I have a question about what I should do.
A lovely retired couple came to view my pups yesterday. They dont want to breed or show, just want a pet. They saw the pups and fell in love with the naughtiest one!!

The lady is Portugese, they have a home out there, although they only live about 5 miles from me in the UK. They want to be able to take the pup to Portugal 3/4 times a year on holiday, they travel by car and its a 2 day journey from what the man said. My heart did a flip..I dont know why!!
With the endorsements on the pedigree will they be able to take her or do I have to lift one of them.
Never having come across this before Im not sure what to do.
If I decide they are not the right people for her, how do I tell them and what do I say so as not to offend...despite that they are a really nice couple, they were on their hands and knees, playing with pups and they were all crawling over them...it didnt bother them at all. They have no idea about house training..I did say they wee a lot and need to be put outside every half hour to an hour. They also have a 1yr old grandson.
Any advice would be great.

I would say go with your gut instincts.....

Same advice... go with your gut feeling. You could always tell them that you have decided you are going to keep her.

Just to say, the endorsement does not stop anyone from taking a dog abroad, all it stops is the dog from being registered with a KC abroad.

I agree with the above, go with your first gut instinct it doesnt matter how nice people seem if your heart is telling you no then dont let them have her. 

While I agree with others that your gut instinct does come in to play, I have let a pup go to people that take her everywhere by caravan, and they brought her to see me last year at 3 years old.  She is a very happy, well loved, confident girl.

They are great caravanners, and the caravan magazine actually did an article on her, as she is so well known around the camp sites.  I was proud too see that her friendly personality was mentioned.  It means that her socialisation has continued well.  She is well travelled, and goes away for long weekends on a regular basis.

The year after they got her, she got her pet passport and went to France for a month in the caravan.  They sent me some super photographs.  So, it can work.  She is never put in kennels, and I love the fact that she goes everywhere with them.

So, although I agree it's your choice, and you must feel happy about things, I knew from the start that they wanted her to go caravanning, and I personally have no regrets.  She is much loved and cared for.

If you really like these people other than your concerns re the holidaying bit (and they do sound fine to me) , then perhaps look at it a different way, this pup of yours is destined for a potentially super life (I think I am a bit jealous lol) and like Jeans pup she will probably never be put in kennels and will go everywhere with her new owners and will undoubtedly have a wonderful social life :-). I must say it does sound like a lot of car journeys but I am sure they have loads of stops etc... but perhaps if that is your concern, mention it to them and see what they have to say. Either their response will reassure you, or worry you further - in which case you owe it to the pup not to let them have her.

Thankyou all very much for your replies.
I have asked the couple to come back and have a very long chat with me..mainly to put my mind at ease.
If Im still not happy about it then I will say no to them. The pup they would like is very confident, outgoing and full of energy.
They are retired and do a lot of walking and they live on the sea front aswell. I think its because they want to take her abroad that
I got a bit jittery..but as you say JeanSW at least they want her with them and are prepared to take her on holiday with them. They have already said that she will never go into kennels.

I sold a puppy 2 years ago to people who go to France each year, they got him a pet passport and he also goes with them. So it can work out well.

By the sounds of it they are looking for a companion, they are not looking for a dog as a status symbol, or buying it on a whim, they want a dog that can be with them and share their life. Isn't that the best home for any dog? The pup is going to become part of the family, travel with them and share their life. What is the difference to a dog sitting in a car for a few hours or on a sofa or it's bed lounging around the house, it will have toilet breaks, food, water, the chatter of it's owners, but most of all be with them sharing their life and by the sounds of it being very much loved.

Training issues, that's what your there for to advise and help, many people having a pup for the first time don't know what or how to do things, that's where you will come in, along with advice re: their grandson never being left alone with the dog and that pups nip, bite and scratch that they must be vigilant or completely seperate the pup and child when he is there, you need to go through all of these things.

If the travelling is the only thing bothering you - quite simply don't let it!

If your worried that they don't know what they are taking on and you fear they may re-home or hopefully return, then that is something different, you need to go with your gut on that one.

They sound lovely and your dog would have a great life IMO but we haven't met them, only you have done that, so yes, as already said, instinct, instinct, instinct. :-)

I agree with Carrington - In fact if they don't take the puppy can you ask them if they will adopt me? :-D :-D

Lol. Dakkobear...I will, just for you.:)
I left a message on their answering machine asking them to ring me and come round for a longer chat...so we will see what happens.

