Buying a puppy. Breeder applying pressure for payment.

[fandangored]

Breeder applying pressure for payment and asking for transfer or cash payment BEFORE viewing day with puppy at 4 weeks..?

Already paid a £200 pre reserve fee!!!

Should I continue or red flag and run?!

Probably a cockapoo or a cavapoo. But if you keep going after 'designer' dogs online you are going to come up against exactly what has just happened to you-again. And that's before you even factor in the healthcare costs for a poor little puppy who has been bred on a puppy farm/unscrupulous breeder. Cockatoos and cavapoos have numerous genetic health weaknesses which both parents can carry. Both parents need to be genetically tested and recorded as clear for the puppies to be free of these genetic traits. Puppy farms & online breeders mainly don't give a f*ck about the genetics-they can even fake certificates to con you.
You said the breeder who has your £200 fee was registered... where and who with for goodness sake??!
PLEASE consider talking to some rehoming charities locally, or the big ones nationally( Dogs Trust, Battersea, The Mayhew etc). They often have puppies and younger dogs needing a home. And remember-bring a puppy up properly is hard work-they aren't cuddly toys who can be picked up & put down again and left. And don't forget home messy house training them is! It takes dedication & patience (punishing a puppy who has wee'd poo'd indoors is cruel and counter-productive).
All that said, good luck!

She cited reason no refund as Mum's parents were both clear and fully health tested..

I don't think not returning your deposit makes her a scammer. That's what deposits/ reservation fees are for.

I do think she sounds like an unethical breeder though. I can't imagine anyone with that amount of dogs and puppies at the same time can be giving them the care they deserve. The insurance thing is odd too.

If you're sticking with a cavapoo I'm sure you'll find one cheaper than what she charges, as she was definitely demanding top price. Overall you'll probably actually pay less, even with the 200 loss.

Just take your time, check out the tests of the parents and don't hand any money over till you're sure. Personally I'd take a family breeding their own dog (if fully health tested) over a licenced breeder churning out loads of pups any day.

I'd rein it right back for the moment, even though you don't want to disappoint your child (how old is he? I don't think you've said). Panicking and trying to get him one quickly is likely to be a disaster.

Meanwhile think hard about how much time you have to give the dog, who will care for it when you aren't there and how to build up a reserve fund for costs (dogs are expensive to run -- flea treatment, worming, food, jabs, insurance, daycare, any grooming needs etc).

Ours is a healthy little thing but we paid up three lots of excess for vet treatment in just her first year. £100 per 'condition'. Ouch.

Do try to go through your bank if all else fails.

OP, what age is your son? You need to step back and have a think instead of desperately looking for a puppy.
£2500 is not the road to go down, so many rescues to look at.

Can anyone list top 5 rescue centres?

I know of Battersea dogs home

We do want a puppy

Perhaps, OP, you should do some research yourself?

You want a dog? Great. Put some time and effort into doing your research (as you’ve clearly done sweet sod all so far) and actually think about whether you can actually give a dog a decent life - I am yet to see any evidence form your posts that you’ve actually thought this through - instead of thinking about what your kid wants!

Are you sure you are actually ready for a puppy?
Yes they are cute but they are soo much work, it's like having newborn that bites.

Do you currently have a training plan ready to go? Have you done your research on health and diet? Are you prepared for potential issues like damages to your home and other behaviour issues? Will this be your first dog?

@fandangored
What age is the son who desperately wants a puppy?

Age 6

We can commit to a puppy but also looking into adult dogs too

You sound as if you are just desperate now. As several on this thread have stated, take a step back and...breathe.
You've said money is tight- puppies and dogs are expensive to own and look after properly. Are you sure this is right for you? Realistically, with insurance, vet fees, food, incidentals you are looking at £200-£300 min. per calendar month (depending on dog/breed).
There WILL be rescue centres local to you-go talk to your local vet practice for recommendations. The big (well known) players are Battersea, The Mayhew, Wood Green, Dogs Trust.
You need to put in some time and legwork ( not just online!) to get the best fit for you & your family. Having a puppy is a commitment for up to 18 years..take your time upfront. The puppy/dog deserves the best and most appropriate home!

