Breeder switching dogs/collar colour

[Inastatus]

We are getting a puppy soon and have visited the breeder a couple of times to interact with the puppies and decide which one would suit us. We agonised over our decision but then felt we particularly bonded with one puppy and it was agreed that he would be ours. He has a green collar on. We are due to pick him up next week and the breeder has set up a group chat for everyone getting a pup. Tonight people started posting about which pups they are getting and someone else has posted a photo of them holding the green collared pup and telling everyone what they’ve called him. I saw the post briefly before the breeder deleted the post!
I’ve tried to message her but she’s not responded so far. I’m feeling a bit mugged off atm. Obviously need to hear what she has to say but I’m not sure what explanation she can come up with that will reassure me. I’m not sure what to do.

Thanks for replies everyone. I spoke to the breeder this morning and she apologised for the confusion. She has given me a reasonable explanation - mainly that the other family has young kids who were obsessed with having a particular colour of collar despite another colour she felt was better suited for a younger family.

She swopped collars just to save upset from them but has assured me that the pup we are getting is the one we chose just now has different collar. Both us and the other buyer are aware of the situation.

whilst I am still annoyed that she did this, I have no other concerns about the pups. We’ve met them all and all seem healthy and happy and have been vet checked (seen photos). We’ve seen them with mum etc and it’s definitely the breeder’s own home, not a puppy farm. All the pups are adorable so even if it does turn out that we didn’t get the exact one we chose, we will love it any way.

btw, it’s a Labrador.

OP, did you first pick the puppy when you visited, or has the breeder chosen the puppy based on the type of temperament you want?

I hate to burst your bubble, OP. But puppy farmers do use their own homes and it shouldn’t just be a vet check, but parents health scores and puppy health tests - good retriever breeders get the puppies health tested (I heart test mine, for example). And I don’t believe that breeders justification, at all. Likewise interested to know if you chose the puppy or the breeder did…

Agree with the above and not sure I buy the breeders explanation. Why did she delete the photo and not just explain in the WhatsApp group, which presumably the other owner's children wouldn't see anyway? Sounds more like she panicked... which she wouldn't have done if everybody was getting their chosen pups 🤔

@LandSharksAnonymous - yes, both the parents have been health scored for all the usual issues affecting the breed and I’ve seen proof. We chose the puppy but as I said earlier, I’m not 100% convinced that we will get the exact one.

@CellophaneFlower - I know, it’s suspicious that she deleted the photo and I’m not 100% convinced with her explanation. However, I’ve made peace with the fact that even if it’s not the exact puppy we originally chose, it will be ok. All the pups are healthy and gorgeous. Mum is good with them, health checks have been done and everything else is in order.

@SoLongMae - we chose the puppy.

She took all night to think of a excuse. She's lying.
Your choice but that would be it for me, I'd be looking elsewhere. I definitely would not be fighting over a dog.

What else has she lied about. I'd be looking for a trustworthy breeder.

Have you looked up the health test results of the parents for yourself OP?

Why would you pay someone who has admitted being duplicitous?

The breeder is dodgy and could even be lying about who sited the dog.

Is it one of those awful doodle breeds?

Sired ^

She isn't trustworthy..
Walk away.

I agree with you but I think she’s said it is a Labrador. There is no way I’d buy a breed with so many known health problems from a breeder who is an obvious liar and thinks the OP is gullible.

I think the Breeder is lying based on what you have written OP.
if she lies about that what else will she be lying about?
There were a few things with our dog that made me think The Breeder was not honest but I ignored my doubts because Cute Puppy and despite her having all the paperwork, meeting the mother, it being a domestic setting etc etc we (and our vet) are pretty certain ddog was from a puppy farm.
It could have gone very wrong but fortunately due to having breed experience, time and money to get expert help ddog is great.
Be really really cautious

Motivation aside this would niggle me for the rest of the dogs life. Labs aren’t a rare breed. I’d walk away.

It woukd niggle me too. There is no reason to lie, well with most people anyway and if she’s lying over this then what else is she lying about?