A Breeder That Is Suitable For You

[Bubitty]

Been reading various threads over the years and I notice that people sometimes get very upset when a breeder doesnt sell them a dog because say for eg they work full time or they live in an apartment etc

I have always wondered what is the point of pursuing or arguing with a breeder who deems you to be unsuitable?

When I was finding a breeder, I had golden breeders who told me that their goldens could not cope being home alone, breeders who said that I needed to feed a certain brand of kibble and ONLY kibble etc and various other people who didnt want to sell me a dog for one reason or another.

My theory is that if a breeder doesnt want to sell to you, chances are their dog and their dogs breeding may not be suited to your lifestyle anyway so why do people get so upset about it?

I ADORE my breeders! I work full time and they firmly believe that their dogs should be fine while I am at work because I must make money to feed said dogs. They have a bit of a giggle at tsk tsk at me for feeding the dogs a somewhat colourful diet but they dont dissapprove too much :D Its very nice to deal with someone who has similar values and views in terms of dog raising. It makes me wonder why on earth you would want to buy from someone who thinks you are unsuitable as you would probably clash with them.

[raz]

My theory is that if a breeder doesnt want to sell to you, chances are their dog and their dogs breeding may not be suited to your lifestyle anyway so why do people get so upset about it?

I know it's quite amazing. It's not like they'd be rude about it and say - I'm not selling you a pup because you dont live in a flash enough suburb, you're Irish catholic, I dont like you, you dont have a nice enough car. If a particular dog and owner arent suited, the breeder would be irresponsible to sell one to them because the dog will end up bouncing back or worse, dumped.

[mumof3]

I agree. I had breeders saying, this breed is not suitable to small children, cannot be handled by any child under the age of 10. Further research uncovered that this was certainly the case with some bloodlines. My breeder said, they are great with kids, but might get a bit excited from time to time and bowl a little one over. My breeder has a reputation for good temperament in their dogs. Funnily enough, the breeder I chose has a pretty good temperament herself, compared to the one whose dogs had lesser quality temperament.

Some people don't like to be told "no" though, and don't see the value in the vetting process that breeders go through - they take it too personally, instead of for what it is. A careful process to ensure that the pup and the new owner and their family and circumstances are a good match.

[Guest Tess32]

I've never been rejected by a breeder, however...

I can see why in some circumstances (or in a thread, for eg) that it is worth talking about. While the breeder of the dog has the right to sell a puppy to whoever they feel like selling it to, I do think that OVERALL certain 'requirements' asked of pet buyers can become the 'norm', and not all these qualities should be the norm and it's then that it becomes a general concern for dog owners.

On some overseas forums for eg, you'll find it much rarer that they will sell to those who work full time. Now inevitably there will be some good reasons for this for SOME lines or SOME individual dogs - but overall I would fight against this becoming the normal requirement for a puppy buyer. It effects the dog world in general, as on one hand we are promoting 'go to a registered breeder' yet the majority of people work and will find it ridiculous that this is the reason they have spend the last month contacting people and being rejected. Going too far with the vetting can have a negative impact on the dog buying world in general.

[whippets]

Depends on the dog/the breed/the breeder.

I will let my dogs go to people who work full time as long as the dog has company during the day (another dog or caretaker). I prefer the new owner to get the pup when they have a week or so holidays from work so they can settle the dog in. My dogs are brought up around other dogs and people and there is company all day long. I have no hesitations in selling a dog to a full time worker who has an apartment, as long as they will utilise doggy day care or something to that extent and the dog isn't left alone for extended periods.

I have a very long puppy enquiry form that asks all these qu's and it is a good indicator for potential owners to ascertain if one of my whippets is right for them. Other breeders have their own criteria.

Edited December 20, 2010 by whippets

[OSoSwift]

Its very nice to deal with someone who has similar values and views in terms of dog raising. It makes me wonder why on earth you would want to buy from someone who thinks you are unsuitable as you would probably clash with them.

Agreed wholeheartedly. I want a closer relationship with my breeder.

I have been told when researching a breed that this particular breeder would not sell to me because i had a 4 and a 2 year old. To be honest it did annoy me in the beginning as they knew absolutely nothing about my situation or experience or the fact I had an 8 week old puppy and a 5 mo and 2 yo and was happy to get references etc, just a blanket no. After a while I decided the same, I wouldn't want a puppy from them as I like to be close to my breeder and have a good relationship. I spoke to another breeder with that breed who was happy for me to have a puppy with young children.

As it happened I got another Whippet from the same person as my first puppy.

[Gayle.]

Unless you're independently wealthy, which most people aren't, I'm a bit confused as to how someone can afford a dog if they don't work.

[RubyStar]

I can understand how people would get upset, most of us like to think we are good owners and will make it work and it is easy to take it personally when rejected. But like mentioned, I would rather get a pup from someone who thinks I am worthy of one, it makes for a great relationship down the track. 4 years on, I am still in regular contact with my first Lab's breeder and she is so pleased with all that I achieve with her and is always telling me so. She's such a lovely lady and if I want another Lab in the future I will definitely be going back to her. I like the personal touch with breeders and keeping in contact with them :D She tells me about her show wins and I tell her about the stuff I do with my girls She even lets me go to her place for puppy cuddles when she has a litter :D

[alpha bet]

As a breeder I dont have a set criteria as to working/kids/house etc.

