something ive been thinking about really as im now waiting to hear if theres a new girly from a litter ....... when i was breeding i wondered what people made of us when they came to see mum to be, we are a family that are into tattoo's :) thats what my hubby and daughter do....my house is very clean and modern, but from talking to people on the phone you get a picture in your head dont you :)! and i surpose ive been a bit shocked by some lol..so i wonder what people have siad when theyve left here ,99% that have been told yes they can have 1 of our pups have had 1 so i surpose they must think we were normal lol....what have you thought when meeting the breeder or meeting a new family that are having a pup from you?

I had a pup returned at 16 months old and after a couple of weeks realised he was, with work, a great dog so sought a new family.  Through another collie breeder I made contact with a chap some distance away and after many conversations and emails decided that he would be a great person for this pup.  He's a young man on his own with a young daughter he has one out of two weeks.  His mum was there to meet me and pup and although he is covered in tattoos and calls me 'mate' he is the most wonderful person for this dog - his mum is lovely, his house is immaculate and there were all sorts of toys and beds for when we got there.  I have no worries now over this pup whom I felt I let down in the first place - I'm not for judging the book by its cover but how people are with their dogs :-)

I've sort of had this issue as I'm very 'clean cut' looking but my other half is a big, strong guy with a lot of tattoos and piercings. He's also a professor but people find that even more surprising LOL. Anyway, he gets a lot of weird looks at dog shows. It's silly.

yes dog shows are the worst for us ,i really do feel people look down on us till they talk and get to know us!!

I'd have been scared!!! :-D :-D 

I think we all do make first impression judgements, we can't help it, but it only lasts for that first few seconds, then it is gone........ I enjoy getting to know people. :-)

I'm utterly and totally rubbish at picturing people via phone and e-mail conversations they are never, ever as I predict as I'm sure neither am I.  The strangest one I've had is someone said  "You don't look like you own dogs?" What do people who own dogs look like? Gosh, that one really threw me, didn't know what to say to that. :-D  (Maybe they think we all wear wellies and trench coats all day long. :-D)

The one and only thing that really puts me off and funny that you mentioned it, is a breeder or puppy owner having a dirty, messy home, can't stand it, no excuse for it and I can't wait to get out!!! It would rightly or wrongly definitely make me write someone off. So even if you'd had a two minute shocked face from me at seeing lots of tattoos I'd have happily exhaled at seeing a nice clean home. :-D And only focussed on the pups from there-on-in.

What do people who own dogs look like?

They wear fur covered clothes with muddy pawprints as decorations, clothes that are years old and falling to bits due to being washed so much, thankfully no slobber here! and they wear dog club badges on all coats, and ALL their pockets are full of poo bags and treats, of every pair of trousers and coats they own. :D But for championship shows they suddenly wear suits and look amazingly tidy! (The suits can double as clothes for weddings and funerals as well, as it's their best clothes.) That's true for pretty much everyone in my breed anyway LOL.

I was surprised by the army family. The Dad is officer and sounds like he is used to being obeyed and getting what he wants and when they visitied his children were completely wild and he didn't tell them off or quieten them down at all! I had expected Von Trapp like obedience!

As for homes, since the puppies have been born my house is no longer tidy and occasionally there is dust. I have sidelined housework for time with puppies and they are getting my full attention and care. Their pen is clean and dry even if my house isn't! I felt bad about not having the best tidiest house when people come to view but at the end of the day felt that if they were fazed by it then they weren't right for my pups and they just have to take me as they find me. The pups are looking great as is my dam, and that is what matters and I have tons of paperwork showing their every detail and that is what I would be looking at as a buyer.

i get the kids and hubby to clean up for me ....i just cant live in mess ...i drive the family mad my hoover is on about 3plus times aday and im always moping lol..im luckly cus im a minimul kind of gal so not much to dust ;)

I'd have been scared!!! :-D :-D....................lol most ppl are :) but only cus hubby has no skin showing on his body lol ...no tattoo's on face or head tho i draw the line there lol