Mel's Low-Rider Ranch

07/02/2024

Copied from another breeder..

POTENTIAL OWNER: How much is the puppy?
BREEDER: $1,500- 2500 USD
POTENTIAL OWNER: What?? It's way too expensive!!
BREEDER: What do you think would be a good price?
POTENTIAL OWNER: No more than $500. You breeders are so over priced.
BREEDER: I am sorry you see it this way, why don't you try it yourself?
POTENTIAL OWNER: But I've never done it!
BREEDER: For FREE I can teach you how to do it, and in addition you will have the knowledge to do it again.
POTENTIAL OWNER: Perfect, thank you!
BREEDER: To start you will need a female(average minimal cost $1500 and up). Also a male(average minimal cost $1500 and up) or semen (average $1000 and up). You will need to do genetic & health testing on them, averages about $750 per dog. Raise and provide daily care and feeding for 2 years.
POTENTIAL OWNER: But I don't have that much money...
BREEDER: For $500 you can raise a litter for me and then keep one of the puppies. Obviously, you also have to pay the cost of whelping & care.
POTENTIAL OWNER: I can do that.
BREEDER: OK so I have a female due to whelp in 2 weeks. You will need to be available 24/7 around the clock for at least 8 weeks to help with delivery and care. Possibly tube or bottle feed puppies every 2-3 hours if the mom is low on milk the first couple weeks.
POTENTIAL OWNER: Eight weeks?? it's way too much time for me! I have to work.
BREEDER: You may also need the reproductive vet to do xrays($200-$500), possibly progesterone testing($75-$250) & a C-section($1000-$5000) and initial vet care on pups until old enough to be placed. Pups vets exams ($250 and up depending on how many puppies are in the litter)
Have on hand a scale, thermometer, latex gloves, sanitizer, absorbent tissues, scissors, hemostats, heating pad, whelping box, blankets, cleaning supplies, appropriate food with supplements for mothers, formula, medications & hand feeding supplies in case of emergency....
POTENTIAL OWNER: But I don't have all these things!
BREEDER: For $1000 you can buy them.
POTENTIAL OWNER: Ummm .... You know, I think it might be better if I just buy a puppy.
BREEDER: Wise decision.
For us breeders there are no vacations or holidays while you go to visit with family & friends we are home at our dogs side caring for them. No sick leave. It is a no breaks commitment.
THIS IS THE REALITY
When you choose a professional, you don't only pay for the puppy but also:
Tools, knowledge, experience, love, time, sacrifices, etc...

06/24/2024

On Saturday, Darla went home with her new mommy Marissa. It was a bitter🥲 time for me as this litter is my sweet Bella's last and Darla also stayed with me an additional 10 days. She's very special to me and I'm thankful she has the perfect new mommy now. Love you Darla and thank you Marissa for loving her.