Thankyou everyone.

Carrington has covered exactly the points that I would have made.
Re the travelling, we all have to stop for breaks so like us that is when they will be able to exercise the dog.

My only concern with this would be the grand child, I would be very insistent that they were clear how they would contain the dog when the child was visiting.

They appear to have time and love to devote to a dog, how wonderful.
Good luck with your decision.

Ok
the couple have rung me and said they cant get back to see me tonight..which is ok...they have now said they want to change their minds about the pup they chose..which is not ok...they now want the smaller one (the one I had to hand feed). Although she is eating and drinking..Im gutted at the thought of possibly having to let her go in a few weeks time, hubby has told me if I want to keep her then obviously I can (very generous of him Im sure).
At the time of them viewing all the pups they said they wanted their first choice...now they want to change. He also said he had sent a deposit via the post..why did he do that..I have not given them any receipt..and I never asked for a deposit.

I did have a problem at first with them having a pup, but I got used to the idea of the first choice going to them..now Im back to square one..this 2nd pup is much smaller than the other 2!!!!
I voiced my concerns over the phone about the grandson and he said we only see him once or twice a week, so that wont be a problem.

HELP.

You are obviously in doubt about these people...i would tell them 'i'm very sorry but you have interviewed several other people & unfortunately you have several other more suitable people higher on your list'.  If you did let them have a puppy you would always have doubts if it was the right choice.  Tell them you will return the deposit cheque that you never asked for!

Oh dear they have obviously chosen themselves as the perfect owners instead of allowing you to do so. :-D You need to be very clear about what is going on that you are vetting and they are purely viewing, you can't pussyfoot around as people will write the rules for you, you have to be extremely clear with people.

They haven't done anything wrong as such, you allowed them to choose a pup in their opinion and so they have now sent a deposit to make sure they get it, they don't want the worry that you may change your mind.

Now they have just shifted from one pup to another which they feel is ok. So deep breath and get yourself back in control here. :-) Having other people take decisions out of your hands is absolutely going to upset you.

Sit and think clearly about why your panicking, are you going to keep the wee pup? If so, just tell them, it's your right to do as you please.  If your not keeping this one then is it the fact you wanted to keep the pup for a couple of weeks longer, if so tell them and collection can be at a later date.

I'm worried that as this is a couple who have everything to offer the other pup, why do you feel they can't offer the same to one a little smaller? Or is it the fact that you think it is wrong that they changed their mind, without even consulting you, that would pee me off too, but they may have meant no harm. However, what are their reasons for changing their mind, ask and find out, do you think they thought the more boisterous pup would be harder work and not be so good with their grandson when visiting so have talked it through and gone for a more laid back pup?  The smaller pup can sometimes overtake it's siblings later and become larger also if this was in their reasoning.

At the end of the day, everything is down to you, sit and think about what your worries are and then make a decision and stick to it, whether that is to not deal with the couple at all or to tell them the wee one is not available to them. You've got all the answers they are your pups and your responsibility to find the best homes for, trust yourself and do what feels right for you. :-) Never feel guilty, always feel content.

> they have now said they want to change their minds about the pup they chose..which is not ok...

Then, in that case, the answer just has to be no.  And if you still have any lingering doubts, then it is also no to their original choice.

Not having requested a deposit, you are perfectly entitled to return the cheque when it arrives. 

Remember - you are NOT compelled to give a reason either.

> At the end of the day, everything is down to you, sit and think about what your worries are and then make a decision and stick to it, whether that is to not deal with the couple at all or to tell them the wee one is not available to them. You've got all the answers they are your pups and your responsibility to find the best homes for, trust yourself and do what feels right for you.

Wise words I feel.... they still seem to be potentially great owners, maybe they have got a bit too enthusiastic? The smaller pup is NOT available to them, and that's it: I am sure you can find a million ways to tell them so. If they are really not wanting the one that is available then they can go elsewhere. Etiquette can sometimes be delicate; it's all too easy to think potential owners already know the steps of the puppy-buying dance, when the reverse is usually the norm.

I found this on my web travels today and liked it:
From the breeder's point of view:
http://blacksheepcardigans.com/ruff/?p=3448
Puppy buying etiquette:
http://blacksheepcardigans.com/ruff/?p=1793

Not saying I agree with all, but it is certainly food for thought :)

Did you express that you were wanting to keep the pup?  You stated that they wanted first choice on a pup and that you accepted,so I don't quite understand why you are querying this as they would talk things through once they got home and maybe changed their minds, it happens.

