Hi -

I have some questions on vetting puppy buyers...

1.  Assuming you have a litter planned a long way in advance, at what point do you begin to vet the people enquiring?  When you don't know if the mating will happen, it's obviously too early, so am I right in guessing this starts from the point of mating onwards?  What do you do with enquiries before that time?  (I am currently saving them all on a provisional list which I plan to weed out later on...).

2.  Do you email out a questionnaire first, or do you just phone them and ask them questions?  I can see advantages and disadvantages to each.  They might have more time to think and carefully plan answers to a questionnaire and perhaps a more truthful response is what you'll get on the phone?  On the other hand, the questionnaire might weed out people who are obviously unsuitable and then you can phone the people remaining....?

I know the questions to ask, just not sure what process is best.

Thanks.

i always ask basic questions when first meeting them or talking to them
do they both work if so all day(not a good idea)
is it their first dog
have you had this breed before
how did you find out about me i have had recommendations from people i do know who have sold a pup before to this couple but have none at the minute and where put on to me
have you researched this breed only asked if answers to last two questiosn are no
generally listen to them and you cn pick up a lot on informtion by letting them ramble on to you sometimes a lot comes out that they should not have said
let them met the adults first i have had people answer questions on the phone right then this couple in particular let the adults out and they formed a canine barrade between the puppy pen and this couple needless to say they did not get one listen to what your adults say if you are indout do not sell them one just because they have come to see them does not mean to say that they will get one

I vetted two of the people well in advance of the mating.  They knew the mating was planned - just waiting on my girl coming into season, but we talked well in advance, asked all the questions, kept in touch.  When it was taking longer than we expected I let them know of other litters, but was lucky enough that they stuck with us.

I don't think it's ever too early, and the benefit is if it doesn't work out for you, you will feel comfortable enough to pass them on to someone else you know who may have a litter for them (who of course would need to vet them to their standards).

If I get an enquiry, even if I don't have pups, I tend to chat with them and ask questions to get a feel before I refer them on.  Sometimes I've talked people out of my breed.

It's pointless telling anyone you will let them know when you have mated a bitch or similar unless you feel okay about letting them have a pup. Hence questions should be asked at very first point of contact even if years in advance. If you don't you could potentially have somebody waiting to hear from you for a year or so, only to be told later on you will not sell them a pup.

I have stopped using a barrage of questions or questionnaires as it can be overwhelming and seem rude even. Better to get people chatting naturally. If somebody doesn't tell me anything when they first get in touch, I simply ask why they are interested in the breed and I find that usually means a long explanation will follow. If it doesn't, you just put follow-on questions to them. Works for me. :)

I usually ask them to visit for a chat, and to meet the adults a long time before mating. If I don't have any plans to breed in the near future at least they have met the breed and I can see if they are really interested in the breed, or just the thought of the breed. I will then pass their information on or give them info on litters I know are planned before mine. I like to have orders before a mating. For instance, I have an 8 month old pup here and have 2 bookings (people who have already pups from me in the past) if she turns out good enough and if her health tests come back good. I won't be breeding for 2 years or so. I would hope to add to that list before I mate her.

when i was looking for a breeder (end of last year) i found one who was planning a litter the next year, after emailing them a few questions they replyed with the answers and some more info and we met up at a dog show near me, after meeting them and the dogs i said i defernatly wanted one. I was told that they couldnt ganertee that the breeding would go ahead as the bitch needed to have her health tests done and pass ect ect. they emailed me there questionare and i filled it in straight away and sent it back, then i was invited to there house. ive met them again at crufts and another show and have been to there house again since, as well as chatting on facebook. All this was done well befor the dogs mated, and to be honist i (as a puppy buyer) would prefur it that way as it has given me more time to get to know them and there dogs and form a friendship.

I vet from first contact, have them visit long before mating if possible, that is the time ideally when there are no cute distracting puppies to be viewed.

That way in principle you have agreed to home a pup with them, assuming enough pups of the required sex, etc are born.