What qualities make up a quality breeder?

[ClemonsKimberly]

I know its a vague kind of question... But I am trying to research what makes one breeder better than the other, and what kinds of steps one has to go through to gain the respect of fellow breeders. Afterall, I havent found anything yet that is like a BBB for snake breeders except the thing on Faunna. While I am looking for the right person to buy my snakes from, I wanna make sure I have taken the right measures to ensure a quality snake. What I mean by this is there are probably some great small time breeders out there who just havent gotten their name out yet, right? And how would one that I have bought from, who is just a small time compared to nerd or anyother, go about becoming as greatly known? And on the flipside, how do the ones who are not good breeders get weeded out? I know its alot to absorb, but I just spent 700 on 3 snakes, and before I go dumping a couple thousand out, I just wanna know why that person may not be as succesful or well know as NERD for example? Any Thoughts??

[Fearless]

I have found some awesome small time breeders, and the first way I found them was while researching the proper care of these animals on this site, and the ones that were giving courteous help to newbies or answering my questions were people I found interest in, and I would check out there website and see if they appeared to have or had produced the quality of animals that I was looking for. Then upon meeting those requirements I would check out there rep on here and/or fauna. Then upon contacting them about snakes, alot was that gut feeling you get from people, and the questions you ask are whats important to you. If I call them with a question are they gunna give me an answer or are they gunna ignore my calls as soon as they listen to my message and realize that its not just about selling another animal. Will they give you insight to projects that you might wanna look into in the future. Basically are they seeing me as a dollar bill or a friend. Then I also look at there locality... its awesome to be able to go and hold lavender albinos and blue eyed lucies, and all the new stuff that you cant afford at that point in life. Once they meet those standards I have narrowed down 90 percent of my purchases to 4 breeders, and at any given time I know that I can drop a check in the mail to them to hold an animal for me. And they also realize you are the type of person that they are willing to make deals for, whether its sending a breedable female with you next purchase or throwing in free shipping or whatever it may be.

Reptile shows are also good to find local people and be able to do the face to face interaction to see if they are the type of people you want to work with.

[ClemonsKimberly]

The reason I am asking, to be a bit more specific is that a neighbor told me that she has a friend that has breeding since the early 80's. My immediate first question (why this one I will never know!) was how well does he do finacially selling those snakes? I think it was my way of asking if he was reputable and established. Her response is that he has not made alot of money but he enjoys the hobby. I dont know how to read that - either 1) hes not producing quality or 2) he really just loves the snakes and isnt in it for money. The 3 i just bought were from BoasandBalls and they are wonderful! I cant say enough good stuff about Lynn the owner also. I was just wondering why the other guy isnt a known breeder. I also was looking at SEVERAL web pages and some were drastically cheaper than others. That then posed a question of why and what do other breeders think of that? I know I am probably thinking way to much. I obviously love Ball Pythons, I have 9 of them! So theses kinds of things would be very helpful for when I buy my next one , and since mine are so young, if I wanna breed in a few years, I dont wanna be the one that is being weeded out either! I am not saying that I am going to breed, but there is an off chance of it wayyyy later so I would also like to know these things for that time so that if I do I am not a failure with a ton of snakes...all though my babies will always be my favs and I know none of my babies are a failure! LOL I am partial - I know! But its true, i am a ball addict!

[Kyle@theHeathertoft]

I plan to breed BPs to get the morphs I want, and plan to sell snakes really only as a means of "breaking even" on costs and to cut down on superfluous animals. Ergo, the fact that your friend isn't making tonnes of money on the snakes isn't raising red flags to me...sometimes people who AREN'T in it for the money produce some wonderful animals. Plus there are some who care ONLY for the money, and not for the animals themselves, and I'd rather not buy from them even if they are making money hand over fist!

Breeders, big or small, should have the welfare of the animals in mind at all times, THAT is how I'd judge a "good breeder." Someone who care about the snakes, is informed and conscientious, and someone who cares just as much about making sure the snake is right for you as they care about the cash.

I met a breeder at a local reptile expo not long ago...not one of the "big names" out there. He breeds Balls and Beardies in his home, to supplement his family's income. He clearly loves the snakes and cares for them very conscientiously...the animals at the expo were all fit, healthy, beautiful animals.

