Your Experience With Registered Breeders

[aussielover]

Many people seem to have had negative experiences with registered breeders and there are so many posts here saying how hard it is to find a good one.

I have only had good experiences with breeders. After having a pet shop puppy where no support was offered and the dog was under-socialised and obviously not even the breed they said he was, getting a pup from a registered breeder was great.

Our Aussie breeder was very helpful and truthful about the breed. We were invited to come and visit her dogs so we could see what they were like. She gave us an older puppy that she was going to keep for breeding as she thought it would have better life with us and fit in well with us. The puppy was perfect for our lifestyle and will always be very fondly remembered as our family dog. We were able to board the dog with her when we went on holidays. When we saw her at dog shows (like the easter show) she always remembered us and asked after Clover. When Clover passed away we let her know and received a lovely email back.

Unfortunately she is not breeding very many Australian Shepherd litters anymore.

When were thinking about getting a new puppy, all the breeders i contacted were lovely, if they didn't have any dogs suitable, they would recommend another breeder.

When i contacted Mindy's breeder to let her know that we had her and how she was going, she was delighted to hear from us and appreciated the pics sent and progress update.

So my experiences have only been good!

Edited February 10, 2011 by aussielover

[wuffles]

I answered mixed.. some were polite and informative, some were a bit rude, and some didn't answer emails at all.

I did actually end up getting a different breed because I found a lovely breeder on DOL. We had considered this breed but hadn't contacted anyone about it.

My relationship with this breeder is excellent and we are still in regular contact

[Esky the husky]

Esky's breeder was good and professional.

Looking at lappie breeders now and all of them have been fan-bloody-tastic which makes the decision on which kennel to go with all the more impossible

[Dory the Doted One]

Q 2. Doesn't seem to have the option of, "No, but I got the dog anyway".

[aussielover]

Q 2. Doesn't seem to have the option of, "No, but I got the dog anyway".

i guess i sort of assumed one would not get a dog from someone they weren't happy with???

but, ok i'll add that anyway

[Remarkabull]

I found Acherons breeders out of luck. Fortunately they were using the lines I was interested in anyway and we just got chatting and I ended up buying a pup! Quite funny that I found them at a dog show, but they don't really show their dogs (working lines) but were there with friends and to socialise the puppies!

Am still in regular contact with them and have even invited them to Darwin for a holiday!

[ravenau1]

Well, after taking advice from here and visiting a dog show to talk to people/look at dogs of two breeds I was almost put off getting a purebreed dog altogether. In the end after much more research I only chose two breeders and decided to contact them one at a time in order of my preference. The first breeder is lovely, and amazingly friendly and helpful so I didn't end up contacting the second. We are in very regular contact and my experience with her has been nothing but positive

[whiskedaway]

I already spoke to Halo's breeder (and many other lappie breeders) on here, so I already knew a fair few different breeders. All other breeders I spoke to who weren't on here were also really good. We had a couple of choices of litters at the time, and we chose based on the lines in the end. Our breeder has been fantastic.

With Sibes, I sent three registered breeders emails. I got a reply from one, was offered a dog from them but he wasn't what we wanted and turned it down. A friend of ours knew Akira's breeder, and knew that he had a female pup left. We rang him, and got Akira a few days later. Sadly a BYB, but we didn't really know better then - we just knew not to buy from a pet shop.

[SkySoaringMagpie]

To be honest, I never expected that I would be "shopping" with the breeders first if that makes sense.

I asked friends and two co-workers who had experience with the breed or contacts with breeders for recommendations - at the time I was looking for a companion only. Their recommendations filtered out the breeders who would be disinterested in a newbie pet owner. I went with a breeder that there was consensus on from everyone - it wasn't that everyone sang her praises, the best one person said was "she'd be OK" but unlike every other name that came up, no-one I consulted had a strong reaction against her.

I have now had 4 dogs from her and the relationship is now one of mentor/mentoree. We email every week at least and talk on the phone regularly. We get on really well with the breeders of OH's Afghans and Wolfhound too. In the case of the Afghans, we have also not gone elsewhere in 8 years and are still close (regular email/phone) with the breeder.

I suspect that like most things, there is incentive to complain if you have had a bad experience, but not a lot of reason to post if you have had a good one.

[silentchild]

Well, after taking advice from here and visiting a dog show to talk to people/look at dogs of two breeds I was almost put off getting a purebreed dog altogether.

Do you mind if I ask why?

[Dory the Doted One]

I've had a dog from breeders I wasn't over thrilled with. We had differing philosophies on dog raising and training (amongst other things), but they had something that I wanted. I got the dog anyway, and accepted that if things went wrong I would have no support.

[lappiemum]

I always tell people that finding the 'right' breeder for you is as important as finding your 'right' breed. My breeders are good friends and mentors, and I could not ask for any better support. I try to do the same with the owners of my own puppies - its not just a responsibility, but a pleasure as well!

[ravenau1]

Well, after taking advice from here and visiting a dog show to talk to people/look at dogs of two breeds I was almost put off getting a purebreed dog altogether.

Do you mind if I ask why?

Because people were incredibly rude. One even made a snide comment in regard to the walking stick I was using at the time. I was quite upset at the time, but now OH and I have a giggle about it. And like I said, the interactions I've had with Astrid's breeder have been great.

