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.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
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.
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.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
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.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
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!
Generating some ideas can be hard - this is why we have some ideas to help you out!
Monday, February 8, 2010
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)
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
2. German Shepherd Dog
3. Golden Retriever
4. Yorkshire Terrier
5. Dachshund
6. Shih Tzu
7. Bulldog
8. Boxer
9. Poodle
10. Chihuahua
Most Popular Dog Breeds in Tampa, Fla. 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Dachshund
5. Boxer
6. Bulldog
7. Golden Retriever
8. Poodle
9. Rottweiler
10. Chihuahua/Pug (tied for 10th place)
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Dachshund
5. Boxer
6. Bulldog
7. Golden Retriever
8. Poodle
9. Rottweiler
10. Chihuahua/Pug (tied for 10th place)
Most Popular Dog Breeds in St. Louis, Mo. 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. German Shepherd Dog
3. Boxer (tied for third place)
4. Golden Retriever (tied for third place)
5. Bulldog (tied for fifth place)
6. Poodle (tied for fifth place)
7. Shih Tzu (tied for seventh place)
8. Yorkshire Terrier (tied for seventh place)
9. Rottweiler
10. Great Dane
2. German Shepherd Dog
3. Boxer (tied for third place)
4. Golden Retriever (tied for third place)
5. Bulldog (tied for fifth place)
6. Poodle (tied for fifth place)
7. Shih Tzu (tied for seventh place)
8. Yorkshire Terrier (tied for seventh place)
9. Rottweiler
10. Great Dane
Most Popular Dog Breeds in Seattle, Wash. 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Golden Retriever
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Poodle
5. Pug
6. Dachshund
7. Bulldog (tied for seventh place)
8. Pomerania (tied for seventh place)
9. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (tied for ninth place)
10. Yorkshire Terrier (tied for ninth place)
2. Golden Retriever
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Poodle
5. Pug
6. Dachshund
7. Bulldog (tied for seventh place)
8. Pomerania (tied for seventh place)
9. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (tied for ninth place)
10. Yorkshire Terrier (tied for ninth place)
Most Popular Dogs in San Jose, Calif. 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. Golden Retriever
4. German Shepherd Dog
5. Boxer
6. Bulldog
7. Chihuahua
8. Maltese
9. Poodle
10. Shih Tzu
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. Golden Retriever
4. German Shepherd Dog
5. Boxer
6. Bulldog
7. Chihuahua
8. Maltese
9. Poodle
10. Shih Tzu
Most Popular Dog Breeds in San Francisco, Calif. 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. Bulldog
4. Golden Retriever
5. French Bulldog
6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
7. Poodle
8. German Shepherd Dog
9. Maltese (tied for ninth place)
10. Rottweiler (tied for ninth place)
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. Bulldog
4. Golden Retriever
5. French Bulldog
6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
7. Poodle
8. German Shepherd Dog
9. Maltese (tied for ninth place)
10. Rottweiler (tied for ninth place)
Most Popular Dog Breeds in San Diego, Calif. 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Bulldog
3. Yorkshire Terrier
