Dog people--I need your help and opinions--long

[Allie322]

Two years ago, we lost our 16 year old cocker spaniel. In the time afterward, we said we wouldn't get another dog. Well, as time has passed we realize how much we miss having a furbaby and the decision was made to get a dog. After much soul searching we picked a breed and set about to find one. We were fortunate to find a breeder a reasonable distance from us. I emailed her on May 19. She replied that she would call me the following week. SHe didn't. I emailed her again on June 9. She replied that she was busy with her daughter's recital but would call me after it was over. We played telephone tag a few times but then on July 1, she left a phone message saying that she had 2 puppies. I called her on July 2. I told her which puppy we were interested in; she told me the price, asked us about our situation (how old are kids, pet vs. show dog, fenced yard, etc.). We agreed to meet. Last week my DD had camp all week during the day so I asked if we could meet either on the weekend or in the evening so that both of my children could come. She said no, so we agreed to meet this Wed 7/15. She just called me to say that she had to cancel. When I asked if we could reschedule, she said no because the dog was spoken for! I was shocked and told her so. She went on a mini-tirade that we had no contract and that she was under no obligation to me. When I told her how disappointed I was and that my children would be as well, she shrieked that No way was I going to lay a guilt trip on her.

Long post, I know! I am so disappointed and frustrated. It took us so long to get to this point and quite honestly, I'm a little discouraged. I guess my question is this: Is this the way things are with breeders? What can I do to avoid this situation happening again?

Thanks for listening.

 

[Rajah]

Originally posted by Allie322
I guess my question is this: Is this the way things are with breeders? What can I do to avoid this situation happening again?

NO! Absolutely not, at least not with good breeders.

Write her off and try again is all I can say. You might also see if you can find an online group for the breed you're looking for and see if you can get breeder recommendations through that group.

 

[pumba]

sometimes they have names of reputable breeders in your area.....we could not wait until the last of september to get a puppy so we went out of state which was really only two hours away.....hope you find your furbaby.....our dalmatian died two years ago and we weren't going to do this again.....but I needed something to pet.....and my husband is more in love with her then I thought possible after losing our jasmine......keep looking and dont' give that person another thought....she is not a good person

 

[arminnie]

I think you were probably very lucky. She sounds like a "backyard" breeder, not a responsible breeder. From her whole attitude she was not very professional and probably hadn't put any real effort into producing quality puppies.

I lost my beloved cocker spaniel at 12 1/2 - it was very painful. I got a beautiful 1 year old cocker spaniel from a cocker spaniel rescue group. He's a real sweetie pie.

 

[spearenb]

I won't get into the attitude she showed as that could have been seen as unprofessional. However, my experience is that unless there is a deposit placed on a dog or some sort of signed contract, it is first come, first served. Yes, some breeders have you place a deposit on a puppy sight unseen, with the notion that you will get a full refund if you are not going to purchase the dog. But, the more professional ones should tell you the chances of not putting down a deposit or seeing the pups earlier.

I sort of went through this when trying to buy a bassett hound puppy in January. The breeder was 3 hours away and other than sending pictures and talking on the phone, I didn't really have a feel for the puppies and didn't want to lay down the deposit until I got to see them. We went and saw them and loved them alot. They did tell us again that if we don't purchase, the puppy might not be there in a couple of hours. Not really a hard sales tactic, just the truth. Needless to say, my DD5 came home with a puppy that night.

 

[dianeschlicht]

A good breeder would have asked about your credentials FIRST, not after several calls. A good breeder would also have asked for a deposit to hold a puppy for you, but not until after making sure there was formal contact.

We do not sell a puppy until we know all there is to know about the buyer and their situation. I have to agree that she sounds like a backyard breeder who has no integrity. Might I suggest you make a very formal search for your next pet. Look on the AKC website for breeder information for your chosen breed. Contact the national breed club for that breed and get their list of breeders who abide by their code of ethics. A good breeder will ask you all sorts of questions before they invite you out to see their dogs or puppies. You should expect to get a contract guaranteeing the genetic health of your puppy, and you should expect to pay a non-refundable deposit to hold a puppy.

