Breeder vs. Petstore

[scrappinzoo]

What are the pros and cons of getting from a breeder vs. a petstore?

[Loves2LoveChins]

There are quite a few cons I have against pet store chins as apposed to getting them from a breeder. First is price. alot of chins at pet stores are over priced. Standard chins can cost about $100 and this is without a pedigree. With a breeder you get better quality chins and you know their liniage. Also breeders are there for you after the sale. They are willing to answer questions and offer valuable suggestions. Pet stores usually never talk to you after the sale and a lot of the employees don't know much about the animals. Breeders will also be an outlit for you to buy fresh quality feed for your chins or at least refer you to a good place. pet stores often carry stale products or low quality ones. Also at a breeder they have a larger selection and price range for you to choose from. you can also choose the age of your chin and handle them to find the one with the personality that suits you best.

Really the list goes on and on. While pet store chins might be more convenient to get depending on where you live, if there is a breeder near you I would suggest that you go there instead.

[chuckles]

Honestly, I don't know of any cons to buying from a reputable breeder (just need to do your research first).
As for the pros:

Usually they are guaranteed from most genetic problems such as malloclusion

You also receive their lineage/pedigree ~ hence knowing where your chin came from & when compared to a mate's pedigree you know there is no inbreeding

Breeders better care for their animals vs. a petstore & prices aren't quite as high as a petstore

Breeders will gladly help you with any follow up questions you may have

Reputable Breeders breed to improve the animal; not just to make money

I'm sure there's plenty more but these are just off the top of my head! :)

[MSJHWT]

As some of the above have stated, over priced (ie I was in a petstore in a mall the other day which had standards and black velvets labeled all as standards and selling them for $114.99), employees knowing very little/nothing about the animal (in same petstore it was hot enough back there to make me sweat), you knowing very little about the history of the animal, no gaurentees against genetic defects. The petstore chins are often not very sociable with humans, as well as, at least at this perticular petstore, they were housing males and females together, and they could be becoming pregnant at a VERY young age, and you're buying a pregnant animal and don't know it! Although the PetCo by me did have them seperated in cages of males and females.

For the most part with breeders they can tell you were the animal came from (pedigree/lineage), based on parents let you know the size they'll be, if they're good breeders or not, will generally have a good temprement, will be there to answer questions and gaurentee against genetic problems. I've also had people I've sold chins to come back and have me watch thier chins for them if they go on vacation, which I don't know a petstore which would :)

[scrappinzoo]

Thanks for the answers. I knew it was better to get from a breeder but wasn't sure if the petstore chins weren't as good. I guess from a petstore it would be a chance thing.

[Boo-Boo's Mommy]

I will just give a few...
PETSTORE:
Chins do not have any background info nor any medical records (like if he/she has anything wrong), birth date, and weight
They are known to have health issuses
The petstores charge VERY high

BREEDER:
Have info. about the chins background, medical, birth date, weight...really everything you want to know and more!
Mostly known to have happy, healthy chins, and if the mother or father of chin has a health problem, they (sometimes) call you and tell you.
They are not expensive at all!

[Ashleiy]

I have heard that some petstores get large rancher "rejects" such as furchewer parents or health problems etc. This is just what I heard so it's not a fact, but why chance it and pay way more for a uncertain health background? The breeder I got Carmen from helped me out in many ways, and was always there to answer my questions. She gave me a chart with all my chin's weights since birth, and geneology. (sp?) Anyhow I'm so happy with my healthy, well-cared-for chin!

[Ashleiy]

Oh, and the stress at the petstore in our town on these poor chins is horrid. They also have nothing to chew on here, no hay, and cheap Kaytee pellets. The new ones are thrown in with the old, males and females mixed, even if they are related. They fight, they have no where to sleep in the dark,...... it's a sad story and I would hate for any animal to live like this. Oh, and they lie about age!!!!!!!! They did this with my ferret and come to find out, he was months older than what they said. Grr! I still love him to death but it's dishonest and rude.

[BennyLove]

A quick note regarding petstore prices...

I was in a pet store recently and they had a standard, a white, and a mosaic. All three were ON SALE for $299.99! I couldn't believe how much they were charging, and that they were charging the same for all three.

[Boo-Boo's Mommy]

have heard that some petstores get large rancher "rejects" such as furchewer parents or health problems etc. This is just what I heard so it's not a fact, but why chance it and pay way more for a uncertain health background? In many cases this is true. I dont know if I am allowed to say the name of the breeder/rancher but he is in Ohio and a very popular breeder who bred my Boo-Boo who is from a petstore. She is a fur chewer too and on the small side. I do think that they do that. I asked the petstore where they got the chins from and they told me and I looked him up and found out how popular he is. The petstores need to make a profit somehow. They get charged what we pay and then they sell them for more to make money off of it. Also they dont always know the background because they are just making a profit, it doesnt matter to them.