hallo,just out of interest,could i ask you how soon you let prospective buyers come and visit your new puppies,please?thankyou!

We may all vary slightly, but it's 4 weeks for me, after that time my puppies owners can come as frequently as they like, but not prior, from birth onwards I send photo's of the litter and updates to keep them involved from the start too and so that they don't feel cut off from watching the litter grow until they can come and see them. :-)

Another 4 weeker here.

5 weeks for me.  Any earlier and I don't think the emerging personalities are showing through enough to match puppy to owner.

Think it depends on the breed - but at least 4 weeks, even then as people have said it's difficult to tell the characters.. so it's good for folk to come and see at that age, but not necessarily to 'pick' the pup they want.  Before then it's too upsetting for the bitch, although people find this difficult to accept.  I had an enquiry for a future litter as the person wanted to be involved from day 1 - when I said they were welcome for me to consider them for a pup, they couldn't actually visit the pups (they could the mother before the pups were born) until week 4, I would however send photos and news, I never heard from them again, I hope they didn't find anyone who was willing to let them do this.

It used to be 5 weeks for me too, for the same reason as JeanSW.

Hi there 4 weeks for me.

I allow visits at any time if the new owners are fairly local or likely to be in the area, but tell others that there is nothing worth a long trip to visit until after 4 weeks.

Puppies under this age mostly sleep, but are great for cuddles, which as my girls are more than happy to show off their broods, is fine by me.

I have had some new owners visit weekly or fortnightly from birth.

So those coming a long way (majority) usually come at 4 - 6 weeks and then to pick up.

Puppies are not chosen until over 7 weeks, or at pick up.

The advantage to some extra visits early or pre birth visits is there is more time to concentrate on paperwork discussing rearing etc, as pups will be asleep, so more time spent with the adults which there's will become all too quickly (at least in size).

Hi
I am the same as Brainless as luckily my Mum's have never been bothered by anyone coming around although I usually do try and avoid 1st week mainly as I want to be happy that all have survived. They usually come mainly to meet the big dogs and be grilled so I can check they are suitable before OKing them having a puppy.
No one chooses before mine which is around the 7 week mark.
Diane

thankyou!i suppose it would be quite hard to choose"your" pup under 6 or 7 weeks as they change so!my friends lab pups are adorable,but samey,at 3 weeks!

I chose Storm at 5 weeks, out of his brother and sister, and looking at 3 black cocker puppies I thought it was going to be the hardest thing ever but it happened in seconds and was the easiest decision of my life lol.

A friend of mine whelped a litter for an ill friend and I went to visit them at 2 weeks (wasn't having one, just went to see them) and I must admit they were a bit boring. Having said that the one I liked the most was still my favourite when they were 8 weeks but I wouldn't have wanted to make that choice at 2 weeks if I had been having one.

i will have 3 girls to choose from when i visit,il probably want all three!this will be the first time in 15 years ive had to choose a pup from its littermates,but as you say,darkstorm,it will probably be easy!another little soulmate coming up!thankyou for your replies, everyone.

4 weeks for us also.

I have never considered visits to be about choosing a puppy that doesn't happen until they an be assessed at 6 - 8 weeks.

If that is why potential owners want to come then they may as well wait until they come to pick their puppy up.

The visits are about enjoying seeing how the Mum and litter are doing, and interact with the rest of the dogs. 

From the buyers perspective to check that  they are in fact being reared in an environment that will fit them to be a family companion. 

Most importantly to meet Mum and all the other relatives so an idea of the likely traits of the pup can be seen.

It is as well they can see Mum still looking half way decent (if they haven't met Mum before/during pregnancy) as by puppy pick up time they can look dreadful (bald as a coot).

I don't allow visits before the puppies are 4 + weeks. Of course, some potential owners are impatient to come before then but it is just too disruptive for mum . With email it is possible to sent regular photos and updates + videos so what's the hurry ?!

   By the time of the visit I feel I already know the family well, after frequent exchanges of email and telephone conversations. The visit should not be about choosing the puppy but about meeting mum and being able to see the conditions in which the puppies are being raised. I do get a bit annoyed when people say 'I always think the puppy should choose me'. This is b.....ks because it is usually  just the one that wakes up first and trots up to say hallo. And, it is almost invariably the one I've got my eye on !

On the other hand, I have often felt that the visits just go on for far too long and people do not always appreciate that this is a family home and that I have the needs of my other dogs, some of whom are very elderly and infirm and indeed get quite stressed by lots of comings and goings, and that I have a busy family life/household to run. I'm sorry to say that I do not look forward to these visits and often been amazed by the lack of consideration shown by people. As regards repeat visits, of course I allow them but not every week and as I said, I've already screened people before the first visit and send lots of updates. I'm always availble by email and telephone. I'm sure I'm gonna be shot down in flames for admitting to all this -Mea Culpa ! because many breeders insist on weekly visits.

