The main issue is although they don't have kids at the moment, they said they plan to add kids within 2 years

I'm in agreement that this may be an issue............ one 'baby' at a time....... if they are planning a baby/ies after 2 years when they have reared the pup, trained it and given it a good sound character and temperament due to the time and good experiences given to the dog during puppyhood and adolescence, then as an adult dog introducing a baby won't change the character of the dog, under proper supervision.

To introduce a baby or young children to a puppy/adolescent can cause behavioural issues, that will stay with a dog for life, if not in the hands of very dog savvy people.

So if they are planning children prior to 2 years........ before the dog is 'moulded' I would avoid them like the plague too.

If you meet them and spend time with them, talking face to face you may well educate them enough to understand that they need to rear the dog first to make him/her sound for any future children.............and how to have children behave around dogs.

If more people did that, we wouldn't have so many dogs in rescues and past on, for nipping at youngster when it could have easily been avoided with education from their breeder.

Yup, exactly Carrington :)

I've also invited them to watch my training classes - where plenty of people struggling to control both puppies and kids in class should also be apparent, and one of my volunteers will be available to sit with them throughout.  This is priceless experience for anyone considering a puppy...

am not keen on young dog + baby combo - in fact, I wouldn't home anywhere with kids under the age of maybe 8+, unless I really knew the home well and that they could cope (ie people who are already successful in competition or experienced homes).

Going by your post rabid you are expecting this couple to wait 8+ years to have a baby? If I had travelled quite a way to be then sat down and instructed when and how long I should wait to have children after a puppy I would not be amused at all. Your inviting this couple to give them a no for a puppy because of their wish to start a family when it doesn't suit your views about children and puppies?. Better to have this delicate conversation by email or phone . What happens if this couple take offence? I wouldn't want a possible argument in my home. Some people cope very well with children and puppies some don't. Same goes for some people cope well with one dog some cope with more. A teacher surely sets the class rules with do's & don'ts? Are you advising you only allow well behaved children in your classes or none at all?

No, not expecting them to wait 8yrs to have a baby!  (Honestly, think this subject has just about run its course now!!!).

If they take a puppy on and bring it up, without a baby, until it is a well-adjusted adult dog - say, 2.5yrs - and then have a baby, that is completely different to having a child already and then taking on an 8wk old puppy.

If I met with them and they seemed suitable in other ways, and were prepared to put off having a baby for maybe one more year, then yes, I think they could be a suitable home.  The puppy would have their undivided attention for 2.5 yrs. 

If they are not prepared to do that, and plan on having kids within the first year of having the dog, then no, they won't be a suitable home because they will be raising a baby and a puppy at the same time.

I don't think that is so unreasonable, and I can't have that conversation over email.  I think the couple are far more likely to take offence if, as a total stranger, I have this conversation by email, than if I word it really well and feel about the subject, as you can do in conversation.

We have children which are school age in class, but not younger.  And we will immediately evict them if they are badly behaved.  Unfortunately, I can't ask a parent to evict a child from their home because it is torturing their puppy, in the same way... so the two things are not really comparable.

Edited to add:  I haven't heard back from them after saying they're welcome to visit anyway, so maybe all moot...

Well if nothing else this demonstrates there are a multitude of approaches
Personally would think the prospective new owners would take it very badly face to face and would expect to be given that info via telephone or email so they can consider and visit if the terms seem ok for them. I know I would be livid is something as cut n dried as this was not made explicitly clear before a visit especially if traveling a long way. Don't think anyone is having a dig just pointing out different view points for you to consider

I think that is the point though klb

The rules we breeders initially make, they can easily be bent when meeting people face to face, I know I have changed my mind when meeting people and some children have completely won me over.

When we talk to people by e-mail and sometimes even on the phone, we don't really get the gist of each other, so many of us come across harsh in writing, or uncaring, too blunt, ( both breeder and potential puppy owner) but, in person we are not.

When conversation is flowing, when we are looking each other in the eyes, smiling, using our body language, we know so much more about each other, you can spot a genuinely switched on family as much as those being deceitful and not really understanding a dogs needs.

I don't know rabid, but I am pretty sure she is not going to launch in straight away about how a pup needs full on attention and rearing first.........no doubt she will be weighing them up and it will happen as part of a flowing conversation and be brought up at the right time, I doubt very much she is going to dictate ..... over the hours she will spend with them, her decision will have probably be made re: suitability within that first hour regardless, most of us can judge pretty well.

They may be perfectly capable owners.........they may not......only face to face can you find that out, the mere fact they are wishing to travel at least gives them the opportunity to sway rabid, if she's the breeder they want, they may be swayed too....... let's wait and see...............

Yes, Carrington has it exactly right.  I don't have a rule book and it is all dependent on the total overall picture of the home available.  Not a 'yes/no' thing on one issue.  It is not that cut and dried.

The fact that they wanted to travel and meet me at this early stage was already a huge point in their favour.

I hope they do get in touch, but it's been a week now and I haven't heard from them.  They might just be planning travel...