Dog Breeders

Question: Why do some dog breeders pre-name puppies?

(Posted by: on 2012-02-03 17:16:45)

I've never, for one second, understood why some dog breeders pre- name puppies. That's just mean, and inconsiderate for the person who's buying the puppy. I mean, they may want to actually NAME the puppy themselves. I'm not sure if anyone else has ever heard of a dog breeder doing this, but I've heard of plenty of them doing it. I mean, I don't think they mean any real harm, but I hate it when they do this.

Posted by: Rachel G. on 2012-02-03, 17:18:55

Most likely to identify them and put a name on their vet papers. If it really bothers you, then do the right thing and ADOPT. You won't have that problem because you can change their name and you are saving a life!!!

Posted by: Ocimom on 2012-02-03, 17:23:29

Some breeders have litter "themes " and name the puppy. I bred Cornish Rex cats and would name all the kittens with "T " names. Most all the time, the new owners loved the name I picked out for the kitten and kept it. Some changed it (didn't matter to me). Since I would keep kittens for 3-4 months I needed to call them something other then a generic name. If you have a particular name in mind for a puppy, you can ask the breeder to call the puppy that name. Registered names are usually not the name you would call the dog at home. So use whatever nickname you want. I don't think its mean or inconsiderate. Now I did pick out my two show cats names when they were born and the breeder's accepted my names and would call the kitten by it till the kitten was old enough to be shipped to me.

Posted by: Ally on 2012-02-03, 17:25:49

So they don't have to call the puppies number which the puppies would eventually start using as their name and most people would rather their dogs name to be "Fluffy " or whatever than "Puppy number4 "

Posted by: indonlire on 2012-02-03, 17:29:28

Sometimes breeders want to make sure their kennel name is in the puppies name. When I was breeding dogs I always registered the litter but left the actual registration of the puppy to the new owner. They don't do it to be mean. But I do agree with Rachel. Don't shop - Adopt. Then you can name your dog anything you want to!

Posted by: Katherine on 2012-02-03, 17:35:16

Yes,I agree with you.I also hate it.

Posted by: Sisyphus on 2012-02-03, 17:38:42

WTF do you mean "pre-name "? Call name.... something more than #2? So what? CHANGE it. Registered name? Their dog,THEIR prerogative...suck it up. & grow up.

Posted by: 4Her4Life on 2012-02-03, 18:16:45

Many breeders use a scheme where litters have either a theme or a letter associated with them - by following the convention, the dog can quickly be later identified not only with the breeder's prefix or suffix but also with their age, pedigree, and siblings. There are specific themed litters where I like ALL of the dogs in them in my breed, looking at a pedigree 20 years from now I won't remember all of their names, but I will see the breeder's prefix and the theme and know the dog they are talking about. Often, if an owner is willing to follow the naming guidelines of the breeder they still get to pick the registered name from within those guidelines. Also, note that the breeder is ONLY picking the REGISTERED name for the puppy - this does not place any restrictions on the dog's call name. Many a fancy named, aka "Oakfell's Dragon Lord of Abelian ", goes by a totally unrelated name like "Spot " or "Fluffy ". Our "Dolly " was registered as "Rainbow Bright of Jubilee Farms ", another example is "Carousel's Fields of Gold " who's call name is "Holly ". The registered name tells me the breeder (Carousel) and that she is from the "Gold " litter, I could care less what the owner hollers to get the dog to come. Also note that there are reasons why a breeder may want to individually register the pups before selling them - it ensures that they are all registered properly, for one thing, and that they are registered at all. Some breeders also microchip or do pediatric health screenings where it is useful to have the registered number permanently attached to those records. In that case, the breeder MUST name the pups as they can't be registered with the "name " field left blank! If it bothers you that much, talk to the breeder you are working with and pick out a name together if they usually register before selling the pups. This is a normal practice that does no harm and has some good reasons behind it.