I am not a breeder but can understand both sides,have just got my baby,I picked him from a email picture sent to me by the Breeder she only had 2 boys from the litter that I was interested in .MY daughter already had a pup from a previous litter.I was allowed to visit to confirm interest at 4 weeks,I fell in love at once ,he was just what I wanted (had waited 14 months for him) When I picked him up at 7 weeks he had completly changed colour no where near the colour I thought I was getting lol still a really lovely boy .Would not change him for the world .Just saying what you think you like at 4 weeks might not e what you like at 7-8 weeks.

No to the contrary 'Jan b' you make a number of very good points.Whilst you dont want to appear inhospitable to prospective owners life does have to go on.

On the other hand I do put life on hold when I have puppies and feel being hospitable and open to new owners part of the responsibility.

But then I and my dogs ar of the gregarious (did I say govvy) sort ;)

I dont disagree I insist on visits and enjoy them.However I do feel that there has to be a cut off point.

My daughter picked brooke out at about 4 weeks I deloiberately avoid making any desions however as it turned out daughter was right and brooke became ours

I agree at the disruption to life in general but accept it as part of having puppies. I have had people, in fact in my last litter that were going to have a puppy, had been in contact for some months but when they came it was obvious to both sides that the breed was not for the woman of the household. I felt really sorry for the 2 children who were lovely. I realise this is an unusual situation but was glad they came when they did as it meant I could move onto someone else sooner rather than later. I do think people are a bit inconsiderate as stay a long time but I am rubbish at keeping it shorter.
I always think they are spending a lot of money on a puppy so are entitled to a reasonable amount of time. What can you say to get rid of them quicker? Find they stay hours and want to keep coming back.
Diane

As I breed for a pup to keep back I make that quite clear that only the ones not meeting my criteria would be available and it would be 8 weeks before I made my pick after they had been evaluated by 2 breeders.

It is very exciting going to pick up/pick a pup and I have travelled between 50-200 miles one way so been made very welcome and introduced to all the dogs, I would ask if we were OK for time so as to not out stay our welcome.

Puppy colours can change a lot and in my breed mine are born with a dark overlay which can have almost all gone by 8 wks old making them look like a different pup and new owners question it is the same pup, I take lots of pics and videos so the gradual changes can be seen.

> But then I and my dogs ar of the gregarious (did I say govvy) sort ;-)

oops, that should have been 'gobby'

I suppose were all different,but im always afraid of being a nuisance in someone elses home,and would be in and out asap!but I have had "friends"who tend to want to move in!

I am the same !  Perhaps I'm too sensitive. The principle should be to 'welcome the visitor and speed the parting guest'!

My mother (RIP) had no reservations in this respect. When she'd had enough, she'd pass people their coats and tell them they looked tired and should be on their way home.

>My mother (RIP) had no reservations in this respect. When she'd had enough, she'd pass people their coats and tell them they looked tired and should be on their way home.

My mum had a saying - 'What's your hurry, here's your coat' ;-) She just had a way of getting people out of the door without offending, wish I knew how she did it.

To the original OP, I will allow people I know come into the house early, once mum is settled and is happy to see visitors, which depends mainly on the bitch, as I believe it helps to get the pups used to be handled by different people, but any strangers aren't encouraged until the pups are up on their feet and running around freely, usually about 4 1/2 weeks old.

I had a litter of puppies last year, and had people come to see them to put a deposit down to reserve one. I would not let them choose until they were 4 weeks as the puppies personality has not developed.
I had one person who chose a little girl when they were 4 weeks old but by the time they were 5 sweeks old they did not want this particular girls as to them she was more like to be better for an older persons. They choose this other girl as she was out going, loved to run every where was more playful. luckily the other little girl had not been taken so they could swap. It just goes to show that its better to wait until their personality has developed. Luckily all 6 pups went to very good homes, and i still get a bit of Correspondence from them all as well. Good topic to talk about well done!

As breeders breed a litter with something in mind for the puppies over and above being companions you cannot assess these qualities, potential for work or show, until much later than 4 weeks, so ti is never wise to let anyone think they are choosing a puppy at this stage.

That is not what visits at this stage are about.

Of course they can have a personal preference (and they will know where they are in choosing order. 

All my pups are identifiable from birth by their coloured wool collars so potential owners will have been getting pictures of them all developing from birth.

Even at the time of homing pups can only be showing potential, and so much will depend on their rearing, experiences and training from then on.

I choose Whistler at 5 weeks and paid a deposit, visited again at 6 weeks and paid in full (iknew he was mine) collecetd him at 8 weeks. We stayed about half an hour on a Sunday both times.

Jake we paid in advance, picked him at 6 weeks collected at 9 weeks but it was 150/180 mile trip around. Whis was local ish at 15 miles round trip.

thankyou for all your replies,its been really nice to see how everyone handles the pup/new owner timing.Id like to wish all of you all the best with your future litters.Thanks again!

Last year I allowed pup visitors from 1 week. This year it was nearer 4 as Mum had been unwell. However, these visits are only to see pups, no selection. I don't select until 6 weeks of age and I do the deciding of which pup goes to which home :-D

I do the deciding of which pup goes to which home.

Hi, Just a question, what if you put the wrong pup to the wrong person? what would happen then? what if the people wanting a pup, wanting say the one with red collar on, and you wanted them to have a yellow collar on. would you give them the one they wanted? or would you tell them that you want them to have the red collar on?