So finally, a 6 yr old is desperate for a puppy!
You're grasping at anything, £2500 for a crossbreed to appease a child, by next week he'll want a donkey!
You need to calm down.

Think very carefully about getting a dog OP, especially for such a young child. I have a cross breed, she is utterly wonderful in every sense of the word but the commitment is huge both financially and the time.

She costs over £100 a month and could easily be more, we have been very lucky with no poor health etc.

You sound stressed and exhausted and if money is an issue on top of this i think it might be the straw that breaks the camels back for you.

There have been adverts at the end of the recent ' The Dog House ' programme for the last couple of weeks saying they are looking for applicants for the next series.
and a similar mention at the back of my TV guide.

and there is a request on their website - woodgreen.org.uk

The Dog House is Wood Green Animal shelter:
Woodgreen Pets Charity,
King's Bush Farm,
London Road,
Godmanchester,
Cambridgeshire,
PE29 2NH.
Please note, visits to our Welcome Centre are by appointment only.

I did think they used to have 2 branches ? but now there is only the one at Godmanchester.

I did note from watching the last couple of episodes that it is not just people that live in Cambridgeshire that adopt from them, pretty sure one recent family came from Wales.

and they do rehome to families with children.

Right now they only appear to have 22 dogs on their website, which surprises me very much. Some of them are reserved, and I don't think any of them are suitable for you / you for them

However do remember dogs come in to the center every single day.

@fandangored if you want to find a reputable breeder of a pedigree dog e.g. Miniature Poodle, look in the puppy finder section of the kennel club website and on the Champ Dogs website. You still always need to do your own due diligence though.

BTW-no 'breed' is good with kids/calm inherently. Every puppy is different. The biggest influence on a puppy/dog is not breed but how it is trained/treated by its owners.
Kids do need to understand (so do you) that excitable kids around a puppy will make it hyper-and stressed. This will continue into adulthood. Bang goes your 'calm' breed.
Puppies also need a quiet, private place which is their own and which is off-limits for your kid(s) when said puppy goes there. Vital to understand & enforce this!
My advice-put about 10 times more effort into F2F research and talking with animal professionals than you are putting in on line.
A dog is a big commitment. And a HUGE lifestyle change. (Remember no dog should be left at home alone for more than 3 hours at a time. A puppy can be left for CONSIDERABLY LESS TIME).
Involve your son in the search/research. He needs to understand a bit about how important a decision you are about to take, and how much effort you are all going to have to put in to get your perfect companion animal-and to make that animal happy and healthy.

Battersea Dogs and Cats Home also have a tv programme, ' For The Love of Dogs.'

and as a result of their TV programme we know they do rehome to families with children.

They have 62 dogs in their care, they do have 2 branches but like Wood Green they do not welcome visitors without an appointment.

They do have some ' mongrel ' puppies, but you need to look very very very closely at the photos to figure out what kind of mongrel they are. Then read the description and where possible they have said.

I can't see any of their current dogs / puppies being suitable for you either

but yet again, dogs come in every single day - esp as several of the London Boroughs use them for their stray dogs.

moving onto Many Tears Animal Rescue.

they always have puppies ! but the ' desirable ' ones go fast !!!

manytearsrescue.org

Many Tears Animal Rescue
Cwmlogin House
Cefneithin
Llanelli
Carmarthenshire
SA14 7HB

The majority of the dogs are at the center, but they do have fosterers throughout England and Wales - all the way down to Camborne in Cornwall and over to Norfolk. There may be a fosterer in Scotland ?

Currently they have 163 available dogs, and 51 reserved dogs, so there is possibly around 100 dogs at the center.

They do rehome to families with children BUT most of the dogs are not suitable for young children and most young children are not suitable for their dogs.

However as already said they frequently have puppies.

and amazingly they have a 4 month shih tzu cross in right now, but I suspect by the time anyone reading this actually applies he will already be reserved.
and any way they want home to go to a home that already has a dog.

and they have 3 maltese terrier / bichon x puppies so x breeds i.e. mongrels ! which you were considering buying a mongrel for £2500 ? was it. they are £425 ! however they would appear to be too nervous for a 1st time dog owner, and they too want/need another dog in the home.

puppies tend to go fast ! esp when they are a desirable breed.