4. Golden Retriever
5. Dachshund
6. Miniature Pinscher
7. German Shepherd Dog (tied for seventh place)
8. Poodle (tied for seventh place)
9. Shih Tzu
10. French Bulldog
2. Bulldog
3. Yorkshire Terrier
4. Golden Retriever
5. Dachshund
6. Miniature Pinscher
7. German Shepherd Dog (tied for seventh place)
8. Poodle (tied for seventh place)
9. Shih Tzu
10. French Bulldog
Most Popular Dog Breeds in San Antonio, Texas 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Bulldog
5. Miniature Schnauzer
6. Golden Retriever
7. Boxer
8. Dachshund
9. Poodle
10. Chihuahua
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Bulldog
5. Miniature Schnauzer
6. Golden Retriever
7. Boxer
8. Dachshund
9. Poodle
10. Chihuahua
Most Popular Dog Breeds in Salt Lake City, Utah 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Shih Tzu
3. Yorkshire Terrier
4. German Shepherd Dog
5. Golden Retriever
6. Miniature Schnauzer
7. Dachshund (tied for seventh place)
8. Poodle (tied for seventh place)
9. Boxer
10. Boston Terrier
2. Shih Tzu
3. Yorkshire Terrier
4. German Shepherd Dog
5. Golden Retriever
6. Miniature Schnauzer
7. Dachshund (tied for seventh place)
8. Poodle (tied for seventh place)
9. Boxer
10. Boston Terrier
Most Popular Dog Breeds in Sacramento,CA 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Golden Retriever
5. Shih Tzu
6. Bulldog
7. Dachshund
8. Miniature Pinscher (tied for eighth place)
9. Rottweiler (tied for eighth place)
10. Cocker Spaniel
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Golden Retriever
5. Shih Tzu
6. Bulldog
7. Dachshund
8. Miniature Pinscher (tied for eighth place)
9. Rottweiler (tied for eighth place)
10. Cocker Spaniel
Most Popular Dog Breeds in Raleigh, N.C. 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Golden Retriever
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Beagle
5. Yorkshire Terrier
6. Poodle
7. Boxer
8. Dachshund (tied for eighth place)
9. Shetland Sheepdog (tied for eighth place)
10. Shih Tzu
2. Golden Retriever
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Beagle
5. Yorkshire Terrier
6. Poodle
7. Boxer
8. Dachshund (tied for eighth place)
9. Shetland Sheepdog (tied for eighth place)
10. Shih Tzu
Most Popular Dog Breeds in Portland, Ore. 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Chihuahua
3. Golden Retriever
4. Poodle
5. Yorkshire Terrier
6. German Shepherd Dog
7. Dachshund (tied for seventh place)
8. Pug (tied for seventh place)
9. Havanese
10. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
2. Chihuahua
3. Golden Retriever
4. Poodle
5. Yorkshire Terrier
6. German Shepherd Dog
7. Dachshund (tied for seventh place)
8. Pug (tied for seventh place)
9. Havanese
10. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Most Popular Dog Breeds in Pittsburgh, Pa. 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Golden Retriever
3. Boxer
4. German Shepherd Dog
5. Yorkshire Terrier
6. Beagle
7. Bulldog
8. Poodle
9. Pug
10. Rottweiler
2. Golden Retriever
3. Boxer
4. German Shepherd Dog
5. Yorkshire Terrier
6. Beagle
7. Bulldog
8. Poodle
9. Pug
10. Rottweiler
Most Popular Dog Breeds in Phoenix, Ariz. 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. German Shepherd Dog
3. Golden Retriever
4. Yorkshire Terrier
5. Chihuahua
6. Shih Tzu
7. Dachshund
8. Bulldog
9. Boxer
10. Poodle
2. German Shepherd Dog
3. Golden Retriever
4. Yorkshire Terrier
5. Chihuahua
6. Shih Tzu
7. Dachshund
8. Bulldog
9. Boxer
10. Poodle
Most Popular Dog Breeds in Philadelphia, Pa. 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. Boxer
