This page is a work in process. If you have a specific question you would like answered, please email me, and I will do my best to get your question answered here!
What do you think about the AKC and dog registration?
First, the
AKC charges you $20 to register your puppy. If you are not showing and/or
breeding your dog, it is simply not necessary to pay this fee to have your dog registered.
Your breeder should provide pedigree
information on the parents of the puppy you are adopting absolutely free of charge, and this is all the information you, as a pet owner, will need regarding the lineage of your puppy.
Second,
be aware that the AKC registers thousands of dogs each year that are
born into "puppy mill" environments, including many puppies who are
brokered and sold in pet stores. The AKC does inspect breeders who produce
more than 7 litters per year for standards of cleanliness, but they DO NOT ensure
that your puppy has been raised in a home environment, nor do they regulate the quality of dogs being used for breeding.
Do your research. AKC registration is good, but you need to choose a premier breeder to ensure the health and quality of your puppy!
The initial purchase price of a dog with the exceptional conformation that I require for my program has ranged from $1500 to $3000. Several dogs who were purchased to be used in our breeding program have developed a conformation fault as the dog matured, and, rather than breeding with a less than exceptional dog, we chose to have these dogs spayed/neutered and placed into pet homes.
Superior veterinary care costs thousands of dollars each year. Three veterinarian checks, dew claw removal, identification micro-chip, biweekly deworming, and three vaccinations are standard for each Southern Gems puppy. Our vet makes a house call to give the puppies their first shot to reduce the risk of exposure to communicable diseases. Our adult dogs are kept on flea/tick and heartworm prevention and receive annual vet examinations, regular teeth cleanings, and are spayed/neutered and retired at a young age. Pregnant moms receive ultrasounds, x-rays, and c-sections when necessary to ensure the health of mom and babies.
We feed top quality dog food which is significantly more expensive than grocery store brands. Excellent nutrition is imperative to excellent health, and we refuse to skimp in this area.
We use a professional groomer for our grooming needs and have paid bathing assistants who come on a regular basis to assist with our between grooming beauty needs.
We spoil our dogs with treats, toys, blankets, beds, outfits, jewelry, and bows. A Southern Gems puppy deserves and expects this type of pampering.
We provide the Complete Puppy Package with each Southern Gems puppy to ensure the transition to home is as simple as possible.
We put the majority of funds received from puppy adoptions back into the care of our dogs so that we can continue to provide exceptional care and produce premier puppies.
Do your research to be sure you are purchasing a dog from a premier breeder. Even if you are not planning to adopt a Southern Gems puppy, I am happy to assist you in your search for a puppy from a reputable, loving breeder.
