Ethics/Philosophy and Puppy Info

The following is my breeding philosophy here at SUNSTAR "Best-In-Show & Best Friends" Champion American Bulldogs and Weimaraners:
 
I take professional dog breeding very seriously; the action of bringing puppies into this world carries a heavy weight of responsibility.  I feel that only the best quality, healthy dogs with stellar pedigrees deserve to be bred and perpetuate their bloodlines.  I think that far too many dogs are bred unintentionally, without being properly screened (especially without proper hip certifications), and/or for the wrong reasons.  I also feel that far too many "breeders" place dogs with uninformed puppy purchasers who haven't been properly screened, or may not be the appropriate home for their breed of dog.  It is also extremely important to me to be available to support, assist and mentor my puppy purchasers; I have been involved in dogs since 1975 and am always here for my puppy purchasers, for the lifetime of their dog.   
 
My focus in my breeding program is to produce:
 
"Top-quality, mentally and physically healthy, great-looking American Bulldogs and Weimaraners that are premier house pets, athletic companions and ambassadors for their breeds"  
  
I take pride in being a selective, quality breeder of Performance/Old Southern White American Bulldogs and "Versatile" (pet, hunting and show) Weimaraners.  I usually have only one litter a year, and most of my puppies are reserved ahead of time, before the breeding occurs. 
 
1.  My breeding dogs are OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) and/or PennHIP (University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Project) certified clear of Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) and Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD).  CHD/DJD exists in nearly every large breed of dog, including mixed-breeds, and is a painful and crippling disease, often resulting in euthanasia.  With all the avenues available to do hip screenings of breeding dogs, I feel that there is NO excuse to breed dogs that have unknown, questionable or defective hips.  
 
2.  My breeding dogs are Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) certified clear of canine eye disease.  Eye disease exists in most breeds of dogs, including mixed-breeds, and can be painful and eventually lead to blindness.  Genetic eye diseases can be difficult to track, as many dogs don't show symptoms until they are aged, but screening out breeding dogs that currently have eye disease can certainly reduce the incidence of perpetuating problems.  
 
3.  I have my breeding dogs veterinary screened for other possible genetic defects, which can include hearing, hearts, skin, and anything else deemed necessary for that particular dog. 
 
4.  I am also extremely selective about good, stable temperaments, and my breeding dogs are Temperament Certified.  As a long-time dog trainer and Canine Good Citizen evaluator, I do extensive testing on all my dogs; I will not breed a dog that displays anything other than a stable, social, happy, resilient attitude.  My dogs are in my home and are family pets, and are very social and go out into the community with me; that is the temperament I breed for (I do not  have intense, high-drive dogs). 
 
5.  I additionally show my breeding dogs in conformation and performance events; dogs that can attain show championships, and obedience, agility and other performance and working titles, prove that they have the temperament and conformation soundness to function in the capacity that they were bred for.  My breeding dogs have CH, CGC, HIC, HCT, TC and TDI titles, and have also obtained multiple BEST-IN-SHOW and Reserve BEST-IN-SHOW awards.   
 
I take proper measures when my girls are bred to give them the extra nutrition they need to whelp fat, healthy puppies.  My litters are whelped in my home and are raised with family, friends and neighbors around them.  As they get a bit older, I let them run and play in my 2+ acres of fenced yard and pastures; they are also introduced to my other dogs, my cats, and my horse, and we have many visitors come to socialize and play with the puppies. 
  
By 7-8 weeks of age, all my puppies have had:
 

• A full veterinary exam
• Distemper-combo vaccination
• Several de-wormings
• AVID Micro-chipping
• Grooming and nail clipping
• Temperament evaluation
• Kennel crate training
• Potty training 

 
The puppies go to their approved homes with their puppy packet which includes:
 

• Registration papers and pedigree
• Leash and collar
• Training and care literature
• "Nutro" Natural Choice Lamb and Rice puppy food
• "Prevention Plus" Glucosamine/Chrondroitin supplement
• A full health warranty
• LIFETIME breeder support and training***

 
***As I instruct ongoing dog obedience classes, my puppy purchasers attend my classes (as many as they want!) for FREE, for the lifetime of the dog (please see Puppy Warranty for more information). 
 
My top-quality SUNSTAR American Bulldog puppies are $1,200
and my top-quality SUNSTAR Weimaraner puppies are $1,000 
 
(as they say, "Quality is not expensive, it is Priceless").  
 
Obtaining a puppy from an ethical, reputable breeder such as myself, provides puppy purchasers with support and assistance with their American Bulldog or Weimaraner for the lifetime of the dog.  (Also- please see my "References" page to contact prior puppy purchasers on their satisfaction with my puppies and with me as their breeder.)  Law Enforcement Officers- please contact me about your LE discount. 
 
I am very selective about whom I place my puppies with, because my dogs are my family and I want them to go into the best of homes.  I screen my puppy purchasers, and do turn people away on occasion if I do not feel comfortable with them or their situation.  I encourage potential puppy purchasers to learn as much as they can and to be around American Bulldogs or Weimaraners before they decide to get one; I love my breeds, but they are certainly not for everyone (please see my pages "Is an American Bulldog for you?" and "Is a Weimaraner for you?").  As a quality, responsible breeder, I want to be a helpful mentor to my puppy purchasers, whether it be for showing, training, breeding, or simply to have a happy house pet- as much as I enjoy showing my dogs, the majority of my puppies go to "pet" homes where they will be beloved family members but will never step foot in the show ring.  Thus my ultimate goal is to place my sweet puppies in wonderful homes where both the dog and owners will be healthy and happy for 13+ years! 
 
We, as dog breeders, owe it to our puppies, our puppy purchasers, our communities, our beloved breeds, and our peace of mind to only breed premier quality dogs and place them in the appropriate homes.  My hope is that other breeders feel the same way and consistently maintain breeding practices above reproach.