4. German Shepherd Dog
5. Bulldog
6. Rottweiler
7. Golden Retriever
8. Poodle
9. Pug
10. Doberman Pinscher
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. Boxer
4. German Shepherd Dog
5. Bulldog
6. Rottweiler
7. Golden Retriever
8. Poodle
9. Pug
10. Doberman Pinscher
Most Popular Dog Breeds in Orlando, Fla. 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. Bulldog
4. German Shepherd Dog
5. Maltese
6. Dachshund
7. Chihuahua
8. Golden Retriever
9. Boxer
10. Pomeranian
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. Bulldog
4. German Shepherd Dog
5. Maltese
6. Dachshund
7. Chihuahua
8. Golden Retriever
9. Boxer
10. Pomeranian
Most Popular Dog Breeds in Omaha, Neb. 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Boxer
3. German Shepherd Dog (tied for third place)
4. Yorkshire Terrier (tied for third place)
5. Bulldog
6. Golden Retriever
7. German Shorthaired Pointer
8. Rottweiler
9. Poodle
10. Shih Tzu
2. Boxer
3. German Shepherd Dog (tied for third place)
4. Yorkshire Terrier (tied for third place)
5. Bulldog
6. Golden Retriever
7. German Shorthaired Pointer
8. Rottweiler
9. Poodle
10. Shih Tzu
Most Popular Dog Breeds in Oklahoma City, Okla. 2010
1. Labrador Retriever (tied for first place)
2. Yorkshire Terrier (tied for first place)
3. Miniature Schnauzer
4. Boxer
5. Bulldog
6. Dachshund
7. German Shepherd Dog
8. Shih Tzu
9. Golden Retriever
10. Chihuahua
2. Yorkshire Terrier (tied for first place)
3. Miniature Schnauzer
4. Boxer
5. Bulldog
6. Dachshund
7. German Shepherd Dog
8. Shih Tzu
9. Golden Retriever
10. Chihuahua
Most Popular Dog Breeds in New York, N.Y. 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Poodle
3. Dachshund
4. French Bulldog
5. Yorkshire Terrier
6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
7. Golden Retriever
8. Havanese (tied for eighth place)
9. Shih Tzu (tied for eighth place)
10. Bulldog
2. Poodle
3. Dachshund
4. French Bulldog
5. Yorkshire Terrier
6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
7. Golden Retriever
8. Havanese (tied for eighth place)
9. Shih Tzu (tied for eighth place)
10. Bulldog
Most Popular Dog Breeds in New Orleans, La. 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. German Shepherd Dog
3. Boxer
4. Yorkshire Terrier
5. Beagle
6. Dachshund
7. Bulldog
8. Poodle
9. Shih Tzu
10. Miniature Schnauzer/Rottweiler (tied for 10th place)
2. German Shepherd Dog
3. Boxer
4. Yorkshire Terrier
5. Beagle
6. Dachshund
7. Bulldog
8. Poodle
9. Shih Tzu
10. Miniature Schnauzer/Rottweiler (tied for 10th place)
Most Popular Dog Breeds in Nashville, Tenn. 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. German Shepherd Dog
3. Poodle
4. Bulldog
5. Yorkshire Terrier
6. Boxer
7. Golden Retriever
8. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
9. Miniature Schnauzer
10. Dachshund
2. German Shepherd Dog
3. Poodle
4. Bulldog
5. Yorkshire Terrier
6. Boxer
7. Golden Retriever
8. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
9. Miniature Schnauzer
10. Dachshund
Most Popular Dog Breeds in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn. 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Golden Retriever
3. Boxer
4. German Shepherd Dog
5. English Springer Spaniel
6. Yorkshire Terrier
7. Poodle
8. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
9. Rottweiler
10. Brittany
2. Golden Retriever
3. Boxer
4. German Shepherd Dog
5. English Springer Spaniel
6. Yorkshire Terrier
7. Poodle
8. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
9. Rottweiler
10. Brittany
