questions for prospective buyers

[Marlee]

Ok, So today I placed an ad for Xander in the newspaper. I want to be sure he goes to a loving home were he will be spoiled rotten like he was here. What I would like to ask all of you is what kind of questions should I be asking about prospective owners. I have talked some to my mentor Kay and she indicates just make sure I have a good feeling for them and that they understand that he will be on a neuter contract. Other than that she said I needed the experiance of sorting through possible homes on my own. However I am not sure what to really ask. If they have had pets etc, etc. And I wonder if some of my questions seem to personal. ( I want to be sure they can afford my baby and the care he will need) So could you all help me ask the right kinds of questions.

Sorry my heart just isnt in it right now, I am going to miss him so, I knew I was attached, but I feel like I am removing a limb. I know under the circumstances it is the right thing to do, it just hurts.

[ReconsMomma]

I used to work for the animal shelter in my area and I still do work with helping alot of the rescues. If some one thinks that your questions are too personal then they dont deserve your dog. You want to make sure that some one is going to love him as you have.

Here is a small list of the things that the rescues i work with ask;

1. are you prepared to provide for this dogs entire life??
2. do you relize that dogs can and often do live into their teens?
3. How will the dog be taken care of in case something happens to you?
4. how will the dog be excercised?
5. fenced yard?
6. what will you do with the dog if you have to go out of town?
7. do you have a regular vet? If so who? (call them and do a check on them then)
8. can you provide references? (usually 3 or 4 complete with first and last name, relationship (not family preferably) address and phone number)
9. do they have experience with the breed? (if they say yes ask them some sort of off the wall question or just something in general that is breed specific)
10. What will happen if you can no longer keep the dog? (some people that have re-homed thier dog ask that the people contact them so they can have the option of placing the dog with someone else that they feel confident with or they will assist the new owner in placing the dog?
11. what will they do with the dog when they are at work?

I have assisted people that have had to give up their dogs and most people ask that the new owners keep in touch with updates about how the dog is doing and occasional pics. They also ask that the new owners let them know if they move. Sometimes they do a contract so that this is all binding. They often times will also ask if they can stop in at the new owners home once the dog is settled into its new family to see how he is doing.
Try not to let anyone come over to see him and hang out with him and then take him. Make them think about it for a few days and then you also have time to think about how you feel about them. If at all possible drive by thier house and see what you think about it or if you decide on someone ask that you be able to bring the dog to thier house to see the house and how they live and to make sure that he will be comfortable there.

Sorry to have been so winded but I have alot to do with rescues and re-homing so I thought that I would try to help. If you would like to know anything else or if you would like a contract for them feel free to PM me.

Kelly

[tfc3rid]

That's so sad Marlee... I would totally love to have him but I live too far away... It must break your heart to have o go through this

[Marlee]

Yes, it is sad. I just cannot believe how much he has grown is such a short period of time. He is actully taller than Bridget now. But at leat this way I can make sure he find a safe and loving home, and be sure I will tell them all about YorkieTalk so they can find as much valuble information as I have.

Thanks for all the questions Reconsmomma, I really appriecaite it and any others people think would be good to know.

[YorkieRose]

I ask to speak to their vet if they have or have had pets. Some come with a letter from the vet...also you might consider giving the AKC's when they show proof of neutering..of course this is told to the buyer in advance.

[ReconsMomma]

I agree with yorkie rose. I would not hand over his papers until they have him fixed.

[lily's mom]

Ok, I haven't been on in a while and have missed something. If it isn't to personnal, why is he going to a new home? Sorry if I asked the wrong question. And to your question, I would ask a potential buyer anything I pleased if they were going to be raising my baby. You have the right to place him anywhere you like and ask the questions to get him in the best home possible.

[Yorkie_GirL]

Im sorry for what you are going through that is making you have to give away your furbabe. if i could i'd take him and spoil him rotten. but i agree with everyone who posted above me, feel with your heart if its right. and don't be scared to ask questions. and if you hear what you want to hear and they seem decent, then you know its right.

i wish nothing but the best for you!

[iheartyorkies]

Marlee, it's just so awful that you have to go through this. I'll pray that it's as painless as possible for you and your family and for little Xander.

