Contracts can turn breeder wishes and desires into legally enforceable promises. Most people didn't purchase their puppy with a contact. Most have never been introduced to some of the ideas of the promises that can be made. The most basic contracts protect only the money involved. But breeders can also decide to have a contract that addresses protecting the future health and welfare of the puppy.

Part of the decision making in evaluating what to include is (1) what expectations or hopes do I have that are important enough that I want to enforce them, (2) do my puppies deserve this protection (3) do I deserve this protection and (4) will I place a puppy with someone unwilling to make enforceable promises to meet my expectations? For example, if you would rather be contacted and have the 18 month old dog returned to you instead of having it sent to the shelter, do you want someone to promise to do that? And if you do want them to make that promise will you still let them have the puppy if they won't sign a contract that makes that promise enforceable?

The single biggest factor in whether a puppy keeps its home is whether the person gets the information and guidance they need to work through the challenges of puppies. The skilled and knowledgeable breeder can head off problems by helping work through puppy biting, house training, leash training, and adolescent misbehavior. If the person with the puppy has a reliable resource to contact to find out how to work through problems the chances of a little problem growing into a big one are much reduced. And a skilled breeder can take it much further. The skilled breeder doesn't wait to be contacted. Embarrassment and shyness will often inhibit the person with the puppy from asking for help, or from admitting problems exist. Good humor and a sensible approach by the breeder can let the person know that it is all just a learning curve and nothing to be embarrassed about.

Keeping in touch also gives the breeder the opportunity to get honest information about the results of a breeding. Typically buyers don't report any problems because they either don't think the breeder will care, or they are afraid of what they will hear. But learning whether the puppies had the expected qualities, and had the hoped for health and temperament is important to many breeders. Is it important to you? If it is, don't expect the other party to report. You have to ask, and ask in a way that invites honest feedback.

You might think that helping save other people's mistakes has nothing to do with your own breeding plans. But rescue has some critical lessons for the person planning to breed, at least if the person cares about the future of the puppies.

Good people who have had good experiences sometimes have trouble envisioning the problems of permanently and safely placing a puppy in a home. One thing that is often overlooked is that a quality one person values might be exactly the same quality that other people hate. If it matters to you what happens to the puppies you breed then it is critical to understand what factors cause people to give up dogs of the type you are breeding. A person who loves their dog and has a successful relationship often receives a rude shock at the reasons people give for giving up on their dog. A realistic view of what it will take to place the puppies can make a big difference in successful placement. And there is no experience quite as useful as real experience. Never mind the books or the stories. Help out and get a first hand look.

You own the stud? That doesn't mean you can do nothing about the welfare of the puppies. The stud is half the reason the puppies exist. His genetic material makes up half of what they are. The stud owner has the ability to do what is right for the puppies too.

Is it too much trouble? Only you can decide that. What are the risks if you learn what rescue can teach you? What are the risks if you decide you don't have the time or interest? How involved do you have to be to get the benefits that are good enough for you? The answer to these questions can only be found by looking at the complete picture that is motivating you to consider breeding. It will be influenced by your view of dogs,of their place in your life, and the degree of difference for your love of your dog in particular vs dogs in general.