Hi That is really helpful information, considering people like myself are trying to learn all I can. I love visiting other peoples kennels, it is really helpful, and informative. However I work so much that it is impossible to always do so. Its positive things that help newbies out. I know dog showing, breeding, owning etc. do have many downfalls, but there should also be a lot of positive things to. And for the record, I contacted the golden retriever club to inform them about the girl from this morning, I so hope she finds her owners! Giselda ----- Original Message ----- From: <EJDegen@xxxxxxx> To: <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 9:27 PM Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] references & reputation I feel that Christine hit the nail on the head. I would have no problem with giving references & asking for them. We want to ENCOURAGE new people to our sport and even if these are people just looking for a nice family pet, we want to encourage them to buy GOOD QUALITY dogs from good breeders. Maybe we can get them hooked on this obsession of dog sports! :-) When I give advice to people looking for a pet, I recommend that people ask for references AND what the breeder has done in dogs and why they're breeding that particular litter. If a breeder takes offense, I would wonder why. Julie Degen _www.caissonkennels.com_ (http://www.caissonkennels.com/) "A well-balanced German Shepherd has a title on both ends!" In a message dated 2/26/2008 11:00:59 AM Eastern Standard Time, Showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes: Msg: #7 in digest From: "" <hckryhillgsd@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: Re: How would you handle this? Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2008 09:33:05 -0600 The below is how I feel as well. If someone wants a reference, big deal.I even offer to give references and encourage prospective buyers to visit and contact other breeders to make certain that there is no doubt that they want to buy a puppy from us!! I let them know that I will ask my puppy owners if they mind my giving out their contact info, most don't mind and are happy to share good experiences. There is nothing that makes a prospective buyer feel better about buying a puppy from you, than a good testimonial, especially if they are contacting you over the Internet, don't know you, can't come visit. They are simply trying to ease their minds as I am sure they have heard about many puppy scams, especially over the Internet. One simply has a choice, you can be a helpful breeder, and work with the prospective client, or you can force them to buy from a back yard breeder, because they were treated tersely by a "reputable" breeder. Christine hckryhillgsd@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Steve and Christine Grainger WWW.HICKORYHILLGSD.COM **************Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living. (http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/ 2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598) ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2007. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - www.showgsd.org ============================================================================ ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2007. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - www.showgsd.org ============================================================================