Have someone coming to view my dogs and to see kc papers and health certificates - my baby not due to have her pups for 3 weeks, has problems eating, and off her food as this her first time, and mine, and want to protect my dogs - plus I have a 14 week old pup.  She says wants one for agility, but not sure on breed, has other two choices on her list.  Have talked to friend who she visited when my pup small - and took pics and photos of papers and dogs.  But the person did not tell me that she had visited her, and knows pup from same breeder
Am I right to be concerned - as why would she want to visit before pups, and not wait till they are 5 weeks old.  Hs anyone else been down this path - at the moment thinking of cancelling her visit, as my mind is niggling - and sounds ok on phone, and full of questions on breed

i would say its reasonable to want to meet a bitch before taking a pup, but if your worried for her health or that she might get stressed thats got to come first so i'd cancel

I actually prefer it when people come before there are pups, as it shows they're interested in the breed and not just cute pups. As for checking proof of health tests -haven't they got a computer and can do it online on the KC website? Or are these tests not in the official KC scheme so not listed there?

Yes - the tests are on-line - as I checked them this week - and know she has checked my website.  I am just concerned about the picture taking, and area she comes from is well known for puppy farm

I am happy for prospective owners to come visit mum before pups are born..and its becoming more the norm for people wishing to do this..

And absolutely nothing wrong with visiting more than one breeder.. These new owners need to be sure that they choose the correct parent as well as the right pup for their family..

If you feel that your girls health may be at risk, then I can understand your reservations, otherwise.. I would have no objections to the visit..

> and full of questions on breed

I would expect nothing less.. and usually prompt for more questions.. many prospective owners go blank on 1st visit, or ar a little scared to ask...

I have a new puppy owner who told me they have visited 4 breeders, before deciding on one of my pups.. they visited mum while pregnant, and came back at weekend to see pups.. THEN made their decision..

Taking photos of dogs and pups is expected lol.. all my puppy owners come armed with cameras :-)

> Yes - the tests are on-line - as I checked them this week - and know she has checked my website.  I am just concerned about the picture taking, and area she comes from is well known for puppy farm

Just as they are allowed to ask questions.. so are you.. ask why they want photos of everything.. good owners live within spitting distance of puppy farms, its not their fault.. But to put your mind at rest.. find out as much about them as you can.. if in doubt, you have every right to refuse to sell them a pup ..

Snowey I'm with you here and your concerns.

It's extremely usual for perspective owners to visit me and my bitch before the mating to get a good look at her if they have not seen her before I much prefer to meet people this way, they can get to know my bitch and me them and I happily show all certificates etc, there is no problem in any of that, and it is to be recommended that way you have your waiting list beforehand.

However, would I allow people to come and visit my bitch in the latter stages of her pregnancy, particularly as yours is not too well and have people taking photo's of my pregnant bitch, why do they want photo's of a pregnant bitch? It's not exactly showing her at her best is it? I also have to admit though I would be a little suspicious of anyone wishing to photograph my paperwork, photographing your health certificates and actual KC papers never heard of that, I actually wouldn't like it, it would make me think they were up to no good.

I wouldn't let them come snowey, no-one interferes with my bitch when she is pregnant, particularly when you don't know if they are just voyers and not really interested, and they certainly would not be taking photo's of my certificates either.

>I would be a little suspicious of anyone wishing to photograph my paperwork, photographing your health certificates and actual KC papers

I missed this part when originally reading thread.. .. no.. I have never had anyone ask to photograph paperwork... nor would I allow it.. these can be easily seen on the KC website for verification..

allowing someone to photocopy them is not an option.. these can be photocopied and doctored..

photographing mum is fine.. pregnant or otherwise.. many pet owners love to show off to their friends and families (or even on a forum) where their future pup is coming from..   

Thanks everyone for replies - as this person spend several hours with last breeder, and she already knows most of the health issues - and already have spent over an hour on the phone answering her many questions and vice-versa, which I do not mind in the least, and expect it - as I did the same for my babies.   I have explained about endorsements to all potential owners - and have a growing list for 3 pups
Tia is my main concern - and is not eating well at all - but is still energetic enough, although a bit skittish at times.  Will only eat from my hand - and meat only - cant get her to eat kibble or her dog food - seems off everything!  Which is not her as food is her passion lol 

>Tia is my main concern - and is not eating well at all - but is still energetic enough, although a bit skittish at times.  Will only eat from my hand - and meat only - cant get >her to eat kibble or her dog food - seems off everything!

This should be your main concern.. go with your instincts.. and good luck..

Pregnancy effects us all differently snowey it is the same with bitches, some are happy, happy all the way through, some get tired and feel rough, they go off foods and onto others just the same. My bitch about now would find her normal food quite boring and the idea of crunching through dry food a turn off and so I always soak her puppy food and mix in fresh chicken or mince that generally has the effect of her wolfing it down, just try mixing different foods with hers, her body no doubt is calling for more protein meat, chicken etc, even though it is in the dry puppy food I guess they don't realise that.

My girl loves chicken wings (raw of course, frozen first and then thawed) she never seems to go off of those. :-)

Or another trick, get some raw minced meat, roll in into balls and push her dry food into the middle of it and on the outsides, like chocolate chips on a cake, my girl loves that too. (It is time consuming and takes a while to do it, but hopefully she will eat it)