Dog breeder question

[TexasErin]

Okay, as some of you may remember we lost our beloved 13-year-old Chow beginning of last month.
We adopted a 2 or 3 year-old Skye terrier mix from a pound a couple of weeks ago.
We decided that we would rescue a mixed breed from a pound and also get a puppy from a breeder. We decided on a Great Pyrenees puppy and called a local breeder whose website we had seen. She told us that we could come get the puppy on May 13 because it will be 6 weeks old then. She also told us she has a contract that our dog can't have puppies- she requires that they are spayed. We hadn't planned on having puppies and we believe in spaying so it didn't really bother me. DH made the comment that he thinks it would be fun for the kids to have a house full of puppies, but that he could live with our dog never having puppies.
DH has wanted to go see the puppy, but I told him I just felt weird asking since the breeder had not offered. She lives in a kind of rural area and told us she would meet us at McDonald's on May 13. We weren't sure whether this was to follow her out to her place or to just get the puppy there. DH wants to see the puppy's parents.
DH called the breeder last night to see about setting up a meeting time and also to see if we were going out to her house (hoping to see the parents) or if we were just getting the dog at McDonald's. She told him that she lives alone and she does not have people she doesn't know come out to her house. He told her that we are just wanting to see the parents and then she started wigging out asking him if we plan on breeding our puppy. DH told her it would be nice to have a litter of puppies and she cut him off before he could even tell her that he knew that we will have a contract so we can't. She became very paranoid that we are breeders and that we don't love animals!!! It tore us up to lose our Chow and I would like to take every stray home. We are huge animal loves. She ended the conversation asking DH if we want our money back. He told her no- this would break DD's (7) heart and we have also got our heart set on the puppy, too. She told him that she would have to talk to her daughter about us since they are partners to discuss whether or not we could still have the puppy! DH also made the mistake of asking about papers and this sent her off even further- the dogs are $300 and no papers! This is not a big issue for me. I just want the dog as a family pet so it doesn't really matter to me.
I had to call the lady back after DH got off the phone and try to convince her that we are not breeders and that we do love animals. It was crazy! She told me to call back in 15 minutes after she had talked to her daughter.
I called back and she hardly even mentioned the prior angst. She was very friendly again. It was like it was a totally different person.
DH is no longer excited about the puppy, but DD and I still want her. I know DH will change his mind once he sees the puppy. The whole thing is just so secretive. Now we're paranoid about her since she won't let us come out to her house and she's paranoid thinking we're breeders.
Just needed to share our twilight zone encounter! Wish us luck with the puppy!

 

[ElizK]

$300.00 for a dog with no papers???!!!! This sounds fishy to me. Also, the fact that she doesn't want you to see the parents of the puppy... I wonder if she runs a puppy mill. Have you checked www.petfinder.com for a puppy? They list pets available from all kinds of SPCA sites, Rescue groups, and Humane societies. I have found full-bred puppies (I'm trying right now to adopt a 7wk old dachshund puppy). No papers, or course, plus the requirement to have them spayed/neutered. You have to apply directly to the agency that has the dog, pay their fee (which usually includes the cost of spaying/neutering), and go pick it up. It's a great site. Good luck!

ps... what name have you picked out.... I'm in the market for a cute girl puppy name

 

[crz4mm2]

RUN! Get your money back and find a Good breeder.

 

[piglet too]

I know you really want a puppy, but please do not get one from this lady! I just have "puppy mill" screaming out at me as I read your post.

My parents are dog breeders and they never even let a puppy go to someone without meeting them first. They would never let a puppy go into a home without the new owners coming and meeting with my parents and the other dogs.

Even if you are never planning to breed, you should still have papers and have some sense of what the parents are like, and what the breederd house is like. Believe it or not, that can tell you a lot about the quality of pup you will be getting.

Please, if you want to get a Great Pyrenees contact their national club, or look online for one in your area. They can give you a list of reputible breeders, and maybe even help you find "rescued" pup to adopt.

You are greiving from the loss of your dog friend, please be carful here. As you well know, certain breeds are more likely to get certain illnesses. With out papers and looking into a breeders records, you have no idea what you are getting. Please, please do not adopt from this lady. You could be setting yourself up for a major heartbreak!

