Breeder refusing to give me puppy or my money back

[Ownerofsmallpeople]

I’m not sure if I’m being u or where I stand on this.
DH and I have decided to get a puppy early feb. We have a 2 year old and another on the way but not due til summer. We have wanted a dog for ages and decided now is the best time as my DC has just started full time nursery, I’m not in work so I have plenty of time during the day to train and spend time with the puppy. For a few weeks after I give birth DH will be taking over walks but I will still be doing the training during the day and newborn will be joining me on school runs etc so my routine doesn’t change really. I’ve raised puppies before so I know what it entails and also obviously had a newborn before so I don’t see any great issues.
We went to view some puppies a couple of weeks ago with DC, chose a specific puppy, breeder was happy discussing diet and training etc and then asked for a deposit. I paid the deposit via bank transfer the next morning. She has now text me last night and said she had one of her friends (who is also friends with me via Facebook) to have a look at my Facebook profile and show her what was on it and she has seen that I’m pregnant and now is telling me I’m “deceitful” and she “can’t trust me with her puppy”. I didn’t think it was a huge deal and I was required to tell her I was pregnant? Obviously the puppy is going to a good home with us so I don’t see an issue. I completely understand wanting your puppies to go to a good home that will look after them but I wouldn’t have thought having a baby 6 months after purchasing a puppy was a big deal.
The conversation went on for about 20 minutes of her basically patronising me and saying that in 6 months I would be calling her to take the dog back. I eventually said to her to either tell me she’s happy for the puppy to come to us or she’s not happy for the puppy to come to us, she replied “I’ll speak to my partner and decide”. I have not heard from her yet so I text her again saying she needs to let me know or send me my money back, she has read the message and ignored it.
Am I in the wrong? What would you do?

She's not exactly refused to give your money back, has she? She said she will speak to her partner and decide. You then messaged her again chasing up (in what seems like a matter of hours) and she hasn't replied yet. Presumably because she hasn't spoken to her partner yet? Just be a bit more patient!

OP I think it’s up to you to decide whether you could handle a puppy and a baby around the same time and I would be annoyed by someone telling me that they wouldn’t allow it. I agree that your goodwill has been lost now so I’d push for your deposit back and look elsewhere for a puppy if you still want one. I also say this as someone who has previously bred puppies.

Why are people fixating on the deposit? She sounds like a responsible breeder which is a rare thing unfortunately. I don't think the breeder's questioning the deposit but can understand her feeling duped as you weren't truthful about the situation the puppy was going to be living in.

As others have said,, have the baby and then reevaluate. Maybe your second child will have a dog allergy and then where will the puppy be?

In the kindest way I agree with the breeder , so many people get a cute puppy when pregnant then decide that due to the babys allergy that the not so cute puppy needs to be rehomed at about 6/8 months old. I'm always seeing ads for 6 month old puppy beeds a loving home due to baby allergies, more like you have not got the time . She should give you the deposit back though

I don't think you have any reason to think she won't return the deposit.

I imagine you didn't sign a contract as you now say she isn't a proper breeder. However, unless she is a con artist, she will probably give you the money back.

There are 2 separate issues here - should she let you have the puppy when there will soon be a newborn
And
Will she return your money?

Re the first, it really will be up to her. No-one has to sell a puppy to someone they don't want to - you have no entitlement to buy. It would have been better if she decided before taking the deposit, but given you didn't mention the baby, there was no opportunity to make that judgement.

Many people think a newborn and puppy are a bad idea - therefore her attitude shouldn't be surprising really. It is a bit odd that you didn't mention your pregnancy.

Re the second issue...you will be very unlikely if she now keeps your deposit and you have to go to court to get it back. However, it really is too soon to think this has happened.

To be honest, you haven't dealt with this very well Op. You have dealt with someone who isn't a proper breeder, plus you didn't reveal a crucial detail about your set-up. Would you have kept that info from a proper breeder? I expect their contracts state the contract is only valid if full disclosure is given about the set-up the dog is going to. You not revealing your pregnancy would make the contract void. Your willingness to deal with a non dog breeder and not reveal crucial details doesn't make you come across as a totally responsible dog owner. Your sound offended at being crititicised and caught being not totally honest, rather than genuinely concerned about what might be best for the puppy. Okay, the way the breeder spoke to you might not have been professional and a bit patronising, but given your failure to reveal your pregnancy it can hardly be surprising.

