Good Breeders Make Good Clients
by Joanne V. Baldwin DVM and Linda More

Many, if not all, practicing veterinarians can relate stories about the difficulties of dealing with clients who designate themselves as "breeders," but there are many varieties of breeders and they do not deserve to be lumped together in one catchall category. We would define the responsible, good breeders as those who strive to breed healthy dogs, with good temperaments, that fit within the parameters of what is expected for their breeds. Responsible breeders test for genetic defects and select breeding stock that will hopefully improve each generation. Responsible breeders recognize that most of their puppies go to pet homes, and that the new owners deserve a healthy, stable pet as much as the puppies deserve good homes. It is these responsible breeders that can make excellent clients for a practice, increasing the veterinarian's clientele through puppy referrals and recommendations to pet owners. Cultivating relationships with breeders such as these can be worth the effort.

How can responsible breeders be valuable clients for a practice? Let's list some reasons:

• These breeders will refer their puppy buyers to you. Most of their puppies go to local pet homes with instructions for good care, including regular visits to the veterinarian.



• These breeders value and understand the importance of good veterinary care, and will spend the money to obtain it.



• Responsible breeders - like responsible owners - believe in preventive care and won't wait until a dog is in dire condition before bringing it to you for diagnosis and treatment - so you can anticipate more successful outcomes.



• Responsible breeders keep their dogs in good health, in proper weight, clean, nails trimmed, making nicer patients for you. Their dogs are usually well socialized so you can work with them without wrestling, and you are far less likely to need to dodge a bite.



• Responsible breeders have a wealth of information about their breed, breed specific diseases and hereditary defects, details of temperament, and so on.



• Responsible breeders may help keep you up to speed on outbreaks of diseases in the area - for example, during the first parvovirus outbreaks some years ago, it was concerned breeders and exhibitors that raised the alarm and urged owners with sick dogs to see their veterinarians immediately.

Now as responsible breeders themselves recognize, they may not be the easiest of clients, and some advance planning on the part of the practitioner will be required if the relationship is to work to the benefit of both humans and animals. Practitioners are well advised to lay out policies and expectations early in the veterinarian/client relationship so that they are mutually understood, because even responsible breeders will:

• Hope for a price break for quantity.



• Expect a high level of responsive attention and knowledge; you will be asked to explain and discuss more about ailments and treatments. Good breeders welcome educational opportunities.



• Prefer you or your staff to be available for emergencies, as these breeders will not want to go to an emergency clinic to see practitioners they do not know.



• Probably be self-proclaimed experts to a greater or lesser extent, and may want to give their own vaccinations. These clients could benefit from your knowledge about proper vaccination protocols including, but not limited to, optimum intervals between vaccinations and the difference between core vaccines and optional or unnecessary ones.



• Expect you to listen to some folklore about their breed, and will expect your responses to be reasonable and diplomatic. Patience and a sense of humor are valuable assets for you.

Responsible breeders and owners will also expect their veterinarians to be able to recognize their breed and know something about it - for example, sensitivity to certain drugs. If you are willing to make the effort to cultivate good, responsible breeders as clients, you will be rewarded in many ways.