[Marlee]

Originally Posted by lily's mom

Ok, I haven't been on in a while and have missed something. If it isn't to personnal, why is he going to a new home? Sorry if I asked the wrong question. And to your question, I would ask a potential buyer anything I pleased if they were going to be raising my baby. You have the right to place him anywhere you like and ask the questions to get him in the best home possible.

well as most of you know I was given Xander by my mentor Kay. The point was to show him and later breed him to my girl Bridget. Well he has been growing like a weed as they say and when I took him eto the vet for a check up and shots he commented on how big he would be as an adult. When I questioned him about it he commented on his bones structure and his paws. He said if he were to guess low he would think Xander would be around 6.5, but he felt he would acully exceed the weight limit for the breed. He figures he is more likely to be around 8 lbs. He also mentioned he would be to big to ever breed to Bridget. I called Kay and discussed things with her, she then came down to see me and agreed that he is turning out to be much bigger than even she had expected and thought it would be better if I sold him and try to find another more suitable male. Now I didnt want to do that but there were a few reason why I decided to do so. 1. I trust Kay and her oppinions on the breed, and the whole idea was to have a show dog so I could learn as much as I could. I also cannot afford to add a 3rd dog to the mix, not because we lack love, but the funds. Just vet bills alone can put one out as many of you know, and having two is one thing. I have carefully budgeted to allow for the vet bills and care of the 2 yorkies along with my other animals (5 total to be exact) 2. I do owe Kay a female pup from a future litter. 3. I feel that since the purpose of having Xander was a show dog, and later a stud dog to have him in my home could be hazardous to Bridget, meaning if he ever got to her she would likely need a c section or worse. Kay has been pushing me to sell him, and even though I love him a lot, I cannot just keep adding dogs to my home at leasiure. (CC&R's forbid it) I figure if I need to get rid of him, now is the time, he is still a puppy and could find a good home. I also plan to sell him under a nueter contract. Dont get me wrong. I love this littel guy, and I feel like I am ripping my heart out by letting him go, but under the circumstance, all that I cannot go in to with out making this into a novel, I feel this is the better thing for him. I am under a lot of presure right now, and I am doing what I hope is best for my baby. At least this way I can find him a good loving home.

P.S. just so you all know, if he was stickly for a pet for myself, I would never get rid of him, that just inst the case.

[lily's mom]

Oh bless your heart, I'm sorry you have to get rid of him. We fall in love with these babies very quickly don't we? I am sure you will pick just the right home for him and he will want for nothing. Trust your gut feeling about potential buyers, you'll do great!

[SoCalyorkiLvr]

A breeder I know has a questionnaire on her site. Go to www.dandieyorkies.com. I would also ask about whether they have a pool or other water feature that the puppy could fall into? I would spend time training them about yorkies if they have never owned one before. At least two hours I would gues and then refer them to YT and be available by pnone for any other Qs that may come up later.

Question out of curiosity: Since your mentor gave him to you why doesn't she trade you another male that would suit your needs as you both had planned since he got too big? Then she could use her resources to sell him to a pet home. Seems like a better solution to me.

[Marlee]

Originally Posted by SoCalyorkiLvr

Question out of curiosity: Since your mentor gave him to you why doesn't she trade you another male that would suit your needs as you both had planned since he got too big? Then she could use her resources to sell him to a pet home. Seems like a better solution to me.

As of right now she will not be having another litter for at least a year, maybe more. SHe only has 2 females that she breeds and she lets them go a year in between litters. I had gotten Xander from her second litter this year. She has a freind that she knows from the show circut here that has very nice dogs as well, and thinks she will have a suitable male sooner that I could possibly purchase. (I think she also likes the idea of havign a female from this line. ) I also want to know where he is going, not that I dont trust her, that isnt it, but I want to know who has him, and to make sure I am comfortable with them. I want the best for him, and Kay also believes that if I am going to breed eventully I will need to know how to pick prospective buyers. I guess part of me just feels if I am not the one to find him a home I have failed somehow, at least this way if I know the person, perhaps I will feel better about this, I just want him to be as loved as he would be here.

[SoCalyorkiLvr]

You are a wonderful, caring person and you will make a wonderful breeder someday!

[mojo]

As a buyer, (I have 2 yorkies, just got 2nd one less than 3 weeks ago) I pretty much grill the breeder. Neither breeder really asked me any questions or seemed to much care where their babies went. I don't know, perhaps with all my questions they sensed I was responsible and would take good care of these babies, I don't know??????????.
Anyhow, I would have no problem with any questions a breeder would ask me. Especially in your case, this is your baby and it seems a huge responsibility to place your puppy in a great and loving home. I feel if either the breeder or the buyer cannot answer your questions, whatever they may be, then move on to the next buyer.
I would also sell your baby locally and be sure to meet the people you are selling to you.
Best of luck!!!!!!!!!!