If you want to keep the pup then you just basically tell them that you have decided to do so.

I know when I have my litter I'm going to think exactly the same as you about perspective owners.At the end of the day they are YOUR puppies. You decide whether they stay or go, nobody else.

If you're feeling pressurised by this couple, make an excuse and don't let them buy from you. I don't know what breed you have but I'm sure someone else will come along.

Being honest - what is the problem with this couple ?    They go on holiday and have a grandchild - is that it ?    Personally I'd rather sell a pup to a couple who wanted to take their dog with them on holiday than people who plan to stick them in a boarding kennel but maybe that's just me.   As for them changing to the smallest puppy - you were talking to them on the phone so why not just tell them at the time you are maybe keeping that one ?  

DerbyMerc, you said it as succinctly as I would have.    I would relish a couple that wanted to take their dog with them on their travels and had already thought it all through before buying a pup.   If you haven't mentioned that the smallest puppy was reserved by you or anyone else, then they have probably thought it was still needing homed.   They don't know, if you don't tell them!

I pick the puppy for the family not the other way around as each pup is different . If a buyer was told one pup was there's and they decided they wanted another, I would consider them to be fickle and not let them have any.
I had a couple on my last list wanting one colour preference decided after long telelphone conversations , they seemed nice, after going through the extremely long list I decided to let them have the colour pup of thier choice as I thought it had a personality to match that family.. even though there were others interested , when I rang her to tell her I had a pup available she hesitated and then said' actually we decided we would like the other instead but it doesnt matter'...I was so insensed I decided they could have non and sold the pup to another lovely family who were happy with my choice for them.  I was happy that my pup was in a loving happy home who just wanted a beardie than be fickle over the colour .
The other couple were not happy and complained but I didnt care to be honest as my puppies were my first priority , I am happy and secure in the knowledge that I chose the right home for him.

So I say go with your first instinct dont worry about the couple they will find what they want from someone else , your pup in the right home with the best family of your choice  is the most important thing.

best of luck .

>I pick the puppy for the family not the other way around as each pup is different . If a buyer was told one pup was there's and they decided they wanted another, I would consider them to be fickle and not let them have any.<

But what about the emotion of picking a puppy? don't you take that into account at all? Very often there is just something that makes one puppy stand out to someone even in a litter where all the puppys seem very similar.
When I got my first collie I had waited for ages for the right litter, I wanted a bitch and I was lucky enough that the breeder was going to let me have first pick after she had chosen hers. She told me which puppy she thought I should take. When I went to pick her up I looked at all of them to make sure I was happy with my choice. We put the boys in a pen while I spent time with the girls.There was one boy who wouldn't settle in  the pen and kept whining and barking until we took him out I kept playing with the girls but the boy kept coming and sitting one my knee. Of course you have guessed I eventually came home with my boy and not the girl I had been planning for so long. I have not regretted it.
When I had a litter of puppies last year there were 4 girls for me to choose from. Friends came and helped me choose which would be the one I should keep and we all agreed puppy A was the best from a show point of view but in the end I kept as different pup as there was just something about her. I still see puppy A and she has turned out very nice but I have not once looked at her and thought I wished I had kept her instead of mine.
The only time I let the breeder totally pick my puppy it was a disaster, I preferred a different puppy but took the one the breeder said and we took ages to bond, we just didn't seem to have a connection at all. Maybe I was just unlucky but I would not take a puppy again that I had not had some say in choosing

>The only time I let the breeder totally pick my puppy it was a disaster, I preferred a different puppy but took the one the breeder said and we took ages to bond, we just didn't seem to have a connection at all. Maybe I was just unlucky but I would not take a puppy again that I had not had some say in choosing.

That's exactly how I feel too.

I have many long conversations even before I meet the prospective new owners send loads of pics of the whole litter as they grow and inform them early on that one of the litter will be theres when I have decided which pup is suited to them. It always amazes me what you can find out about the people the more you chat they open up.
Once puppies are 4wks I invite them to come along and see  puppies where they can cuddle them all and I can see how they interact with each pup and how puppies behave with them. I like to allow new owner to visit for a long as they wish and as often as they want.
Once I have decided which pup I think is suited to them I send them a pic and they come to visit and bond with that pup before they leave for new homes . I have puppies as far north as Aberdeen and For William and as far south as Southampton and these people have returned for a second pup and were very happy to wait.
I know a lot of people in my breed who do it in a similar way , after all when puppies are going to a show home which many of mine have... the new owner have to wait then before find out which pup is theres ..whats the difference.

