Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

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
Rosscameasdoody · 13/02/2025 09:04

fandangored · 13/02/2025 07:51

I asked for a bank transfer but she's saying cash (who carries £500?)

No she isn’t, she’s giving you the choice and stating her terms for both. Her response is fine, she sounds reputable, but it also sounds as though she’s had trouble with time wasters/non payment so she’s put terms and conditions in place to protect herself.

Feelingleftoutagain · 13/02/2025 09:06

When I bought my dog, the breeder didn't want any money until I saw the pup, we had a frank and open conversation with her about how he would be looked after, she went through costs for grooming etc and was happy with our answers. We then paid a minimal deposit of 50 pounds, we were told we could visit as many times as we wanted and said bring all the people who he would living with. On day of collection we paid by bank transfer, she put his microchip in the day before and gave us the paperwork etc. She advised to have him checked by a vet but we were given a week to bring him back if the vet found anything wrong but she gave me all the paperwork from her own vet which showed that he been checked, as well as first jabs. She also said call me at anytime no matter how old, he is if you need any advice.

Fairyflaps · 13/02/2025 09:07

I would run a mile. At 4 weeks, you are not going to be taking a puppy home with you. What checks has the breeder done on you and your family to make sure that you would be good owners for her puppy? Have they even met you?

The objection to you taking the puppy to a vet is batshit.

Cross-breed dogs are a gift to puppy farmers. Because they are not recognised breeds they are outside kennel club checks, and because of the demand they are able to make a lot of money.

RedSquirrelRoar · 13/02/2025 09:07

As I’m sure you know, OP, Cavaliers in particular have genetic health problems (eg heart murmur) that can cause a lot of suffering and lower life expectancy.
Those problems aren’t necessarily overcome simply by cross-breeding, so the parents would ideally need thorough (and expensive) health tests to make sure the puppies will be healthy. Has the breeder provided any information on that?
I think if you don’t feel comfortable with the breeder at this stage (and I wouldn’t either from what you’ve said), it’s best to walk away now - it will be harder once you’ve seen the puppy.

Twiglets1 · 13/02/2025 09:08

I would pay cash deposit on the day as requested, then at least you see the puppy first. Ask for a receipt.

I find dog breeders can be a funny bunch. Generally nicer in person though.

MeridianB · 13/02/2025 09:08

Ugh. So she could be a scammer, tax evader, money launderer, animal abuser, unscrupulous breeder or all of these.

BoredZelda · 13/02/2025 09:09

The vet thing is the red flag ! Any new pet should see your vet ASAP.

Breeder is making the point that they provide a full vet's report when you get your puppy.

When we got our puppy, we spoke to the vet and they said the same thing. You don't take a brand new puppy in to the vet unless your really need to as they have no immune system to protect them. We gave the breeders vet report to our vet and they were happy with that.

Sunnysideup999 · 13/02/2025 09:09

I’ve never bought a dog before, but I am legally qualified , and I wouldn’t transfer any funds without contact details or sight of a contract.
It’s very odd as well that she says you can’t take it to a vet ‘for fear of germs’. That’s utterly ridiculous - of course you can take it to a vet !

MoleAtTheCounter · 13/02/2025 09:10

I am wary of people who want payment in cash. If they are happy to cheat HMRC they may be happy to cheat you.

Icklerace28 · 13/02/2025 09:10

Is it a cavapoo your looking at getting? If so I've got a 2 year old one. He is as mad as a hatter. Very high needs and high grooming. Feel free to pm me. I did alot of research when looking for a breeder. Took a long time to find a suitable one!

Hoppinggreen · 13/02/2025 09:11

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!

As soon as I read your opening post I knew it was a doodle of some kind. There are no ethical doodle breeders as far as I am concerned.
Not being able to take the pup to the vet straight away is a HUGH red flag and as for her return guarantee its not enforceable.
Reservation fee after viewing or just before is fine as is cash or transfer at pick up but the rest sounds dodgy and the way she immediately gets defensive is a bit odd (depending on what you said to her)

Onlyvisiting · 13/02/2025 09:11

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?!

No! Absolutely not, this isn't something a reputable breeder would ask

Resilience · 13/02/2025 09:11

I'd go with your gut instinct.

She could be legit. I paid for my dog via balance transfer on the day and was waiting for over two hours before it turned up in her account (left mine pretty instantly though! 🤔). It was ok as we went for a walk with her husband and their family dogs (including dam) while waiting, but I could see that being tedious for the breeder if it's regular, and too financially risky to say just take the dog I'm sure the money will turn up.

However, the complete lack of paperwork is a no no. While I didn't get my KC papers for a few weeks, the breeder emailed me the contract and the dam and sire's details as soon as she was satisfied I was serious.

I'm also a bit dubious about the viewing day. I know several breeders who encourage people to view at the same time because it's less disruptive, but a range of viewing dates is far more indicative that the pus are being reared in the proper environment and not just being brought out from display from a less optimal environment into a carefully staged fake one.