06/22/2024

These are not my words but they are exactly my heart's feeling. 🐾💕🐾💕

This may be one of my more controversial pieces, but please stay with me until the end and give it a chance.
The “adopt don’t shop” movement is toxic.
Yes, you read that correctly, but don’t crucify me yet. Hear me out.
I am all for responsible rescues. I just think the movement needs more nuance. “Adopt don’t shop” needs to become “Adopt or shop, just do so responsibly”.
“Adopt don’t stop” pits two kinds of dog lovers against each other. It also lumps reputable breeders together with backyard breeders and puppy mills.
If you truly love dogs, then you really cannot only be in favor of rescue. Reputable breeders do not allow their dogs to end up in rescue. They offer a lifetime of support and make it a contractual obligation that any dog bred by them is returned to them should the owner no longer be able to care for them. Only supporting rescue, and demonizing even the most reputable of breeders, essentially means that the only dogs you think people should own are ones bred either through irresponsible breeding practices or irresponsible ownership of intact dogs bought through the proxy of a rescue.
If you truly love dogs, you should be demanding that we do better by them. You should want there to be more reputable breeders in the world. Reputable breeders make it their goal when breeding to not only preserve a breed’s original purpose, but to produce overall healthier and more conformationally and temperamentally sound dogs with predictable drive. Without reputable breeding, we’ll eventually run out of healthy and genetically predictable dogs to enjoy.
“Adopt don’t shop” also overlooks the crucial element that some people need dogs bred for specific jobs and they need to be able to reliably know that dog has the correct drive and health to do it which can’t be guaranteed in a shelter mix. For instance, even well bred service dog prospects often wash. Training a service dog is a lengthy and costly process, and the handler is often quite literally placing their life in the paws of their service dog. A handler would be taking a much larger risk in trying a puppy or even adult dog with an unknown past and genetic history. Other jobs that typically require a well bred dog from proven lines include: hunting, herding, livestock guardians, personal protection, search and rescue, or military/police work.
In addition to needing specific things out of a working dog, many people want a well bred dog as their companion. Arguably companionship is the largest purpose for dogs and for most people it is the most important, so why should we not want the best for our companions? We want our dogs to be with us for as long as possible, so we should want them to have the absolute best start in life. We should want them to come from generations of health tested parents in order to breed them away from common heritable health issues. We should want predictable temperaments and drive, so we know that the dog we are bringing into our home is a good fit for our lifestyle.
We will always need reputable rescues, but it is important to know that there are many reasons that someone would not want to bring an unknown mix with an unknown past into their home. Maybe it’s because they have small animals and aren’t willing to risk their lives on a rescue that may prove to have an extremely high prey drive or be small animal aggressive. Maybe it is because they have children and can’t be sure the rescue has the temperament needed to tolerate the specific behaviors often exhibited by small children. Maybe it is simply because they want the joy of raising a specific breed from a puppy and ensuring it has the absolute best start in life in terms of socialization and training.
The important thing to know is how to separate the reputable from the those who are not, as there are examples of both in both rescue and breeding. Knowing how to tell them apart makes a world of difference.
Know better for your dogs. Demand better for your dogs.
Adopt OR shop responsibly.
(copied)

06/15/2024

Sigi went to live in Tallahassee today! I'm so happy for her to have such a wonderful new family! Thank you Eve!

06/15/2024

This is the best part about raising healthy beautiful pups. New parents staying in touch and sending me pics. These are from the races and costume contest held in Gwinnet County today. The two ladies do not know one another but the mom of the blk&crm saw the other mom in the costume contest and had taken a couple of pics. ENJOY!

06/08/2024

Another sweet pup of our's going home with a wonderful family. It truly makes my heart melt bringing so much love and joy to these family's laps!

06/05/2024

Sweet baby boy, looks like a lion with his Hunter's Crest

06/03/2024

SWEET BABY BOY

05/31/2024

Barrel of love! At the vet for 1st round of shots and check up!🤩🥰

05/28/2024

05/06/2024

Centerville GA 💙

05/04/2024

Sweet Longhaired shaded red male

04/17/2024

Bella had 3 girls and 1 boy! Thank you for your assistance Kimberly Mennini Lane!

04/16/2024

Spanky has moved on to his new life with Tammy & Shannon! Thank y'all so much for loving my baby!

04/03/2024

Male dapple pie
Centerville GA

03/11/2024

🌳💚

03/10/2024

Me, me, me! I want cheese please!

02/17/2024

Bella & Brody are expecting Mid April!

02/17/2024

To all those who have gotten a sweet puppy from me in the past, please respond with a pic and tell us about you're darling. THANKS!

02/11/2024

Sydney had 3 females and 2 males

02/05/2024

Sweet babies!

02/03/2024

Babies will be here this week, stay tuned!

01/08/2024

How many weiner dogs can you fit in your lap?

07/15/2023

4 babies! 3 boys, 1 girl

06/17/2023

It's that time.....finally!!!!