Posted by: Li'l Lily on 2012-02-03, 18:56:48

Great question! I hope to give a great answer too! I can't and won't answer for other kennels, but I'm happy to answer for mine. So to start, in the registered dog-world there is a difference between registered names and call names, and in my case even litter names! Reputable breeders who have spent generations (generations of dogs and generations of breeders!)perfecting a breed and bloodlines, are proud to perpetuate their kennel names and their bloodline names. Some want to be in complete control over their dog's entire registered names just because they like to name dogs I guess. I'm not one of those - I've got way too much dog work to do and way to little time to do it all! ha ha. The reasoning is, if I spend generations establishing known champion BLOOD lines, then I want my dogs to carry that heritage on forever. If I spend years establishing a reputable registered KENNEL, then I want my dogs to carry that name too for 'advertising' purposes. It sort of says too the fancy, "Wow that is one fine dog so I will go to that kennel to get me one! " I'm NOT talking BYBs here whom I abhor! Here's how I operate. (1) My litters are all preregistered by the registered sire and dam names as pup A, pup B, etc. My sales contract allows the new owner to name their dogs with any name they want so long as my kennel name is first, and my bloodline name is included somewhere. When that is done to my satisfaction (and the check clears the bank), I will then transfer ownership of that dog named by the owner to the owner. So, one of my pups might end up registered as "White Pine Bluff's Afterglow Chignon Bucket " IMPORTANT = = = = > This is NOT my real kennel or bloodline name - I would not dare identify myself here although my real kennel, bloodlines, and dogs names are AKC registered and available on the internet (I just don't want internet lunatics after me or my dogs!) My point is, the owners picked the 'Afterglow Chignon " part and the "Bucket " part represents my bloodlines in this fictitious example above. (2) Now the owners or handlers usually settle on a CALL name for the dog which is like 'Skip " or "Buddy " or "Pal' or whatever they want to use day to day. I mean nobody ever commands, "White Pine Bluff's Afterglow Chignon Bucket, COME "! ha ha ha (3) Personally, I always name each pup while under my care with a litter name. These are so I can call them something while I raise them. No one else ever knows these names and I usually follow a theme so I can remember litters apart from one another. For example: there was my "Bug Litter " - Lady Bug, June Bug, Doodle Bug, Jitter Bug, etc. There was my "Buck Litter " - Buckhorn, Buckaroo, Buckeye, etc. etc. etc. None of my dogs are EVER bred before age 4, or without full AKC championships, or without health and DNA certifications, etc. so I've always had a long waiting list of approved owners who have all ready given non-refundable deposits for a pup! So if I know what an approved owner wants to call their dog and I have decided which pup they will get, I will use that name as a litter name rather than the theme name. Yes, I decide who gets what pup and yes, I have approved owners who wait 4+ years for a pup! As a toddler, I fell head over heels in love with my Grandpa's dogs. My Dad inherited Grandpa's established kennel and blood lines when Grandpa died in the 1960's. I inherited them from my Dad when he died in the 1990's. I am now 65 and 'semi-retired' with no heirs for the kennel (..tears..). Anyhow, I have chosen to retire the kennel name within 10 years, and transfer ownership of the bloodline, and all remaining dogs to one of my dear breeding associates who has used my bloodlines and dogs and pups to establish their own kennel. My work now is to ensure their kennel's lasting success. My family's bloodline and legacy will continue. My family's kennel will not. My family and our kennel has produced some famous dogs, hundreds of multi-championed dogs, even more wonderful pets, and countless happy and healthy animals. I am very proud of the 90 years of my family's passion for our dogs! We are not elitists! We are not snobs! Please don't hate us. We in no way want to be mean or inconsiderate. We try so hard and we do it only out of love for YOUR dog and passion in OUR life's work! God Bless!

Posted by: TK on 2012-02-03, 19:31:50

Some want to have more control over the registered name. The new owner can still use any call name they want. It is accepted to have the breeder's kennel name in the registered name and it is not unusual for the breeder to have a theme litter.

Posted by: JenVT on 2012-02-07, 14:46:25

All my puppies have a registered name before they leave. It's up to the new owners what the call name is. We often ask so we can start calling them that before they go home.