Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Original poster

Buying a puppy. Breeder applying pressure for payment.

582 replies

fandangored · 13/02/2025 01:42

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?!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
12
Lighteningstrikes · 19/02/2025 23:40

I’m really glad you are not proceeding.

i have a lot of experience in this and there’s no doubt about it, you would have lost a lot of money with this woman.
Fwiw, I’m an ethical and registered breeder (different type of pet), and people have come to me after being ripped off and scammed.

If you went through an online site, make sure you report her.

CellophaneFlower · 20/02/2025 00:58

ImagineRainbows · 19/02/2025 22:04

A backyard breeder is a breeder that breeds primarily for profit and not to benefit the breed. There is no reason to breed a cross breed to benefit the breed as there isn’t a breed standard. You have a dog that is a mix of 3 breeds, you’ve stated the parents are mixes of 2 breeds and even the grandparents a mix of 2 breeds.

There is absolutely no way of knowing your dog is the breed mix it’s supposed to be. And before you say you’ve had a DNA test, remember the study where these dog DNA test companies reported breeds as human DNA as they are so inaccurate. There is absolutely no way of knowing what lurking problems are being carried as there are too many genes potentially passed down and it’s not physically possible to do them all. You keep talking about health tests but have yet to confirm that the entire list of tests I posted were done.

There is absolutely no way to know the bitch isn’t being overbred as no organisation is registering and monitoring the number of litters from that bitch. There is absolutely no way to know the parents are even who they say they are as no one is recording and confirming the accuracy of the pedigree. For the same reason there is also no way to know the parents aren’t inbred again as no inbreeding coefficient calculated.

You can justify paying silly money for a mongrel that you could have picked up at any rescue centre as much as you like. The fact remains by doing so you have supported a backyard breeder.

Show quote history

Do you not then find it a bit of a coincidence that the 3 breeds I was told my dog was were the exact same ones that showed up in her test? Fancy that, with the hundreds of breeds available.

I said MY definition of backyard breeder, yours is clearly different. That doesn't make your opinion the right one.

You think I have no way of knowing if my dog's dam was overbred? You're wrong. If you mean in general, that's not what I've been discussing, I've been talking about my experience with my dog.

I have yet to confirm to you if your list of tests were done? Who on earth do you think you are 😂 But anyway, to humour you... as I stated earlier, they had all the tests necessary for their breeds. About 20 months ago, when I was looking at litters, I could have told you offhand exactly which tests these are but obviously now I'd have to go through my paperwork, which quite frankly I can't be arsed to do, just to appease a random on the Internet 🤦‍♀️

I'm not justifying anything. If I wanted to get a dog from a rescue I would have... but I didn't want to, as is my choice. And no, I haven't supported a backyard breeder. HTH

daleylama · 11/03/2025 19:33

fandangored · 13/02/2025 07:37

They are asking for part cash payment on the day of viewing puppy for the first time..

The reason for a breed is great with kids, supposedly calm, low allergy etc.,

I sent an email and her reply is this...

'I’m not sure where this has all come from but I asked for cash on viewing day and it’s you who has asked to pay by bank transfer so I’ve asked for it to be done before you come. If you’re not happy to part with money beforehand then cash on the day is my normal protocol after your appointment and cash for collection otherwise bank transfer is to be done prior to both arrivals.

I’m not sure what you’ve been reading at this time of night but I think you’ve driven yourself into panic mode, I’m a 5* licensed reputable breeder as you can clearly see from my Facebook page and reviews and I won’t be tarred with the same brush as whoever you’ve dealt with in the past.

I’ve operated the same protocols for the last 8 years and I’ve never had anyone dispute the way I work. Firstly there are lots of parts of paperwork to the contract, you have the first part after viewing day which is your holding deposit form and then contract of sale you when you collect. And no I don’t want you taking your puppy to the vets within 72 hours- firstly vets are places where people take poorly animals so you can pick up all sorts of germs, secondly you are having a full documented and signed health report from a vet upon collection and lastly it already states in my contract that if anything is found which deems your puppy unsuitable to be a family pet then you will have a full refund. You will be visiting your vets at 10 weeks for second vaccination and further check up once your puppy is more settled so you do not need to take them to the vets prior to this.

I’ll send photos of my paperwork tomorrow at some point when I’ve had chance to print.'

Any thoughts??

sounds perfectly reasonable if a bit blunt. Still think its a shame anyone still buys from breeders when there are so many pets looking for homes.

daleylama · 11/03/2025 19:46

fandangored · 18/02/2025 11:15

Can anyone list top 5 rescue centres?

I know of Battersea dogs home

We do want a puppy

so glad you're thinking of going this route.. Mayhew in W11 I think, Battersea. Celia Hammond and Wood Green also come up in Top 10 search.. A rescue is much better all round.

RunningJo · 12/03/2025 07:35

There are good breeders out there, but you have to be careful as there are SO many that aren’t

I’ve never met a breeder who takes a deposit,
absolutely never met one that wanted more money before even seeing the pup.
Generally good breeders have a waiting list of people wanting a dog. They will ask a potential owner lots of questions, the same as you should ask a breeder lots of questions.
Every dog I’ve ever bought has come with a contract to state that if I can’t keep the dog for any reason, it must go back to the breeder.
A good breeder will offer a lifetime of support.

A mix breed means you don’t actually know what temperament you may end up with, so no one can guarantee it would be good with children etc.

I would be looking on Champdogs website, they have a list of breeds. All of the breeds they give a little info, a list of owners and breeders who you can contact for advice.

And sorry, but paying £2500 for any dog is madness. They only charge this because people are paying it, there is absolutely no other reason for this extortionate cost.
Prices for all dogs has gone up, but again a reputable breeder won’t overcharge.
My last dog was £1100, the breeder charged that for her previous litter some years ago. My dog came with food, free insurance, a blanket & a lifetime of support from the breeder. The parents of the puppies had all the relevant health checks done too. We met the female, before she was even pregnant. We were put on a waiting list.
The breeder I contacted previously wanted £2500. Just goes to show the difference (for absolutely no reason) that some will try and charge people.

You mention she has 10 dogs which is a lot, but I know someone who has 7 (large breed) and she is a fabulous dog owner, judge, trainer and breeder. So the number of dogs isn’t always an assumption for a puppy farm, either way I’m very glad you aren’t going ahead. A puppy is a big decision and shouldn’t be rushed.

A rescue may be worth a shot, but they don’t always have puppies. Worth contacting them to put your name down, but again no guarantee it will be a breed (if they know the actual breed) that will be suitable.

Good luck with your search.

BestDIL · 13/07/2025 00:23

fandangored · 13/02/2025 08:36

Problem is I know nothing about her! No info, no details, no address all online. I've not received the contract yet! I want to see it. She's sending paperwork out in the post in next few weeks..

I would likely feel pressured to buy puppy upon viewing day.. having already paid a "pre reserve fee" of £200 - viewing first then collection 4 weeks after..

The dog is a cross breed of poodle and cavalier hence why not KC as they only have single breed.

Mum and dad should be KC though, I hope so!

You said that you’d been told that this a calm breed. I know of a few cavapoos and they are nuts! Really friendly loving dogs but completely and utterly bonkers!

BestDIL · 13/07/2025 00:33

Also cockapoos and cavapoos are known as Velcro dogs as they crave company. Do you work full time, if so, it would be mean to leave a puppy all day on its own.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page