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?!

We didn’t pay any money before viewing. Deposit on the day and then rest of payment when we collected.

When we got our dog we researched and found a great breeder. So we were on the waiting list, and when dog had the puppies, she reserved one for the top names on her waiting list. Then at 5 weeks old, we went and saw our designated pup, we said yes and then we paid a £250 deposit, we THEN paid the balance when we took puppy home at 8 weeks.

Breeder said at the 5 week visit it no problem
if people say no at that time, as she had others down the waiting list desperately wanted a pup.

A good breeder with a good reputation, who doesn’t overbreed their dogs, and lets you come and see puppies with their mum at 5 weeks, will have a line of people wanting a dog, if you decided against it! Our breeder knew they would sell their dog anyway, did not chase us for money until dog was seen in the flesh by us

Asked my friend, she said no insurance. But market practice is evolving for crosses - as another poster said, they had that 4-week insurance. So I suspect some breeders offer it, some don’t - for crosses. It’s easy to offer it for KC puppies as KC offers it for free. For crosses, it’s a cost for the breeder so will be reflected in tge price. (Well, tgere is no such thing as free lunch, so KC insurance is not “free”, it’s reflected in the KC reg costs for the breeder and the puppy, but probably cheaper per puppy as it’s a part of a bulk cost).

Oh and we had been after a rescue dog for 2 years previous, couldn’t get one for love nor money, as had a primary aged child and 2 cats at home! We did find an 18 month old cross lab at rspca but when got there, a relative of a staff member there had got him already. We gave up in the end. Got to remember you don’t know a rescue dogs past, the rescue centres will not often risk a dog going to a household with young children in our experience. And if one does come up that is suitable, you have about 10 other people wanting them.

I've bought two puppies in the last 4 years (plus been scammed once). For neither of the two did I pay anything before viewing the puppies. Even the scammer did a video call of puppies (which he probably sold a million times over), and then asked for a deposit of £200. For my two actual dogs, the process was an early viewing with no obligations beforehand, and once we had seen the puppies and the mother and the set-up, then we put down a deposit. The balance was paid on collection day. I also took both puppies to the vet for a check-up within 48 hours, even though they had both been vet checked and came with insurance. I would back away from this breeder. Her being gratuitously rude is also a red flag - it's utterly unprofessional.

Red Flag. I didn't pay the deposit until I had physically held them and seen them in person. I picked which ones I wanted, then did a bank transfer to reserve and paid in full by bank transfer upon collection when they were ready.

We did ask about that and the Dogs Home said the pups are reserved the day they arrive at the home so it’s pure luck if you happen to be visiting while they’re bringing the pups in.
It’s been just over 12 months now, I felt like the worst Mum in the world. I made a stupid decision to adopt (dog was 2yrs old) and my poor daughter paid the price.

You did your best. Dogs are unpredictable, so it’s really not your fault. Some rescues don't operate like that - the one I volunteer at always puts pups on the social media and website to allow applications. Though I’m sure you don’t really fancy a dog now.

This is costing us £2500 and I need to make the right decision here. I may have to pull out as I think she is short and coming across as rude too. She has been from the start?!

I will try get £200 back.

I don't know why but I feel she is rushing things along - I would rather pay rest of money upon collection not £500 then the rest..

That's the pressure part..

I've been looking into breeds good for kids and small ish

I don't mind it having personality but not too mental.. I think I may need to train it with puppy classes.. I'll have to pull out here I think

I think that’s why I felt so awful, though I showed the video to the Dogs Home and even they looked mortified because the dog had never shown aggression let alone unprovoked (dog literally lunged across the room while she sat on the arm of the sofa).
We’ve decided on a few different breeds and we’d go for a puppy from a reputable breeder once we’re all ready for a dog.
Thank you for replying ❤️

A rescue centre would have been much better. I guess if it's a reputable breeder, then OK. We got our GSD from a KC registered breeder but 20 years ago there wasn't such a faff on with money and deposits. We went, he chose us, we paid. If I was doing it again, it would be a rescue. Guessing it's a labrodoodle cockapoodle blended breed if it's for allergies etc.? Breeders can ask for what they want and how they want it nowadays. But she sounds as if she's had people wasting her time.

I may go back and ask for health test proof of parents..

Bloody hell, just seen the 2.5 k price tag. Whaaaaaaaaaat? Is it a showline dog with gold for blood???

£2500 for a cross from a Facebook 'breeder'?! 😲

:( I've f*cked up!!

From memory I paid 300 to secure my pup before viewing. I absolutely could have viewed before paying though but the breeder was 4 hours away. I was really wary at first and asked if she could just let me know if anybody else was interested and give me first refusal if the pup was going to be reserved before I could visit and pay the deposit. She said yes of course but she expected the pup to go quickly. I panicked and paid the deposit 🙈

In my defence it was money I was prepared to lose and she wasn't putting the hard sell on me in hindsight, as the other pups did get reserved quickly and mine was the last bitch available.

Yes you have, paying 2.5k for a crossbreed! As others have said, these are also NOT calm dogs. To be fair, there are no calm puppies and you may need to manage expectations there.

I would also recommend looking into adoption, with a dog who has been assessed and will be the right fit for you, and it means you won't be open to any more puppy farmer scammers. Rescues also have puppies, if that's still what you'd prefer and they do home them to people with children, but you will usually have to wait a bit longer for a puppy.

This does however rely on a) the person giving the dog up for adoption being opened and honest about behaviour/health/issues and the rescue being transparent when relaying info. There is still no guarantee.

FFS, Utterly ridiculous for a mongrel tarted up as some so-called fashionable crossbreed.
Are you a first time dog owner? You have had lots of very sensible advice here, buying any animal off Facebook smacks of inexperience on your part and scam on the breeder’s.
Puppy farm is my guess 🤬, poor puppy.

She saw you coming!

I don't think you've found one here.

I know it's too late now but PLEASE make this the first thing you check in future.

There are rubbish breeders that health check and litters of puppies that will end up fine despite not having parents with the relevant checks so it's by no means any less of a minefield but it at least tells you the breeder is somewhat bothered about the litters they are producing.

Cavapoos can have really bad separation anxiety. Usually good with children though, hence why a lot of families like them. They do need a lot of exercise as well, from what I know of them. Quite bouncy dogs. You'd be better off with a smaller dog I would think. If I had a family I would go for a labrador or a GSD. Both great family dogs, but allergy wise not good, especially with GSD shedding. And still need loads of exercise. Basically every dog needs two walks a day anyway. But your boy will have a best friend and protector for life.

Miniature schnauzers are a great family pet (although they do like the sounds of their own voice!), I know a great breeder in Kent who definitely never asked us for deposits and payments before even seeing the animals. And he was not rude.