Most Popular Dog Breeds in Milwaukee, Wisc. 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Golden Retriever
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Rottweiler
5. Boxer
6. Bulldog
7. Beagle
8. German Shorthaired Pointer
9. Cocker Spaniel
10. English Springer Spaniel
2. Golden Retriever
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Rottweiler
5. Boxer
6. Bulldog
7. Beagle
8. German Shorthaired Pointer
9. Cocker Spaniel
10. English Springer Spaniel
Most Popular Dogs in Miami, Fl. 2010
1. German Shepherd Dog
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. Labrador Retriever (tied for third place)
4. Rottweiler (tied for third place)
5. French Bulldog
6. Dachshund
7. Bulldog
8. Golden Retriever
9. Maltese
10. Doberman Pinscher
Most Popular Dogs in Memphis, Tenn. 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. German Shepherd Dog
3. Beagle
4. Golden Retriever
5. Boxer
6. Poodle
7. Bulldog
8. Rottweiler
9. Shih Tzu
10. Yorkshire Terrier
2. German Shepherd Dog
3. Beagle
4. Golden Retriever
5. Boxer
6. Poodle
7. Bulldog
8. Rottweiler
9. Shih Tzu
10. Yorkshire Terrier
Most Popular Dogs in Louisville, Ky. 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Boxer
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Yorkshire Terrier
5. Miniature Schnauzer
6. Beagle
7. Bulldog
8. Dachshund (tied for eighth place)
9. Golden Retriever (tied for eighth place)
10. Poodle
2. Boxer
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Yorkshire Terrier
5. Miniature Schnauzer
6. Beagle
7. Bulldog
8. Dachshund (tied for eighth place)
9. Golden Retriever (tied for eighth place)
10. Poodle
Most Popular Dogs in Los Angeles, Calif. 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Bulldog
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Golden Retriever
5. Yorkshire Terrie
6. French Bulldog
7. Poodle
8. Pug
9. Pomeranian
10. Maltese
2. Bulldog
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Golden Retriever
5. Yorkshire Terrie
6. French Bulldog
7. Poodle
8. Pug
9. Pomeranian
10. Maltese
Most Popular Dogs in Long Beach, Calif. 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Bulldog
3. Golden Retriever
4. Yorkshire Terrier
5. German Shepherd Dog
6. French Bulldog
7. Dachshund
8. Shih Tzu
9. Siberian Husky
10. Poodle
2. Bulldog
3. Golden Retriever
4. Yorkshire Terrier
5. German Shepherd Dog
6. French Bulldog
7. Dachshund
8. Shih Tzu
9. Siberian Husky
10. Poodle
Most Popular Dogs in Las Vegas, Nev. 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Bulldog
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Yorkshire Terrier
5. Poodle
6. Golden Retriever
7. Shih Tzu
8. Dachshund
9. Rottweiler
10. Boxer
2. Bulldog
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Yorkshire Terrier
5. Poodle
6. Golden Retriever
7. Shih Tzu
8. Dachshund
9. Rottweiler
10. Boxer
Most Popular Dogs in Knoxville, Tenn. 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. Boxer
4. German Shepherd Dog
5. Miniature Schnauzer
6. Poodle
7. Shih Tzu
8. Shetland Sheepdog
9. Dachshund
10. Golden Retriever
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. Boxer
4. German Shepherd Dog
5. Miniature Schnauzer
6. Poodle
7. Shih Tzu
8. Shetland Sheepdog
9. Dachshund
10. Golden Retriever
Most Popular Dogs in Kansas City, Mo. 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Boxer
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Yorkshire Terrier
5. Bulldog
6. Golden Retriever
7. German Shorthaired Pointer
8. Belgian Malinois
9. Shih Tzu
10. Dachshund
2. Boxer