I agree Starryeyes.  When families come, they only see a small snapshot of the puppies - we've known them for 8 weeks!  The one who the families see as quiet may actually be the hooligan who has just crashed!  The one who comes straight to them may only be doing so because the hooligan has crashed!
I get to know the families over a period of time - their set up and their life style - and so think that I am in the best position to match them with the right puppy.  In 25 years I've not had a family object and all have been thrilled with their puppies. :)

I also see no problem with potential owners wanting to take their dog with them and having a visiting grandson.  If they had been offered the puppy who would have suited their life style, then this situation of them changing their mind after being given a choice would not have arisen.

I wouldn't want a rescue centre to choose which dog I should adopt either. Advise, certainly, but I'll be the one living with it so I need to be 100% satisfied with my selection. When it comes to fridges I'm not fussed - any one from the factory will do as long as it fits under the worktop - but a living creature that will become part of my family? That's for me to decide! :-)

thing is  JJ you are speaking from a position of understanding dogs and especially your own breed with many years of experience, most people are not in that position, you know what you are looking for, same as some others on here.

Also if you have a waiting list only the first person on it is likely to get free choice, and only if your not keeping one for yourself of the stud dog owner.

More and more people are expected to have a good waiting list before breeding, so how can this be reconcile?

If every potential new owner expected to be able to choose their puppy then only one puppy in any litter or the appropriate sex would ever be chosen.

>If every potential new owner expected to be able to choose their puppy then only one puppy in any litter or the appropriate sex would ever be chosen.

Not at all - different people like different puppies. My first choice wouldn't necessarily be anyone else's first choice and vice versa. There's usually something that 'clicks' with a particular puppy when you're viewing a litter.

I remember I spent over a year viewing litters when I was looking for a puppy - I must have been to see 20 or 30 litters, and still didn't want to take any of them home with me, lovely though they were; I even turned down one that had been reserved for me (by a very successful long-time breeder and exhibitor, with good show potential) because there wasn't that 'spark'. Then one litter I went to see had one bitch and six dog puppies - no choice of bitches, but I went along on the offchance. I scanned the whole litter who were playing around, and one caught my eye. I picked it up ... it was the only bitch! I knew then she was The One for me, and we never regretted the decision.

> Not at all - different people like different puppies. My first choice wouldn't necessarily be anyone else's first choice and vice versa. There's usually something that 'clicks' with a particular puppy when you're viewing a litter.
>

Yes but you can't give everyone a free choice.

After getting to know my buyers and the puppies I usually find that they actually would have chosen the puppy they got as their first choice, if they had it, but most of them won't have had the luxury of being the first to choose, some will be lucky to get a puppy at all.

I am in that position at the moment, it looked like I was going to have two litters so took bookings up to 5 of each sex and a couple that didn't mind which they got.

It now looks like one bitch is not in whelp (due on Monday and showing nothing even though confirmed with at least two at 4 weeks), so only one bitch due in 2 weeks.

I had put surplus enquiries to other breeders, and the only few upcoming litters I am aware of already have full lists.  I have one lady that has been waiting since one of the bitches missed in October (had booked months before that) but she is only third in line for a bitch puppy, as I had pick from each litter booked to people in the breed.

I dread the fact there may not be three bitches in the litter, and someone who had a puppy from this bitch desperately wants one of her last, but they are fourth in line!

Maybe it is different in breeds where puppies and litters are readily available, but we had 98 puppies registered last year, and just 55 the year before.

>Yes but you can't give everyone a free choice.

I don't see why not. The first person on your waiting list would have free choice of all the ones available - the next person on the list would have free choice of the remaining ones and so on down the line. The free choice gets smaller as each one is reserved, but it's still the buyer's prerogative IMO.

In the litter where the pup had been picked for me there was another bitch that I thought was really nice, but she'd already been reserved. That wasn't a good enough reason for me to take the other bitch though.

That is basically how I do allocate the choosing, but I do expect the owners to be happy to have a puppy, otherwise I will have needlessly turned away potential vetted owners as I didn't have enough puppies, only to find I still had pups left as the choice the people had they preferred another.

