Perfume

She didn't have an issue with that. In fact I told her that if she was uncomfortable with the idea of homing her pup due to that reason, I'd understand her concerns as it's her pup and therefore her right to decide where her pup ends up. Have you missed the post in which I said the breeder rang me the following day to let me know I could have the pup if I wanted to?

It's one thing to try to come across as a concerned breeder but it's quite another to come across as overbearing, pompous and downright arrogant. As others here have said, photos of a house or a person proves absolutely nothing. Con artists will be con artists and if they're determined to obtain a specific pup they will, in all likelihood, jump hoops…..perhaps more so than the genuine person. Con artists have it down pat. I am not sure if you have realised yet. But you are sounding very much the same. That's why I made the quip of wether you want a living dog or a statue. Sorry, but you do come across as holier than the breeder. And that in your reply to me did a lot to confirm my thoughts. That said, Good Luck. I now shall employ the IGNORE button. Not quite in the mood for jackasses either. No offence intended but today is not my day for Sarcasm. I came here in good faith and have been completely honest and open. The one who has the holier than thou attitude is you since you're of the opinion that I am not entitled to obtain a pup of my choice.

I'm a bit lost as to how you want people do respond? Clearly if you are not happy with the questions asked, don't answer them. However, getting a "set" against someone whose views on what are appropriate questions to ask are different to yours seems somewhat over the top. Are you upset because your assurances haven't been sufficient for this breeder? It certainly sounds like it. You don't have an entitlement to a pup from any breeder. You have to pass their standards as a puppy owner. It has to be a mutually acceptable arrangement between breeder and buyer. Either can say "no". I have spoken to the breeder since then, in fact she rang me and is more than willing to sell me the pup but due to a little issue I am uncertain whether to go ahead. Have you not read my "enough already" response? lol. The latest comment in which I've said that some (some…being the operative word) breeders can come across as overbearing, pompous and arrogant was a general comment not an exclusive one.

This was my exact comment last night when I was discussing our options with my BF. I am dead against buying from a BYB or pet shop BUT I might be left with no other choice due to a few things that don't concern us because we are not idiots and are responsible but probably would concern breeders who want the 'perfect' every single part of a persons life and home! At the end of the day we are all human, we all make mistakes, but that doesn't mean everyone is irresponsible and should not be given a chance. There is a happy medium between the arrogant 100 question breeder and someone who is only interested in the sale of the pup and does not care where it goes or to whom. I am busy like many breeders. However I will also give each enquiry the courtesy and attention it needs. I would rather give them the information they need to sus out a good breeder and recommend good breeders, than to just say, "got nothing" see you later. In my breed, there are plenty of breeders who would happily sell them a puppy with limited questions asked. There are plenty out there breeding for colour and money and will happily charge anything up to $3500 (yes I did type that right) for a pedigree border collie from pet lines on the main register to an unsuspecting puppy buyer not knowing any better. (I have the email forwarded to me from the puppy buyer). Once you start talking to people, you can soon work out whether they are being 100% truthful or not. Edit: typo Too right Mystiqview I came across an ad from a breeder guaranteeing her puppies as being from health checked stock, the particular health checks were mentioned in the ad. I rang her and we started talking about the breed. I asked if she had the relevant documentation stipulating those particular health checks. As it turned out, the stud was health checked, the dam wasn't and the pup was a carrier! Suffice to say, the very next day the wording on the ad had been changed and there was no longer a mention of the breeding stock having been health checked for any congenital issues which that particular breed is susceptible to. I was upset and my faith pertaining to this issue has taken a beating. From now on, one of the first questions I'll be asking is if they do have the relevant documentation esp if they charge an exorbitant amount on the premise that the stud and damn have been health checked.

It's one thing to try to come across as a concerned breeder but it's quite another to come across as overbearing, pompous and downright arrogant. As others here have said, photos of a house or a person proves absolutely nothing. Con artists will be con artists and if they're determined to obtain a specific pup they will, in all likelihood, jump hoops…..perhaps more so than the genuine person. Con artists have it down pat.

I'm seeing a great deal of Chihuahuas with more than a "moderately" short muzzle, lol.