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Yorkshire Terrier
5. Bulldog
6. Golden Retriever
7. German Shorthaired Pointer
8. Belgian Malinois
9. Shih Tzu
10. Dachshund
Most Popular Dogs in Indianapolis, Ind. 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. German Shepherd Dog
3. Yorkshire Terrier
4. Golden Retriever
5. Bulldog
6. Dachshund
7. Boxer
8. Rottweiler
9. Miniature Schnauzer
10. Mastiff
2. German Shepherd Dog
3. Yorkshire Terrier
4. Golden Retriever
5. Bulldog
6. Dachshund
7. Boxer
8. Rottweiler
9. Miniature Schnauzer
10. Mastiff
Most Popular Dogs in Houston, Texas 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Boxer
5. Bulldog
6. Miniature Schnauzer
7. Golden Retriever
8. Rottweiler
9. Poodle
10. Dachshund
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Boxer
5. Bulldog
6. Miniature Schnauzer
7. Golden Retriever
8. Rottweiler
9. Poodle
10. Dachshund
Most Popular Dogs in Honolulu, Hawaii 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. German Shepherd Dog
3. Pomeranian
4. Golden Retriever
5. Dachshund
6. Beagle (tied for sixth place)
7. Chihuahua (tied for sixth place)
8. Shetland Sheepdog (tied for eighth place)
9. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (tied for eighth place)
10. French Bulldog/Shiba Inu (both tied for eighth place)
2. German Shepherd Dog
3. Pomeranian
4. Golden Retriever
5. Dachshund
6. Beagle (tied for sixth place)
7. Chihuahua (tied for sixth place)
8. Shetland Sheepdog (tied for eighth place)
9. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (tied for eighth place)
10. French Bulldog/Shiba Inu (both tied for eighth place)
Most Popular Dog in Fort Worth, Texas 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Boxer
5. Dachshund
6. Bulldog
7. Golden Retriever
8. Miniature Schnauzer
9. Doberman Pinscher (tied for ninth place)
10. Shih Tzu (tied for ninth place)
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Boxer
5. Dachshund
6. Bulldog
7. Golden Retriever
8. Miniature Schnauzer
9. Doberman Pinscher (tied for ninth place)
10. Shih Tzu (tied for ninth place)
Most Popular Dogs in Detroit, Mich. 2010
1. German Shepherd Dog
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. Labrador Retriever
4. Rottweiler
5. Shih Tzu
6. Golden Retriever
7. Poodle
8. Cocker Spaniel
9. Bullmastiff
10. Bulldog/Pomeranian (tied for 10th place)
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. Labrador Retriever
4. Rottweiler
5. Shih Tzu
6. Golden Retriever
7. Poodle
8. Cocker Spaniel
9. Bullmastiff
10. Bulldog/Pomeranian (tied for 10th place)
Most Popular Dogs in Des Moines, Iowa 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Boxer
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Golden Retriever
5. Poodle
6. Bulldog (tied for sixth place)
7. Mastiff (tied for sixth place)
8. Miniature Schnauzer (tied for sixth place)
9. Rottweiler (tied for ninth place)
10. Cocker Spaniel (tied for ninth place)
2. Boxer
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Golden Retriever
5. Poodle
6. Bulldog (tied for sixth place)
7. Mastiff (tied for sixth place)
8. Miniature Schnauzer (tied for sixth place)
9. Rottweiler (tied for ninth place)
10. Cocker Spaniel (tied for ninth place)
Most Popular Dogs in Denver, Colo. 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Golden Retriever
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Bulldog
5. Boxer
6. Poodle
7. Yorkshire Terrier
8. Dachshund
9. German Shorthaired Pointer
10. Rottweiler
2. Golden Retriever
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Bulldog
5. Boxer
6. Poodle
