i emailed a breeder 6 weeks ago and iam am still wating for a reply i am getting really annoyed at this stage i can not ring because i have not got a number for him

Hi Mel, noticed your the only one mentioned a letter but that was how I made contact with the breeders of the lines I was interested [$ everyone I wrote to replied, but maybe we`re old fashioned ]) :p :D

Christine, Spain.

The old school Christine ;) :D

I made contact with my breeder through email ..but she was the only one who replied out of several contacted that way ;)

That must be it Mel! :D ;)

I always reply to e-mail enquiries, as amatter of courtesy, but looking at the other side of things I have replied to several people who have posted here looking for details of pups available and often dont get at least an acknowledgement back! I suppose good, old fashioned manners dont count for much on the net?
bye
Gwen

I'm with you there Gwen - I always do my best to give as long and helpful an email as I can, with suggestions. Sometimes (but only sometimes) I get a thank you - one family has kept me posted all the way and I feel I'm almost as excited about their puppy as they are (which isnt from me, I hasten to add!!)

Others - you hear nothing!!

Margot

An interesting discussion.

All breeders on Champdogs have to give a valid email address, as that is our primary method of contact with them. Up until now the "Contact this Breeder" link has been compulsory on all pages, however we are aware of some people who do not wish to be contacted via email.

We have now added a checkbox to the joining form whereby a member can indicate whether they wish to be contacted via the Champdogs emailing system. The "Contact this Breeder" link will still remain, but the visitor will be informed if the member does not wish to be contacted by email immediately upon clicking on the link. The default for new members will be no, however for existing members it is set to yes.

Please use the "Main Page" option on the Members Menu if you wish to change your options.

Well when i was looking for a cocker about 2 yrs ago i got a breeders email address of here . she replied but she messed me about so much i went else where . she kept me waiting 2 months over the due date . at least you got no reply. time wasters are a pain in the bum:D

I think a telephone call is better sometimes as both you and the breeder can guage the type of person you are speakin to.
I spoke to a number of breeders before finding Gus's breeder . When I spoke to his breeder thought "yes, shes the one" . I enjoyed speaking to her and I like the way she talked about her dogs/bitches :D
Lel

I reply to all enquiries with brief info of the breed, the breed club webite address so the enquirer can find more info and give my 'phone number saying if they are still interested to phone and I will help to find a breeder. I would say that from this I get no more than one in thirty actually phoning. However, if it makes people really think about whether they are getting the right breed, that is fine by me.

this is an interesting discussion for me....since im planning to get a pup sometime next year.

I know all about how NOT to buy a puppy, puppy farms, petshops etc etc....but the etiquette involved in how TO buy a good pup, from a responsible breeder, i dont know much about that (well, i probably do, but im not sure).....its led me to think, if IM finding it hard to know where to look and who to ask...is it any wonder that ur average person who thinks 'i want a pup' doesnt know where to start?

Then of course, is it suprising that so many ppl end up buying from a puppy farmer, or petshop, or free ads or wotever.

Id much rather contact a breeder via email...im not great on the phone to new ppl, not very confident and can come across as not knowing wot im talking about. Im also nervous taht i might be foning when its not convienient, whatever. It seems simplest to me, to email a breeder, and set up a convienient time to ring and chat.

Em

When I started looking for a CKCS pup I had a list of phone numbers from the Canine Association in my state. Frankly I found it a big hassle trying to get hold of them as most of them would be out with the dogs and all I'd get is an answering machine. Almost all the messages I left went unanswered. I felt uncomfortable calling in the evening as I didn't want to disturb them etc. plus I felt awkward with trying to say the right things, not offending them etc.

When I started looking interstate my only option was email as I didn't have contact phone numbers available. I was grateful to those that did reply, and disappointed at those who didn't. If it hadn't been for one of the replies I did receive, I'd never have my darling little Sasha!

As a breeder listed on Champdogs, I can say I always do reply to any enquiry, and I always try to give good breed advice as well. As I do not at the moment have a bitch who is of an age to breed from, I do give any enquirer the details of the Flatcoated Retriever Society litter register secretary, and if I know of anybody with a litter or waiting for one to arrive, I usually pass on their details too. I am also listed for pekes and again do my best to help with any enquiry, even though the pekes I have, are owned in partnership and are currently resident in Spain and being shown in mainland Europe.

If it is a breed in general that is rare it could well be that they may be busy showing? Also due to crufts being in March which may sound along way off they may be waiting to breed later on in the year. Good luck with your search!!