Has Anyone Ever Bought A Puppy From An Online Breeder?

[Pea-n-Me]

I, personally, would not buy a puppy from a breeder unless I met the parents (ideally both, but the mother at minimum) and the home where they were born and raised.

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?

The concern I have about shipping puppies is that if it's done during a "fear period" you could wind up with a dog that's very fearful of loud noises and such (think about what it would sound like in the baggage hold of a jet being loaded with cargo and luggage). Not to mention extremes of temperatures in the baggage hold. You can only imagine how terrified an animal would be in those circumstances. Don't forget, their hearing is much more sensitive than ours, and because of their small body size, they can overheat very easily. Not the way I'd want my new pup to start off his life with me.

 

[MoniqueU]

I got my Hershey, Chocolate Lab from a contact listing on the internet. She didnt have her own website but was advertising on a dog selling board.
I could not be happier. My dog so far is in great health and has the most mellow personality. He is very smart, just very mellow for a puppy. I would buy from this lady again and I guess she is what is reffered to as a backyard breeder but I don't really care, I adore my doggy.

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

Don't forget www.petfinder.com !

 

[komondorok]

For the OP...and anyone else looking for a dog from a QUALITY breeder...

Obviously, many of us are very aware of the problems backyard breeders, puppymills, and brokers cause. And we continually tell folks considering a pup to research the breeder...but often folks don't know how! They don't know the questions to ask, or what should be asked of them.

I want to give a couple of links so you will know what to ask, what to look for, and what to consider:

Questions to ask a breeder

From Dog Breed Info

From the Humane Society

Help with finding a dog

About Dog Registries and Kennel Clubs

There is SOOOO much information out there!

My two basenji's are purebred RESCUES! I got them from a basenji rescue group. I paid $400 for BOTH of them! There is NO REASON to pay more than $500 for any dog, unless you are going to show them. Most folks aren't, so a rescued dog from a local shelter or a recognized breed group is a great way to save a life!

Good luck finding a companion who will change your life for the better!

Excellent info

 

[RonnieJo66]

I got my Hershey, Chocolate Lab from a contact listing on the internet. She didnt have her own website but was advertising on a dog selling board.
I could not be happier. My dog so far is in great health and has the most mellow personality. He is very smart, just very mellow for a puppy. I would buy from this lady again and I guess she is what is reffered to as a backyard breeder but I don't really care, I adore my doggy.

Thanks MoniqueU...

thought this thread was beginning to be a slam to me and how I got my sweet baby. Appreciate it

I just wanted to share about my dog and end up getting slammed for it

I my and that's all that matters to me.


...and btw, I removed the link from my post as I don't want to be responsible for any defamation to her or her site (she was a very nice lady imho)

 

[komondorok]

Thanks MoniqueU...

thought this thread was beginning to be a slam to me and how I got my sweet baby. Appreciate it

I just wanted to share about my dog and end up getting slammed for it

I my and that's all that matters to me.


...and btw, I removed the link from my post as I don't want to be responsible for any defamation to her or her site (she was a very nice lady imho)

Ronnie Jo - nobody is slamming you. We are glad you lucked out with a great puppy!!

However, no matter how "nice" the person you bought your dog from, she is the epitome of what a puppy broker is. People need to see the other side so they can make their own decision about buying from somebody that seems as disreputable as this person. Just because you got a good puppy, the next person might not. The website follows every, single rule of what NOT to look for in buying a puppy.

Read the links that highwaygal posted. One of them says in HUGE letters:

NO reputable breeder sells their dogs through a puppy broker.

Again, sorry if you felt slammed. I am sure your puppy is the love of your life. Those of us in dogs also know that most of the pups that come from puppy brokers end up either in rescue, a shelter or euthanized before the prime of their life.

 

[JR6ooo4]

I have a hard time hearing someone will pay $1K for a pet when they could go here and save a life
http://www.adoptapet.com/

acoording to their ticker nearly 17 MILLION animals have been uthenized(sp) since oct 2001.