If you would like to talk to someone who knows more of the ins and outs of breeding, PM me and I will get you in touch with my parents or my sister who is also involved in breeding.

 

[ScarlettO]

First of all....get your money back!!!


No reputable breeder would not let you choose your OWN pup from the litter and see at least the Momma dog. This really smells of someone selling from a puppy mill. Also all large dogs have hip problems...I'd do a lot of research on the breed and ask specific questions......when a known thing -like hip displatia -runs in a breed a good breeder will have all the puppies x-rayed.

The breeder should have the AKC papers for you before you pay or it's not a full bred animal, don't fall for the "I;ll send them later" bit.

 

[poohtown]

i've never gone to a breeder - we also go the pound puppy route. I think $300. sounds reasonable for that kind of puppy even if it doesn't have papers, but who the heck is she to refuse to let your dog have puppies. I don't care if you are a breeder or not. You could plan on keeping a puppy and giving the others to family and friends. I love the fact that are daughter got to see our cat have kittens and wished our dogs could have had at least one litter (they were both fixed when we adopted them). Good luck with whatever you decide.

p.s. - if for some reason you don't get that puppy, I'm sure another one will be right around the corner and you'll love her just as much.

 

[Blondie]

I also agree that something doesn't sound right.

A good reputable breeder doesn't mind you seeing either the mother or the father, and will also grill you on your plans with the puppy (ours did, we actually had to pass a "test!") When we went to see our Weimaraner, the mother was there, the father belonged to another breeder so he wasn't. We did get papers, but we paid a lot more too.

I love the Great Pyrenees, I think they are beautiful! But I think you need to find someone else. I don't like the way this lady sounds.

 

[TexasErin]

I did use Petfinders.com to find the Skye terrier mix that we adopted a couple of weeks ago. It was recommended by the wonderful people on this board and everyone is so right- it is an awesome website. We just couldn't find any full-blooded puppies on there ANYWHERE near us.
It's just now we all have had our hearts set on this puppy. The pictures on the website are SO cute. My brain tells me to back out, but my heart says, "NO!!!!"
We have not come up with any good puppy names. We named our Skye terrier mix "Honey" because she has really pretty blondish-red hair. DD (7) wants to name her Briar Rose and I keep calling it "Mabel" because DH really hates that. DH says we'll name her when we see her- that maybe a good name for her will come to mind.

 

[Pugdog007]

She's most certainly running a puppy mill and doesn't want you to see it. The scum of the earth.

 

[kild]

Dealing with many many breeders over the years (my family loves great danes, and we only buy them from reputable breeders) I would get my money back and run as far as possible. There is a reason why she doesn't want you to see the parents or the living conditions of the animals.
Adding that there are no papers even scares me more. And I agree with piglet too as well, they should want to meet you and be sure you are going to care for the dog.
The no breeding thing sounds like these dogs may not be full blooded. Getting the wrong temperment in a dog can be very dangerous, even more so with children.

Find a good breeder and get a better dog in the long run.

 

[cynsaun]

Originally posted by ScarlettO
First of all....get your money back!!!


No reputable breeder would not let you choose your OWN pup from the litter and see at least the Momma dog. This really smells of someone selling from a puppy mill. Also all large dogs have hip problems...I'd do a lot of research on the breed and ask specific questions......when a known thing -like hip displatia -runs in a breed a good breeder will have all the puppies x-rayed.

The breeder should have the AKC papers for you before you pay or it's not a full bred animal, don't fall for the "I;ll send them later" bit.

This is JUST what I was thinking!!! If this breeder is on the up and up, she would gladly let you come to her house to see the parents and sit with the puppy! A breeder would want to make sure that the fit is good between the family and the puppy before she lets it go home with that family!!

 

[Celluloidgal]

Sounds kinda fishy to me. I too would recommend www.petfinders.com. That's were we found our beloved Great Dane

As much as it breaks your heart not to get this particular puppy, it might be better in the long run.

If she calls herself a "breeder" but doesn't let you see the sire & *****, something is wrong. That is just standard procedure. With a large dog in particular, you need to be concerned about hip problems. (It runs in the family) Also the parents temperment will have bearing on what your puppy's future might be like...Just some things to consider.