When you got involved with your husband (providing you are married), did you not have chemistry or an attraction? Do you not have a type or will anyone do? Let's be realistic here but we all have our own personal preferences so shoot me if a long nosed chihuahua does nothing for me

With all due respect but enough already. I'm not arguing the issue of the breeder's attitude any longer. I've had several dogs from Registered Breeders before and none asked me any type of question so you can understand my initial surprise especially when she requested a photo of myself and of the inside of my house; you've all had your say about that and I get where you're coming from but I tend to agree with other posters, i.e. sending such photos proves nothing ultimately for the reasons stipulated by other posters. I offered to friend her on Facebook, there's plenty of entertainment on there, lol. No skeletons in this closet :D Edited for spelling mistake.

Forgot the quote, lol

Breeders - sell it amongst themselves? What do you mean by that? And maybe you could get yourself included in their "in crowd" by actually having some face to face meetings and being MORE PATIENT. And how would you feel if you were told that you were "second choice" or 10th choice and therefore miss out on a puppy... I understand you can love all three breeds - but it also (from out here reading your posts) makes you seem a bit indecisive. And breeders get burnt by indecisive buyers every day - because they "maybe I'd like that puppy, I'll have to think about it" - indecisive and then they change their minds. Some of these tyre kickers never even let the breeder know they've changed their mind about where they're getting their puppy. Can you see how what you've written in here - can make you look like one of those people? I am by far an "indecisive" buyer, as I said dozens of times already; all 3 breeds would suit me to a T but I am not prepared to just purchase any Chihuahua or just any Sheltie, I am after a particular look and if I were to obtain that look, I would be more than happy. I like to spend time, on the phone, with a breeder and detail exactly what it is I am looking for. For example, I do not want a Chihuahua with an overshot or undershot bite, I don't want the "Deer" type Chihuahua, I want an apple head with a shortish nose as opposed to a long, pointy snout. In regards to the Sheltie, I would like one with a full collar and even facial markings as I prefer symmetrical markings. I would like a friendly, approachable Sheltie as opposed to being timid and/or nervous. I have spoken to several Chihuahua breeders and without fail they ALWAYS keep those pups for themselves or sell to another breeder they know…and I'm not making invalid assumptions, I am being told as much. The same can be said of Sheltie breeders. Another issue is that I do NOT want a young pup that has already been desexed. My vet highly discourages it. Basically, I've kept an open mind in that if my pup of choice was to present itself, be it a Chihuahua or a Sheltie I would purchase it. I don't see a problem with that. I would love each of these breeds equally.

I've had experience with Chihuahuas (having owned one) and with Shelties. I've done a humongous amount of research on the JP (not to mention, advice from Members of this forum) so have a very clear idea on the temperament of the JP. I love the look of all three and realise only too well that all three differ in temperament but, having said that, I can manage with all 3 temperaments. After much thought, my first choice is the Chihuahua BUT I've come to the conclusion that I may never obtain the type of Chihuahua I'm after as breeders keep that type for themselves or sell it amongst themselves. The same applies to Shelties….hence why I've kept an open mind and looked at all 3 breeds just in case I do find the type I'm after. I may end up with 2 of my favourite breeds, time will tell.

The dog would be sleeping on its own bed in our bedroom floor :)

Agree. Sounds like a breeder I wouldn't want a bar of, what could she is trying to glean from a photo? I would much rather someone I could build a relationship with, not someone who was suspicious from the get go. Having said that, it is important to have a long email or phone chat initially to give the breeder info. I wrote an essay to my dogs breeder about who we are, what we want, what we are looking for in a pet, what we can offer a pet, what we like to do, our work, our housing situation and I didn't gloss over any of the rubbish bits either, we rent, OH works from home, but can work very long days, I work normal days but start early usually, but finish early, whereas OH starts late and finishes late. I also made clear our plans for the future RE kids, work etc etc. It might be worth making yourself a template email you can chop and change as required, and make it known they're not the only breeder you're talking to as well, otherwise that just seems rude. :) We did have a lengthy phone conversation. Told breeder I'm retired, am wanting a predominantly indoor pet, pup will have access to half an acre of running space which is securely fenced (colour bond fencing), no children, elderly mother lives with me, am mostly a homebody and when going on holidays (doesn't happen too often, lol) would take pup with me. Living on a fair few acres with new fencing so pup can follow me around without running into any peril. Although I was surprised, I'm not condemning the breeder, her pup….her decision.