Our two pups are both Adoptapet finds.
Q is the smartest dog I have ever seen. She can roll down the windows in my truck and answer specific questions. Like the difference between going outside to "find a spot" or for a walk or to go to the puppy park.
Fred is more like the bagger mentioned in another thread. But he is the cuddler. He smiles everytime you talk to him.
the smart one can get a little pissy when she knows we are going away. She frowns at us and will not say goodby, heheheheeee

Please check out adoptapet. $200 covers purchase and all meds/surgery for the first 6 months. Quite a bargain to save a life. And they have puppies! We got Q at 3 months and fred at 5 months.

Mikeeeee

 

[hiwaygal]

I have a hard time hearing someone will pay $1K for a pet when they could go here and save a life
http://www.adoptapet.com/

especially with NO guarantees of any kind.

Would they buy a refrigerator or TV or washing machine for $1000 without some kind of guarantee that they are getting what they pay for? Why wouldn't they do at least as much for a living thing???

Nearly every single breed has a breed rescue group...many of them will do anything to help get an adopted dog to a potential adopter (i.e. organizing volunteers to drive legs of a long trip).

"Niceness" isn't a factor.

 

[komondorok]

especially with NO guarantees of any kind.

Would they buy a refrigerator or TV or washing machine for $1000 without some kind of guarantee that they are getting what they pay for? Why wouldn't they do at least as much for a living thing???

Nearly every single breed has a breed rescue group...many of them will do anything to help get an adopted dog to a potential adopter (i.e. organizing volunteers to drive legs of a long trip).

"Niceness" isn't a factor.

And even with a health guarantee, be sure to read it very carefully. Just because the breeder or broker gives a guarantee, does not mean it is actually an honest guarantee.

Let's take Puppykiss's health guarantee. She offers a supposed one year limited warranty on all genetic diseases. However, there are so many exclusions in the guarantee, that it is basically worthless. There is absolutely no way a person would be able to exercise the guarantee.

Our Puppy Kiss Health Guarantee:

The limited guarantee covers the cost of the purchaser's dog only. Puppy kiss, or puppy kiss breeder's are not responsible for any associated charges, such as shipping, vet fees, or mental stress. To qualify for these limited guarantees, purchaser must have their puppy examined by a licensed vet of their choice within 72 hours (3 working days). Each breeder is responsible for their own puppy. Deborah Byrd is soley an agent, aiding the sale of the puppy, therefore can not be held responsible for any charges the purchaser incurres.


HEALTH GUARANTEE:

The breeder will replace a puppy if the puppy should become ill from an immunizable disease within ten (10) days of the delivery of the puppy. Puppy replacement of purchaser's choice upon availability. No cash refund will be given.

The breeder guarantees the puppy against any debilitating genetic/congenital defects which would prohibit the puppy from living a normal pet life for a period of 1 full year of purchase. Replacement puppy only, no cash refunds. In order for this to be enforceable the purchaser must provide a written statement from the purchaser's vet, along with an autopsy report stating the cause of death, or defect. In the event of a question regarding a defect, a second opinion from a licensed vet of breeder's choice will be the governing opinion.
The breeder will have all hernias repaired, or notify the purchaser and let them choose to have the hernia repaired. A hernia will not be a means for the purchaser's money refunded, or a replacement puppy.

The breeder will send each puppy under the airlines guidelines if being shipping by air. If purchaser wants to pick puppy up he/she can do so. The breeder will prepare each puppy for the flight. Neutra-cal and food/water will be given before the flight. Very low weight puppies should not be shipped, and will be the responsibility of the purchaser from flight to arrival. Having the puppy insured with the airlines is recommended.

There are many puppies which are shipped together. Puppy kiss breeders do not guarantee air born diseases.

Once a deposit is put down on a puppy, it is nonrefundable.

The line I bolded makes the guarantee worthless. If the "breeder" disagrees with the buyer's vet's assessment ande autopsy, then the breeder can have a second opinion by THEIR vet, and that opinion is the governing opinion. So, in other words, in the world of the puppymill, they have their own vets. Of course their vet will disagree with the buyer's vet, thus rendering the guarantee null and void. This makes the guarantee absolutely worthless.

The other really scary thing is that PuppyKiss recommends getting airline "insurance" on the puppy, just like any other commodity. That says to me that they have had puppies die and that they are not too surprised if a puppy dies.

It comes down to what Planogirl said: Do your homework. Read the fine print of anything and everything you get. And ask LOTS of questions.

 

[grlpwrd]

especially with NO guarantees of any kind.

