Thanks Simply Grand,
Asking for a deposit is a bit too much, especially if you can't visit and play with the puppies yourself. A requirement for a dog to be desexed is mad.
I am the one to make this decision. This decision will be based on the dog's temperament or health reasons etc, not because a particular breeder doesn't want competition.
We are talking about living thing, in most cases a member of a family. Perhaps I am alone thinking along these lines....