If it doesn't feel right, just don't do it. A dog is for life, costs a significant sum of money to raise properly even without health/temperament issues and the heartbreak that can follow if you don't source properly is horrendous.

Themetalloadarticulated · 13/02/2025 09:13

I think I may have used this breeder and she was brilliant. I will DM you.

orzomushroom · 13/02/2025 09:14

Wonderwhyibother · 13/02/2025 08:45

Biggest red flag for me is the breeder not wanting you to take the puppy to the vet. First thing I have always done either with puppies or an older rescue is get them booked straight in for a thorough check up. Not saying their vet is dodgy but I trust my vets and I want to make sure I have a healthy animal.

THIS 👆👆👆👆The whole tone of her email is hostile . 100% puppy farm She clearly doesn’t want a vet near the puppy!!

Sunnysideup999 · 13/02/2025 09:15

She’s sending the contract in the post?! Yeah right.
insist on it upfront by email so you can see the terms of it

SecondMrsTanqueray · 13/02/2025 09:15

I don’t know enough about the industry to say if it’s dodgy. She sounds quite responsible to me. But I can’t believe what these people get away with in terms of costs when selling a mongrel.

Our experience - we bought a puppy last year. We put a deposit down when we viewed and chose him. He was vet checked, wormed, chipped and had his 1st vaccinations. He was also KC registered and DNA tested. And had insurance for 4 weeks. I felt really confident in our breeder. The pups had a lovely set up in her living room, we met both parents and in the weeks between reserving and collecting, she sent us regular photos and videos of him and we’re still in regular contact.

Hedgerow2 · 13/02/2025 09:15

I'll need to be prepared to knock this on the head.. I don't have a good feeling - she's also insistent that my kids come to viewing to meet us (of course this adds pressure)

Or she wants to meet everyone in the family who will be living with the dog to see how they interact and if they are suitable?

Hdjdb42 · 13/02/2025 09:15

Just take cash on the day. That's what I did. She'll give you a receipt.

Simpton · 13/02/2025 09:16

@fandangored we got our cavapoo from a very reputable breeder in the Scottish Borders and this was the protocol. We paid a deposit to reserve the dog, paid some when we viewed the dog and the rest on collection. The dog was also health checked with their vet before coming home with us and then we took him to the vets at 10 weeks for his jags

Lou205 · 13/02/2025 09:17

This all sounds very dodgy, anyone reputable would have 4 weeks insurance as a very basic thing. You don't seem to know anything about this woman or the parents of the puppies except that they have meaningless 5 star reviews on shitty facebook!

She doesn't want you to take it to the vet because of germs and diseases it might get and I bet if you had issues and tried to return the puppy for a refund she would blame the issues on you rather than the dog - and refuse to give you a refund. I would bet you any money in the world that you would never, ever get a refund out of her - sounds good in her facebook ad though doesn't it?

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 13/02/2025 09:17

Themetalloadarticulated · 13/02/2025 09:13

I think I may have used this breeder and she was brilliant. I will DM you.

Or for all we know you might be the breeder?

YouDeserveBetterSoAskForIt · 13/02/2025 09:18

Most reputable breeders INSIST and have in their contracts that you are to take the puppy to a vet within 72 hours.

I have also never heard of a breeder taking part payment before pickup day.
You pay the deposit and then when you go to bring them home you pay the remaining amount.

This person sounds incredibly dodgy and I would write the £200 off. They may have good reviews but that could just be them getting lucky.

It isn't worth working with someone like this.

TaylorNotSoSwift · 13/02/2025 09:18

I wish people would stop buying cross breeds from people like this.
Go to a breeder, a KC registered breeder who will have health tests and appropriate hip/eye/elbow scoring done as appropriate for the actual breed of dog.
KC show dog breeders often charge significantly less than breeders of crossbreed animals and they will know the lines going back generations.
Your spidey senses are going off for a reason.
No dog is guaranteed to be hypoallergenic - even crosses with a high likelihood of it will have pups in litters who do not have those genes.
A good breeder will absolutely interrogate you about your home life, experience, training plans etc and will expect a deposit.
have a look at the Champdogs puppy register.

Tamarastar · 13/02/2025 09:19

Your post is raising lots of concerns for me. When I and my friends have purchased a dog, our experience has been similar to @Feelingleftoutagain

We have never had to pay a 'pre reserve fee' let alone pay more. I can understand if there is a long waiting list for a puppy (as there is for some rare breed dogs) it may be necessary- but in that case no further monies should be due until you have met a puppy which you wish to purchase.

And everyone I know who has bought a puppy has had it vet checked immediately on a sort of 'return if unhealthy basis' - (the breeder will usually already have had the pup checked so knows it is healthy. I understand some have concerns about pups going to the vet due to bugs etc- but in that case would expect her to provide the details of the vet who has checked the puppies with permission for you to contact them direct.

I am very sorry but would not proceed with this puppy.