Sadly you just missed out on

Reserved
ID: 43164

Name: Elouise ^

Breed: Cavapoo (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel cross Poodle)

Age: 3 Months

Gender: Female

Adoption Fee: See below
Location: In Foster in
Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire

If you are interested in adopting a dog that does not say it can be homed with a cat and wish us to cat test please let us know and we will be happy to do this.

15-02-25 Elouise is the most beautiful little puppy who has come to us from her breeder as she was unsold. She is such a delightful girl who is just full of puppy charm and is so loving and affectionate but with a touch if mischief! She could be homed as an only dog as long as her adopters were around most of the time and had plenty of time to spend with her and to ensure she grows into a well rounded adult dog. She could also live with other dogs as long as they would be happy to have a cheeky little puppy chasing around after them! Elouise could live with gentle dog savvy children, who were old enough to realise she's not a toy. She is such a wonderful pup, who just can't wait to find her forever home and become your best friend!
You will be asked to sign a contract confirming you will spay/neuter a puppy and we ask that a puppy attends puppy classes so they can socialise with other dogs and people.

ADOPTION DETAILS
If your application is successful you will be home checked and you, all members of your family and any dog(s) who will be living with the dog MUST come to meet the dog you want to adopt. All our dogs are micro-chipped, have had at least their first inoculation and are spayed/neutered unless there is a medical reason for not doing so. You must have a safe means of transporting the dog home in a crate or if this is not possible please discuss with Many Tears or the Fosterer when your application is being processed.
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU CAN TRAVEL TO WHERE THE DOG YOU WANT TO ADOPT IS LOCATED BEFORE YOU COMPLETE THE ADOPTION FORM
Please read our adoption procedures before applying and then complete the adoption form.

£425 !!! and you were going to pay how much ?!!!

What is your plan for the teething puppy stage where they have very sharp pointy teeth?

What is your plan for food safety with a 6 year old around who is likely to be dropping bits of food regularly?

What about your 6 year old makes you feel they are ready for all that comes with having a dog?
I ask this because it does sound like the dog is more for your child than something you want for yourself.

You really need to be able to answer all of these questions before contacting a rescue or breeder to prevent wasting everyone's time including your own.

You will also be aware of The Dogs Trust - I believe it was them that had the ' A Dog Is For Life And Not Just For Christmas ' campaign.

They seem to have branches throughout the UK and the website says they have 660 dogs in total, however putting in my postcode and a mileage of 150 miles they offer me 88 dogs.

They only had one puppy and it isn't small enough etc. for you. and the website wouldn't let me search for a higher mileage.

I don't know The Dogs Trust myself, so will leave it to someone else to recommend them...

Not dna tested for elbows? wtf?! She clearly knows nothing. Elbows/hips are x rays. Also, syringomyelia is the biggie with CKCS. 10 dams? Holy crap, you’ve had a lucky escape! She should have been happy to send you all health tests once you gave a reserve fee, although with 10, god knows which dog’s results you’d get: how could you possibly know? There’s no way of checking that she isn’t fudging all of it.

£2.5K is stupidly even with full verified health tests. Looking at my breed, I can source fully health tested puppies for £1.5K. They’re not hypoallergenic but that’s not a guarantee of any crossbreed, some may come out with the shedding of one parent.

I paid similarly for a cockerpoo. They are expensive, because they're popular. I wanted one. Honestly I think you've gotten into a tizz about all of this. We paid a cash deposit then the rest cash on collection. He gave us a receipt and a copy of the mum and dad's family tree with tests. Everything was fine. Do you think perhaps you've gotten too stressed about being scammed?

From the Dogs Trust website:

With our rehoming system, you just need to apply once, and we’ll do the runaround searching for the right dog for you. We’ll ask you to tell us all about your home and lifestyle, then we’ll get searching for the right dog for you. You won’t be applying for a specific dog

Finally - well you only asked for 5 dog charities :)

There is the Blue Cross.

www.bluecross.org.uk

and like the above they have branches throughout the UK.

according to their website they have 59 dogs. and some puppies but none that would be suitable for you, or you for them.

as I have no experience with the Blue Cross either, I will again leave it to someone else...