Sagewood's Mission Statement
Sagewood is committed to producing sound, quality, versatile Tollers for show, obedience, hunting companions as well as pets for companionship and dogsport activities. We enjoy our dogs in many aspects of the dogsports including exhibition in the conformation (show) ring, obedience competition, hunting retriever tests and have even had the opportunity to try carting, herding, lure coursing, flyball and agility!
We only breed dogs certified clear of hereditary diseases. The screening includes:
• Michigan State Thyroid Panel tested normal
• OFA hip certified clear of hip dysplasia
• CERF certified clear of hereditary eye disease
• OptiGen DNA tested to determine PRA status
• as well as evaluating the dogs to be true to the breed standard in type, temperament and conformation.
Litters are (proudly!) bred very slowly and carefully on a limited basis, reservations are recommended. We work from a waiting list. If you're looking for a working companion for the duck blind, an individual to join you in competitive dogs sports, or an outstanding family companion, give us as much details as possible to help us decide which prospect will work out best for you. Tell us about your family, your activities, the children and their ages, what will be expected of the dog and your previous experience with dogs. All these things, in combination with the notes we record on the litter and the puppy testing will help us to determine which puppy is best suited to you. We do not allow persons to choose their own puppy. Unfortunately, to the person viewing the litter for the first time they may base their decision purely on markings, instant responses or common reactions. We prefer to test and place the most active, outgoing, persistent personalities in active homes where the pup will be worked The more laid back individual, who may be content to cuddle as often as possible may be best suited to a quieter, slower lifestyle where he may expected to join children in a slumber party, take walks, and become certified in pet therapy to visit nursing homes regularly. We caution puppy buyers and encourage them to ask the breeder for guidance and not base the lifetime ownership of a dog on the tug of a shoe string at a weak, emotional moment.
For these reasons, our waiting lists must remain extremely flexible. We will NOT place a quiet, laid back puppy, with no interest in pheasant wings in a hunting home simply because it was "the next name on the list"! The puppy will likely never have the interest in birds or to work and the hunter is then stuck with a puppy who may be a waste of time for training and a loss because it may have been a superior pet prospect for a retired couple who simply wish to hike and travel in the RV with the companionship of a Toller. The same is vise versa. A hot, hunting prospect, with outstanding natural ability will be unhappy and possibly destructive trying to live the life of a family house pet. By following the results of the puppy testing, rechecking the notes about the individuals in the litter we hope to place each puppy in proper homes. This avoids unhappy new puppy owners as well as puppies being returned.
Contracts
All puppies are sold with non-breeding agreements. These are legal contracts that simply state that the dog cannot be bred until it can be certified clear of all of the hereditary conditions that we screen the parents for. The dog must also be approved to be of champion quality and meet the requirements of the breed standard in type, temperament and conformation. It is a form of "quality control" that provides only the best representatives the breed will be bred and continue a long legacy of sound, well-bred dogs. If you are not interested in showing/breeding your Toller we insist that you have he/she surgically neutered between 6-9 months of age to prevent unwanted litters and more importantly eliminate the chance of getting reproductive related diseases that may shorten your Toller's life.
If you have been placed on a waiting list, you will be notified when a bitch is confirmed pregnant by ultrasound (about 25 days post breeding), and a $100.00 deposit is due at that time. Should a conflict arise that would prohibit a Toller puppy from adopting you and your family, please notify us so that we may contact other families on our waiting list, by the same policy, should Sagewood be unable to provide you with a loving puppy we will be happy to recommend an equally reputable breeder.
When the puppies are born, you will be contacted soon after the first 24-48 hours. At that time we may have some idea whether or not we will have a puppy for you. Notes are taken on the puppies from birth on, they are evaluated and puppy tested at 6 and 8 weeks for placement into the proper homes. The puppies are raised in our home. They are accustom to the phone ringing, alarm clocks, oven timers, dishwasher, radio etc. The puppies are very well socialized and hunting prospects have been introduced to pheasant wings. Your next step is to continue this so that they grow into well adjusted citizens and family members.
Dewclaws are removed during their first physical exam at 3 days by a Veterinarian. and once again thoroughly examined by a Veterinarian at 6-7 weeks. A vaccination program is begun at 9 weeks, (As recommended by Dr. Dodds). The stools are routinely checked for internal parasites and the puppies are dewormed if necessary.
