Has Anyone Ever Bought A Puppy From An Online Breeder?

[Wish Upon A Star]

We are going to be buying a puppy within the next year and I was wondering if anyone has ever purchased one from an online breeder? The breeder I've been looking at is from Iowa and the puppy would have to be shipped to our local airport. My sister had purchased a puppy from Arkansas and also had him flown in. I'm kind of leary about the flying part for the puppy . . .is it extremely stressful for them? I don't want to have a freaked out, stressed out unhappy little guy . . .

Anyone with any experience in this?

 

[goldcupmom]

Both of my Yorkies flew to me, one from Miami, one from Houston. No problems. 1 was about 1.5 lbs 12 wks at the time, the other was 13 oz 12 wks.

Just make sure the breeder is reputable. Mine both came on Continental.

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

Thanks.

Awwwww yorkies . . .we are looking at the yorktese/morkie puppies . . .

 

[lesroi]

I would say please research your breeder first!!! Most reputable breeders will do almost anything to avoid shipping a puppy, and certainly won't sell puppies on the internet. Reputable breeders actually want to MEET the person purchasing one of their puppies, not just toss one in a kennel and send it on it's way. I would think you would also want to meet the breeder, see their facilities and check that all is well.
Make sure you see the parent's health records and that the breeder is breeding for the betterment of the breed, not just for hobby. Make sure there is a spay/neuter clause if you do not plan to show the puppy. Make sure there is a health guarantee. Remember, you can NEVER ask too many questions and a good breeder will NEVER be offended that you asked.

I hope you find what you are looking for! It just seems that most breeders who are willing to ship a young pup they sold online are generally not in it for the welfare of the breed. Be VERY cautious. Good luck!

Tracy

Edited to add: Here are some Yorkie links:

http://www.ytca.org/

http://www.yorkshireterrierrescue.com/


Edited again! Oh my Heavens, some of the rescues on that rescue site are TOOOO DARN CUTE!!!!

 

[Acklander]

We had our dog flown in when she was about 8 weeks old. She did fine, and I think we were lucky because the breeder was shipping another pup from the same litter to our same airport so they got to fly with their crates beside each other. We had a very reputable breeder.

 

[AlexandNessa]

I was just coming on to ask something similar, as we are seriously considering a Yorkie as well. Fortunately, there are a few breeders in our area though, and we wouldn't have to ship. I do wonder if anyone has a Yorkie and a cat though? Do Yorkies and cats get along? Any experiences? thanks!

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

I found our puppy online, but was fortunate enough to live fairly close to the breeder. I did purchase Lucy online before meeting her and I will never forget the day we picked her up. It was love at first sight. Our breeder ships his toy fox terrier pups and he is very reputable. Sorry I cannot give you firsthand shipping advice though.

 

[RonnieJo66]

My sweet little yorkiepoo came from Oklahoma ....my breeder flew her in special for me. We live in a small rural town, so we had to make special arrangements for her. She helped us out the whole way

AlexandNessa: we have my yorkiepoo, a sheltie, a golden retvr. and 3 cats...they all get along great. I guess it depends on how they are raised together. Mine had no troubles.

 

[kayeandjim00]

I agree with the previous poster. I'd be wary of any breeders that would ship to you without meeting you and I wouldn't want to buy a dog without seeing the parents and the living conditions. The way the dogs are brought up in those first several weeks can make HUGE differences in so many things from temperament to potty training. You want to be sure you aren't supporting a back yard breeder type place. And am I right that you are buying one of the "designer breeds" as they are called. I would be doubly wary of that. Most breeders of these type dogs are questionable truthfully and these dogs are mutts. Mutts are great - I have two of them but by buying them you create a market for a dog that will be unpopular in a few years and the humane societies will be full of them

 

[Aimeedyan]

I would never buy a dog from any breeder that I couldn't:

- meet and interact with the mother dog
- view lineage information and health certifications on both parents
- inspect the kennel and area in which the puppies were raised
- meet the breeder and interview them at length (I would expect to be interviewed by her/him, too, since reputable breeders don't just sell their pups to anyone writing a check)
- contact their vet for information regarding their previous history

So no, I wouldn't buy one from the internet since I couldn't do those things. If I was looking fora hard to find breed, then I would research breeders online and fly to the breeder to do those things. But 9 times out of 10, there are reputable breeders in most locations or within driving distance.