I would consider someone who had commited to buying a puppy knowing where they were in line of choosing and then turned around and said but that one doesn't appeal as much as soemoen elses choice, a time waster. 

The only exception would be if someone specifically needed a pup with show potential first and foremost (as opposed to it being a bonus), and after evaluating them the best of them was simply not good enough, but that would only leave me with one extra puppy to home.

To be honest once I have a puppy chosen I do not let the next person see them too closely, so they don't hanker after one they can't have.

They will see the litter as a whole playing (probably have met them at least once before anyway) and then I will bring in the ones they can choose from, which for the last person on the list will be no choice.

It does help I suppose when you have a breed that to all but the persons with the pups every day look identical, so owners are happy to be guided by your take on their character fitting the owner..

brainless this is how i do it too!

I wouldn't want a rescue centre to choose which dog I should adopt either.

But that's where rescue in this country has gone wrong! Why so many dogs are returned etc. In Sweden, potential adopters will NOT be allowed to view any dogs in rescue, they have to fill in a form detailing their requirements (sex, age, coat type, size, energy level etc etc), and will then be shown a suitable dog matched to them. To avoid people picking on looks alone which can be a disaster. Much like what I will do as a breeder. It's far safer for everyone involved, especially the dog.

" I would relish a couple that wanted to take their dog with them on their travels and had already thought it all through before buying a pup.   If you haven't mentioned that the smallest puppy was reserved by you or anyone else, then they have probably thought it was still needing homed.   They don't know, if you don't tell them! "

Couldn't put it better myself !

>they have to fill in a form detailing their requirements (sex, age, coat type, size, energy level etc etc), and will then be shown a suitable dog matched to them.

How many times have people thought they wanted x,y and z, but when something abouta particular dog's gelled with them they realised they were wrong, and what they really wanted was a, b and c? I know plenty of people who went looking for a particular type and fell in love with something completely different, and never regretted it for a moment. A friend wanted a young male but fell in love with an elderly bitch who was continually overlooked, and made her last years very happy. People change and adapt.

The heart is so highly involved in choosing a companion for possibly 15 or so years.

>I would consider someone who had commited to buying a puppy knowing where they were in line of choosing and then turned around and said but that one doesn't appeal as much as soemoen elses choice, a time waster.

So you'd want someone to buy one of your puppies even if they didn't really want it? That's not what I want for mine.

> Not at all - different people like different puppies. My first choice wouldn't necessarily be anyone else's first choice and vice versa. There's usually something that 'clicks' with a particular puppy when you're viewing a litter.

As an owner myself not a breeder, I say spot on. I did multiple visits to see pups, not just one, so got to know them myself - I would of course take the breeder's ADVICE - they are the ones that know the individuals in the litter - but if you are going to have a good rapport with the owner and they are going to get on with their companion for the next (hopefully) 10-15 yrs, it needs to be an agreement between breeder and subsequent owner - and the onus is on the breeder to be clear at the start with how their puppy/owner selection process works, IMO.

> The heart is so highly involved in choosing a companion for possibly 15 or so years.

Off topic - but thinking of people - in a partner you want someone you 'gel' with; some arranged marriages work but not all. Obviously pups are different to partners but there is some similarity - they are part of your family - and that statement suddenly made me think of that.

With pups it will work if the breeder is good enough at matching owner's character and puppy's character - but personally I Iike to have some control. :-) And if the breeder is accurate enough - then owner and breeder will agree on same pup anyway!

Toffeecrisp - any particular reason you object to them having this different pup? If you are keeping pup or someone else has reserved, just tell them that - otherwise discuss their reasons for changing their mind, and if you think they're wrong, tactfully explain why. Most breeders ask for a deposit - so they may well just have sent one expecting you would want one. It sounds more as though you just aren't happy about letting them have a pup - and that is your prerogative, they are your babies to home - but if that's the case you need to tell these people, be clear with them, and do it ASAP.

I know plenty of people who went looking for a particular type and fell in love with something completely different, and never regretted it for a moment. A friend wanted a young male but fell in love with an elderly bitch who was continually overlooked, and made her last years very happy. People change and adapt.

I think it's probably true to say that there are MORE cases where this does not work out. People get the entirely wrong dog for them, so back it goes to rescue again. If everyone adapted, there would be no dogs in rescue.

