PLACEMENT QUESTIONNAIRE

In order to select the most appropriate puppy for your situation, please answer the following questions.  Puppies will be aptitude tested at 7 weeks.  We will do our best to match your needs and situation with the most appropriate puppy!

Please provide the following contact information:

Name

Street Address:

Address (Cont.)

State/Province

Zip/Postal Code

Country

Home Phone

Cell Phone

E-mail

Dog will protect what kind of livestock?

Will the dog also be a companion dog?yes     no

Strictly a companion dog?yes   no

Number of children and ages             Adults          Elderly

Other companion animals at home:  Dogs ,age, sex, and breed

Cats, birds, others?

Fencing: Type and height

Size of pasture

Will the dog be with livestockyes   no

In perimeter alley or area?yes   no

Do you live?     country     semi rural (5 acres or less)     town

How close is your nearest neighbor?

Will the dog be:      Only outside     Inside and outside

Have you ever owned a large working breed before?  yes   no

What breeds?

Another livestock guardian dog?  yes   no

What breeds?

What happened to that dog?  old age, accident, behavioral problems...

Have you ever obedience trained a dog before?  yes   no

Will you have time to supervise and train an Akbash Dog puppy for the 2 years necessary to produce a well trained guardian dog and take it to a puppy socialization and obedience class?  yes   no

Is anyone in your family afraid of dogs?  yes   no                Allergic to dogs?  yes   no

Does dog hair shedding bother you?  yes   no

Barking outside bother you?  yes   no

Will the dog share time with you in the house?  yes   no

Where do you plan for the puppy to sleep?

Where will the puppy be during the day?

Have you read any books on dog training?  yes   no

If yes, which ones?

Have you read Livestock Protection Dogs by Sims & Dawydiak, Alpine Publications (recommended)
yes   no

In order to select a puppy that is right for your family, describe your activities and temperament: quiet, noisy, loud, outside people, inside activities, etc.

Why do you want an Akbash Dog instead of another guardian breed?

Why an Akbash Dog as a companion instead of a typical companion breed?

Are you prepared to strictly supervise a young Akbash Dog with your livestock until it matures at 1-2 years of age?
yes   no

What type of temperament do you prefer?
quiet/submissive
steady/even
lively/energetic
assertive/protective
fierce/aggressive

What behavior would you consider unacceptable to your way of life?

Do you have an obedience class in mind?  yes   no

Tell me exactly what kind of correction you would do and how, when your puppy inappropriately growls at you or anyone for any reason?

Neutered dogs of either sex make the healthiest and most reliable guardians and companions.  Bitches in heat need to be isolated indoors or in escape-proof quarters for 3 weeks every 6-10 months.  During this period, both she and the male dog may be irritable and aggressive with both livestock and people and inattentive, leaving livestock vulnerable to predation.  Dog breeding is very time consuming with little profit.  Breeders need to be dedicated and committed to the preservation and welfare of the breed and willing to study pedigrees and genetics.  A responsible breeder will learn all they can about the correct conformation, temperament, and proper aptitude the livestock guardian dog, be willing to carefully place your puppies, give guidance to your buyers, stand behind your guarantees, and take back or help place dogs that need to be rehomed.  this breed is not for everyone and very careful and responsible placement of the pups is critical to the dogs' success.  Breeders should be able to test their dogs with livestock in order to verify that those traits important in livestock protection are maintained.  Dedicated and responsible breeders are welcome.

The demand for Akbash Dog puppies is currently low, and good puppy placements are difficult to make.  Breeders must be able to have the time and space to start puppies properly with stock and keep them sometimes for as long as 12 months before finding suitable placements.

Do you plan to breed your dog if it qualifies for breeding at age two?
yes   no   maybe

If yes, how comfortable are you in evaluating conformation and aptitude?

Are you willing to take back and help place failed puppies?
yes   no

Do you live where there are lots of burs or foxtail grass?
yes   no

Akbash coats come in a variety of lengths from relatively smooth to long.  Medium-long coated dogs have smooth to rough body coats with longer hair on the tail, ruff, and leg feathering.  Neither coat mats.  Preference for coat length if possible?
medium
medium long
long

Preferred sex?
male
female
either

Any other traits that you consider important for your dog to have?

May we contact your Veterinarian for references?
yes   no

Veterinarian's name     Business phone

For air shipping, what is your closest large airport?

Are you prepared to be responsible for this dog for its entire life?
yes   no

Even if you no longer raise livestock?
yes   no

Any other comments that may help me select the best puppy for you?