VizslaMomma Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 In addition - regarding the photos of the yard, sometimes there might be issues that you don't spot so you tell the breeder that your fences are fine. It takes an experienced eye to see possible escape routes that you may have overlooked. Nothing personal. I know I've done house-checks and have identified weak spots that a dog could've taken advantage of. One of our young gal Vizslas was actually sprung on more than one occasion walking along the 6 foot fence....... Since she was of slight build, she could balance well. This was something never considered by us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mita Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 (edited) If you don't like it, move on. Personally I expect to be interrogated a bit - shows the breeder cares about their puppies. Breeders have to protect their puppies from backyard breeders, puppy farmers and people who just want a cute puppy. Couldn't agree more. I expect to be interrogated by a registered breeder who really puts care into their dogs I've always anticipated the kind of interrogation I'd give if if I were such a breeder. So I've provided a lot of the info on the OP's list upfront.... in a summary of what I'm happy to give, if wanted . Everything from our history as pet owners, information & contact for our vet, lifestyle, descriptions & photos of home environment & how the doggie will live....& even references from long-term dog-loving neighbours who have high standards about pet ownership. And I give the breeder the right to say that it wouldn't match a particular dog.... in other words to say 'No'. I love how caring breeders like this keep tabs on their dogs. One of my girls came from a breeder in Sweden to a breeder in Australia.... who retired her to us when her show career was over. God love her.... the Swedish breeder recently contacted me to find out, in the nicest possible way, what her life was now like living as a pet in the sub-tropics. No wonder she's a beautifully natured, well-socialized dog. BTW that Swedish breeder was no slouch... one of her dogs won best of breed at Crufts. But she cares mightily that her dogs will have secure, long & happy lives as a pet. Lead me to the interrogators, I say! Edited December 1, 2014 by mita Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allerzeit Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 I'd send this photo of myself... do you think a breeder would see the funny side? *grin* T. This breeder does :laugh: You are so at the top of my list for my next litter! I hope you've trained that seagull and socialised it responsibly, though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowanbree Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 Apart from the picture of yourself I could be that breeder. I get told so many lies by potential puppy people that yes I do interrogate them. Always do a physical home check, if distance is an issue I get friends or local breeders/rescue to do it. and yes ask and check references. I google earth their house, check them out on Facebook and ask a lot of question and not just about the dogs. I want to know these people and the life my puppy will be living with them and have no doubts. Now days if I have even a tiny bit of a doubt I cancel the sale, my gut is usually right. Yes some people are offended and go elsewhere but most people who have nothing to hide don't Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mita Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 Apart from the picture of yourself I could be that breeder. I get told so many lies by potential puppy people that yes I do interrogate them. Always do a physical home check, if distance is an issue I get friends or local breeders/rescue to do it. and yes ask and check references. I google earth their house, check them out on Facebook and ask a lot of question and not just about the dogs. I want to know these people and the life my puppy will be living with them and have no doubts. Now days if I have even a tiny bit of a doubt I cancel the sale, my gut is usually right. Yes some people are offended and go elsewhere but most people who have nothing to hide don't from me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VizslaMomma Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 This breeder does :laugh: You are so at the top of my list for my next litter! I hope you've trained that seagull and socialised it responsibly, though! I heard the seagull has a belly band for those awkward moments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jemmy Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 I can understand being taken aback by some of the requests, but I hope all the stories here encourage you to proceed - if you'd been talking to this breeder for a longer period they may not have lumped it all on you at once. Probably things they always find out but were running out of time? Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 Yes it is - it is up to both the buyer and the breeder. 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. Coming into this a little late but while I never ask for photo's I can see why she might want to be sure the person she is talking to is actually the person that turns up. And they can do that by checking the drivers license photo also matches. Some breeders have been burnt badly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninaky Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 To be honest I'd be uncomfortable with sending a photo of myself to someone I was not completely familiar with, but the breeder sounds responsible to have asked so many questions. I'd probably send a photo of myself from a distance (not a close up lol) or in a natural photo. I think that photos of the home and yard are perfectly fine, though. Friend her on Facebook, get her email, and I think FaceTime/Skype is a really great option :) Hope you find the perfect breeder/puppy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz R Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 We weren't interrogated by our pup's breeder, but she did ask if we could update her every now and again, we have no issues doing that and she is really happy to see a healthy happy pup.I would not have backed away from interrogation though, as when my husband was breeding fox terriers, he had a few returned as the new owners found they were not suited to such an active dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussielover Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 I think both parties are justified in their opinions/requests. For a first time puppy buyer it can seem pretty full on. The distance between you both also makes it difficult. I can see why you