Would they buy a refrigerator or TV or washing machine for $1000 without some kind of guarantee that they are getting what they pay for? Why wouldn't they do at least as much for a living thing???

Nearly every single breed has a breed rescue group...many of them will do anything to help get an adopted dog to a potential adopter (i.e. organizing volunteers to drive legs of a long trip).

"Niceness" isn't a factor.

I tried to go the rescue route to find a dog for my family, but many of them really make it an effort to even be considered. Sorry, but I don't want to be interrogated 4 times over.

I was then going to buy Ragdoll cats from a breeder, but I checked with petfinder.org and found my sweeties. At petfinder.com you can do a search by breed, too, for cats, dogs, rodents, etc. of all ages.

 

[hiwaygal]

I tried to go the rescue route to find a dog for my family, but many of them really make it an effort to even be considered. Sorry, but I don't want to be interrogated 4 times over.

I was then going to buy Ragdoll cats from a breeder, but I checked with petfinder.org and found my sweeties. At petfinder.com you can do a search by breed, too, for cats, dogs, rodents, etc. of all ages.

I understand that concern...I really do. Some breed rescue groups do get a bit "overzealous". I was involved with a group that was like that and I got out of it...sometimes it becomes an internal "political" issue. Unfortunately, it hurts the dogs they are trying to help. But, not all of them are like that! And some of them really are trying to make sure the dogs go to homes that are really fully prepared for the breed.

Petfinder is a wonderful resource!!

 

[kayeandjim00]

I think it's great that your dog is healthy and has found a good home but the fact of the matter is that many of these dog end up in the pet store around the corner or at the mall where they are bought on impulse more often than not. "What a cute dog in the window." and when it turns out that this dog has health problems, or is impossible to potty train because he's laid in his own feces for long periods of time. We're only asking that people really not support these types of places!
As for rescues I know they can be tough but your local humane society will only ask 9 times out of 10 if you own your home or not and if not if dogs are allowed in your apartment. The process is much simpler and easier if you don't have that ideal set up of a fenced in yard and people who are home all day.
The big thing is just that dogs are a huge commitment in time, money, and effort. I wouldn't spend that type of money for a mutt. I have what our vet believes to be a 100% black lab, and a basset/beagle mix. Each cost 150.00 including all of their shots/rabies/and spay/neuter. You can't beat that and we have great dogs and when I go to bed at night I know I saved two lives. What could be better?
The other problem with supporting designer breed puppy mills is that it encourages this type of breeding when it's not responsible and not a good idea. REAL breeders don't make these yorkie mixes because that's not for the betterment of the breed.

 

[RonnieJo66]

I'm just so sorry I ever posted to this thread.

 

[JR6ooo4]

I tried to go the rescue route to find a dog for my family, but many of them really make it an effort to even be considered. Sorry, but I don't want to be interrogated 4 times over.

I was then going to buy Ragdoll cats from a breeder, but I checked with petfinder.org and found my sweeties. At petfinder.com you can do a search by breed, too, for cats, dogs, rodents, etc. of all ages.

The foster home mom did require herself making a trip to see where the dog would live, before final adoption was approved.
SHe told us stories of people saying they had a yard for the dogs to play and then the address they give is a single room apartment. SOme checking is good. But even too much of a good thing is too much. Like toothpaste!

Mikeee

 

[poohandwendy]

I'm just so sorry I ever posted to this thread.

No one is slamming you, they are slamming the practices of the breeder you used. I am sorry you feel it is a personal attack on you, but it is really important for people to be aware of how disreputable the puppy mills and backyard breeders are. I am glad your dog ended up being healthy and a good pet for you. It doesn't always happen that way and people are not only out alot of money, but end up with dogs that have very serious health issues.

 

[kayeandjim00]

No one is slamming you, they are slamming the practices of the breeder you used. I am sorry you feel it is a personal attack on you, but it is really important for people to be aware of how disreputable the puppy mills and backyard breeders are. I am glad your dog ended up being healthy and a good pet for you. It doesn't always happen that way and people are not only out alot of money, but end up with dogs that have very serious health issues.

exactly! I think everyone has gone out of their way to say that they are not slamming you and that they are happy your situation turned out the way it did so I'm not sure the point you keep making about being sorry you posted. The site you gave was just a perfect example of what we were cautioning the OP about.