 

[Allie322]

Believe it or not, we did! We first contacted a breeder that is nearby who is listed by the breed organization as well as the AKC. She did not have any puppies available but she sent me a list of breeders in the region. (She is the secretary for the area breed club.) I did a search on this breeder and her kennel. I really thought I had done my homework.

Let me ask another question: How do breeders feel about selling their dogs to folks who want them just as pets, not as show dogs?

 

[arminnie]

Originally posted by Allie322
Let me ask another question: How do breeders feel about selling their dogs to folks who want them just as pets, not as show dogs?

Not all dogs in a litter are show quality. A breeder may not want a show quality dog to just be a pet but they are THRILLED to find good homes for non-show quality dogs. They may require that you have the dog neutered.

Not being a "show quality" dog does NOT mean that anything is wrong with the dog just that it doesn't meet the very precise standards - many of them cosmetic only - necessary for the dog to compete in dog shows.

 

[Pixie_Dust]

Allie,

The breeder sounds unstable and is clearly not a person you would trust getting a dog from. The real question is why promote breeding when there are so many good dogs to rescue from animal shelters?

 

[Cinders]

They may require that you have the dog neutered.

That is not necessary. There is a place on the AKC papers for the breeders to check a box if they do not want the new owner to breed the pup when it becomes an adult. You could still breed the pup when it becomes an adult, you just would not be able to get papers for its litters. This prevents people from capitalizing on the lines.

I would suggest looking for a rescue group or visit your shelter and let them know what breed you are looking for.

 

[poohlover]

We have just had our first litter of pups! I am trying to get a list of questions to ask perspective owners. I know that the "word" has spread around my town of the pups. We had 3 phone calls over the weekend & they are only 2 weeks old!

Anyway, I have NEVER had an experience like that with all the breeders we have gone thru.

I am going to be VERY careful who I give MY "babies" to. Already I have told 1 person that I would "get back to them"...but I was , "sure that all the males were taken, at this time"...I also told the person that I really wanted someone home with the pups while they were little and to have a fenced yard. He wasn't willing to do that, so in my opinion he's off my list.

Keep trying to find a breeder who is willing to talk to you. I still talk to my females breeder...all thru the pregnancy & I am asking questions today about the pups!

I my opinion a breeder should be willing to take the time to find the "right" homes for all pups! And I am finding that that takes work & time. Perhaps this breeder didn't have either.

 

[Kallison]

I woud go to a shelter and start looking for a deserving dog who needs a home. Or look on Petfinders or rescue organizations for the specific breed you desire.

I got my full bred Labrador at 11 mos. old at the pound. He is now 5 and we love him to pieces.

 

[Jynohn]

Most reliable breeders have waiting lists with deposits for their puppies before they are born, if not before the breeding even takes place. This breeder may have had someone "back out" at the last minute, but the very fact that she had two puppies available that were ready to go makes me think that you were probably lucky not to get a puppy from this litter.

Her attitude was unacceptable, but the fact that she sold the puppy before you got a chance to see it is understandable. As others have pointed out earlier, unless there was a contract with a deposit placed, she was under no obligation to sell the puppy to you, although she could have been a lot nicer about it.

As for your other question, I used to breed Great Danes, and I was thrilled to see my puppies go to good loving homes, whether they were pet homes or show homes was secondary to me. A breeder is lucky to get one or two true show quality puppies out of a litter anyway, and the other puppies are just as deserving of good homes.

First and foremost, be sure to do a lot of research in health concerns in your chosen breed and ask any potential breeders if they perform health testing. Also ask to see proof, don't just take their word for it. Any reputable breeder would be proud to show you copies of their dogs' health certifications.

Best of luck in your search!
Jynohn