A week later I drove to his home to pick out/pick up my little male Mojave. I got a FANTASTIC little '09 snake, got to see where he was hatched and how he was cared for, and to top it all off I got a REALLY great deal on the price. While gas-money to drive there cost almost as much as it would have to have the dang thing shipped to me, it was still worth it. I'm very confident in that breeder and would be comfortable buying from him again.

Buying a snake of ANY kind should be a good experience.

[Freakie_frog]

In my mind two things make a good breeder

1: Customer service; the willingness to answer questions, calm fear's. A genural willingness to overall be helpfull.

2: animal quality: their ability to produce a good looking , healthy, well established eaters.

those two things are the major facotors I look at when getting ready to spend money with any breeder.

[kc261]

You seem to be assuming that since your neighbor's friend has been breeding since the '80s, but aren't making tons of money doing it, that there is something wrong with them.

Maybe they just aren't interested in making their living by breeding snakes? It is a big, hard job. It is full of risk... if your incubator has an issue, you could lose an entire year's income. Maybe they are just more interested in doing something else.

As far as what makes a good breeder, I agree with Ed (Freakie Frog) that customer service and quality animals (both in health and appearance) are extremely important.

[ClemonsKimberly]

You seem to be assuming that since your neighbor's friend has been breeding since the '80s, but aren't making tons of money doing it, that there is something wrong with them.

Maybe they just aren't interested in making their living by breeding snakes? It is a big, hard job. It is full of risk... if your incubator has an issue, you could lose an entire year's income. Maybe they are just more interested in doing something else.

As far as what makes a good breeder, I agree with Ed (Freakie Frog) that customer service and quality animals (both in health and appearance) are extremely important.

No, I promise that isnt what I meant. I only wanted to know why some were making such a great deal of money and some were not. I am trying to pick the best people to buy from is all. When my neighbor told me I get the same snakes cheaper, that is what sparked my intrest. I think its great to breed because you like the snakes, but I also agree its equally as great to do this because you like the snakes AND to make money. What better job? You get to do something you love and make money!

Long story short I was only wanting to understand why he wasnt known, and why his prices were so much cheaper. I also want to know what the other breeders think about small time breeders who go in a way under price their snakes. But in the end I decided to go with the more known breeder because she is awesome and the 3 snakes I already bought from her were great. I am buying 2 more tonight from her so that is $1200.00 I spent with her plus shipping in a week. Wouldnt you wanna know these answers as well before dumping that much out of your pocket? Afterall, when this other person was offering the same balls for 750.00 for all 5,it sparked my intrest, wouldnt it yours? Like I said - I am going with the more well known breeder, because she has excellent customer service and excellent looking snakes. Thanks Lynn @ BoasandBalls! Sorry for even entertaining the thought of trying to compare that guy to your quality. BTW, I never assumed anything, you know what they say about the word assume.....that is why I came here and asked the questions.

[Mike Schultz]

Everybody has different ideas about what makes a good breeder... For example you can take a few of the largest, most widely respected breeders such as BHB, NERD, Reptile Industries, etc. and you can still find a "league" of people bashing them for the simple fact that they make money lol.

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

In my mind two things make a good breeder

1: Customer service; the willingness to answer questions, calm fear's. A genural willingness to overall be helpfull.

2: animal quality: their ability to produce a good looking , healthy, well established eaters.

those two things are the major facotors I look at when getting ready to spend money with any breeder.

I agree here.. Just because you dont personally like someone does not mean they take less than perfect care of their animals or will give bad customer service to potential buyers..

I know of a few breeders who are not people you can just talk to on a friendly level. BUT the snakes they sell are the utmost quality and they are willing to make it right if anything goes wrong with a sale.

Many people are in it just for the money. Many just as a small time hobby. Many are in it for both reasons. If the animal is the quality you want, the breeder takes care of them and has no problems with sickness or parasites, they provide current pictures, the animal is eating and of a healthy weight, they are willing to talk to you concerning the animal and its background, they ship responsibly and correctly... Then nothing else should matter.

Everyone has their own ideas about everything. Your right may be my wrong and vice versa. If you feel its the right breeder with the right snake for you then it is. The BOI is always helpful as well for checking background on previous sales.

[Mike Schultz]

The BOI is always helpful as well for checking background on previous sales.

The BOI is actually pretty biased... Just an unfortunate fact that unfortunate errors are what get all the attention there, not the "thanks for a good transaction" posts.