Conscientious Puppy Breeder?

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

We have not been to visit. We have not been invited. I am yet to even receive an image of the parent dogs despite a request. (I would think proud breeders would have these saved to their phones/computers and could send them in an instant!?).

You could ask. It's possible that it hasn't occurred to them to invite you and that they might think if you wanted to visit you'd ask. Also I do know some proud breeders who are internet and mobile phone phobic. They might get their grand children to do up a web page (or the DOL ad) for them and maybe set up a gmail account which they never look at. If they have a FB page that they keep updated every week - then you might have reason to be suspicious of them not posting pix.

But there are a lot of people - even my age (pushing 50) that don't like the internet, and still associate mobile phone calls (or even long distance calls in Australia) as horrifically expensive (a bit like global roaming is now). And they just won't call a mobile. Or answer one. I don't answer mine - but it's usually cos it switches to answer machine before I can find it.

[Ci]

Why not just ring and say you want to come and see/meet the pups and the parents?

If they are legit breeders, they will have no issue with you doing this at all.

If they are hesitate or put up a wall for whatever excuse they come up with, then they are not legit and I would be asking for my money back!

I have never ever come across a legit breeder who would refuse a potential owner, especially one that has put a deposit down, to come and see the dogs/dogs in question!!! Only time I can think of is if it was/is interstate or overseas apdotion, where potential owners may not be able to get there.

It will answer all the questions you have.

Edited August 3, 2015 by Ci

[Willowlane]

Within my family we have recently bought 2 puppies.

The first a purebred border collie we couldn't even go to visit till we had filled out an extensive questionnaire about ourselves, our family, home, work, experience with dogs etc. I also had numerous lovely phone calls with the breeder for many hours before we made the 4hour drive to go see the pup and meet the parents and all the extended family only then did we get approval to actually buy our little girl. 6months down the track we still keep in touch via facebook.

The second is my husband and mine's puppy Willow. Im almost in constant contact with the breeder who has been a complete life line in showing me the ropes of the show ring. She and her parents are just incredible. Many many hours of phone calls I feel she and I were really able to get a great sense of each other before it was decided that we were a suitable home for one of her puppies. We got to meet the parents, relatives, all the blood lines were explained, I was taken to a show, shown conformation, how to clip and present a dog for the ring. Everything you could hope for in a breeder!

So dont settle for second best! :)

[sandgrubber]

I may be overthinking this, but the key concern for me is that those that treat breeding solely as a 'business' (even if their dogs aren't mistreated) are logically more likely to cut corners in choice of mating partner? (i.e. cheaper stud dog to make a larger profit overall?); probably less likely to commit time and effort to socialising pups when young etc. etc?? (in other words will do the bare minimum, without doing anything 'wrong', which could then translate to health/temperament issues down the track).

Possibly, possibly not. Investment in excellent bloodlines and health testing does make good business sense . . . if you're aiming for the high end of the market. Satisfied clients are good business, at least if you're in it for the long term.

There are all sorts of breeders.

[Boxbright]

I never got interviewed or asked many questions at all when I bought our Boxers, we bought our boy from a very reputable breeder at the time who worked for or was president (can't remember his position) with CCCQ and was also high up with the Boxer association. We loved our boy so much that we bought a second one off him. He did say he got a good vibe when I emailed him because I very forthcoming with information anyway.

[RuralPug]

We have not been to visit. We have not been invited. I am yet to even receive an image of the parent dogs despite a request. (I would think proud breeders would have these saved to their phones/computers and could send them in an instant!?). We are to 'visit' and pick up the pup same day.

I don't believe they gleaned anything at all about us in the initial convo (to help make their decision) - I asked 'what is the process if we are interested in adopting one of your pups' (expecting a chat as other breeders had had long chats with me despite not being likely to have pups for a long while). The response was 'you just put $xxx deposit down and it's yours.'

In contrast, I have spent 40 - 60 minutes on the phone to other breeders chatting about them and our circumstances etc. (where it's been evident that they have been encouraging me to chat to find out more - as suggested in one of the above posts). So I am quite willing to do that (and had expected it).

On the bright side, we visited another breeder today (who invited and encouraged our visit) and had a really positive experience.

Thanks everyone for your feedback. From my own experience I think it's safe to say that even within the registered and reputable breeding industry there are many levels of commitment and support offered.

I may be overthinking this, but the key concern for me is that those that treat breeding solely as a 'business' (even if their dogs aren't mistreated) are logically more likely to cut corners in choice of mating partner? (i.e. cheaper stud dog to make a larger profit overall?); probably less likely to commit time and effort to socialising pups when young etc. etc?? (in other words will do the bare minimum, without doing anything 'wrong', which could then translate to health/temperament issues down the track).

Of all your posts, this one raised the most red flags for me, especially the bit I have bolded.

It does look as though this breeder doesn't really care where their puppies end up - so they are unlikely to be an ethical breeder, even if they are doing all the health tests and etc that their breed club recommends.

I would never place a pup, nor adopt out a rescue to a person/family that I had met only once (or at least had had a trusted confederate meet if it was long-distance.)

This breeder's attitude is coming across as though their puppies were products and not family members.

Run, even if you lose your deposit. Depending upon the state you live in, they may HAVE to refund the deposit to you if there was nothing in writing.

[Kirislin]

have you made a decision Suze?