like - " how much are your puppies? " "I want a puppy" "when will you have puppies?"
Start with who you are, and a little about your self and your life style. What you know about chows, and why you think they would be suitable for you / your family and go from there.
I hope this helps gave you some insight into dog breeding and breeders and the best way to contact them.
Below is also a detailed PFD on how to watch put for scammers when looking for a breeder.
Current wait time for most chow puppies from a reputable breeder is 1 - 2 years.
Breeding
Bitches should only be mated once 18 months old. Bitches in general only come into season 1 - 2 times a year. In season means they can be mated. Once mated there is not guarantee you will get puppies. If they don't get pregnant you have to wait another 6 - 12 months (depending on their individual cycle) until you try again.
IF they happen to get pregnant an average size litter for a chow is 3 - 5 puppies. Larger litters of course a possible but a rare.
If the breeder is also involved in showing chances are they will keep one for them selves.
Sometime if a Stud dog is used they will get a puppy as the fee for the stud.
So from say a litter of lets say four puppies that leaves you with 2 for sale.
Also state governing bodies dictates that a bitch can only have 5 litters in her lifetime (this is to stamp out puppy farming)
If she has a litter you can have another litter with her straight away but you then have to give her a 12 month break. Or after having a litter you can give her a 6 month (generally one cycle) break before mating her again. This is by law of the governing body.
A bitch can also get pregnant and then resorb the puppies this is basically the doggy version of a miscarriage.
So you think you have puppies coming and then you suddenly don't.
Puppies can be born but have deformities, puppies can also die suddenly with in the first week of birth.
You just want to buy a puppy why am i telling you this?
If a breeder has a small kennel of only a few breeding bitches then any of the above dictates, how many puppies they have for sale, it also dictates when they are available.
This is why it is so hard to get a Chow Chow puppy. This why we are so strict on who receives these little miracles.
This is also why you should never say to a breeder that its your partners birthday in August and you'd like a puppy for them then.
If we could control when we get them it would be great but after reading the above i hope you understand that just getting them is extremely hard putting a date on it is impossible!
Be patient with your breeder they are dealing with all of the above plus more plus family life plus working full time.
For breeders they do this out of love and betterment of the breed at cost personally and a most of the time financially.
They have slept beside the whelping box for the first week to make sure they puppies don't get squashed by their mothers.
They have cried over puppies they could not get breathing when born.
They have spent money on their dogs rather than, go on holiday, up date the house or splurge on them selves.
They have sent hours researching pedigrees to breed the best dog possible.
Its a hobby for most and not a business, please remember this when contacting breeders, be kind, be patient and give them the curtesy of a detailed inquiry rather than a one liner like - " how much are your puppies? " "I want a puppy" "when will you have puppies?"
Start with who you are, and a little about your self and your life style. What you know about chows, and why you think they would be suitable for you / your family and go from there.
I hope this helps gave you some insight into dog breeding and breeders and the best way to contact them.
Below is also a detailed PFD on how to watch put for scammers when looking for a breeder.
| Scamer Alert |
What you should get once you get your puppy!
Your breeder can only sell the dog as "pure breed" if they are a Dogs Victoria Member (or state similar) them being a member ensures the dogs are breed to their code of conduct. Please check that they are a current member.
When buying any pure breed dog there is certain "papers" that the dog should come with..
Papers from at vet, alone are not the required "papers" for a pure breed dog..
- A vaccination certificate which shows vaccinations given, when the next ones are due, and evidence of the puppy's age (it is against DOGS Victoria's Code of Practice to sell a puppy under eight weeks of age).
- ANKC Registration Certificate (papers) see pic below
- When it was treated for worms and how often it needs to be treated in future
- Microchip number
- A feeding chart
