To think this dog breeder was rude?

[Shameus]

It’s becoming impossible to find an ethical dog breeder that is genuinely interested in preserving the breed and educating people about that breed.

Please don’t get on at me about rescue dogs, I’ve done my fair share with rescues and now I want a “blank canvas puppy” for various reasons.

So, messaged a breeder yesterday who’s website said to contact them for any info as they can talk about the breed 24/7. So I contacted them, told them a bit about myself and asked a few questions about breed traits - trying to work out if the breed is right for us. I received a reply saying “go to dog shows, you’ll get loads of info there”. And that was it!! So I replied again and told them what I was looking for in a dog and asked if they would recommend this breed to someone looking for these traits. They replied “You get what you put in, it’s common sense”. Wtf??

Surely someone with a genuine interest in preserving their breed would want to answer questions and “interview” potential customers? So I’ve given up on them.

Same thing happened with another breeder I contacted. I sent a long email telling them about myself and asking for info on the breed and received an email back saying “we have pups available now, ready in 4 weeks. When would you like to view them? Deposit guarantees pup”. So I replied and said I wasn’t ready to get a puppy yet, im researching whether this breed is right for us … they never replied.

Is it me or what?? Am I expecting too much?

Yes, I think you are. They're not a library.

They're not a library

When good quality breeders have litters they are normally snapped up straight away by people who have already done research. We did when we had our cocker spaniel litter. People knew all about them and asked us specific questions that we were happy to answer. General breed questions and asking if that breed is right for you I suppose seems a little bit lazy. The internet is full of information about different breeds. I wouldn't reply like that but I can kind of see it from their point of view. You don't come across serious and kind of wasting their time.

Yes you are
why can't you get the information you want from online resources?

If you’re at the point of ringing a breeder I’d expect you to know whether the breed would potentially be a good fit or not.

It’s not their job to educate you. You need to speak to owners and the breed clubs and do research.

Breeders are there to decide if you’re a good fit for their dogs, if you have no idea if that breed will suit you because you have done no research outside of sending long emails why would they sell to you?

I can kind of see it from their point of view. You don't come across serious and kind of wasting their time.

I agree. You should do the reserach before getting in touch with the breeder.

You can get very comprehensive info about breed traits online. Use that to decide if a breed might be right for you. What you need from the breeder is info about how they raise their pups and the health status of the parents etc, not info about the breed - by the time you contact breeders, you should know which breed you want and if it will be right for your lifestyle. You’d get short shrift from me as I’d assume you know nothing about the breed and hadn’t researched them, which doesn’t bode well for dog ownership. The second breeder is clearly a puppy farmer though. A good breeder should ask you some questions about your experience and plans for the puppy.

Wasn't there a new story recently about 'breed stereotypes' that found that dog personality varies more within breed than between breed, and only about half of dogs have the 'typical' breed traits ascribed to them.

I'm sure you get some specific traits like sight hounds staring, huskies running & terriers digging, but most dogs are themselves more than their breed (said this study).

I breed poultry and the amount of times per week someone says "what size coop should I get for x number of chicken" or "what breed is best for children" or "tell me top tips for caring for them" ...or "I'm not ready to buy yet, I'm just doing some research" ... I would honestly love to have the time to answer each and everyone, but I just haven't got the time (or inclination) they are questions that Google could answer . . . I absolutely wouldn't have replied how the dog breeder did to you, but I can understand her frustration. Good luck with your new puppy when you decide to get one though!

There’s tonnes of places to get the information you’re after, I don’t think it’s the breeders place to provide this level of details.

From their perspective, if they say ‘yes this is the perfect breed for you’ and after you get the dog you change your mind as you’ve done no other research where would that leave them, you & the dog?

YABU.

As a PP said you come across as not serious and at the point of contacting the breeder you should be darn near certain that both dog and you are a good fit for each other.

Any breeder of any repute would expect you to know the breed inside out before you approached them.

Going to shows was great advice and in my experience breeders are more than happy to answer all your questions in person, in fact they welcome them to protect the breed they love.

YABU.

If you want to research a breed use google. Don't contact breeders asking them to do your job for you when your clearly not interested in their pups, you're wasting their time.

They obviously didn't study my two textbook Border Collies!😁

They think you’re a tire kicker wasting their time that’s why you are getting the responses you are. You should already know from research if the breed will be the right fit.

Your email should be asking about future breeding plans, detailing a bit about your self and your home set up, and enquiring about their health testing scores and then what their waiting list policy is for future breeding etc.

Not hey tell me what I need to know about this breed to maybe one day buy one maybe.

Ah ok I’ll admit I’m in the wrong then.

I’m not a breeder but if I received such an email I would have been delighted to reply with answers and advice.

That’s true when it comes to how much confidence a dog has, how much it likes people etc. But you won’t meet a collie that doesn’t want to herd even if it’s never been near a sheep in its life, or a spaniel that doesn’t want to instinctively pick up and carry things. I have a spaniel from working stock and he’s an incredibly demanding dog because he’s so clever (not particularly a good thing in a pet dog!) and needs work to do or he will go self-employed. I simply wouldn’t have the same issue if he were a Shih tzu. Plus you have to factor breed-specific health requirements (Dalmatians must have a low-purine diet, Great Danes are very prone to bloat) and also things like how much moulting or grooming you can tolerate etc.

A good breeder will definitely 'interview ' you to check if your the right person for their pups. Part of that will be checking you have a good understanding of the breed and your lifestyle to see if you are compatible.

Because your not at the stage of understanding the breed I suspect many would consider you a time waster and not serious.

Answering breed specific questions is one thing but expecting to be educated on the breed is something else.

There are lots of resources out there to help you decide on a breed. Try the cruffs show where you can meet and interact with lots of different breeds.

Google it! Imagine if they had to answer all these questions every time someone got in touch. There are loads of books on dogs breeds you could read yourself.

They put it rudely that's for sure but pp are right in that you should do a lot of research before contacting a breeder.

Thing is with google - it’s very generic information. For example I googled Dobermann traits … many websites saying they’re good with other dogs, great with kids, rarely bark - this is NOT the experience actual owners and breeders have.

Googled French Bulldogs - “easy to train” ??!! Again, not the experience most owners have!

I suppose I just thought the breeders might give an in-depth account of their own lines and experiences of the breed.

I get what you're saying, but you're not contacting these people wanting to buy a puppy, you are contacting them for info and it's not their job to give you info that can be found online. Sorry OP

this is NOT the experience actual owners and breeders have.

Why not ask on here? There's a dog house board and people will be happy to give their own experiences on different breeds.

I’ve only just joined but I will do that ☺️