7. Yorkshire Terrier
8. Dachshund
9. German Shorthaired Pointer
10. Rottweiler
Most Popular Dogs in Columbus, Ohio 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. German Shepherd Dog
3. Yorkshire Terrier
4. Boxer
5. Golden Retriever
6. Poodle
7. Bulldog (tied for seventh place)
8. Miniature Schnauzer (tied for seventh place)
9. Dachshund
10. Doberman Pinscher/Pug (tied for 10th place)
2. German Shepherd Dog
3. Yorkshire Terrier
4. Boxer
5. Golden Retriever
6. Poodle
7. Bulldog (tied for seventh place)
8. Miniature Schnauzer (tied for seventh place)
9. Dachshund
10. Doberman Pinscher/Pug (tied for 10th place)
Most Popular Dogs in Cleveland, Ohio 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Golden Retriever
3. Boxer
4. German Shepherd Dog
5. Yorkshire Terrier
6. Shih Tzu
7. Bulldog
8. Poodle
9. Miniature Schnauzer
10. Doberman Pinscher
2. Golden Retriever
3. Boxer
4. German Shepherd Dog
5. Yorkshire Terrier
6. Shih Tzu
7. Bulldog
8. Poodle
9. Miniature Schnauzer
10. Doberman Pinscher
Most Popular Dogs in Cincinnati, Ohio 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Boxer
3. Golden Retriever
4. Yorkshire Terrier
5. German Shepherd Dog
6. Bulldog
7. Poodle
8. Shih Tzu
9. Pug
10. Dachshund
2. Boxer
3. Golden Retriever
4. Yorkshire Terrier
5. German Shepherd Dog
6. Bulldog
7. Poodle
8. Shih Tzu
9. Pug
10. Dachshund
MOst Popular Dogs in Chicago, Ill. 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. German Shepherd Dog
3. Yorkshire Terrier
4. Boxer
5. Bulldog
6. Golden Retriever
7. Rottweiler
8. Dachshund
9. Boston Terriers
10. Shih Tzu/Vizsla (tied for 10th place)
2. German Shepherd Dog
3. Yorkshire Terrier
4. Boxer
5. Bulldog
6. Golden Retriever
7. Rottweiler
8. Dachshund
9. Boston Terriers
10. Shih Tzu/Vizsla (tied for 10th place)
Most Popular Dogs in Charlotte, N.C. 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Golden Retriever
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Yorkshire Terrier
5. Boxer
6. Rottweiler
7. Bulldog
8. Dachshund (tied for eighth place)
9. Poodle (tied for eighth place)
10. Doberman Pinscher
2. Golden Retriever
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Yorkshire Terrier
5. Boxer
6. Rottweiler
7. Bulldog
8. Dachshund (tied for eighth place)
9. Poodle (tied for eighth place)
10. Doberman Pinscher
Most Popular Dogs in Buffalo, N.Y.
1. Labrador Retriever
2. German Shepherd Dog
3. Golden Retriever
4. Boxer
5. Dachshund
6. Poodle
7. Bulldog
8. Shih Tzu
9. Chihuahua
10. Rottweiler/Yorkshire Terrier (tied for 10th place)
2. German Shepherd Dog
3. Golden Retriever
4. Boxer
5. Dachshund
6. Poodle
7. Bulldog
8. Shih Tzu
9. Chihuahua
10. Rottweiler/Yorkshire Terrier (tied for 10th place)
Most Popular Dogs in Boston, Mass. 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. German Shepherd Dog
3. Bulldog
4. Golden Retriever (tied for fourth place)
5. Yorkshire Terrier (tied for fourth place)
6. Boxer
7. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (tied for seventh place)
8. Dachshund (tied for seventh place)
9. Beagle (tied for ninth place)
10. Boston Terrier/Pug (both tied for ninth place)
2. German Shepherd Dog
3. Bulldog
4. Golden Retriever (tied for fourth place)
5. Yorkshire Terrier (tied for fourth place)
6. Boxer
7. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (tied for seventh place)
8. Dachshund (tied for seventh place)
9. Beagle (tied for ninth place)
10. Boston Terrier/Pug (both tied for ninth place)
Most Popular Dogs in Baltimore, Md. 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Boxer
