Mum has been planning a litter for a while now (its not for another 6 months). Anyway we have had a puppy register for nearly a year now, one family had been in regular contact writing us letters phoning etc and in the summer we had them come to a show so that they could see others within the breed, and see the pro and cons of having a large breed.

Well last night he rung up out of the blue and said that the family had broken up oh and could he come and see us at a show again or at the local ring craft to see the bitch again as he was still interested in having a pup.

Before all of this I thought it was the right home as they seem very keen to know everything as they hadn't had the breed before......I know its not for another 6 months but what can I say to him to put having one as I don't think its the right time for him or for that matter the right place for a puppy now.

Mum spoke to him for over an hour yesterday on the phone but something just feels wrong to me, or do you think i'm just being silly?

You simply politely tell him, as the situation in the potential home has now changed you no longer deem it suitable for your puppy.

Tough one. I know when I have wanted a particular pup or breeder I have been the 'driving force' as it were, with my families support. But there was never any doubt that the dog would be 'mine'. Maybe this chap is in the same boat?

It's also very possible that once a breeder homes a pup that, somewhere down the line, there will be a break-up. Should the breeder try to take the pup back because the situation has changed? If he's approached you as a single man from the begining would you have discounted him for that reason?

I don't know - just playing devil's advocat - but if you have a gut feeling that he's no longer suitable then, as Brainless said, polite refusal is the way to go.

You need to find out whether the pups way of life is going to be different from what it would have been had the family stayed together. Basically, if he is working where is the pup going to be kept? Who is going to look after it whilst he is at work? Try to make him see that the timing is wrong, but that you might consider him for another litter in the future, once his life is more settled.

Would we have sold to a single man? Probably not as it a large breed they are very expensive to keep especially vet bills and he would have to work to afford it and working means leaving the puppy at home on its own for long periods.

Maybe as others have said I should point this out to him?

My dad broke up with his partner of 15 years last year.
He bought a dog and that dog is his life now.
He works from home so has all the time to look after the dog and he actually joked he has no time to "go and find a new wife" as he doesn't want to leave the dog alone :)...

In my opinion you have been a bit unfair in thinking he can't look after a puppy on his own.
Yes it will be more work but maybe he has everything sorted(day care etc) or puppy going to his parents, maybe he has moved in with his parents for now so somebody is home all the time?
Maybe he can take the puppy to work with him?
I have plenty of single friends who have dogs and dogs are definately well looked after.

I think you need to have a chat and voice your concerns and discuss them through with him, maybe you both will actually agree it might not be the bast time for him...

> I have plenty of single friends who have dogs and dogs are definately well looked after.
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Noora is right.  I live alone, but wouldn't want you to deny me the precious company of a dog just based on that reason.

Yes, I have no choice but to go out to work.  So I arrange a dog sitter, because I want my dogs.

I sold a pup to a lady living alone, and she drops him off at her parents (and they love sharing him), and collects him on the way home.  It is workable.

imo ,im sure if this man is still wanting a pup and is now on his own it sould be that it was him that wanted it anyway? and im sure he will love a pup and care for it just as much as it being with in a family unit! ...

I would be pretty stuffed if the breeder of my dogs had decided not to sell to a single woman.  Please don't make an assumption that just because someone is single that they will be unable to a) afford to look after a dog, and b) not have the time to dedicate to it - check it out first.  That's not necessarily the case - certainly not in my instance!! 

I think if the circumstances have/are changing then you now need to treat this person as a new prospective owner, and start the interview/vetting process from scratch.  Obviously asking what will happen to the dog if the person works away from home, but check with him first, you never know, might turn up the perfect owner.  However, gut instinct does have to play a part - if you're not happy, then as with any other prospective owner, then you don't place a valued pup in that home.

I have sold pups to single people, and to people who have separated after getting the pup. I now have a problem with someone who has just had a baby. Do I sell to him now, knowing that he has waited 2 years for this pup? Or do I ask him to wait for another litter? Only time will tell. I have told him that I need to meet his wife before making a final decision, but it will be a joint decision. The pup will be going to work with the husband, not left at home with the wife and baby. This is why the OP needs to go back and ask more questions.

I think a mug of tea and a long talk around the table is needed to help make the choice, iv been told that his child was put into care as well, but wasn't told why, its really this that is putting me off more than the other stuff.

Surely this isn't the only one suitable for your pup...who must come first.

If you have any doubts - don't do it !!!

Just because you become single doesnt mean that you cant be a good dog owner.  The family would have still broken down even if you had, let them have a pup a year or so ago.  Relationships change all the time, people die, but his doesnt mean that the care of the dog always suffers.  if this man can show to you that he still can provide a stable home environment why not.  As for leaving the puppy at home for long hours ect I have know plenty of family pet owners do that too, being a family doesnt make them good owners. 

speak to him of your concerns, ask the questions, you can only make your judgement on that.