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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Weird power balance with breeder

20 replies

TessoftheSuburbavilles · 10/10/2014 12:07

I did all the responsible stuff researching chosen breed etc and have waited nearly a year for a breeder within a travelable distance (ie not 10 hours each way) to produce a litter. There is only 1 pup which meets my colour / sex preferences and I now feel a bit like the breeder holds all the cards. Its almost like they are doing me a favour by offering me this prized pup. Do I carry on regardless of choice or risk waiting another year - and potentially the same situation by walking away??

OP posts:

TheHoundsBitch · 10/10/2014 12:14

Surely you either want the dog or you don't? If it's healthy and you are willing to pay what they ask then what's the problem?
I think good breeders probably do feel they are doing you favour letting you have the puppy.

Original poster

TessoftheSuburbavilles · 10/10/2014 12:23

Don't think its a favour when considerable amounts of money are being exchanged?
We were very happy to be subjected to rigorous vetting etc and feel we are able to offer a good home to a dog. I perhaps naively thought the idea was to match puppy to family, there is an awful lot of advise regarding energy levels of individual animals etc.

OP posts:

Didly · 10/10/2014 12:41

I think that due to good breeders always being willing to accept one their pups back regardless of circumstances or age they are rightly cautious about who they sell them to in the first instance.

I'm not entirely sure I understand what you mean when you ask if you should carry on regardless of choice. Is the breeder suggesting a different pup to the one you want may be a better match for you?

If so I would honestly take their opinion on board, particularly if your choice is largely based on colour.

We pick up our pup up in a couple of weeks. When we went to choose him the breeder immediately said there were a couple of pups in the litter she didn't think we're suitable for us/ our circumstances owing to what she knew of their personalities already.

I'm not suggesting you are irresponsible but I personally think it is important to take a (good!) breeders opinion on board.

Good luck. Our of interest what breed are you getting? We're getting a German Shorthaired Pointer

PercyHorse · 10/10/2014 13:20

I don't quite understand. What is the breeder actually doing/saying? Are they suggesting that your chosen puppy is possibly too much of a handful for you and steering you towards a more easy going pup?

PercyHorse · 10/10/2014 13:27

If that's the case ^ , I would listen to the breeder because I'd only buy from a breeder whose opinion I totally respected when it comes to their dogs.

tabulahrasa · 10/10/2014 13:41

If a good experienced breeder is recommending a particular puppy - I'd listen to them.

It's very common for breeders to decide which puppy suits which owner...with good breeders anyway.

Also as far as they're concerned they are doing you a favour, good breeders have no shortage of puppy buyers - they can and should be picky about who gets a puppy as they're responsible for the puppy existing and will be responsible is anything goes wrong.

TheHoundsBitch · 10/10/2014 14:02

What is it that the breeders are doing/saying that you actually have a problem with though?

Original poster

TessoftheSuburbavilles · 10/10/2014 14:48

Ah, I am new to all this, thought was my choice re puppy selection, especially as only 2 weeks old so no real personalities yet.

OP posts:

twentyten · 10/10/2014 14:53

We wanted a Black and Tan female Doberman and only one in the litter - first time we saw her she was at the back of the pen barking loudly while the rest were snoozing/ nuzzling hands..... Our hearts sank. She has remained true to first view! Feisty and challenging and incredibly hard work but now good fun........

Original poster

TessoftheSuburbavilles · 10/10/2014 14:55

Maybe I should just let fate decide, due to visit in a couple of weeks, will just be open minded.

OP posts:

needastrongone · 10/10/2014 15:21

They kind of are doing you a favour, if they are reputable

I imagine the mating will have been carefully thought through, with considerable time and effort going into the process. The breeder will know which pup will suit each home best.

Might I gently suggest you focus on temperament and personality rather than sex and colour? I have a black and white springer and a black cocker, I actually prefer the liver and tan colourings visually if I am totally honest, but both have amazing temperaments. Given they may be part of the family for 15 or so years, that might count for a lot!!

Good luck.

tabulahrasa · 10/10/2014 15:52

How it usually works is that the breeder having met you a few times and spoken to you a lot and spending all day every day with the puppies will make a final decision about which puppy is best suited to you at about 6 or 7 weeks...though they may well have had an idea before that about the puppy's personality.

I like boys, it's silly really because realistically once they're adult and neutered it doesn't really make much difference, but I do prefer boys. But I'd take a girl from the right breeder before a boy from one I wasn't as sure about.

If there's something about the breeder themselves that you're not liking, then do bear in mind that they'll expect to keep in contact with you...but if it's just that they're picking the puppy, that is normal.

PersilOrAriel · 10/10/2014 16:01

How many people have enquired about this litter? My puppy was in a litter of 8 but there were 40 people who expressed an interest in them. I think that the breeder actually did do me a massive favour by letting me have one of them.

mrslaughan · 10/10/2014 16:14

I think be guided by the breeder as to what puppy suits your family best.

With the breed we have, the females are far more challenging, so our breeder recommended we get a boy, because young family and we are first time owners to this breed. I have always had girls,...but we now have the most perfect family dog.

Different animals - but I am looking for a horse at the moment - I refuse to be swayed by colour........temperament is the most important thing, I know too many people who have bought horses because they are pretty, but haven't paid attention to if the horse suits them and what they need...and it has all ended in tears.

If they are a reputable breeder, they want their dogs going to the right family.

MiddletonPink · 10/10/2014 19:02

I don't understand.

What have they said or done yoi don't like?

If the puppy is the sex and colour you want, the breeder is reputable, done all.appropriate health check, socialised puppy etc and they are happy with you what is the problem?

bindiboo · 13/10/2014 17:20

Why give money to a breeder in the first place. So many abandoned dogs in needs of homes yet these dog breeders are making money producing more.

daisydotandgertie · 13/10/2014 22:10

I have no clue what you're upset by.

The breeder IS doing you a favour by letting you have one of their puppies. That is how it should be. A good breeder will have a waiting list as long as their arm for puppies - I have a long waiting list for both of my next two litters, even though one is 2 years off and the other 3. If I had a hint of someone getting shitty with me, they'd be straight off the list without a second thought. I want an ongoing relationship with my puppy owners, where they feel comfortable asking me questions for the duration of the dogs life. Anything to help them enjoy the dog and ensure it has a fabulous life.

Do you trust the breeder or not? If you do, be guided by them with regard to the litter they've bred - if they are any good, they will know exactly what they've bred. On the other hand, if they're trying to change your mind about colour or sex at only two weeks old, I smell a cock up with their waiting list which they're trying to sort out. If you don't trust them, don't have one of their puppies. It's pretty simple.

TripTrapTripTrapOverTheBridge · 15/10/2014 12:24

They ARE doing you a favour, they don't have to sell you one of their puppies, there will be many others who would have one.

Don't view them as you would a branch of Tesco! They will want to ensure you are suitable and right for one of their dogs and they will want to make a suitable match too.

If it was a case of 'oh she wants a black and white female' and just handed the pup over like that I would be questioning them. Good breeders will question and make suitability assessments. Trust them.

SinclairSpectrum · 15/10/2014 14:01

Know its getting slightly off topic but I do wonder how we came to be in such an odd scenario - breeders with waiting lists charging upwards of £1000 per dog when the kennels are full. There isn't an equivalent issue with other species. My childhood cats were bought for the price of a pint from some bloke down the pub that my dad knew

ChippingInLatteLover · 15/10/2014 14:03

What is it exactly, that the breeder is doing, that's pissing you off?

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