3. Golden Retriever
4. German Shepherd Dog
5. Yorkshire Terrier
6. Bulldog (tied for sixth place)
7. Pugs (tied for sixth place)
8. Poodle
9. Chihuahua (woo hoooo!!!! just a personal yippe!)
10. Maltese
2. Boxer
3. Golden Retriever
4. German Shepherd Dog
5. Yorkshire Terrier
6. Bulldog (tied for sixth place)
7. Pugs (tied for sixth place)
8. Poodle
9. Chihuahua (woo hoooo!!!! just a personal yippe!)
10. Maltese
Most Popular Dogs in Austin, Texas 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Golden Retriever
3. Yorkshire Terrier
4. German Shepherd Dog
5. Boxer
6. Dachshund
7. Bulldog
8. Miniature Schnauzer
9. Poodle
10. Doberman Pinscher
2. Golden Retriever
3. Yorkshire Terrier
4. German Shepherd Dog
5. Boxer
6. Dachshund
7. Bulldog
8. Miniature Schnauzer
9. Poodle
10. Doberman Pinscher
Most Popular Dogs in Atlanta, Ga. 2010
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Golden Retriever
3. Boxer
4. German Shepherd Dog
5. Yorkshire Terrier
6. Dachshund
7. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
8. Shih Tzu
9. Doberman Pinscher
10. Bulldog
2. Golden Retriever
3. Boxer
4. German Shepherd Dog
5. Yorkshire Terrier
6. Dachshund
7. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
8. Shih Tzu
9. Doberman Pinscher
10. Bulldog
Bog Breeding Online
With dog breeders now offering puppies via the internet, puppy mills and other bad breeders have only heightened the need for a good quality dog breeder website that’s shows you are reputable and responsible.
While I make dog breeding sites, there something that needs to be addressed:
Dog breeding is a business where profit can be made, however, a good breeder does not focus on that nor is it what is important. Selling animals is a huge responsibility, and deciding to sell online is an even bigger one.
Like in an interview, a good candidate can mess up their chances of being hired by not being prepared or looking professional. Ace your chances by making sure your have your bases covered. If not for youself, but for your puppies and the potential families they are going to spend a lifetime with.
Because you are going to get visitors to your site that in or out of your area or state, learn the laws regarding shipping and transferring animals across state lines. From airlines to trains, learn the rules and guidelines for how animals are transferred.
If you are not experience breeder, wait until you have more experience under your belt before doing so. Doesn’t mean you can’t have a breeder website, just don’t use it as a means to sell, but showcase only. You don’t need to use a breeder website to sell, only to showcase, especially if you intend to sell in person or locally only.
I love to make sites for breeders – but I have turned down clients if I felt they were not reputable.
While I make dog breeding sites, there something that needs to be addressed:
Dog breeding is a business where profit can be made, however, a good breeder does not focus on that nor is it what is important. Selling animals is a huge responsibility, and deciding to sell online is an even bigger one.
Like in an interview, a good candidate can mess up their chances of being hired by not being prepared or looking professional. Ace your chances by making sure your have your bases covered. If not for youself, but for your puppies and the potential families they are going to spend a lifetime with.
Because you are going to get visitors to your site that in or out of your area or state, learn the laws regarding shipping and transferring animals across state lines. From airlines to trains, learn the rules and guidelines for how animals are transferred.
If you are not experience breeder, wait until you have more experience under your belt before doing so. Doesn’t mean you can’t have a breeder website, just don’t use it as a means to sell, but showcase only. You don’t need to use a breeder website to sell, only to showcase, especially if you intend to sell in person or locally only.
I love to make sites for breeders – but I have turned down clients if I felt they were not reputable.
How do I Market My Puppy Cam?
If you decide to put your pups the proverbial web stage, just having your puppies online is simply scratching the surface of how you can use your online puppy cam to market your kennel. Here are some ideas:
- Email previous customer and let them know when you have a new litter being showcased on the camera. You should always collect your customers email address, and this is one of the ways to use them. They will certainly check it out, forward it to friends to view their pups furry relatives online and perhaps remember the day they brought their new family member home and want to get another one!
- Post on message boards. Who doesn’t love looking at puppies! From pet lovers to breed specific message boards and blogs, posting a link and a screen shot of the pups can drive traffic to your dog breeding website and camera.
- Post on classifies. Sites like craigslist always have a pet section where people post on available pups for adoption or sale. Post a link with a picture to drive potential visitors to your site.
- Not just for puppies. Use the camera to show a virtual tour of your facilities or do a questions and answer about puppies, breed or your kennel. This is great if you are connected to a breed group or organization.