Best of luck finding your furry friend

 

[Melora]

My kids have had the fun of having a house load of puppies.... from a pregnant mother dog I rescued from being put to sleep at the shelter!

I brought her home, she gave birth to 6 darling little guys all who I found good homes for. I talked at length to the prospective adopters and also asked $75 per puppy so I knew each one was at least wanted enough to put out the money for them. This also helped me have money to cover the vet cost of having each puppy looked at by the vet and their first shots and to spay the momma who ended up living with our neighbor because he "just loved her so much". She is still there with him 10 years later.

I know so many people wish their kids could see birth and have a bunch of darling little puppies or kitties running around. If you check out your local shelter I almost guarantee there will be a dog or cat there pregnant or with brand new babies that need a home.

PLEASE don't breed your pet just to have babies! Its why there are so many unwanted animals today.

TexasErin: PLEASE PLEASE think twice before buying from this lady.... Ive heard enough horror stories (even here on the boards) about bad breeders. Pictures on websites are no guarantee... the pictures might not even be the puppies you would be getting. NEVER pay money for "full breed" dog unless youve seen the parents. DON"T DO IT!!!! And why does she care if you breed them or not? Sounds waaaaaaaaay too fishy to me!

 

[Pugdog007]

PLEASE check out the rescue organizations in your area. There are too many wonderful animals out there that need a home to buy from a breeder.

 

[Rajah]

I would also be very, very suspicious of this lady.

 

[tiggersmom2]

There is no way in he!! I would buy a puppy from this woman! Please listen to everyone and RUN the other way!

I breed Akitas and Chows and I can ASSURE you that all prospective customers come and check the puppies and parents out first. I also give my customers references. This woman has the "puppy mill stench"!


BTW - it is quite common for breeders to not sell breeding rights to their animals. It is also common for some breeders to refuse to give out papers on their full-blooded puppies. Personally, I just check the box on the AKC papers that the dog can not be used for breeding if I'm not selling breeding rights. The buyer still gets the papers in my case.

 

[ScarlettO]

http://clubs.akc.org/gpca/gpcabreed.html

Read this....seems as if this dog is very independant and not easily obedience trained and sheds. And it gets VERY big.

(Click on "Is this the breed for you?)

 

[poochie]

I agree, get your money back and research for another breeder that is listed. Visit the kennel where the mother and father are. Check to see with the local shelter if they have had any complaints against the breeder you are thinking of buying from. Get a signed contract stating that you can have the puppy checked out by your own vet and if there are any health issues within a set time you have the option to return the puppy for a full refund. Especially since this is a large breed you need to be sure that there is guarantee the hips were checked by a reputable vet, so that there should be no displashia (sp) and the eyes also need to be checked.

Remember, saving money when purchasing a puppy is no savings if you have health propblems later with high vet bills.

Sorry so long winded I would hate for you to have your heart broken again unnessarily.

Good luck in your search.

 

[goofy4tink]

Several things...a good breeder interviews you to see if you will be good pet owners. If she/he is asking you to sign a paper saying you will not breed, it is because you are getting a 'pet quality' animal. Nothing wrong with it, but breeding it will not further the particular qualities in the breed. In fact, may actually produce bad pups! A rep. breeder will ask for 'right of first refusal' if you have to give up the puppy. There are many reasons to use a good breeder.
As far as having pups in your home...this is not for the uninformed. Yes, having pups is as natural as breathing. But, you have to remember that a lot of puppies die at birth. As do the mothers. And many bad qualities/defects are passed down if the parents are not of good breeding themselves.
So, please...do not breed at home. Plenty of unwanted pups in the world. Watch Animal Planet to see births. If you want a purebreed, then go to a good breeder. If that might be out of reach financially...try that breeds rescue group.
This woman really sounds like a 'puppy mill' owner. Run away as fast as you can. Having your child unhappy now is better than getting attached to a dog and having it sicken and die. Wait for the 'right' pup. You'll be glad you did.

 

[nancy679]

I would find someone else too. $300 sounds too cheap for a pure breed puppy anyway, something just doesnt sound right.

Good luck