Need Help on Breeder advice

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

I would not put a deposit on a puppy not yet even conceived. I would put a deposit on a litter of already conceived pups, but then I would probably not be fussy about gender or colour.

I think Tracy has the right idea. Put a deposit, which are usually non-refundable (ergot the term deposit) on a living puppy.

Dog Pal, if I may be so bold, in what part of the world are you? I'm in London, Ontario, Canada and you mentioned having to travel the US for the pup.

[Dog Pal]

HI - no we live in Mississauga, Ontario. The travel to the US was to visit parents we haven't seen for 3 years (dad just turned 80). We would like to have the puppy come home after that so it gets settled and not sent away temporarily while we are gone. We don't travel very often but this is an important trip for sure.

I have strategically done all the homework and emailed 4 breeders. One is off the list after viewing the dogs. They were not our preference in size. We visit # 2 this weekend. And will proceed from there.

THanks

[Nileska]

Hi Dog pal;..Breeders are of course free to set any terms they wish,just as you are free to walk if offered terms you cannot live with. I have seen contracts that are patently ridiculous. You do not have to do business with someone who you do not trust. Just understand that the breeders primary concern is the wellfare of the pup and therefore may require certain foods and/or supplements and standards of care continued after adoption.. No biggie,your breeder knows what the pup needs.

I would never accept or require a deposit from anyone before the pups were on the ground and evaluated.If someone was waiting for a pup I would notify them and request a deposit at that time. This ensures that you intend to buy the pup and is non refundable if you do not. Nowthen,this may not sound fair to you,but the breeder is not bound to deliver a pup to you if you are found to be not qualified.In this case the deposit is returned.

When I bought my best foundation bitch I expressed interest in an upcoming breeding.when the pups were born the breeder sent pictures of the available bitches and requested a deposit if I was interested. Since my deposit was the first recieved I was entitled to first choice.I chose Anika who won her first ribbons at 2 months with a BOB and GRP 1 in a puppy match,.She also became a CKC Champion and produced 2 boys who were AKC/CKC Champions.And yes I had to be thoroughly investigated even though I had been showing against the breeder for the past 3 years.....Richard

[Phyrie]

Yeah, I have to agree... Although I waited for another breeder to produce a pup for me for me almost three years, she NEVER asked for a deposit on a dog not conceived. The breeder I got Kiba from only took a deposit to reserve HIM, after he was born. To ask you to float your money out to them, with no guarantee of when a mating will or will not take place, seems, well, frankly, a little bizarre to me. But as Richard said, they are able to ASK whatever they want. Whether or not you're prepared to give them what they ask, is up to you...

Phyrie

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Dog Pal, you are just down the road from me (and several other of our DP members) as I am in London, Ontario.

Good luck with your search.

[Dog Pal]

So we visited the breeder today. They encouraged us to bring a camera and ask questions. They had 8 dogs, but we were able to see the two they are breeding. They are both very nice dogs. Good temperament, well kept, and very focussed. The breeders were very friendly and gave us alot of information that we didn't know about. Their system is that you put down for one dog that you are looking for in the litter (ie, chocolate female) and then they make notes of any secondary choices. This is the females first litter. The male has sired 3 others with different dogs. These breeders pick which dog they think best suits each adoptee. They socialize the pups and make sure they are comfortable with various environments (ie carpet, ceramic, hardwood, grass etc.). The dogs are kept in the house and outside. All eight dogs play very well together. We asked all the normal medical questions prior to the visit along with breed info, selection process etc. Overall I think it went very well and we have one more breeder next weekend to visit. This next breeder started the one we visited today in their pursuit of breeding. So they have dogs that have bred together.
One bit of advice I am looking for: Is it possible to speak to these two breeders and have one as our first choice and the other on back up? Can you do this without deposit on the back up one?

Thanks

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

That would be entirely up to the breeders, but since they know one another, and like one another (which is how I found Henry, from Oliver's breeder), they might be willing to work with you since you have such a preference.

I would suggest you ask, and discuss it with both of them. Most good breeders really want their pups to go to a good home first and foremost, and often are willing to do what they can to facilitate the family's needs.

Good luck and keep us posted!