Sunset Kennels

Buguya Jack Russells

The Pup

Bullied    Don't be bullied into breeding a litter for someone else.  Buying a bitch on breeders terms is a load of rubbish.  Sit back and work out the profit they will make at your expense, and all out of your bitch.  Pay your money and own the bitch outright.

Temperament.    If when you visit the pups, and they have to be dragged from behind the BBQ or shed, then they have probably not been socialized properly and I would consider passing on those pups.  Forget the price as a timid pup may be a big expense in the long run.

Vaccinations.    The breeder should be able to furnish a vaccination card or record signed by a vet to say that the pups have been vaccinated.  No vaccination paper no pup.  Breeders that don't vaccinate will not take responsibility for a pup that dies in a week.  No matter how cheap the pup is, don't buy it.

Parasites.    The pups should not have fleas.  Flea presence is usually an indication of how well the pups have been raised by the breeder.  It may also point to the fact that the pups have not been regularly wormed.  Ask to see the bottle of mixture that has been used to worm the pups so you know what to buy.  Ask what flea prevention the breeder is taking.   Ask to see the bottle to verify the claim.

Vet Check.    If told the pup has been vet checked, ask the breeder what it has been checked for.  If you ascertain the breeder has no clues, ask that you be given a full refund (In writing on your receipt) if the pup fails a Vet exam within the next few days.  Get it done quick.

Guarantee.    Ask for a written guarantee that the pup will be alive in 10 days.  This is the incubation period for parvo virus.  Many breeders allow all comers to handle the pups.  If the prospective buyers have been to many litters in that day they could have spread disease to your pup.

Docking.    Tail or no tail, that is the question.  There is no difference between a tailed pup or a docked pup if it is going to be a pet.  Breeders that show dogs usually dock the whole litter, as it is impossible to tell what pup is best at the time of docking.  A docked dog certainly looks more like a JRT if it is done properly.  If you breed but don't know how to dock, seek assistance from a breeder that has had experience.  If you take the pups to a vet for docking, ask for 1/3 of the tail to be removed (at 2-4 days old).  He may ask you to mark the pups tail for him.  The fancier usually wants his dogs to be docked, and will do the actual docking and dew claw removals himself.  If you wanted a dog with a tail from such a breeder you would have to make an order and leave a deposit.  I prefer to dock and dew claw all of our pups at 2-3 days old.  

Dewclaws.    Dewclaws are usually removed the same time that a pup is docked.  Check the rear feet as well.

Dentition.    Your pup should have a good scissor bite.  Ask your breeder or vet to explain it to you if you don't know.  He should have pictures.  This should be done before you buy.  Dogs with bad dentition should not be bred from.

Coat Type.    Smooth rough or broken coats are all the same on the dog.  The difference is the quality of the coat.  All coats should be course and weather proof.  Some smoothes are that fine the dog gets sunburn in the summer and gets cold in the winter.  Some roughs are that fine they are linty.  This means the dog gets wet to the skin when it rains.    

Ears.    You JRT should have folded ears.  That means that the ears should not stand up (Pricked).  Some pups ears will prick up during adult teething.  Pricked eared animals should not be bred from and can not be shown.  Get a guarantee if you wish to do any of the above.

Eyes.    You pups eyes should be almond shaped, and dark in colour.   A blue eye is a fault and the pup should be priced accordingly.

Colour.    The dog should be predominately white, which means the coat is mainly white with a few black or brown markings.   Positioning of the marking is irrelevant.   Some dogs have no colour at all.   Heavily marked dogs should not be bred from.

Pigmentation.    Not to be confused with coat colour, pigmentation of the eye lids, nose and lips is important in Australia.  They should be black.  If you pup has no pigment it may mean you will have to spent time in the summer keeping sun screen on fido.  Don't breed from this type of animal.

Testicles.    Male pups should have two apparently normal testicles at 8 weeks of age.  Some pups may be a little behind.  Get a guarantee that if the testicles do not descend into the scrotum and the pup is sterilized, that the breeder pays the additional cost involved for the sterilization.  Owners of dogs bought with stud work in mind should be compensated  if the dog does not have normally distended testicles.   Get it in writing.  Don't breed from this type of animal.

Fronts.    The parents of your pup should have straight legs when they are viewed from the front or the side.  Bent legged pups should not be contemplated.  You may be buying yourself trouble for the future.

Papers.    Do you really need papers.  If your dog is going to be a sterilized pet then you do not need papers to add to your expense.  Papers are only good for the breeder or the show person.  Be aware that there are two types of papers in Australia.

JRTCA(Inc) papers.    They are only club papers.  You can not show this type of dog in the Royal shows for example.  They are only recognized by the club. 

ANKC papers.    These allow you to be able to show your dog anywhere in Australia, or overseas.