to expect better manner than this in prospective puppy buyers

[Southwestwhippet]

I've got a litter of lovely KC reg puppies. All responsibly bred and lovingly reared.

They are currently for sale and I am really beginning to wonder if I will ever bred a litter again - raising the pups has been wonderful but dealing with prospective buyers is a nightmare.

I really try to be helpful and friendly, I don't do a hard sell (far from it, I will put people off if I don't think they are suitable) and I am offering lifetime breeder support for each pup so it is in my interest to make sure puppy and owner are happy with each other. People can come and visit their puppy as often as they want once they've reserved it, take pictures, call me up etc etc...

BUT - OMG it has been awful. People email to ask for pictures, then follow it up with a phone call, arrange to come and see the pups, confirm via email... then just don't get back in touch and don't turn up.

People email again and again asking questions and looking for information, but when you say "would you like to come and see the pups" send you irritated emails saying "I am not ready to own a puppy yet" making you feel as if you are the one being pushy.

People phone up and talk to you for half an hour or more, arrange to come and see the pups, tell you they will call to confirm and then never call back. Sometimes they will call several times, each time for over half an hour.

Now I really don't mind giving up my time to people who are interested in buying a puppy. And if they change their mind, so be it. But considering I have had probably 20 emails and 12 phone calls, some of them lengthy exchanges and only four people have actualy come over and viewed the puppies, I can't help but to feel there is some sort of secret society of individuals who make it their business to phone up people with animals for sale and pretend they want to buy them. On top of that, it puts me in a nightmare position with new buyers as I don't know what to tell them regarding how many pups I have left.

AIBU to think you really shouldn't phone up a breeder and arrange a viewing and then not show up? I'm about ready to weep here, it is so stressful.

ok, here's my first ever YABU. Actually a YABALU (you are being a little unreasonable).

Totally agree its unacceptable to make an appointment and not keep it without warning, but if it wasn't a firm arrangement then surely it's better these potential dog owners are taking the time to really think it over before they get caught up in the whole puppy cuddling stage?

FWIW, I'm at that stage. I've recently phoned breeders to discuss potential visits (I've never said "I'm coming on Saturday..." and just never shown), but I'm not going to go and see the dogs until I'm 100% sure we're either a) ready to take one home or b) strong enough to resist temptation!

I feel for you.

But step back a bit. All your puppies are available until someone puts down a deposit/pays for it. It's as simple as that.

I know they are lovely little cute balls of fur, but they are also no different to a jumper when it comes down to your 'stock' of them.

I absolutely agree with your stance of vetting potential owners, but once that is done, they need to stump up with the money or someone else will do so.

Just tell people that are interested that unless you receive a deposit, that you are unable to 'hold' any puppies.

I think YABU breeding dogs in the first place when there are so many thousands of unwanted dogs in rescue homes.

Having said that, the people who agree to come and don't turn up sound awful. Not sure what you can do about it though.

Agree with littlemisshissyfit.

Make it clear that you are not giving them the hard sell but you cannot reserve a puppy unless they pay a deposit.

Don't let yourself be fobbed off. If the person really wants the pup they will agree to this. Of they are unsure then tough. First come first served.

Callisto - sorry, but that "breeding dogs is wrong because there are so many in rescue homes" argument really gets on my nerves! Yes, there are a lot of dogs already living that need homes. BUT you cannot take a rescue dog home to a house with small children, or one that may potentially have small children in the nearish future! Simply because, since they are a rescue dog, their past and therefore future behaviour cannot be guaranteed!!!

SWW - I agree with others, puppies aren't guaranteed without a deposit.

NannyBeth - so all the dogs that have bitten children have been rescue dogs then have they? That is possibly the worst ever arguement for the continued and irresponsible breeding of dogs that I have ever heard.

NannyBeth - that is not true. Getting a rescue dog can certainly be a possibility for a household with children or children likely in the near future. Buying a puppy does not guarantee future behavior. Responsible rescue centres match dogs and owners well, and the vast majority of the time it works well.

Nanny, the only way you can provide a cast iron guarantee on a dog's future behaviour is to buy one of those little dog robots. Yes, of course breeding and early upbringing help, but the long term owners' behaviour will be the overwhelming factor.

Your post also shows a worrying lack of knowledge about rescue dogs. Most KC breeds have their own breed rescue, and in many cases, the rescue will know a great deal about the dogs' background. Dogs are often placed in rescue for no fault of their own, but due to the illness/loss of job/divorce of the owners. Many rescues, including the one I volunteer for, put new dogs into foster care with a family, precisely to assess their behaviour with children and other animals so that a good match can be made between them and an adopter. We regularly receive dogs that have been much loved family pets and it is quite distressing at times (such as when a family emigrates). We are also quite happy to decline adopters if we have doubts about their suitability. I wish this was true of all dog breeders.

I'm afraid I lost a great deal of sympathy for you when I read your comments about rescue dogs. Most responsible breeders (and there are some out there) are very supportive of the work being done by rescues. I would also add that all our family pets when I was growing up were crossbreed mongrels who were adored family members, healthy happy and living to a very ripe and contented old age. I certainly don't feel that my parents were irresponsible in taking on these dogs, quite the reverse. We've just had our nephews staying with us and our three rescue greyhounds (all with very long pedigrees, actually!) - both dogs and nephews had a great time, and one nephew has been invited to come and do some child handler dog show classes next summer as he's such a good team with one of our dogs.

Our rescue dog is adorable, and will be amazing with our first baby when she decides to appear. (1 wk overdue today.)

OP, I feel your pain. Our breeder (we have two dogs, one pedigree and one rescue) was lovely and very patient, but we didn't take up as much time as it sounds like you have had to give up as we already knew the breed well having spent time with other's dogs and had done a lot of research. So our calling round, visiting etc was more to check out the breeder and dogs themselves than anything else.

Thank you everyone, I have had a really good experience today which has restored my faith in mankind. Phone call yesterday to chat, rang back to confirm time to come see pups, arrived this morning on time, lovely lovely family, they now have the puppy of their dreams (been looking for a long time for a particular colour that is very popular atm) and I am really happy because I know they are going to give the puppy a wonderful life.

If only it could be this simple everytime!