- Connect with other breeders who specialize in a different breed and work together. Share a stream and work together to build a larger audience and establish yourself as a expert. If you breed a Chihuahua, connect with breeders of other toy breeds and work together to establish yourselves as experts on toy breed.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Being a Responsible Dog Breeder
Being a dog breeder is tough. Being a responsible dog breeder is EXTRA tough. As a breeder responsible, reputable breeder your job is to find the RIGHT home for your puppies. You are providing a new family member, a friend and a companion to your customers. From protection, to love companionship, or service, your puppy can provide a lifetime of love if given to the right family.
Placing your puppies in the right home, you are extending the life of your business, brand and reputation. Families pared with the right puppies are more likely to keep in touch with place they purchased, refer your kennel to other people, or purchase an additional puppy from the same place.
This isn’t an easy task. Finding a family that is a good match is only half the problem. Making sure the family continues to be a good match is another story.
Placing your puppies in the right home, you are extending the life of your business, brand and reputation. Families pared with the right puppies are more likely to keep in touch with place they purchased, refer your kennel to other people, or purchase an additional puppy from the same place.
This isn’t an easy task. Finding a family that is a good match is only half the problem. Making sure the family continues to be a good match is another story.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Want to Start a Puppy Cam? Pt.2
As stated the other day, streaming your pups can be lots of fun and rewarding, but before you jump onto ustream or another online streaming site, lets look at some more tips:
Lights, camera, puppy!
If you are only putting the camera on during set times, make sure to say the showtimes on the site so they know when to tune in.
Tick tock.
Make sure you have the time. Following up to visitors, and updating the page can be time consuming. Make sure you have the time and energy to maintain it.
Safety First.
For those who have breeds who have a tendency to be stolen, take the necessary measures to make sure visitors don’t know when you’re streaming and not home. If you’re a breeder who like to stream 24/7, even when you are not home, someone can use that to their advantage and come to your kennel when your not there and puppy nab.
Streaming is a great way to reach our to new customers who are not aware of your kennel, and those who have purchased a puppy from you before. Just make sure like any marketing plan, it does require time and effort to make it effective.
In my next post: how to market your puppy cam.
Lights, camera, puppy!
If you are only putting the camera on during set times, make sure to say the showtimes on the site so they know when to tune in.
Tick tock.
Make sure you have the time. Following up to visitors, and updating the page can be time consuming. Make sure you have the time and energy to maintain it.
Safety First.
For those who have breeds who have a tendency to be stolen, take the necessary measures to make sure visitors don’t know when you’re streaming and not home. If you’re a breeder who like to stream 24/7, even when you are not home, someone can use that to their advantage and come to your kennel when your not there and puppy nab.
Streaming is a great way to reach our to new customers who are not aware of your kennel, and those who have purchased a puppy from you before. Just make sure like any marketing plan, it does require time and effort to make it effective.
In my next post: how to market your puppy cam.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Want to Start a Puppy Cam? Pt. 1
When the Shiba Inu Puppy Cam became all the rage in 2008, this opened up a new way for breeders to showcase available puppies or perhaps the kennel as a whole.For breeders, I do think this is a great idea, but before you jump onto ustream or another online streaming site, lets look at some tips before you do so:
What you see is what you get.
When streaming online, keep in mind the camera shows what you put in front of it. Nothing makes visitors mad when you see dog playing with old food and poop. Many breeders show themselves cleaning up on camera. Your visitors will use this as a gauge to see how clean your kennel is and the camera adds extra accountability.
Puppy mills.
Many puppy mills actually use cams to make their locations seem nice and friendly, only showcasing a small clean area. Try to show different locations throughout the month to showcase the whole kennel. Since streaming sites usually store each stream, visitors can go back and view various locations.
Talk it out.
Making sure you set your self apart by talking to visitors who visit the stream on a regular basis. Create a relationship with your visitors. When they are ready to buy, you will already have a connection and relationship established. They also become great referrals for those who are looking to purchase a puppy. Ustream has a chat area right next to streams and a message wall. Make sure to follow up.
More streaming tips to follow!
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