Check with the AKC breeders clubs for breeders in your area. Better yet, attend a dog show in your area and talk to the breeders there and get recommendations. Know that a good breeder does all the things listed above, plus they breed 1-2 litters MAX a year, they don't usually make any profit off their dogs, they will interview you, they offer a health guarantee, they make you sign a contract and will hold you to it, they will follow up with you, they breed only one kind of dog, they don't breed mixed breed dogs (aka a designer mutt), and they often have a waiting list.

A dog is a member of your family for the next 10-15 years and is worth the effort! Good luck in your search!

(ps - don't forget lots of purebreds and adorable mixed breeds are needing homes - even puppies - at various rescues and shelters. They're more affordable and they are on death row. consider adopting if you can find a good match!)

 

[punkin]

I would never buy a dog from any breeder that I couldn't:

- meet and interact with the mother dog
- view lineage information and health certifications on both parents
- inspect the kennel and area in which the puppies were raised
- meet the breeder and interview them at length (I would expect to be interviewed by her/him, too, since reputable breeders don't just sell their pups to anyone writing a check)
- contact their vet for information regarding their previous history

So no, I wouldn't buy one from the internet since I couldn't do those things. If I was looking fora hard to find breed, then I would research breeders online and fly to the breeder to do those things. But 9 times out of 10, there are reputable breeders in most locations or within driving distance.

Check with the AKC breeders clubs for breeders in your area. Better yet, attend a dog show in your area and talk to the breeders there and get recommendations. Know that a good breeder does all the things listed above, plus they breed 1-2 litters MAX a year, they don't usually make any profit off their dogs, they will interview you, they offer a health guarantee, they make you sign a contract and will hold you to it, they will follow up with you, they breed only one kind of dog, they don't breed mixed breed dogs (aka a designer mutt), and they often have a waiting list.

A dog is a member of your family for the next 10-15 years and is worth the effort! Good luck in your search!

(ps - don't forget lots of purebreds and adorable mixed breeds are needing homes - even puppies - at various rescues and shelters. They're more affordable and they are on death row. consider adopting if you can find a good match!)

What she said. My DD13 wants a miniature poodle puppy, and I am in the middle of researching breeders. I told my daughter, she could be out of the house and in college by the time we find a breeder and a puppy we like.

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

Loved the experience with my breeder....here is her link if you'd like to check it out, she has many different breeds:


http://www.puppykiss.com/index.htm

Sorry, but this website gave me cold chills. Nobody should have that many dogs available for sale. Shih Tzu/Bichon MIXES for $1,300? Rediculous. I paid less than that for my show quality, hip, eye, and heart clearance, dual champion (American and Canadain--both mother and father) Golden Retriever pup.
If you click on a breed that is unavailable, the page says "No Product Available". Product? They're living animals.
I can't speak for her specifically, but I've (unfortunately) delt with animal brokers before and some of the stories I could tell you are horrifying.
Do yourselves a favor. Find a good breeder (AKC often has a list of breeder/breeder referral breed clubs on it's website), go meet the parents, ask questions (skin allergies, temperament, etc. are genetic), inspect the kennel area, etc. BEFORE you buy.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Sorry, but this website gave me cold chills. Nobody should have that many dogs available for sale. Shih Tzu/Bichon MIXES for $1,300? Rediculous. I paid less than that for my show quality, hip, eye, and heart clearance, dual champion (American and Canadain--both mother and father) Golden Retriever pup.
If you click on a breed that is unavailable, the page says "No Product Available". Product? They're living animals.
I can't speak for her specifically, but I've (unfortunately) delt with animal brokers before and some of the stories I could tell you are horrifying.
Do yourselves a favor. Find a good breeder (AKC often has a list of breeder/breeder referral breed clubs on it's website), go meet the parents, ask questions (skin allergies, temperament, etc. are genetic), inspect the kennel area, etc. BEFORE you buy.

That site is scary....

 

[RonnieJo66]

Sorry, but this website gave me cold chills. Nobody should have that many dogs available for sale. Shih Tzu/Bichon MIXES for $1,300? Rediculous. I paid less than that for my show quality, hip, eye, and heart clearance, dual champion (American and Canadain--both mother and father) Golden Retriever pup.
If you click on a breed that is unavailable, the page says "No Product Available". Product? They're living animals.
I can't speak for her specifically, but I've (unfortunately) delt with animal brokers before and some of the stories I could tell you are horrifying.
Do yourselves a favor. Find a good breeder (AKC often has a list of breeder/breeder referral breed clubs on it's website), go meet the parents, ask questions (skin allergies, temperament, etc. are genetic), inspect the kennel area, etc. BEFORE you buy.

