Hi,

I am hoping for some insight from a breeders perspective.

I bought a puppy from a reputable source. KC registered, only planning on having a litter every two years etc. All of the other puppies remained in the extended family or with friends, which I’ve seen on social media.

They initially planned on keeping my pup but had a change of plans when a baby was on its way. Anyway, we promised to keep in touch, not least so their children - who were disappointed they were not keeping her - could receive updates about her in her new home.

For the first six months we conversed fairly regularly on WhatsApp, I would send pictures and videos of the puppy. Then, suddenly, blanket silence to all my messages. I messaged on the pups first birthday but the message was not delivered (the previous ones had been but were unread). I emailed them a few weeks ago on what was my pups fourth birthday with a message about how she is doing and a few images throughout the years but again absolutely nothing in response. I can see on social media they are fine.

What could of happened for them to blank me? I am not sure if I have offended them somehow. They seem such lovely people. I would have loved to have kept in touch and held meet ups with all the litter mates (as had originally been discussed). Just feeling a little deflated today I guess.

Thanks

I would guess that they've had something major happen in their life -what about the baby being born for instance? I know that recently I have not kept in touch/replied to puppy buyers as much as usual simply because I'm not well.

We can only guess what might be going on there.  If you really need to keep in touch, why not phone instead of using the internet?  It may be that they feel enough is enough.  The puppy has been with you for years now, and all is well.  We had a few buyers who became 'friends' and we were in touch throughout the lives of the pups and beyond, but really that didn't apply to very many much as we did move quite a lot.   There are none of mine alive now (pups).  I do send the breeder of my Whippet a Christmas email, but that's all.

It's likely nothing you've done.  Personally, when I first started breeding it was great keeping in touch with all my puppy owners.  However, there are so many now, and while I like them to keep in touch so I know how they are all doing, it can become onerous; I can literally have many many messages a day to reply to.  Add on to that my work, dog shows, whenever I have a litter, the dog training I run, general life, and I have very little time.  That said, I've never 'blanked' an owner, but it can take me several days, if not weeks, to get round to replying.

Maybe they just use the social media now to keep up to date with everyone.  Do they engage (ie like etc) on a post you add?  I would imagine trying to keep up with emails, texts aswell as social media would be all too time consuming if they have a busy household and I wouldn't take it personally.

> I wouldn't take it personally.

If your conscience is clear, just put it down to they are simply too busy and forget it.  Actually I tended to prefer not to be hearing from my puppy buyers all the time unless they really were 'friends'.  Just thought I will hear if something goes wrong (Sods Law) so if I don't hear, phew!

Unless you have reason really need to be in touch in which case, again, use the phone!

I have never kept in touch with any my dogs breeders after the first few days. I normally text or email within a few days of getting a pup to say we arrived home and that the puppy is settling in.
I don't normally contact them again until I want another pup from them, or when the dog dies.

I only send cards and a present for the dog at Christmas as a way of making sure we don't lose contact details, people moving etc, it's only so if anything goes wrong they can get in touch with me but the last two years it's being told that they have died.

Last litter was born thirteen years ago only a handful left alive but I'm here to take them back if needed at any age.

But I don't contact them at any other time and once they have died I don't bother again

The only reason I'm in more contact with my boys breeder is because we are each other at shows and are friends

I can't help feeling that some of these comments are very sad. The great majority of my friends started off as puppy buyers and the 3 that I count as my very closest friends are all puppy buyers. I still keep in touch with the breeder of my first bitch of my main breed even though it was 22 years since I bought that pup and she stopped showing and breeding 16 years ago. As far as I am concerned puppy buyers essentially join a family. I'd say that over 90% of mine keep in touch regularly/frequently, and I can really only think of one who hasn't been in touch at all for a couple of years. My latest litter had a birthday today and I've received e-mails and photos and several FB mentions. A lot of buyers get to know each other as they find themselves "related". In fact that's what happened when I joined the breed as well, I got to know several of the owners of littermates. They are still friends of mine. Much the same goes for my second breed. The fun is sharing good and bad. I also have past puppy buyers who still keep in touch even though their dog has since died of old age and they went for a different breed the next time. (And no I have very few buyers who show so that isn't the reason.)

I agree, nearly all my puppy buyers either started as friends or have become friends. There's only 1 current dog/owner that I'm not in regular contact with. I love being able to see my puppies as they grow into adults and then veterans, though of course it's sad when they die. And there is a bit more responsibility I suppose, if something does happen to a dog, even if it's nothing to do with your breeding, that your friend might be upset. But mostly it's just great knowing that you don't have to worry about the puppies if they have gone to friends that you know and trust.