Toy Breeds: The Coach bag of Dog Breeding

Toy breeds are often the targets of bad breeding practices.

I feel even worse for those who are reputable breeders of these breeds and market online and have to fight the fine line of attracting visitors, but try to attract those who are serious about dog ownerships and not just want the next cute thing.

I have seen too many cases of people purchasing these dogs like they purchase coach bags, as if it is the fashion item of season, only to not be able to fully care for it in the long run.

But did you know are branding and visual ways you can do set your kennel set itself apart?

Disclaimers on “teacups”
This is important! Make sure to always address this important issue on your site and educate your visitors. The visitors who are only looking for “teacups” will usually be deterred after reading this on your site. Hopefully they will feel educated and want a dog from a breeder who is as responsible as you are!

Est. adult weight
Now this causes some debate. I advise against putting the est. adult weight. I feel this is a slick way to promote a dog as “teacup” without actually writing the words “teacup” on the site. Some believe they can accurately estimate the adult weight, while others say it’s just not always possible. My opinion is that I wouldn’t do it.


Pictures
When picturing your puppy, do not place them next to soup cans or soda cans or tuna cans or any other cans! Again, that is a very slick way of promoting a dog as “teacup” without actually saying “teacup”. Also, try not do post pictures of celebrities and their super small dogs. If you must, try to find those that are tasteful (no Paris Hilton ones) and use sparingly.

I know that many do like smaller dogs, however I have came across several breeders who are trying not to attract buyers who are specifically into “teacups”. Little steps with your marketing and branding of the site can do wonders. It’s not always the things you say, it’s the things you don’t say that often make the difference when attracting the right owners.

Are you reputable?

While your looking for responsible family to give your puppy a home, someone is looking for a reputable breeder to find a new puppy to join their family.

Question is – do you look reputable? Just like in an interview, a good candidate can mess up their chances of being hired by not being prepared or looking professional. Make sure your have your bases covered:

Know your stuff?
This should be common sense – you should know and love the breed your selling. You need to be an expert on your breed. Try to answer questions customers may have on the breed your selling. If you do not have the answer, at least know the resources they can go to in order to get questions answered. From health, to grooming to personality, you need to know it all.

Breed or breeds?
Try to focus on just one breed. Selling different breeds often makes you look like you’re not a reputable breeder. I know I will hear some arguments about this, but based on feedback from those seriously looking to purchase a puppy from a reputable breeder, this seemed to be top of the list when they were looking online and elsewhere. If your site is a combination of several breeders in a local area, make sure that is expressed on the site with pictures and information on each breeder and its facility.

Only the best
From medication, to vitamins, treats and food, make sure the items you select to care for your puppies are carefully researched and the reasons you select such items are communicated to your customers. This further establishes that you are focused on very detail of your dogs well being.

Strict? Good! Responsible buyers are looking for breeders who are going to adequately screen and speak to potential families for their puppies. They will respect that you will not send your puppies home until they are a past 8 weeks and they are okay with all paperwork. They actually are looking for it!

Sign here
Have an agreement and contract. This protects you as well as the potential family and they need (and want) to know what will be expected of you and from them when it comes to the care and health of the puppy they are taking home. Registrations papers for AKC and CKC, are also included in this.

Open?
Make sure you are open and accessible with questions about your kennel and service. Have references and be willing to be accessible in regards to showing your kennel.

4 Pet Business Card Designs That Make Me Purr

Some pet business card designs to help you with your next design! No cartoons, no pastel colors... a fresh new way to think about pet design.

Making sure Your Puppies Stay with a Family FOREVER

There is no sure fire way to ensure your puppies go with homes that will keep them forever. Its unfortunate that some families give way or drop their dogs off at shelters. for various reasons

Here are some of the top reasons why people send their dogs to other families or pet shelters:

* My girlfriend doesn’t like him
* I’m getting new carpet in my house
* Won’t stay off the furniture
* Has fleas
* Got pregnant
* Moving
* Dog barks

Many of these can be solved by training and educating your families. Something many breeders fail to do is follow up with families once they bring a puppy home. I understand running a kennel, marketing and following up can be a bit of a task.

Here are some hints to help with the process:

Create a training guide for potential families and place it on your site or make a brochure.
Research breed-specific issues owners have with new puppies and supply a solution and put it in a weekly email to your customers as a newsletter item.

Try to call your customers
Call at two, six, and eight months after they take puppy home as a follow up. Make sure to ask them if they have any questions or need some advice learning how to adjust to their newest member.

Find a local dog trainer
See if they want to offer their services at a discounted rate to your customers. Put a coupon in the welcome kit and send a follow up email about the trainer and their rates.

Sell dog-training books on your site
Work with a dog trainer and post training videos on your site. Bonus- find a trainer who already post training videos and request to post it on your site.

Stream a puppy cam?
Do a training or general q&a session once a month and invite a trainer. Email previous families and let me know they can send in questions that can be addressed!

This may not solve all the problems, but by opening up the line of communication, this may counter act problems that arise once your puppy comes home to its new family.

Vet Logo Designs

Vet Logo Design can be a tricky project. Do you try to include a dog, cat AND bird in the logo design? Do we go with the standard green or blue when picking color?

Generating some ideas can be hard - this is why we have some ideas to help you out!

Most Popular Dog Breeds in Washington, D.C.

1. Labrador Retriever
2. German Shepherd Dog (tied for second place)
3. Yorkshire Terrier (tied for second place)
4. Golden Retriever
5. Poodle
6. Pug
7. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
8. Boxer (tied for eighth place)
9. Bulldog (tied for eighth place)
10. Shih Tzu/ Cocker Spaniel (tied for 10th place)

Most Popular Dog Breeds in Tucson, Ariz. 2010

1. Labrador Retriever
2. German Shepherd Dog
3. Golden Retriever
4. Yorkshire Terrier
5. Dachshund
6. Shih Tzu
7. Bulldog
8. Boxer
9. Poodle
10. Chihuahua