Perhaps the best thing would be for them to return your deposit and you to think again about the whole thing....consider why breeders say no to pregnant people and those with small babies and perhaps delay your purchase.

And next time, don't try to do it on the cheap but go to a proper breeder. I'm sure your family can have a dog and thoroughly enjoy it....but just take a step back and think about the timing.

I also forgot our shelters are not keen on letting children under 4 have a dog because they usually end straight back In

Not to mention being heavily pregnant with a toddler and a young bouncy puppy, too. Mind is 14wks and is a giddy bundle of energy, as he should be at his age. Enthusiastic and into everything. The idea of wrangling him with a hefty bump and a preschooler is not fun.

Thread title: Breeder refusing to give me puppy or my money back

Thread content: Breeder hasn't actually refused either of those things. Certainly hasn't implied that she will refuse both.

I'll be honest with you. I never knew how much hard work a puppy would be until I got one 6 months ago. I personally couldn't have done it at the same time as a newborn. But she 100 percent shout give you a refund. She cant have it both ways. How much was the deposit?

She hasn't refused either. She has said she will discuss and let you know - and she hasn't come back to you yet. The time to complain about this is when she has actually told you you're not getting a puppy or your money.

She is being responsible not to sell you the puppy

But wasn’t responsible enough to get the morning after injection for an unplanned pregnancy and took an in season bitch to the park? Interesting.

OP I think it’s up to you to decide whether you could handle a puppy and a baby around the same time and I would be annoyed by someone telling me that they wouldn’t allow it

Well that's just tough. A breeder can refuse you for whatever reason.

OP what happens if you have a difficult pregnancy?

She hasn't refused either. She has said she will discuss and let you know - and she hasn't come back to you yet. The time to complain about this is when she has actually told you you're not getting a puppy or your money.

Right! Or at the very least, after a significant length of time of her not replying to you. Rather than just a few hours! Jesus.

But wasn’t responsible enough to get the morning after injection for an unplanned pregnancy and took an in season bitch to the park? Interesting.

Also funny how 'responsible experienced dog owner' Op want bothered about how these puppies came about and whi she was handing money over too.

Ok wait wait wait. The term "dog breeder" in the title threw me. So a friend of a friend let her dog get pregnant at the park and is selling the puppies. That's not what I'd call a dog breeder. It is someone I would expect to mess you about and then ghost you without returning your money though.

Live and learn.

Can you not pull the money back?

We got a puppy when I was 4/5 months pregnant with our second child - it worked out absolutely fine. We knew exactly what we were doing.

Go to a rescue, (Although they, quite rightly, have even more stringent requirements) or even a reputable breeder. Backstreet breeders like her should be avoided at all costs, she doesn’t know what she is doing and is trying to just make a profit. Run away.

@Scarsthelot

Indeed. Altogether a rather strange situation.

Not good to get a puppy right now, and the so called breeder is quite correct in that I think.. The puppy might well be a play thing for your small child,but you are having another baby,and you are going to be busy all the time afterwards. You will surely get your money back though,if the woman is a genuine person, and does things correctly.

Good on the breeder for caring more about the pups welfare than just thinking of the money pup can bring

Evening
I have to I am shocked to read some replies on here. And can see both sides, but personal opinion shes being out of order .
I have just let go all my puppies to there new homes, I breed my st bernanrd bitch she had 8. In my front room, with my 10 yrold and my 2 yr old . . I slept downstairs for 5 weeks, I did school runs , partner worked, toddler , all my puppies where well trained, we brought our bitch when my daughter was 9 weeks d with our 9wk old puppy not a small breed either. They have the most amazing bond going . They have trust and respect as that's how we have brought them up . Just because you are pregnant doesnt give her the right to say anything I would of welcomed you , as the best time to bring a child and puppy togther is from the youngest age. I've always had giant breeds . Yes raising a little is hard work trust me .... but being pregnant is a excuse if you ask me regarding her (puppy seller) good luck and please dont be put off we are not all like this. And all my 8 puppies are still in contact and have amazing homes . With babies and young children. Good luck hun .

Wait until she actually refuses to give your deposit back. She has said she will discuss it and let you know.

Not everyone can take a phone call at work, and not everyone finishes work at 5pm.

She might not be able to have that conversation for several hours yet, so it might be tomorrow before you get a response.

She isn't a breeder, she's a scam artist.

So she's a backyard breeder trying to make a quick buck