OK...I appear to have opened a real can of worms here..not my intention.
This couple have never had a dog.
Apart from the fact that they appear genuinely nice people, I just have this feeling that this pup is not for them.
She is a biter, a growler and snarler..and this is at 6 weeks old...if she cant have her own way she has a real hissy fit.
Today she was chewing a brush that Id been grooming mum with..I gently knelt down beside and went to take it off her and give her one of her toys, she growled and snarled..I took it anyway. Definitly not happy about having the brush taken off her. Last week I was holding her, she wanted to be down..I didnt manage to put her down in time and she she was growling and she bit..hard..harder than I expected a pup to bite.
This couple have a year old grandchild. The 1st pup they wanted would have been ideal..I have been in touch with them but they are unwilling to change their minds. I feel I have no option but to say sorry you cant have this pup. I would hate myself if I sold her and she then bit the child...whos fault would it be..
Its difficult to explain exactly what shes like here without you being able to see her...my mother used to breed Afghans and Yorkies (not at the same time) many years ago and never did she come across a pup like this.

You have to go with your own instinct, and sounds like she may be one for an experienced owner.  Personally I'd rather turn someone down than place a 'strong' pup with someone who is unable to cope and ends up with all sorts of problems, that's not fair for the new owners nor the pup. :-)

I guess if they have not owned a dog before, they are unaware that pups can sometimes be like this, and have never gone down the road of having a dog that can turn out to be a liability and needs lots of work.

I am sure if you carefully explained, perhaps dropping hints at possible behavioural issues in the future, it might sink in, then you can laud the positive qualities of the other one. It seems too good a home to lose, but then if they really will not accept your experience & understanding, then perhaps they aren't the right people after all. How sad.

I was only allowed to have my first Bedlington Bitch because I was able to cope with a bolshy bitch (others would call her strong, ambitious etc ;) )  We discussed how a bolshy dog could be a problem and difficult to live with and how best to ensure that she never became a handful.  In reality, looking back, he skilfully gave me a real grilling :-D but at the time I just thought we were chatting ;)

At the time his last words were "Don't take this pup if you have any doubts about being able to cope, there will be other, easier pups"

Perhaps this couple should be told just how strong this pup appears to be and that it must only go to an experienced home as you are worried that it may prove too much for the average owner and you want to avoid the heartache of PTS later?

> Perhaps this couple should be told just how strong this pup appears to be and that it must only go to an experienced home as you are worried that it may prove too much for the average owner and you want to avoid the heartache of PTS later?

Very much agreed... and being new dog owners perhaps they don't quite understand why and how so many dogs DO end up in rescue never mind PTS.

Dill - I guess although it was your first Beddy, you had previous dog experience? I'd be surprised if you'd taken on that dog if it was your very first, but perhaps your attitude and values shone through... even so, if I were ever to breed dogs (I think I am more likely to win the lottery! lol) I would still be reluctant to home a difficult dog to anyone who wasn't very experienced.... certainly never to a novice home unless they could show me in detail how they would overcome any issues. Maybe if they were best mates with a good APDT/APBC behaviourist/trainer... but how many homes come along like that...?

>I guess although it was your first Beddy, you had previous dog experience?

Yup! I had already trained several dogs of very different natures and had retrained several dogs, not owned by myself, with problem behaviours.  If I hadn't been sure of what I was doing then I'd have walked away. 

But I can see how someone who has never had a puppy or dog before would find it difficult to understand just how serious a job they are taking on even with a 'normal' biddable pup.  Without experience it would be impossible to understand just how much relentless work you have to put into a bolshy dog, as they say ignorance is bliss!  

It works in my case because I understood that there are many subtle ways of keeping the upper hand with my bitch and not be overbearing with her ;) but if we get complacent then even at 10 years old she will still try to take over  

ToffeeC - now you've explained further I think you are fair enough in thinking that particular pup is not suitable for that couple - you can't know for sure but you can only go on what you know of them.   If it was me I'd just tell them straight, you think that particular pup is very challenging and you wouldn't feel right letting her go to a home that wasn't experienced with challenging dogs.   Do be straight with them though as they may already be anticipating getting the pup and in that case I imagine they might be disappointed and perhaps even feel your decision is a reflection on them rather than a judgement about the temperament of the pup and its requirements.   Good luck with whatever decision you do with.

> Yup! I had already trained several dogs of very different natures

Including a neighbours!  Through the fence.  :-)

Sorry Dill, but I still smile at you doing that.  Who else but you would have an objectionable dog next door, and sort it yourself?  :-)