Hi, I have a question for breeders, is it common practice to leave it to the eleventh hour to reject a buyer? I have been in conversation with a breeder since before pups were  conceived. We passed all the criteria. I have been on two visits, a four hour round trip, to see the dogs and then to see the pups at 5weeks. The second trip I took my 2 grandchilden at the request of the breeder, as " its good for the pups socialisation." After a bit of confusion i was very happy for the breeder to pick my pup "for temperament"  to suit our family.
Unfortunatly, for some reason it has been decided that we cant have a pup after all. I think it may have been because i had the audacity to be a bit specific about one thing, It all went pear shaped after that. We are devastated. I have to now tell my grandchildren that there will be no pup. Why is this acceptable behaviour? I cant think of anything i have done wrong.

Although I appreciate that it's very difficult for prospective buyers to understand, all puppies are the property of the breeder until the full purchase price has changed hands, and both parties can change their minds at any stage. A good breeder adores those pups far more than you or your grandchildren do, and want their future lives to be absolutely perfect; if your specific requirement wasn't right for any of the puppies it would have been wrong for you to have one. Breeders learn a lot about potential owners during visits, both from what's said and their behaviour, and if something rings a faint alarm bell then they will turn down that applicant. (I'm adamant that my puppies won't live in kennels, and when one prospective owner's child said - after they'd been accepted - during a phone call to arrange collection that "Dad was laying concrete for the kennel run", they were immediately refused the puppy.) It would be helpful if the breeder had gone into more detail as to where your interviews went awry. Keep applying to other breeders - I'm sure the right pup is out there, sometime.

Lolaboggins: Perhaps contacting the Breeder and asking what her final decision was based upon (feedback) then he/she may share their thoughts...it then gives you the opportunity to reflect and any area(s) you could review to improve your chances next time.

Thank you for replying, of course the breeder has final say. I just wish i had known earlier and kept the grandkids out of the process. Dont want to go into detail for obvious reasons. i have never gone down this route for a dog before as have mostly had rescues over the years. Not sure I will risk it again.

I'm sorry for you, but as said, disappointing as it is, the puppies belong to the breeder and if there's anything about a prospective owner that doesn't sit right, then they are entitled to change their minds, as are you at any time prior to money changing hands.  Fact is I had to do this  after I started getting red flags about somebody who wanted one of mine.  It was hard for both of us but in the end with that puppy, I just felt the home wasn't right.   It wasn't actually that this puppy wouldn't be well looked after but this was a relationship that I felt wasn't going to work.  And a good relationship between breeder and new owner should be able to work.

I'd agree that perhaps you need to find out why this didn't work out, for future use although that original breeder may not want to tell you!

Rescurs are even more likely to have criteria that some otherwise excellent owners can't meet.

Ages of children that are likely to be in contact is often a major stumbling block.

Think about the issue raised and why this may have tipped things against you.

Put yourself in the breeders shoes!

I know the relationships I forge with prospective owners are important to me.

I have only once decided against allowing a pup to go to a family I ha accepted, and refunded their deposit.

It became increasingly obvious that they had unrealistic expectations of how managing a second dog, a bitch in their home with their existing young male would work.

As a breeder, I rarely make my mind up until pups are nearly ready to go about where they are going.  This is because I can see how they are turning out. 
It may be that the breeder doesn't think the puppy will be a good match in terms of temperament.
It may be that they have changed their mind - I know I have many times.  Sometimes because a puppy looks really nice and I decide to keep it (I show so if a puppy looks really promising I'm not about to part with it).  Sometimes, it's because the buyer, having initially looked ok, may have done or said something that has made me feel uncomfortable. 
Not sure what you were specific about, but I can be prickly over things like that.  For example, my breed has been blighted by greeders breeding for 'rare' colours, so when I get people asking for very specific colours, it raises my hackles.
Breeders can be very pedantic when it comes to their puppies - I certainly am.  I have a litter of pups at the moment with homes waiting and am likely going to have to let one or two of the homes down for various reasons.  But I make no promises until about 2 weeks before pups are due to go.......

The purchase of a puppy (or any companion animal) is unlike any other purchase.

It is much more akin to Adoption.

I'm very sorry for your situation.

Breeders can change their mind of a number of different reasons.

You said that the relationship went down hill after you were specific about one thing. Obviously you don't want to share what that was and you have every right not to if you don't want to.

The breeder may have felt that none of the puppies tempermants would have fit in your your lifestyle or that a positive relationship with you for the lifetime of the puppy wasn't likely for what ever reason. They could have got a wrong impression about you and your intentions with the puppy.

What ever the reason, I'm sorry and hope you the best for the future and hope you get the pup of your dreams in future.

I'm so sorry you've ended up in this position. It happened to me years ago. I had long discussions with the breeder, visited the litter and was happy for the very experienced breeder to choose my puppy as I wanted to show him. The breeder suddenly and without warning, stopped all contact with me. Declined to answer emails and letters. I still have no idea why I was unceremoniously dumped. I had bought puppies before this and I've bought puppies since. Sometimes there's just no logic. Good luck finding your puppy. It's waiting somewhere.

Dawn R:  Being let down by a Breeder: It's such a minefield.  As previously posted you get little snippets of info from potential new owners unwittingly (not that I am suggesting this in the OP case) but I have to say stopping contact without explanation IMO is very rude.

However at the other end of the spectrum and from a Breeders point of view,I made the mistake of entertaining a retired couple who wanted a new addition I later decided not to place a Puppy with them.

They had visited twice, emailed & messaged but the relaionship wasn't building and I called them to advise.

I thought that was the end of matter.  Oh no!  She turned up at my home. demanded to see 'her' puppy for the last time and then kicked me on the shin when I came between her and the puppies,

The reason I had rejected them was because she had come across as very controlling with her Husband on visits and I felt the Puppy would be subjected to that same treatment.

Thank goodness for a Burly Hubby!

Serious Point:  it is all about impressions of people and I'm sure with the right homework undertaken, Puppies will have loving, longterm & appropriate owners.

Sadly sometimes a late change of heart can happen both with a breeder or a buyer changing their mind, perhaps the buyer decides the puppies isn't right for them or they are not acutely keen on the breeder any more, or no long the right time. Sometimes a breed may feel the buyer is not suited to any of the puppies anymore after something comes to light.

It Could be the specific thing you wanted meant that none of the puppies would have been right for you? Did you request it after/during the second visit?
A caring breeder will want to make sure a home is suited to the pup and vice versa, although If It was a specific issue I do think really a breeder should explain what the issue is so a buyer isn't left wondering.
When I was planning mine I had a lady contact me who would if been the perfect home and had the breed before however they were just about to start a master's degree along with something else so I had to let them down as I didn't think they would have enough time for a puppy with all that work. I explained my reasons and they were happy with what I said and thanked me for it.

Don't let it put you off though. If there is something specific your looking for in a puppy id make sure you let the breeds know sooner rather than later.

Thank you for all the very thoughtful replies to my post. Will bear in mind all the advice given.

Hoggie: I do hope you went to the police about that assault. No one should be treated like that. Seems like you pecked her correctly.

Crazy dog lady: No I didn't report it.  My Husband sort of 'manhandled' her back into her car so' least said' and all of that.

if She lashed out on you like that; don’t want to imagine what she could of been capable with a dog..you chose wisely to refuse.