Breeder doesn’t allow visits… walk away?

[Hawknotdove]

Hello,

I’ve found a breeder locally with puppies available in the autumn. She seems legitimate in most respects - pictures of her showing dogs and winning Crufts all over FB, sent me vetting questionnaire, then video call and wants to do a home visit. Seems dog-obsessed and has sent me hand-written info sheets on diet, care etc. She comes across as someone who lives for her dogs - possibly to the point of being a bit obsessive.

However, she says she doesn’t allow visits to her own home. She says she will pick 1 or 2 pups (depending on size of litter) than she thinks are a good fit for our family and bring them to my house with the mother when they are old enough. Also, when I did a call to meet her and the dogs, they didn’t appear to be in her house (she says they live in the house but it looked like she’d taken them to a barn for the call).

Finally, she’s bred in line so they have an in-breeding coefficient that’s higher than the breed average.

Shes’s KC assured and the parents are fully health screened.

Honestly, it’s such a mine field!!!

Walk away?

I would appreciate advice. You’ve all been so helpful so far!

I understand her not wanting people coming to her house encase someone steals a pregnant dog or puppies.. but if she’s been to your house and can verify that you live where you say and are who you say, then I don’t see the issue.
I don’t think I’d be happy with not being allowed to see the puppies in their own home.
I think I’d look for another breeder personally, it also isn’t good practice at all to cross lines. I wouldn’t want a puppy with this in its genetics.
years ago my mum bought a pedigree kitten whose mum and Dad shared a grandfather or something similar, he only lived about 5 years, it was really sad.

No chance! Xx

As my son would answer your question: "Heck, yes!". Run don't walk away.

You need to see that it is their Mum and see them in their own home environment. It sounds like a puppy farm or a substandard breeding environment to me. If you are at all professional about breeding then you need to have a professional environment. If she's boasting Crufts then presumably her dogs aren't pets who live in her house. You need someone with a proper registered business in case something goes wrong. You wouldn't buy a washing machine from someone who brought it round and didn't have a registered business address so please don't do it to a pet.

As a past breeder of dogs for many years, I would be extremely suspicious of anyone who won't let you visit the pups in their home . We always insisted people came at least twice to view and if they couldn't be bothered to do that then they weren't considered for a puppy.

Inbreeding and outbreeding all have issues. Complete out crossing can be just as bad .
This should not be considered the same as line breeding.
What breed of dog are you looking at OP?

I do think it's very likely they are from a puppy farm or they themselves are puppy farmers.

But as the mating hasn't even taken place its all if and when anyway.

As far as the KC is concerned, you have to start somewhere and probably better than the local paper! You need to do your research as much as possible.

I wouldn't touch them .

I've hijacked my sister's account, sorry, but this is important to me. I work in animal welfare with the police and councils and this sounds to me like a classic puppy farm. The "breeder" (and I use that term very loosely) comes across as all concerned and what is best for the pups. The home visit is for 2 reasons.

1. They are looking around to see how much money you have. If they think they can get more money, suddenly there are extra vet fees, registration fees etc.
2. So they don't have to have you at their addresses. You then have nowhere to go if something goes wrong and they have ghosted you. Also the pups are not there.

1. The dogs don't live with the breeder and it would be easy to pick up on a protective mother in an unfamiliar environment if they had been moved there for the viewing.

The mother isn't when pregnant yet but they will have multiple bitches waiting to get pregnant and you will get pot luck as to which litter comes first.

Follow your gut and run, report and go elsewhere. Even better, if you can, rescue a dog. There are so many, including rescued farm pups, that need forever homes.