Antiques

We've provided a phone number but no e-mail address. It's no mistake. We really do want to talk to you about Bouviers, or other passions we may share.

Please don't be surprised that we should want to speak with you, and even meet you. The pups are not cars that we buy and sell. They are family members that we adore. Depending in whose hands a pup may find himself, he may do very well, or he may not do well at all. The quality of the master will have everything to do with the pup's outcome. We want the best for our dogs.

We get 'shopper' calls where the first question the caller asks about the dogs is 'how much?' The next question asked is "Do you have puppies ready to go?'

A DOG IS FOR LIFE. Careful research into the breed should help you see if a Bouvier is right for your family and your lifestyle. The breeder who spends time with you to get to know you a bit, may suggest that the time is not right (you're splitting up from your husband/wife or a new baby needs all your attention and there'll be no time for puppy classes). The breeder may detect fear or hesitation when you're around his dogs. A Bouvier person must have enough character to lead the pack. With a wishy-washy person the Bouvier will lead. The person, not the dog, should be the head of the household at all times. We would council such a person against getting a Bouvier. Take your time to find a breeder you can work with. Go visit when they are grooming or working with the dogs. Spend some time with the animals to get a sense of the breed's character. Don't rush into buying a Bouvier. In our consumer world we're used to getting things instantly. Don't fall into that trap when it come to a living, breathing dog. Take your time.

That question 'How much?' tells us that money is the primary concern of the caller. I met a man who told me about his $10 cat, and how the Vet bill for the examination and vaccines had cost him $150. He was scandalized that his $10 purchase had ended up costing him so much. A puppy owner of this mindset would never invest money into combs and brushes to keep his Bouvier's coat beautiful. Nor would he invest money into training classes to make his dog a socially-integrated, well-behaved individual. He would not seek prompt Veterinary attention if the dog had a health problem. Rather he'd buy the first dog he could, from whoever had it at the cheapest price. Then later, as reality struck home, that shopper would decide that he didn't want that Bouvier after all.........

We are looking for committed, devoted Bouvier people for our dogs.