feel uncomfortable but I can see why they are asking for additional info too. Anyone can make themselves sound like ideal dog owners... If you're not comfortable with the breeders requests then I'd pass on this opportunity. The breeds you are looking at are fairly common and it's worth the wait for a good breeder you trust and respect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shapeshifter Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 (edited) Coming into this a little late but while I never ask for photo's I can see why she might want to be sure the person she is talking to is actually the person that turns up. And they can do that by checking the drivers license photo also matches. Some breeders have been burnt badly. again, INTERSTATE breeder! Being interstate should be more reason to offer up a photo of yourself though. Edited December 1, 2014 by shapeshifter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mita Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 [ 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. And so is she.... a responsible breeder who doesn't take homing her animals for granted. I like her requests for documentation which I've always offered to give upfront anyway. Anyway, it's your call ... as someone else suggested, move on if you're not comfortable. Everyone doesn't have to think & act the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 I'd send this photo of myself... do you think a breeder would see the funny side? *grin* T. This breeder does :laugh: You are so at the top of my list for my next litter! I hope you've trained that seagull and socialised it responsibly, though! He was a very quick learner with the food rewards - no biting of fingers or snatching what I was putting in my mouth. He waited patiently for his treats which were handed up to him as he sat atop my head. I must have been doing something right, as he stayed on top of my head even after the food had gone - and he didn't "christen" my hair either. T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stressmagnet Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 I'm FB friends with Ernie's breeder. Hope she's not having second thoughts!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hankdog Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 See I'd give you a puppy if you sent that pic, you have a sense of humor and you like animals and clearly they like you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julesluvscavs Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 (edited) When I was emailing breeders a couple years ago, I sent an email to them all with a bit of a bio on my husband and I and the rest of our pets. I also sent a photo of me and a few of our pets. Turned out the breeder we ended up going with was someone we knew of at the SA Cavalier Club, altho we didn't know her personally at that stage. We have become fb friends with our Cavaliers's breeders since. Even the Cavalier that was rehomed to us not long ago 'Toby' his previous owner came to our place a couple times and visa versa (over a period of a month)so we could all get to know each other and to see if Toby would like living here. Our Cavalier 's breeders are very selective but fair and both don't take deposits on their puppies and only take payment on the day if all has gone smoothly and they are happy with where their puppies are going. One of them actually brings hers personally to their new home and once she didn't feel right about a situation so she didnt leave it there she took it back home with her. If i was a breeder, i'd be the same. Id be fussy as well. Its their call at the end of the day. Most experienced breeders i have met have a good gut instict anyway. ps.. I'm equally fussy with the breeders we choose also. And if it means waiting till the right one comes along, then thats what we do and have done ;) Edited December 1, 2014 by Jules❤3Cavs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Rusty Bucket Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 I think most breeders would want their buyer to be 100% committed to their breed too. Not still tossing up between chi, sheltie or JP. And if Perfume - actually contacted a few breeders for her chosen breed (could she please make a decision and stick with it), she might find out about a litter of puppies born or planned that never make it to the DOL pages or any other internet ad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teekay Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 Wow, what a thread :) I have been thinking about this a fair bit and to be honest I am completely torn. Yes, I can see why a breeder would want to do everything humanly possible to ensure their pups go to suitable life long homes but I worry about how many people, especially new to the dog world people, may be put off and end up going to a pet shop or the internet instead. And, yes, I am sure most would think the people who are put off are not the 'suitable homes' but just because you do not like the personal nature of the questions does not mean that you would not make a good pet home. I don't know what the answer is. Don't sell interstate? I have absolutely no problem with a home check and/or face to face meetings. I think they are a very very good idea and doubt prospective responsible owners would object either. Very different to the 'on the spot questions' on the phone or in an email, which can feel a bit like a job interview It sounds to me like the interaction Perfume has had with the breeder should have given her a fairly good idea of the life a pup would have with her. Photos of herself are really not going to do anything further and as for the question "What drives you?". Bloody hell I wouldn't have a clue how to answer that Maybe some re wording is in order. Basically if a breeder chooses to sell interstate there is always going to be a risk. Stories, photos, etc can be fabricated. If you want to be sure, don't sell interstate. Perfume, I commend you for sticking round here, despite some not so friendly posts. And I understand being interested in more than one breed. I am torn between a Labrador and a Finnish Lapphund for my next dog. I want them both for entirely different reasons :) Doesn't mean either of them wouldn't have a fantastic life. As long as you have done your research for each of the breeds and their needs fit in with your lifestyle, I think thats fine. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 My short list was Pugs and Whippets - very different dogs - and I still want a Pug! Not helped at all by watching some very gorgeous ones a few weeks ago and one gorgeous lad in the obedience ring :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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