Nor do I require the enquiry to fill out a questionaire - I feel this could alienate people who might feel the questionaire is the breeders way of judging them without even meeting them.

However what I do is have a chat on the phone (not just an email contact) and then invite them to come and visit (I'm not too interested in sending dogs interstate). Once we meet I then have the chance to learn lots about them just thru conversation.

In my previous life I used to work for a large company in the Personel Department - there were many things it was illegal/discriminatory to put on the job form however it is amazing how much info you can get about people just chatting from the walk from the reception to the interview room. Often my decision was based on this chat more than the form and interview.

I have sold pups to people who live alone and work full time - people with large homes and families where mum is home all day - also young people who live with their parents.

My point is I try not to pre-judge the buyers - instead I try to see thru the people and find out who is really genuine and might have the long term picture as well as people I think will be easy to work with. Have only had a couple of hiccups over the years that have been worked thru or where dogs have come back for rehoming.

[poodlemum]

Unless you're independently wealthy, which most people aren't, I'm a bit confused as to how someone can afford a dog if they don't work.

Good point, Gayle! I've always worked full time. When my ex & I had only 1 dog he would often take her to work but when we got the GSP we used to leave both of them at home together & they were fine.

I would not be too happy about someone who worked full time & was just going to leave the dog alone in the backyard, however.

Edited December 20, 2010 by poodlemum

[Ons]

Tilly's breeder would be a bit two face if she refused to sell to someone who worked full time as she worked full time herself. Onslow's breeder was a full time mature aged student.

I have a great relationship with Tilly's breeder thanks to Facebook I've lost contact with Onsy's breeder but that's not due to any fault, just life, and if I needed to contact her Tilly's breeder knows where to find her.

I am a great believer in a dog having company of another dog/s though whether a person works or not but that's just my view.

And good point about being comfortable with your breeder. It's funny but before I got Tilly I was looking for a chocolate labrador and the couple of breeders I contacted I just didn't seem to get a rapport with even though it was by email. Yet Tilly's breeder everything done by a phone call and then email and a rapport was built.

[wuffles]

I can see why in some circumstances (or in a thread, for eg) that it is worth talking about. While the breeder of the dog has the right to sell a puppy to whoever they feel like selling it to, I do think that OVERALL certain 'requirements' asked of pet buyers can become the 'norm', and not all these qualities should be the norm and it's then that it becomes a general concern for dog owners.

On some overseas forums for eg, you'll find it much rarer that they will sell to those who work full time. Now inevitably there will be some good reasons for this for SOME lines or SOME individual dogs - but overall I would fight against this becoming the normal requirement for a puppy buyer. It effects the dog world in general, as on one hand we are promoting 'go to a registered breeder' yet the majority of people work and will find it ridiculous that this is the reason they have spend the last month contacting people and being rejected. Going too far with the vetting can have a negative impact on the dog buying world in general.

Agree with all this

I also think it can be difficult to research and build up to something and really be excited about it, then get a rejection. A rejection is a rejection, no matter how nicely it is done. If I were a breeder I don't think I would have any blanket rules simply because I've seen good dog owners and happy dogs from all walks of life. I've met happy dogs that have no company during the day. I've met happy dogs whose owners work fulltime. I've met happy dogs who live with small children. I've met happy dogs who have first time owners. I've met happy dogs living in apartments... the list goes on.

[whippets]

As a breeder I dont have a set criteria as to working/kids/house etc.

Nor do I require the enquiry to fill out a questionaire - I feel this could alienate people who might feel the questionaire is the breeders way of judging them without even meeting them.

However what I do is have a chat on the phone (not just an email contact) and then invite them to come and visit (I'm not too interested in sending dogs interstate). Once we meet I then have the chance to learn lots about them just thru conversation.

In my previous life I used to work for a large company in the Personel Department - there were many things it was illegal/discriminatory to put on the job form however it is amazing how much info you can get about people just chatting from the walk from the reception to the interview room. Often my decision was based on this chat more than the form and interview.

I have sold pups to people who live alone and work full time - people with large homes and families where mum is home all day - also young people who live with their parents.

My point is I try not to pre-judge the buyers - instead I try to see thru the people and find out who is really genuine and might have the long term picture as well as people I think will be easy to work with. Have only had a couple of hiccups over the years that have been worked thru or where dogs have come back for rehoming.

Questionaires, IMO, are important. It gets people to think about ownership issues they may not have thought of previously. I.E. costs of owning a dog, researching the breed, understanding the difference b/w limited and main registration, importance of desexing pets, importance of puppy schools and socialisation. That is not prejudging, that is making sure they know what they are getting in to. If they can't take 5mins of their time to tick yes or no on sheet then the potential buying process stops there.

It's not a matter of "you're not good enough" BUT a matter of "is one of my dogs right for you?" and that is the important part.

[cowanbree]

As a breeder who has puppies available just before Xmas I can tell you everyone thinks they offer a super home even if they just want a toy for the kids. My favourite word at the moment is no and boy have there been some tantrums which I have never experienced before. In the end I am always going to do what is best for the puppy and sometimes that means staying here until the right home comes along even if it disappoints someone.

[Fit for a King]

Unless you're independently wealthy, which most people aren't, I'm a bit confused as to how someone can afford a dog if they don't work.

My work colleagues joke that I have to work just to pay vet bills and dog food....