Good Golly....sorry I brought it up.

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

The "No Products Found" was referring to puppies. Click on some of the breed lists.
I'm glad your experience was positive, but by definition she is still a broker. In my experience, anyone who sells a pup without first meeting the new owners in person is not putting the dog first.

 

[Pugdog007]

My sweet little yorkiepoo came from Oklahoma ....my breeder flew her in special for me. We live in a small rural town, so we had to make special arrangements for her. She helped us out the whole way

AlexandNessa: we have my yorkiepoo, a sheltie, a golden retvr. and 3 cats...they all get along great. I guess it depends on how they are raised together. Mine had no troubles.


Loved the experience with my breeder....here is her link if you'd like to check it out, she has many different breeds:


http://www.puppykiss.com/index.htm

Oh my gosh this "breeder" is seriously disturbing! NO REPUTABLE BREEDER has multiple breeds of dogs. These are called backyard breeders and are unscrupulous! No wonder her adoption fees include "shipping" she doesn't want anyone to see the conditions these dogs are kept in! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do your research and do not support a backyard breeder.

 

[2Poodles]

Aimeedyan I would never buy a dog from any breeder that I couldn't:

- meet and interact with the mother dog
- view lineage information and health certifications on both parents
- inspect the kennel and area in which the puppies were raised
- meet the breeder and interview them at length (I would expect to be interviewed by her/him, too, since reputable breeders don't just sell their pups to anyone writing a check)
- contact their vet for information regarding their previous history

So no, I wouldn't buy one from the internet since I couldn't do those things. If I was looking fora hard to find breed, then I would research breeders online and fly to the breeder to do those things. But 9 times out of 10, there are reputable breeders in most locations or within driving distance.


Agree 100%with the above. I would never, never, never buy a puppy without first meeting the breeder and puppy in person. It was like a adopting a child when we bought our Standard Poodle Winslow. The breeder spoke with our vet, hours of telephone conversations, proof of fenced in yard, etc. In return I got a Standard Poodle with great bloodlines, temperament tested, genetic testing and a health guarantee from a breeder who bred one litter per year.

Mary & Winslow

 

[komondorok]

That site is scary....

Extremely scary. For a supposed breeder, she can't even spell her "breeds" correctly. Yorkshire Terrior?

But the scariest thing to me is that there isn't even an application to purchase a dog. That site is nothing but a puppy broker for puppymills and backyard breeders. My guess is that if you get an even semi-healthy puppy from that site, you are very, very, very lucky.

Please don't consider any breeder that doesn't at least ask you a bunch of questions before they will sell you a puppy. The majority of reputable breeders have applications that you must fill out before they will talk to you. This isn't because they are trying to be difficult. It is because they care about their puppies. You should ask a ton of questions of the breeder, and the breeder should ask tons of questions about you.

Reputable breeders are skilled at placing the right puppy in the right home. They usually temperament test their puppies and will be able to help you get the correct fit with your situation.

 

[poohandwendy]

OMG, that website is really, really bad. Most of the listings do not even state DOB and many are not registered. OMG:

If you are a breeder, you can post your puppies for sale on Puppy Kiss for free. Once it posts, a commission will be added to the sell price of the puppy. Breeders can send photos of their puppies with the name of the breed, date of birth, and type of registration, along with the price they are selling for. You can send this information to info@puppykiss.com.

Each puppy sold must be of puppy quality, currant on vaccinations and worming, receive a health certificate from a veterinarian, and honor a one year health guarantee against genetics. All hernias must be repaired before sent, and agree to spay, or neuter (at an additional charge) if the client requests it. Each breeder will be 100% responsible for their puppy for one full year of purchase. Form of payment will be pay pal, or electronic wire transfer.

Feel free to browse our website and enjoy!

Wow. Each puppy must be of 'puppy quality?'

She isn't familiar with her 'breeders' in any way and requires next to nothing to place puppies on this site. She also breeds 1/2 a dozen breeds herself.

No standards here whatsoever. Please do not support these backyard breeders.

 

[poohandwendy]

Extremely scary. For a supposed breeder, she can't even spell her "breeds" correctly. Yorkshire Terrior?

Yeah, and Bichon Friese? Again, I repeat to all, PLEASE do not support unscrupulous backyard ''breeders'' like on that website.

Amen to the rest of your post, also.