paying a deposit without seeing puppies first?

[Mumsaysno]

Hi we have enquired about a litter of puppies which are due to be born any day. We have never owned a dog before and are keen to do it right so have not rushed into this and have been looking into it for months.

The breeder has said that if we are interested in a puppy we must pay a £100 deposit once the litter is born to secure a puppy and if we change our mind or dont like any of the puppies when we go to see them we dont get our money back. Money only given back if they decide we aren't suitable. Now I don't mind paying a deposit once we have visited the house, puppies, seen the mother etc and chosen a puppy, but is it normal to pay a deposit before even going to see the puppies?

No - not normal at all. Run a mile. Many puppy farmers and outright scammers work this way.

Phone the breed society for your chosen breed and get some names of reputable breeders in your area. Or get a well-vetted rescue dog from a reputable rescue organisation.

Big No no. You go and choose your puppy and then pay the deposit. Stay wll clear of these.

A big no - find another litter. Bella's right; it's likely to be a puppy farmer or scammer.

No, it's not normal, not least as they are then entering into a sort of contract with you, and what fi they later decide you aren't asuitable home for one of their puppies?

Is some specific reason the breeder is asking you to, such as living as long way from them. (I have paid a deposit prior to seeing a puppy, purely because I was 400 miles from the breeder, she has references for me, and I knew her, she is judging the breed at Crufts this year, so she wasn't about to run off with my money ) Some breeders ask for as deposit once they have met you.

What breed is it you are looking at?

No, no, no. Insist on seeing the puppies first, or no sale.

We are looking for a bichon frise. We live about 2 1/2 hours away. The breeder didn't give a reason for wanting the deposit once the puppies had been born and foolishly my husband didn't ask her why.

Think we will carry on looking we cannot afford to loose £100 and don't feel happy committing to buy a puppy without seeing it first or the mother or the breeder and without seeing any paperwork for the parents health screeing etc.

Bichon Frises are popular little dogs and often the subject of scams and puppy farming.

If you google Bichon Frise Society/Association you should get the breed society and they'll be very happy to put you in touch with a bona fide breeder.

Good luck.

Why don't you ask if it is possible to visit the breeder in the next day or so before the puppies are born? Or ask if you can visit after they are born if she feels it is too stressfull for the bich now, but explain that you understand you wil not be able to see the puppies at that time? (most breeders do not allow visitors for the first 3-4 weeks, as a precaution aganist infection).

If she has nothing to hide, she will be pleased you'd make the effort.

Do contact the breed clubt hough, most have alist of peopel they know are expecting puppies. How did you get in touch with this breeder? Obviously not the KC site, as they do not allow advertising until puppies are registered.

Was the breeder in Wales, by any chance?

Here's a good website - advice on buying pups too:

Bichon Frise Rescue

Here you go:

www.bichonfriseclubofgb.info/

Found the breeder on the internet, they have a website with photos of their dogs that they used to show.

Not in Wales, no.

Website link?

When we got our labrador puppy last year (from a breeder we found through the Labrador club of Scotland) we were looking for a liver lab bitch, and there were two in the litter. We arranged to visit the following weekend, and the breeder told us we had first refusal on the two liver lab bitches. By the time we went to see the puppies, she had got someone else interested in a liver lab bitch, but had told them we had first refusal, and they could have the one we didn't chose.

All of this, and she didn't ask for a deposit until we had visited the puppies and chosen the one who is currently disembowelling the soft toy badger we gave her, in an attempt to work off the many and varied foodstuffs she has stolen over christmas!

Good luck with your search, and I hope your puppy brings you as much happiness and laughter as ours has.

Website link? Don't think that would be very fair. There might be a reason she is asking for a deposit. I was just asking for advice as I have never brought a puppy before and am taking it very seriously and want to make the right choice, but feel very uncomfortable about handing over money to someone I haven't seen to buy a puppy I know nothing aboout.

Fair enough, it is your choice, but if people have nothing to hide, surely they'd appreciate the 'advertising'?

I woul dbe worried why someone who 'used to show' is no longer showing but still breeding really. Wher ethics are concerned, showing and breeding go hand in hand. Some people don't show as much as the years go on, and will only show their most promising dogs, but these are usually the ones who have less time to show now due to judging commitments.

I don't know why they don't show the dogs any more doesn't say on website just that they breed dogs to be of "show standard" and that the puppies are KC registered, tattooed and microchipped and wormed.

Have emailed to ask why they are asking for the deposit up front before being able to see puppies etc and will see what they reply.

Thanks for all your replies it seems my instincts were right and you should see the puppies at home with mum etc and paperwork before paying a deposit.

I paid 50 euros deposit for my puppy before he was born, but that was because litters of goldies go very quickly around here. I was the 8th person to reserve - luckily the litter was 13! They were all sold before they were born. This is a very well-known and reputable breeder.