Hi,

I was wondering if someone could answer my question. I am phoning/emailing breeders to find out about being put on their waiting list. Is it common for breeders to add you when you have only emailed them or should you telephone aswell? Do breeders regard emails as impersonal and if so should I avoid it?

Thanks for your help and advice.

Sally

I have emailed several breeders and they appear more than happy to add me this way to their list. This is also a useful method of doing preliminary homework on the breeder and the breed. I have since followed up the original email with a phone call once I established "conversation" with the breeder. I now continue to email the breeder on a frequent basis to keep up to speed with the litter as the get older. I find this is more "polite" than barraging her with constant questions over the phone.

If you are worried about sending emails initially, why don`t you put your phone number at the bottom of them so they can speak to you in person if you wish which most will want to do at some point.

Hi Sally
E mail is a great way to introduce yourself to a breeder, you can tell them about yourself, often saying that little bit more than you would on the phone, you can send photographs of other dogs/ dogs you have had in the past, your garden...
They will reply advising of their breeding plan and ask any further info they may want to know, send you a copy of pedigree, photos of mum and dad, past puppies, and then arrange a meeting...
I say contact them by email :)
If you don't get a reply or it's brief, don't buy a pup from them, they're obviously not interested in you or where the pup goes.
Tracey

Having just sold a litter - I have to say I wasn't worried about people emailing me, I then gave them my number so we could have a proper chat, but emailing for first contact is fine

Nikki xxx

The first point of contact with my breeder was through email- then she told me to give her a ring:) I *provisionally* went on her list after the phone call but in order to actually *be* on the list I had to visit so she could check me out:) A breeder that I tried before- emailed- I asked something about the dogs and in the reply to me, got quite tetchy hence I didn't follow up and phone that one:) By emailing first I didn't follow up and get one of the pups- therefore getting myself out of what could have been a very sticky situation:)

Stacey x x x

I'm very happy to receive e-mail enquiries, and have learnt to assess them fairly well ,within the limits, of course.

Short enquiries with no details get short answers - the equivalent of the phone enquiry which starts
'These pups of yours - how much do they cost?' - have we all had these?

Long detailed enquiries with family/canine history get the full works - to be followed up by release of my phone number and address if I get a reply back again.

I've had some very sound enquiries via e-mail, so don't discount them.

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

Had an e mail last night..it read ....'photo's and more details ???' that was it .there was no hello I'm enquiring about your puppies etc etc.
I don't have pups at the moment, it must have been from an old advert..but do people really think that you would consider them when the initial contact is so awful.If they can't be bothered to write an e mail , don't think they would be willing to put every effort in to an 8 week old puppy. :(
Tracey

I agree Tracey. I've had one saying "We want one of your puppies and are willing to collect!" Not one of mine, they don't!! But there are plenty out there that will, so there are some unfortunate dogs for all homes.

Val
sorry had to laugh..as if...had a funny thought...wonder what our faces look like when we read the email..and I always tell the pc what I think of them :)

Tracey

Thank heavens we don't have webcams! But then I talk to the television too - first sign isn't it??

I prefer receiving first contact by e mail as I can choose when I have time to read and answer them. When people just phone I am usually out with the dogs or busy with them. I can answer them with a barrage of questions :-) and if I like their replies I can invite them to phone me to find out more about each other. This saves me lots of precious time weeding out the unsiutable homes - which probably account for about 75% of them!!! I can then send them photos and info via email which is very convenient.

I sold almost all my last litter to people who had first of all contacted me via e-mail.I asked each one a series of questions first and when they replied and were found to be satisfactory I gave them my tel no.All were then put on to my waiting list when I'd had a long chat with them over the phone.Fortunately I was able to supply most of them with a pup.Those that were unlucky have decided to remain on my waiting list for my next litter