Hello,
I have recently paid a deposit on a puppy. I was initially given photos of pups (they were born late July) and of mum (separately), and videos of my pup on its own as well as with the litter. I was then sent a video of pups with mum after paying the deposit to see an entirely different dam with the puppies.
This just happened tonight and I have messaged the breeder to ask about it, tho she has not yet responded (this all transpired late in the evening). I’m assuming I’ve been scammed as I cannot fathom why you would tell a buyer one dam is mum then send them clear evidence that she is not, and was wondering whether any breeders on the forum can shed any light as to whether there are any legitimate reasons for doing so? Have been told pup will be kc registered etc, and everything else seemed entirely legitimate (puppy contract etc).

Thanks

Are you sure it's a different bitch? Could the photos of Mum have been old ones and maybe her colour has changed or she has lost weight/coat or vice versa? My own breed change colour all the time, a dog that is gold at a year old could go light fawn or deep red as adult.

Assuming you're sure they're different then it does sound very suspicious. There are of course innocent reasons why this could happen, say the breeder has other bitches that love pups and they've just popped in to the whelping box to mother them while Mum is taking a break, but then the breeder should have said something like 'here's granny such and such with the pups'. Also, perhaps the breeder is just not good with technology and sent you the wrong Mum photos, I have a friend who's always mis labelling his dogs on facebook, and having everyone else correct him

I'd not worry till you get a reply from the breeder, if your gut tells you the reply is nonsense I would ask if you can come and see the pups.

Hey, thanks for responding - the bitch I was told would be mum is very much black and white (legs all white) and the dam with the pups is all black (or dark brown - the light makes it difficult to tell) so am absolutely certain it’s a different dog. I just can’t fathom why anyone would do that on purpose, so am hoping there’s some believable explanation(!) I know scammers can be convincing but I can’t see the purpose of passing one bitch off as mum when breeder must know vids would then show completely different animal. As you can tell I’m up late worrying about it! I have the address of the breeder and I am planning to go visit in a couple weeks in any event.

I know this won't help put your mind at rest, but fwiw, I'd never pay a deposit without seeing mum with the litter.   I hope you receive an explanation - and perhaps plan on going to visit asap.

Could it be that they have two litters on the go, and so sent you a photo of the 'wrong litter'?

Is it possible the breeder has more than one litter and has accidentally sent you photos of the other litter?

maybe an 'auntie' in with the litter?

Depending on pups ages, my other girls would be in and out of pups pen from 3 weeks.

If over 5 weeks, maybe more often than Mum as she weans them.

Thanks for all the responses, I mainly wanted to know whether there was any reason I couldn’t think of as to why you would do that. I’m still waiting on breeder response which in itself is a little concerning though she has been really responsive generally (so no red flags re other communications). Will update if I get a response.