 

[chrisney]

Before you buy a puppy from a breeder who might even possibly be part of a puppy mill organization, I would urge you to "google" puppy mills and take a look at the conditions that dogs in that situation have to endure. It is heartbreaking, and inhumane. And unfortunately, every person who buys a puppy from them, even those who proclaim loudly that they got a great dog, perpetrates the living conditions for those poor dogs who are left there to be bred at every opportunity. Brokers purchase from these locations, pet stores purchase from the brokers, and the chain remains unbroken.

A quality breeder doesn't "produce" multiple breeds as a rule. They are involved in whatever breed clubs are in their area. They show their dogs, and rarely breed dogs that have not achieved their championships. They breed to improve the breed, and to have puppies worthy of showing. They are aware of any health problems that have shown within the breed, and have their own dogs thoroughly tested at great expense before any dog becomes part of their breeding program. These folks don't get rich from their involvement in dogs, they enrich their lives through the involvement. They interview potential owners as much if not more thoroughly than potential owners interview them, and there is a clause in the purchase agreement that states that the dog must be returned to them if an owners situation changes and the owner can no longer keep the dog.

We are owned by two Keeshonden, and have loved and lost two others. Three of the four were from 2 top breeders in the U.S., the fourth was dropped off at our vet...he was from a backyard breeder. And yes, he was a wonderful dog...in fact he was and will always be my "heart dog". But he had some health problems that might have been avoided. When he died, I called our original breeder...bear in mind that she hadn't heard from me for almost 10 years since Frodo died...and she remembered me, and Frodo. She happened to have one pup from their last ever litter who hadn't developed the way they had hoped for showing...so off I went to see her. I also got to see some of Frodo's half siblings (and could pick them out!) and both of our little girls parents. I have a copy of her pedigree going back for 6 generations, and know that her breeders have had a dog who took breed at Westminster. And, I paid less for this dog than you are planning to pay for a mixed breed dog. The "designer" dogs are really just that. There is no health registry for them, nor is there a breed registry because just a couple of years ago they would have been called mutts. Some of these breeds may evolve into recognized breeds....maybe....over the course of years if the people who breed them embark on some organized or designed plan for developing a new breed, but for now they're a "fad" and as a fad people are paying big money for dogs without any established foundation.

You say that you are planning on getting dog within a year or so. Why not take the time to research what type of dog will fit best into your life, get to know some breeders and get on their waiting list for a litter? I don't remember the site, but know there is one where you complete a questionaire about your family and lifestyle as well as questions about what size, activity level, intelligence level etc. of dog would fit best with you and the site will direct you to breeds that "fit" with you. I thought I wanted an Old English Sheepdog, husband thought he wanted a Scottie. Neither would have been a good match, we quickly realized. We looked at the breeds that were suggested, went to some shows and met breeders and dogs, and absolutely fell for the Keeshonden. We just didn't know they existed before so didn't know to consider them. With luck, whatever dog you decide on will be a part of your family for a decade or more, so knowing that you've chosen carefully is important!

 

[hiwaygal]

I'm just so sorry I ever posted to this thread.

Why? No one is slamming or flaming you!

I think most people just don't realize what it means to buy from back yard breeder or puppymill...I don't think people know any better. I didn't either until someone told me! When I was young, ALL of our dogs came from pet stores...we just didn't know any different.

One of the best reasons for message boards is to SHARE information. That's all anyone here has done.

 

[kayeandjim00]

OK - I stated pursuing this puppy kiss site and it's just heartbreaking to me. For one it's ad that people are going to get taken. Let's take boston terriers for example.
Here's their boston terrier "ACA" registered which means absolutely NOTHING
puppy kiss for 700.00

Now compare that with a local boston terrier breeder that is AKC
AKC No prices listed just a contact us if you are interested along with detailed information on their breed, how they raise, etc.

I just find this so depressing. These puppy mills are making more dogs than can be resuced and it's the dogs that suffer.

 

[hiwaygal]

there are LOTS of dog breed selectors online!

They will help you choose a breed that will work with your living style and your family situation. This will prevent so many problems as the dog gets older (how much exercise does it need? will it shed a lot? does it behave well with children? how does it do with strangers? what health problems are there?)

Try these:

From Dog Breed Info Center

From Animal Planet

From Pet Net

From Iams