Frequently Asked Questions

*** Please note, we are continuing to update this page, help us make it the most comprehensive FAQs page on the world-wide web by sending us your questions.

Here are some of the questions that we are currently working on for the FAQs page. Stay tuned, as we will have answers for all these questions & then some in due time.

It is our goal, to provide you with as much information as possible so that when it comes time for you to decide on your future breeder, you’ll have all the necessary information to assist you with making the best choice.

Thank you for visiting our web site!

What is A BenchMark Breeder™?

How many years have you been breeding Dogue De Bordeaux?

We celebrated our 10th anniversary of breeding Dogue De Bordeauxs in February of 2008! Of the 12 puppies born to our first litter 10 years ago, all 12 of them made it to the age of 8 and as of July 16, 2008 eight of the original 12 are still enjoying life with their beloved families.

Do you have a waiting list for your puppies?

We always have individuals on a waiting list for a particular puppy from a specific breeding, however, you should contact us for the current status of available puppies as that is always changing. From time to time an International client will not be able to take delivery of their pup(s) because of extreme heat at their end, complications with import/export paper work, etc. So there are times when we are notified at the very last moment that a puppy becomes available.

How can we get on the Von Krenz Bordeaux ® wait list?

We require a potential client to send us a $300 non-refundable deposit to get on our waiting list. That deposit will be applied towards the purchase of a Von Krenz Bordeaux® bred pup.

How do you screen your potential puppy clients?

All potential clients are spoken with regularly on the phone, we also utilize a puppy questionnaire that can be found on our “Puppies” page.

What factors do you consider before producing a litter of puppies?

There are many factors that we look at prior to making a determination on putting two animals together for breeding purposes. Every litter is planned with the sole intent to keep back a female for our future as well as preserving the very lines that we had spent years acquiring. Health, temperament, confirmation and pedigree are all considered along with individual animal shortcomings.

Do your dogues live inside or outside?

All of our four-legged children reside indoors. While they have ample time and opportunity to play outdoors, their living quarters are within their families’ homes.

What makes your program different from others?

Do you ship puppies?

Do you guarantee your ‘show prospect’ puppies to complete their championships?

Do you guarantee your ‘working prospect’ puppies to complete obedience titles?

Do you guarantee your puppies against genetic defects?

Do you sell puppies to pet shops, other breeders for resale (puppy brokers) or known puppy mills?

With what groups/organizations do you show your dogues with?

Why does Von Krenz Bordeaux ® place so much emphasis on health screening?

What do you health screen your dogues for?

How does health screening improve your program?

Do you promote and/or support DDBX rescue?

Do you belong to any of the breed clubs and/or do you subscribe to the strict “Code of Ethics” that many parent clubs require of their membership?

What is the weight ranges of your breeding stock?

Ask for a pedigree on the puppies (at least 3 generations of ancestry, preferably 4 to 5.) Note: a pedigree full of champions does not guarantee a future champion. And vice versa: many top winning dogs have come from non-champion sires and dams.

Are sire and dam OFA or Penn HIPP certified or at least x-rayed? What are their numbers and ratings? (Don't let anyone tell you that their dog is not dysplastic because of the way it runs or lays down, etc. Dysplasia is hereditary, and surgery cost about $1200 per hip!)

Ask for photographs/video of the puppies as well as the sire and dam. (Some breeders may even include pictures of other ancestors.)

Was the breeding planned or unplanned? If the litter was planned, why was the sire was chosen for this particular dam. (Was it a matter of convenience or was it because they felt the qualities of the sire would compliment or even improve the qualities of the dam?)

What are the faults of the sire and dam? Review the breed standard! (A conscientious breeder should be both knowledgeable and willing to discuss their dog's faults as well as assets.)

What was the goal of the breeding? (For profit? To produce the ultimate show/working dog? So the kids could experience the miracle of birth?)

What area does the breeder feel these pups will excel in? (Obedience, working, show, family pet?)

What kind of support will the breeder offer to help you attain your goals for your puppy? (If you compete, is the breeder willing to spend time advising you, and will the breeder be available you have questions?)

What type of guarantee does the breeder offer if the puppy is later found to be affected with a hereditary defect? Breeders offer various alternatives which vary depending on the breeder and depending on whether the puppy is bought as either pet or show quality.

Is the puppy's health guaranteed? (Most breeders give a 7-14 day health guarantee if the puppy does not pass a health examination from your vet.)

Will a written contract be provided to cover the above issues? Ask to read the contract before purchasing the puppy to see if it covers all the breeders stated guarantees.