No pet stores for me, thank you very much Although I feel sorry for those pups, I don't want to enrich the lives of those detestable puppy millers.

I agree with everything you said. I have offered to supply the breeder with the link to my FB profile, she's more than welcome to have a look. :)

Sorry, but if the buyer does not meet the breeder's expectations they can choose to not sell the pup, regardless of whether the buyer wants to go ahead. Ultimately, it is up to the breeder, she is responsible for bringing the pups into the world. This case in particular isn't that the breeder doesn't want to sell me the pup, she's a little too over the top. What I look like or what the inside of my home looks like proves absolutely nothing. It will help towards proving to the breeder that you are genuine. Are you not able to visit and meet her? The breeder is interstate. I know that some people are willing to make the trip but for me it's an impossibility atm.

So why the post about being interrogated, if you would do the same thing in her place? My bad, I shouldn't have said I would do the "exact" same thing. I certainly would not request photos of themselves or photos of the inside of their home, I wouldn't ask about what "drives" them, what their passions are. The questions I would ask would be more doggie related, I would want to get a fair idea of how much knowledge they have about about their chosen breed, if they've had experience with dogs, what breeds they've owned in the past if any, general knowledge on dogs, what they would opt to feed the dog, etc etc.

Sorry, but if the buyer does not meet the breeder's expectations they can choose to not sell the pup, regardless of whether the buyer wants to go ahead. Ultimately, it is up to the breeder, she is responsible for bringing the pups into the world. This case in particular isn't that the breeder doesn't want to sell me the pup, she's a little too over the top. What I look like or what the inside of my home looks like proves absolutely nothing.

If I were a breeder I would be doing the exact same thing, speak to them, ask them questions and get a feel of things and go with my gut instinct. Breeders who ask no questions and don't appear to care put me off.

I didn't have any qualms in providing the breeder with my vet's phone number so she could speak to him. Photos of the backyard and front yard, I'm fine with that. Asking about what drives me, what my passions are? photos of me?

Maybe you don't realise, it is not up to you in the end :) Yes it is - it is up to both the buyer and the breeder. I expect to be asked a lot of questions by a breeder. I find it odd that someone would request a photo of me. After all, if you're dodgy it is easy to fake these things. All the breeders I have spoken to/emailed have been interested in having a conversation with me about whst I'm looking for in a dog , what kind of life I can offer etc . It has been a natural conversation and not :0 questions . I agree. I also expect to be asked questions, I wouldn't feel right if the breeder was nonchalant and appeared to be more interested in the $$ than the future welfare of the pup. I volunteered information about myself so she could decide if I was the right person for the pup, long before she felt the need to ask questions.

I don't mind a little interrogation but I still believe she was a bit excessive and to no avail because, ultimately, a few snapshots of a backyard, a person, the interior of a home or whatever else proves absolutely nothing. It's no indication of what I'm like as a person and if I'm capable of looking after her beloved dog. I spoke to this person at length, we covered a wide array of subjects concerning dogs, I also told her a great deal about myself and about my past pets, that should have been more than sufficient in telling her I am a responsible person who doesn't take animals for granted.

So endearing, you just want to pick him up and hug him constantly .

As some of you may know, I've been trying to decide between 3 different breeds, the Shetland Sheepdog, Japanese Spitz or the Chihuahua. I was torn between all three so decided to speak to various breeders. There was one particular puppy that stood out from the rest and I was prepared to go ahead with that pup. All seemed great…..until I received an email today. The breeder began interrogating, demanding I take photographs of the inside of my home, a photo of the backyard, a photo of myself, my vet's phone number so she could speak to him, wanted to know what "drives" me, what my passions are…… I can understand some breeders want to make sure their pups go to a loving, responsible and caring home but this is absurd. A photo of myself? really? The inside of my home??

I've had different breeds in the past myself, all very different from each other and found it a walk in the park. I've owned a Golden Retriever, a Doberman, German Shepherd, Boxer, Cavalier, Chihuahua, Border Collie, Papillon and a Rough Collie. All lived to a ripe old age except for the Doberman who passed away to Cancer at age 9 and my Golden Retriever who passed away at 12 years of age to pancreatic cancer. The Boxer was a rescue, I never did know his exact age, he may have been 3-4 years old, he stayed with me for 7 years until he passed away.