A: While no questionnaire is the mark of an irresponsible breeder, the reverse is not true.  It’s an Internet myth that long questionnaires are the mark of a good breeder.  Many irresponsible breeders have very complicated questionnaires these days.  It’s easy enough to steal one from the Internet and make people feel like you really care about the dogs.  Some questionnaires are so specific that they guide dishonest buyers through the “right” answers.

I feel I learn more from several open-ended questions and a couple of phone calls than a specific questionnaire.  If you contact me by phone I will require you to complete a questionnaire.  For some of my questions it’s more important to me how you answer than what the answer is.  It’s important to me that you’ve put some time and energy into thinking about the situation.  I do not grade spelling, grammar or punctuation.  Some of the best bird-dog guys don’t have strong writing skills; that doesn’t bother me.