W.A.C. club at weimaranercanada.org
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Weimaraner Association of Canada Rescue.
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Revised: October 03, 2004.
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Inquiring about puppies and breeders ? The Weimaraner Association of Canada has a list of breeders published on our website. All of the breeders on this list are members of the Weimaraner Association of Canada (WAC) and have signed the WAC's code of ethics. The distribution of this Breeders List by the WAC does NOT constitute an endorsement by the WAC of these breeders or their breeding programs. I cannot tell you who on the list currently has puppies. Many breed a litter maybe every one to two years, some more frequently (1 to 2 litters a year). There is a good chance you may have to go on a waiting list. The Dogs in Canada Annual will also contain a list of Weim breeders. Copies can be picked up at local magazine stores. The same information is available at the Dogs in Canada website: http://www.dogsincanada.com/. Neither of these lists should be considered complete. Please be aware that there are puppy mills and a few less than scrupulous breeders out there, so be sure you are comfortable with the breeder, their knowledge of the breed, and the conditions imposed by the sales contract. If you are looking primarily for a pet, expect that your puppy will be sold on a non-breeding contract and/or with the stipulation that your dog must be spayed or neutered. There should be a written sales agreement clearly outlining health guarantees, return and refund policies, and any obligations on your part to the breeder and the puppy. Some breeders require that their puppies be shown to their championships, or in other cases, require that their puppies NOT be spayed or neutered, and that the pups will eventually be made available for breeding purposes. Unless you are interested in showing or breeding, I suggest you stay clear of such agreements. Ask what screening tests have been run on the parents for genetic disorders, and ask to see the documents. No documents or no testing? Go elsewhere. At the very least, both parents should be x-rayed and cleared of hip dysplasia. At the very least, both parents should be x-rayed and cleared of hip dysplasia and the eyes checked and cleared of any genetic anomalies (eg., entropion). Many now routinely screen for thyroid function. Some bloodlines and individual Weimaraners are also susceptible to vaccine-induced autoimmune problems, the most prevalent form of disease being Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy (HOD). The role of vaccines in triggering this condition is well documented. Despite the name, this is a complex disease (syndrome) that can effect many different body systems, not just the bone and joints. The condition can be avoided by simply delaying and/or administering the different vaccines separately. A revised vaccination protocol, as well as other health concerns in the Weimaraner can be found on the Weimaraner Club of America website (www.weimclubamerica.org). (*ed. notes: as well as on our website at: www.weimaranercanada.org/health ). By Federal Law and the Agricultural Act of Canada, any puppy advertised or sold as purebred must be registered (or in the process of being registered) with the Canadian Kennel Club. It is illegal not to provide (usually within 6 months of the date of sale) the registration papers or to charge an extra fee for registered puppies. If a breeder claims it is too expensive to register the pups, or have two asking prices (one for pups "as is", and a higher price if they are registered), walk away! Things to look for in a breeder can be found at the WAC website and the Weimaraner Club of America site (www.weimclubamerica.org). I particularly like the articles at the Tarheel Weimaraner Club site at www.geocities.com/ncweimaraner/weim.html. Has a good section on the Weim temperament. Bruce Turnbull
(* this article has been edited for the website)
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