How far in advance did you go on a waiting list for your puppy?

[AbsentmindedWoman]

We want to eventually get a dog, and choosing the right breeder (someone with a track record for producing well-adjusted pups from healthy, happy parents) is the top priority. I'm hoping that if I contact a few potentials now, we could get a puppy from a litter sometime next year?

How long did you wait when you put your name on a waiting list?

Dog is to be trained as a diabetic alert dog (as well as being a much-loved family member, of course) so adoption is not suitable for us.

For this purpose, there are recommendations for choosing the pup who shows a little interest in a scented item you bring when visiting the litter, for example - would you have been able to choose your pup like this, or how exactly did you negotiate choosing from the litter?

Wouldn't you start by contacting someone who has a diabetic trained dog for their advice? They may well know breeders already?

We waited 3.5 years for our labrador. They had a lovely litter two friends got pups from and we decided we wanted one from their next litter and waited.

We have a rare breed and plan to breed from her next year, weve had someone waiting 4 years, they knew her from a pup and said straight away please breed from her I want one. Obviously we've waited to see her grow and what shes like. I've currently got 3 people waiting. The last two were just from this summer when we decided for definite we'd breed from her this winter because we are ready for another pup for us

@BootNoot

It depends on the breed. If it's a breed with really high demand, then it can be months/years. If it's a less popular breed, then it might be weeks or less, even if the breeder is very reputable

Yes, I understand that it will vary depending on breed. I was just hoping for a chat with different people about their different range of experiences.

@Redwolf1 I totally get waiting for the right litter. Next year would be nice, but if it doesn't work then would wait another year.

Good luck with breeding the pups!

@GrimDamnFanjo

Wouldn't you start by contacting someone who has a diabetic trained dog for their advice? They may well know breeders already?

I'm a member of forums focused on diabetic alert dogs, yep. Everyone has different breeds and we're spread over the globe! Very useful for thinking through and planning the process of getting a puppy, and locating training resources/ specialist trainers, but not especially helpful for finding specific breeders.

We waited a year after putting down our name ànd being checked for our rare breed. But had been contacting breeders for about a year previously.

We were on two waiting lists, both breeders were friends and knew we were looking at both as the bitches were related anyway and both as good as eachother.

Breeder one didn’t end up having a litter so we got one from breeder 2 after about 8 months. Breeder one still hasn’t managed to have a litter and I’m still technically on the list after 2.5 years!

I could have got one sooner but was looking for something specific.

Once the puppies were born we confirmed we wanted one and were given the choice of male/female or don’t really mind. We told the breeder what we were looking for and she selected our puppy, and he’s turned out to be exactly what she said he would be.
Some of them were more lively and then went to families who wanted more active pets. Ours is almost horizontal

I’m not sure breeders will be allowing people to come and choose with Covid so I would advise finding a breeder who breeds dogs that are good for the job you want.

Which breed are you looking at?

I have a vulnerable native breed and it was about 3 years from first expression of interest to bringing her home.

We were very lucky in that someone picked two pups from the litter and returned them two days later as they were allergic (how did they not know?!). This means we had 2 pups to pick from, but were expecting a wait of 1-2 years.

We would like another Lhasa Apso to bring a bit of joy to our older dog now that the DC have moved on.
Couldn't believe the prices though! Or the waiting lists! we are on lists at a few rescues, will have to see if anthing turns up.

Thank you, this is really interesting. Two years might be more realistic then! Which is fine. I'd much prefer to wait than rush.

I want a cocker spaniel. I've loved their sunny nature since I was a teen, and they do well as medical alert dogs as generally seem to be energetic and clever.

We went on our breeders wait list in March 2019, we got our puppy (Shiba Inu) June 2020.

Mn always talks about waiting lists but all the breeders we called wouldn’t create a list until the litter was born and confirmed healthy. We asked around in May/June and found an old friend who was kc registered and had the breed we wanted.

We got our cocker mid August (and he’s amazing). He’s a working cocker so you need to think about working or show lines.

I would never pay money (even a deposit) for a dog I hadn't met in the flesh and seen the mother of. I understand that's harder during Covid and that people are taking bookings for dogs that haven't even been conceived yet but you just can't be sure who you're bringing home otherwise.

I have springer spaniels, you need to look at their line and their parents hip, elbow/shoulder and eye stats. I'm not an expert so I showed all the numbers to a vet and got their input before purchasing.

We're on a waiting list for a puppy from a working breed (which will then work for us) and have been for 18 months as we're waiting for a specific dog. We expect to get a puppy sometime next year. Maybe.

I’d expect a year plus wait time, depending on breed.

The reputable breeders who haven’t doubled/tripled their prices with Covid will have long lists but its worth it. I went on a list with a small mixed breed breeder who has five bitches, one stud - joined the list in June, unless more tham 1 or 2 people drop out, which does happen, then depending on litter size I’ll have a pup next autumn. She did told me boy pups tend to be more available though!

Would also add - my breeder that I am on the list for refused deposits- if someone falls through, someone else always waiting!

I breed cockapoos earlier in the year and would only start a waiting list once I had a scan confirming pregnancy. The scan showed 6 or 7 so I opened a waiting list for 4 with preferences eg male/ female and took a small deposit which was returnable if when the litter was born there wasn’t what they are looking for. None of these wanted a refund and once they had confirmed there choice the other 2 were advertised at around 2 weeks old as I wanted the initial 4 to be 100% certain and that everyone was healthy. I never reserved al 6 to start incase something happened which isn’t uncommon especially with first litter and didn’t want anyone to be upset.
I still get the most amazing updates and have 3 people who’s details have been given to me from the new owners as they want one from the next litter but are fully aware of the wait

I’m always surprised hearing people talk about breeders operating waiting lists.

In real life, i don’t know anybody who was put on a waiting list before getting their puppy.
I know people with border collies, Jacks, Dachshunds, cockers, pugs, chihuahuas, staffies so a wide range of breeds.

Before lockdown we had been wanting a second dog and i had been phoning breeders of our shortlisted breeds, a fair few were KC accredited and none of them operated waiting lists, in fact, a few of them made me feel so stupid for asking that when this pandemic is over I won’t be asking again.