When going to select your Dogue de Bordeaux puppy, there are several very important questions to ask the breeder. These will help you determine if you have found a good and reputable person that you are comfortable with. After discussing the following points with the seller, ask yourself, "Is this the right breeder for me?"

Regarding the Puppy's Background:

Specifically, What health testing has been done on the parents and what are the results? (health testing should include Hips (either OFA or PennHip), OFA Elbows, OFA Shoulders, OFA Patellas, OFA Thyroid, CERF, OFA Cardiac by a cardiologist (preferable with echocardiogram).

In this puppy's pedigree, what is the incidence of hip dysplasia, heart defects, elbow shoulder dysplasia, demodectic mange, thyroid dysfunction, seizures and allergies? (Genetic defects such as heart conditions, and diseases related to immune system dysfunction such as allergies or demodectic mange, are surfacing in alarming numbers. These problems are more evident now that more reputable breeders are openly discussing them and sharing their experiences in the hopes of reducing the occurrence of these defects. Seriously question the breeder about the appearance of any of these faults in the puppy's ancestry.)

Are there any temperament problems in this puppy's ancestry?

Have the sire and dam been temperament tested?

Do you offer Health/Temperament guarantees with your puppies?

Can you show me certificates proving that the sire and dam are OFA certified or PennHip evaluated? (This is important because it tells a lot about the dedication of the breeder to eliminate genetic problems in the breed).

Will you provide me with the pedigree (at least 3 generations, and should be AKC ONLY, not AKC-FSS, not FIC, not UKC), the puppy's health record, and instructions on how to care for my new dog?

Regarding the Breeder:

How knowledgeable about Dogue de Bordeaux are you, and will you share that knowledge with me? (The breeder should be willing and able to answer most of your questions regarding medical care, feeding, diseases, training, what to expect as the puppy grows up, etc. If you have a question that the breeder cannot answer, he or she should have a network of sources available to get the answer for you.)

Does the breeder have more than one breed of breeding dogs? (more than 2 is a huge red flag, makes me think back yard breeder or puppy mill).

Will you make yourself available to answer any concerns I may have at any time during the dog's entire life?

Will you assist me if I cannot keep the dog? (Even with all the careful screening and education that breeders do, occasionally something happens where a purchaser must give up the dog. In the unlikely event that this should happen to you, the breeder should be willing to help place your dog in a suitable new home.)

What are the most important things you strive for in your breeding program? (this should be something to the effect of making the breed better)

How much time do you spend planning litters and rearing the pups?

Do you require a spay/neuter agreement on the puppies you sell? (This is a good requirement and you want the breeder to say "yes")

Will you ask me a lot of questions during an "interview" process? (All reputable breeders will have lots and lots of questions to ask you. This helps them determine if you are suited to Dogue de Bordeaux in general, and to their line of dogs specifically. They need to be certain that you have what it takes to care for one of their dogs for the next dozen or more years. Don't be offended by these questions. Be happy that the breeder is doing all that he or she can to find a perfect match between dog and your family.)

Is your breeder experienced?

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE DEALING WITH AN EXPERIENCED, KNOWLEDGEABLE, AND REPUTABLE BREEDER? This question can best be answered by considering the conversation that takes place when you meet him or her. A good breeder will want to know things about you, will tell you things about himself, and will tell you things about the dogs in his or her kennel. Here is a guide to help you determine if you are dealing with a good breeder of the Dogue de Bordeaux.

Regarding You, the Breeder Should Ask Questions Such As:

Who are the members of your household?

What is your lifestyle?

What kind of home do you live in?

Do you have a fenced in yard?

What do you know about Dogue de Bordeaux?

Regarding Him or Herself, the Breeder Should:

Belong to the National and local Dogue de Bordeaux breed clubs.

Show his/her dogs in conformation and/or obedience.

Help with rescue and/or public education for the Dogue de Bordeaux.

Require a spay/neuter contract with each sold puppy.

Offer a contract which guarantees health and freedom from genetic defects.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of owning an Dogue de Bordeaux.

Discuss general health matters and breed defects found in Dogue de Bordeaux'.

Require you to return the dog if you cannot keep it for some unforeseen reason.

Be available to help you at anytime during the dog's entire life.

Regarding the Dogs in the Breeder's Kennel, You Should:

Be invited to the breeder's home to see the dogs.

See happy, friendly, outgoing, tail wagging puppies.

Find a clean, safely fenced in, warm, nurturing area for the dogs.

Be referred to previous purchasers to ask them about their satisfaction.

REMEMBER-A GOOD BREEDER IS WORTH FINDING !!!

adapted from alaskanmalamute.org

Webmaster: Courtney Byman