When people ask me about purebred dogs, as they often do knowing I have one, I never tell them to go to shows. Maybe people are too focused or busy but I certainly didn't find it a good place for a newbie.

[Bubitty]

I love my breeders and although this may sound vain I am their "golden child" puppy buyer! They LOVES me even though I am a nutjob!!!

I remember ringing them up and asking "ZZZ, Can Bubby eat cake?"

Response "Only if it has icing on it dear."

I think its a matter of trying to find a breeder that is suitable for you and its a process that can take a while.

I went with my breeder (for both dogs now) because I loved their flexibility and open mind about things. We are like chalk and cheese but we get along incredibly well and they just laugh at my silliness rather than get annoyed! I also feel that they "get" my perspective on dog raising even if it may differ from theirs.

My biggest compliment from them was "We sold a dog last year to someone just like you and now they want another one! We are so pleased! They are exactly like you but less crazy!" :D

[silentchild]

Well, after taking advice from here and visiting a dog show to talk to people/look at dogs of two breeds I was almost put off getting a purebreed dog altogether.

Do you mind if I ask why?

Because people were incredibly rude. One even made a snide comment in regard to the walking stick I was using at the time. I was quite upset at the time, but now OH and I have a giggle about it. And like I said, the interactions I've had with Astrid's breeder have been great.

When people ask me about purebred dogs, as they often do knowing I have one, I never tell them to go to shows. Maybe people are too focused or busy but I certainly didn't find it a good place for a newbie.

Interesting, sorry to hear about your bad experience. :D Indeed the number one complain I hear about people from breeders is that most of them are 'snobby'.. when the reality is they are probably just too busy to have a chat, especially at shows. Personally I wouldn't recommend a newbie to go to a show to talk to a breeder, it's fine for looking at the beautiful dogs, but probably not if one is keen to have long chats with breeders.

[SkySoaringMagpie]

I love my breeders and although this may sound vain I am their "golden child" puppy buyer! They LOVES me even though I am a nutjob!!!

I remember ringing them up and asking "ZZZ, Can Bubby eat cake?"

Response "Only if it has icing on it dear."

:D ;)

[Rebanne]

Well, after taking advice from here and visiting a dog show to talk to people/look at dogs of two breeds I was almost put off getting a purebreed dog altogether.

Do you mind if I ask why?

Because people were incredibly rude. One even made a snide comment in regard to the walking stick I was using at the time. I was quite upset at the time, but now OH and I have a giggle about it. And like I said, the interactions I've had with Astrid's breeder have been great.

When people ask me about purebred dogs, as they often do knowing I have one, I never tell them to go to shows. Maybe people are too focused or busy but I certainly didn't find it a good place for a newbie.

all or only some?

[ravenau1]

Interesting, sorry to hear about your bad experience. :D Indeed the number one complain I hear about people from breeders is that most of them are 'snobby'.. when the reality is they are probably just too busy to have a chat, especially at shows. Personally I wouldn't recommend a newbie to go to a show to talk to a breeder, it's fine for looking at the beautiful dogs, but probably not if one is keen to have long chats with breeders.

Yes, I think that is pretty well correct. There are plenty of people here who show their dogs and they are friendly and helpful. It's just a shame I think that a lot of people are told to go to shows to find a breeder etc.

Well, after taking advice from here and visiting a dog show to talk to people/look at dogs of two breeds I was almost put off getting a purebreed dog altogether.

Do you mind if I ask why?

Because people were incredibly rude. One even made a snide comment in regard to the walking stick I was using at the time. I was quite upset at the time, but now OH and I have a giggle about it. And like I said, the interactions I've had with Astrid's breeder have been great.

When people ask me about purebred dogs, as they often do knowing I have one, I never tell them to go to shows. Maybe people are too focused or busy but I certainly didn't find it a good place for a newbie.

all or only some?

Just the people I spoke to, and I didn't speak to everyone there. Perhaps I just picked the wrong handful to talk to, anything is possible. As you can imagine I didn't stick around for terribly long

ETA: As I've seen suggested here before it would be great if there were regular 'meet the dogs' days or something, where people could get along to see different dogs and the dog owners weren't under competition pressure like at a show

Edited February 11, 2011 by ravenau1

[gidg]

I emailed about 50 breeders when I first began my search to find a breeder.

And I had a lovely response from most of the people.

Even if they didn't have pups planned, many of them wrote back anyway with good wishes, people to contact etc. I also got some phonecalls with some very chatty friendly people.

Telling me to come along to certain shows and seek them out.

I felt a bit shy about doing that though.

I find the thought of approaching breeders quite daunting and nerve wracking and anxiety inducing.

Particularly because I have plans to become a registered breeder myself oneday.

I want to be a friendly and approachable breeder, as I believe this opens the way for truth, and is best for the well being of the pups and their future. Also in assessing people as possible puppy owners.

ie:

If potential new puppy owners don't feel comfortable talking with the breeder, they're not likely to open up about the type of life they can give a puppy, and their intentions for the puppy.

However, if anything, my interactions with registered breeders has been really lovely

I'm talking Golden Retrievers here. :D

Edited February 12, 2011 by gidg

[Bjelkier]

I've never had an issue with breeders being rude, nasty, not answering emails or being snobbish at shows.

And I have dogs from three different breeders and will be getting a fourth soon.

I had a huge reply written but I think I will just stick with this now, it's just not worth it.

Edited February 11, 2011 by Bjelkier