Im not saying your right or wrong but just like to see all angles, as this one is new to me. Has any one else done this by putting the puppy to the owner not the other way round! Be nice to see all of your comments. Thanks

I think matching puppies with new owners comes with experience and also you need to wait till the pups are old enough to assess.

You picking the right pup isn't going to work for everyone especially if they have specific plans ie showing, agility etc.

In breeds that come in various colours and patterns you will find pet folk will have their mind set on one and refuse to change.

I haven't put the wrong pup to the wrong person, nor has my breeder friend and mentor who has used the same system for years, and years ..... You do need experience (although I've just bred my 2nd litter, I have helped with the last 11 litters bred by my breeder mentor - I don't mean just popping along to do a bit of socialisation, I mean being there at the time prospective purchasers come along for interview, to being there at the whelpings and helping out and looking after the pups as my own, and to involved in the decision making process. So, so valuable to have this mentoring - I have made my mistakes about future owners or puppy matching on her litters - when it didn't matter as I wasn't the one in charge of the litter & where the pups went) to be able to do this, you also need to have a very good understanding of your dogs, the lines they're coming from and also a good understanding of your puppy owners! Most importantly, you need to be 'watching your pups the whole time, in my case from the very minute they pop into the world (quite often when the search pup first rears it's head). It's a system that works for us and it's not a system I'm going to change.

It's not something everyone would want to do and no doubt there'll be plenty on here who say it can't work. But it does, for us.

A very experienced obedience or agility home, or similar, would pretty much get the puppy of their selection - however, if they wanted the pup that I knew would not cope with pressure then they wouldn't get that puppy (no matter how good a home, competition homes put their dogs under pressure, the very nature of competition = pressure). However, a pup from my recent litter went to an extremely experienced search and rescue dog handler. He was not the best person to pick the dog for his needs - he didn't live with the dogs, he wasn't there at the birth ... I know what the requirements are for a good search and rescue dog - again, that comes from experience and also being involved with the handlers. The handler acknowledged that he was not in the position to select the best pup for the job - looking for very specific characteristics.

Anyone's welcome to say I'm right or that I'm wrong. I know that I'm right in doing it the way I do it, for me, my dogs, my litters & my customers.

Puppy owners are told on first meeting that it wont be a case of them coming along and picking the one with the sweet dark face, or the one with the white leg ... they'll get the puppy that is absolutely best suited to them and their lifestyle/requirements - obviously this works in a vice versa manner too. As it turns out, everyone goes away with the puppy they like and nearly always the one they may have picked if selecting themselves.

As said, it's a system that works for me and it wont be changed. Hope this has answered your question ... sorry if a bit garbled, just a bit tired!

I accept that having puppies comes with having visitors! I have them at all times but they are always made welcome. BTW I take viewings from 6 weeks. Unless they are prearranged by people I already know and of course family and friends.

But last year I had a family come to see a puppy who had travelled 160 miles. They brought mum, dad, 4 kids, grandparents and 2 aunties!!!! At 10pm my step son offered coffee and somehow they ended up eating spaghetti bolognese with my very tired kids at almost midnight before they finally went on their way with no puppy or plans to have a puppy - that puts a whole new meaing to day trippers.
I am far too nice for my own good my smile was painted on in the end lol

omg!! thats just so not on!! you sure made them feel welcome i think il come to yours ;) .....but i too dont like ppl coming to early i like them to come around the 4-5 weeks stage, i get stressed when i know ppl are coming i dont know why i just hate strangers comeing into my home,9 times out of 10 ive already met them and they have met all the dogs BUT its the part i dont like so i try to put it off and i only like them to be here for 1-2h when comeing to see their pup its hard work looking after a litter other dogs and children! dont get me wrong ive made some great friends but just dont like ppl to over stay their wellcome :)

But sometimes I'm not smiling but gritting my teeth !

I'm always promising my husband that I'll make sure people arrive at the appointed time and be firm about the length of visit but hey ho, it never works and my husband is usually mouthing 'when are they going to leave' behind their backs. My worst experience was a lady who would phone me in the morning and inform me that she was free all day and would like to visit her puppy. Lucky  old her to have so much time on her hands ! The final straw for me, and this after 3 weeks of repeated visits during which she would lecture me on diet ( doggie) and comment on how restless my dogs were ( yep, because she was taking the time that should be theirs !),was when I told her that the day was not good because I had a dog having emergency surgery and it was the anniversary of my son's death . She insisted on coming and stayed for hours and kept niggling over her choice of puppy.  She never got that puppy. I decided I had had enough of that lady in my life.

I also agree with White Lilly, it can be stressful having visitors who are not family, no matter how nice they are

god I would dhate it, I dont do visitors period and that can include rellys, yep I am odd dont care its my house.I used to worry about it and try to sort it but now I just tell people and if they mind then its tuff, my friends dont care
Ok I dont hate people that much just prefer to meet friends etc outside my house I am willing to go anywhere , coffee pub shopping etc just not into my home it just stresses me out

Fortunately I dont breed so wont have to go throught that but am so pleased many of you do so the right dog gets the right owners.