All puppies are micro-chipped and can have their chip registered with the AKC's CAR (Companion Animal Recovery) Program. In the case your puppy (or dog) is lost or stolen the micro-chip will identify him to the party who has found him and after contacting the AKC you will be notified of his whereabouts.
All Sagewood litters/puppies are registered with the American Kennel Club. We are by ethics and reputation approved by the NSDTRC-USA Board Of Directors to be listed in the NSDTRC-USA Breeder Directory as responsible and reputable breeders. We abide by it fully and encourage other breeders to do so as well.
Puppies must be paid for in full before leaving Sagewood, and may be shipped anywhere world- wide at your cost. A sales contract, health certificate, veterinary record, registration information, and a written health guarantee (against the hereditary diseases [listed previously] the parents were screened for) will accompany your puppy.
If you have further questions please don't hesitate to write, call or email.
References are available upon request.
Patty & Paul Beran
Sagewood
Whitewater, WI 53190
Playing 20 Questions
If you are inquiring about a puppy, please feel free to ask these simple questions. Reputable breeders (of ANY breed!) should be excited to talk to a prospective puppy buyer who's obviously done their home work to learn about the breed and it's health concerns. A breeder who is vague, not willing to answer your questions, poo-poos certifications, refuses to share copies of pedigrees or health clearances should be removed from your list of reputable breeders at once. When inquiring with any breeder here are some questions to start with.
Are both parents certified clear of hip dysplasia? (OFA or OVC)
Hip dysplasia is a hereditary condition that affects many breeds of dogs. It causes painful bone degeneration and calcification in the hip joint. It isn't a serious problem in the Toller because early in the development of the breed conscientious breeders became aware of the seriousness of this problem in other breeds and began to check for it and cull affected dogs from breeding. It is genetic and because it's polygenetic, many genes affect it's occurrence it can occur in any generation. Thankfully, the chance of producing an affected puppy from certified parents and grandparents is fairly slim. All breeding stock should be OFA certified before breeding, it is the breeder's dedication to these details that will produce sound dogs clear of hip disease. The OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) consists of a panel of radiologists who grade the x-ray of the hip joints: Excellent,Good or Fair. The OVC (Ontario Veterinary College) is a similar organization in Canada and they grade Pass or Fail. OFA will only grade hips of dogs 24 months or older while OVC will evaluate hips of dogs 18 months or older. A breeder should be able to provide you with a copy of the certificates or the certification numbers for the parents of the litter. These numbers are filed with the Toller club's health committee and recorded on the registration certificate of each Toller who has certified parents.
Are the parents currently CERF certified, and OptiGen tested to determine PRA inheritability?
Hereditary eye disease is another problem that can affect most breeds of dogs. Fortunately, most Toller breeders are very careful about breeding dogs who have been examined by a board certified veterinary ophthalmologist and have been granted a CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation) certificate and number. Recently, OptiGen has developed a DNA test to determine what dogs are affected, carrier or clear status for PRA. (Progressive Retinal Atrophy). With this information breeders can continue to breed litters and eventually breed away from this condition. This is of course a one time test. While the OFA hip x-ray is a one time radiograph and fee, the CERF eye exam must be done annually to keep the certificate current with the changing health of the eyes. A CERF exam involves a veterinary ophthalmologist using eye drops to dilate the pupil and examine the eye with an ophthalmology scope to look for cataracts, lens changes and retinal atrophy. Any indication of these or other hereditary conditions would cause the dog to fail the exam and no longer be eligible for CERF certification.
How does the breeder determine the most suitable home for each pup?
A litter of puppies can hold a puppy of every personality. By living with the litter from whelping to 8 weeks and making daily notes and doing a variety of tests at 4, 6, and 8 weeks a breeder can determine which puppy will fit best into each home. The active, attentive, non-stop trouble makers are generally the best match for a hunting owner, while a quiet, happy-to-be-held youngster may prefer to take a walk in the woods and curl up with a retired couple. It has been our experience that a puppy who exhibits shyness does tremendously better when left in the comforts of the familiar surroundings of the breeder's home for several weeks after the rest of the litter has left. By staying longer and having the breeder take extra time to socialize and introduce the pup to new experiences, it seems to build confidence and trust without having to compete with littermates or without experiencing the trauma involved in moving to a new home, and adjusting to a new family and routine. It is best to bring a puppy into your home between 8-10 weeks. Try to arrange to get it before a weekend or plan to take a few days off from work to get to know your new puppy. We don't recommend much more than a couple of days as the puppy may experience some anxiety when you return to a regular work schedule. He may miss the day long companionship you offered in the beginning of your relationship. If you have an interest in doing competitive trialing, generally these puppies are available to be picked up on the 49th day. Please remember: according to the Animal Welfare Act, it is against the law to ship a puppy by airline before 8 weeks.
