Does anyone feel there is a drop off in enquiries for puppies? I have no pups  but know others that do, that say they have had less calls.
It could be the effect of "that programme " but also the economic situation . Any thoughts?

Both I suspect but if I was going to speculate I would blame the recession more.

Both - I know that the Horse Rescue centres have a 50% increase in enquiries about taking in horses that people can no longer afford.   And the same with three dog rescue centres that I have knowledge of are in the same position.    Quite a few breeders who have had lists for puppies are finding that people are having to pull out because they have lost or are likely to lose their jobs.  

Of course that programme also has a lot to do with it as well :(

Margot

Yep. Others state that they have had loads of enquiries but there again I don't really advertise.  I had quite a list but all have decided that they are wanting to wait until the summer.  Was going to breed my other girl but wondering whether to now.

We've not had any enquiries for about 2 yrs now but since begining of 09 there seems to be loads looking for our breed not really sure why but as we've got a litter planned this year not going to complain.

Have noticed a more sensible approach from prospective buyers more are now willing to come and visit the dogs, us get checked out etc BEFORE we've even done a mating with them being more willing to accept it when we say sorry don't think this is the breed for you.

to be honest, I havent had the enquiries I used to.. but still could have sold this litter twice over.. majority of my pups were sold before born, and two before actual mating took place.. it was only the sex mix that dictated whether pups would have homes to go to.. my waiting list was for 5 boys.. 3 girls.. I had 6 boys and one girl.. I am keeping the girl.. and one  of the girl owners is happy to have a boy..but I had 3 calls yesterday for pups..and 4 e-mails over the last week or so..

2 of these owners have been waiting for nearly 9 months for a pup since they were on my list for last litter, but there was not a pup available for them.. and they waited..

I did have one owner drop out, because he took a promotion which meant more time away from home..

I think that many breeders will find a little of this is down to 'that programme', I am more inclined to think the 'credit crunch' will be mostly to blame..

I have been inundated with enquiries for my litter at the moment. All booked before they were born and ive passed on around 15 or more to friends and other breeders.There really doesn't seem to be any change in our breed but its totaly understandable for enquiries to drop off as a whole.

mel.

I am new to this - and my girl due in May - and vet thinks 3 - and I have been having a few enquiries and 2 of them are definately on list, one on vets recommendation and the other groomer recommendation

My pups are due in May and so far I've 4 dog 3 bitch puppies booked and another enquiry this afternoon -speaking to another breeder whose bitch is due around the same date she also has loads of bookings - so I don't think the credit crunch has had much affect at all in our breed - but then there are not loads of pups around and people seem happy to go on a waiting list.

Yvonne

I've got 2 different breeds and for one of them I haven't had any enquiries at all recently, for the other I've got 2 pups booked and I've not even told the world yet the bitch has been mated -people just got in touch on the offchance.

Your comments seem to indicate it MAY be a breed specific thing then.As my area of concern is one of the featured breeds in the TV programme.Allways a popular breed ,too popular really.If puppy sales drop it will maybe  encourage the pin money breeders to "bail out" leaving the lovers of the breed to weather the storm,which of course they will . So maybe things aren't that bad after all.

Not really a drop off, as I'm still getting enquiries, but not all from people that I consider suitable to have a dog.  I have had one person on my waiting list from before the girl had even come into season, but was happy to wait.  However, I've had 2 lots of people email me to say that their circumstances have changed.  I did wonder if the cancellations were down to job losses, but didn't ask.  I really didn't get the impression that it was to do with a television programme.

I dont I could have sold my litter countless times over although I was worried before I did the mating and thought about it long and hard before I decided to go ahead. I also think it depends on the breed .My breed is one you do have to search for I have had people say they have been looking for months.
Only difference is people asking what the hip scores were but in the same instance it was obvious they didnt know what they were talking about !

I do believe that the global recession is behind any possible drop in puppy enquiries - surely much more likely to have an impact on the general public than a biased documentary, I wonder what the viewing figures were ? Although I am sure the programme makers would simply love to think they had had a devastating impact on pedigree dog breeding in the UK.
But sadly for them, the vast majority of potential dog owners do not want a mongrel ! :-)

It went quiet at the start of the year but I have had 2-3 enquiries daily this last 3 weeks.  I just pass them to our breed club Puppy co-ordinators but it has been busy.

Those that are getting plenty of people do you advertise?

I have not advertised this litter Diane..

Normally I have my litters advertised on my CD site, didnt need to do that this time..

I never advertise as such.. only place ever showing my dogs is my personal website and CD...

When I do get enquiries, (when I dont have a litter) all my enquiries come from website or word of mouth,

I do on CD and with the breeders list.

Forgot about that one Roni.. I normally inform my Breed club puppy Co-ordinator also.. but again.. this litter.. informed her of litter , but requested no referals,

NO never advertised no point folk don't know what a schipperke is outside the show world generally, just listed as a breeder with our breed club which has the list online.

My friend, against my advice, bred from his dog (wont say the breed) and only had a couple of homes booked for the pups. The bitch had 7 puppies and so far, only the 2 that were spoken for have been sold. Luckily he has the space and funds to keep the pups if they don't sell, but he is worried that he may have to keep a few of them. I'm quite surprised that they haven't sold as they are quite a popular breed, show quality pups but he is not well known in the breed.

On the plus side - he's been put off breeding now he's realised it's a costly experience to do it properly. I think the credit crunch is partly to blame, but also the docking ban might be as well - this is a breed that is usually docked and some people have been put off as the pups have tails (or so my friend has told me).