As of 2002 we have revised our vaccination schedule based upon new information published regarding over vaccination. We've learned that vaccinations given before 9 weeks may be "canceled out" by the puppies immunities absorbed through nursing, therefore puppies are vaccinated at 9 weeks. The puppies are examined at 7 weeks by a licensed veterinarian and evaluated for defects and abnormalities. Most purchase contracts request that the puppy be seen by your Veterinarian soon after arriving so that a complete examination can be done. This way any shipping injuries, questionable behavior or physical characteristics can be recorded and the breeder can be notified or if arrangements need to be made if the puppy is to be returned.
Are the puppies sold with non-breeding agreements?
All Sagewood puppies are sold with NBAs.
At what point can these be lifted or cancelled?
NBA cancellations will also include a completion of health certifications, OFA, CERF, OptiGen, THYROID as well as a championship and working degree. It may seem like a lot, but it's in the best interest of the breed. Many breeders consider it a way of quality control. Where only the best representatives of breed are selected to carry on and produce well bred dogs with hunting instincts and soundness.
Do the parents hunt?
If you are interested in a hunting companion all the training in the world will not out weigh the natural instincts a dog is born with to hunt and retrieve a bird.
Sagewood lives by the rule that a breed developed for hunting should be able to hunt. Even a show dog should know what a bird is and what to do with it! The NSDTRC(USA) has backed this belief by requiring a field degree for a dog to complete a bench championship. Although we're not hunters ourselves, we do train and run the dogs in the AKC Hunt Test program and field tests offered by the NSDTRC(USA).
Are the parents titled in the show ring?
You may not be shopping for a best in show winning prospect, but by breeding dogs who have been examined and approved to be of champion quality in the eyes of licensed judges you have a better chance of getting a true representative of the breed. Beauty is not just skin deep at dog shows, the judges also evaluate movement and structure while they ask themselves: "Does this dog's structure lend itself to be hunting and retrieving all day?"
We prefer to breed champion dogs. Occasionally we will breed a dog that although isn't a champion, meets the breed standard, has superb temperament, trainability, soundness and has natural instincts.
Are the parents of the litter obedience titled?
This is generally where a majority of Toller owners have the most fun in competition. By following a series of exercises the dog is graded on his ability to be trained and follow commands. This can indicate trainability and aptitude in the dog.
We thoroughly enjoy obedience training and competition, all of our dogs are either titled or working towards degrees. Not only does this make them house dogs with manners but it makes field training considerably easier. For this reason we require our puppy owners to take a puppy kindergarten class and follow up with an obedience class. This makes a family companion more mannerly in the house and easier to manage on the leash away from home. Who knows, you may even get bit by the "dogsport bug" and become competitive!
Where have the puppies been born and raised?
The noises and smells of a home can bewilder a young pup raised in a garage or barn. Puppies generally adjust best to their new homes when they've been raised in a home with the noises of the dish washer, phone, human conversation, oven timer, cooking smells, and lots of human socialization. Our puppies are generally born in a spare bedroom, and after 10 days are moved to the kitchen where they can be raised, handled daily and evaluated as future hunting, pet, dogsport or show prospects.
Does the breeder screen puppy buyers, or does cash talk?
While you are asking your questions, you may be asked a variety of questions by the breeder. Breeders should find out everything they need to know about you the prospective puppy buyer to determine whether or not the person is suitable for one of their puppies. A questionnaire may be sent to you or the breeder may have you send a letter detailing what you're looking for in a puppy along with a letter of reference or two.
Is the breeder a member of their national Toller club?
If not, were they denied membership or had their membership revoked by a violation of the code of ethics? There is no reason why an active breeder of any breed of any animal would not want to be involved with their national club and be a part of everything that is going on with that breed today and planning for the future.
