My husband and I went to collect a puppy that we had paid a deposit on yesterday and after travelling 3 hours we were told that the puppy had "accidentally" been given to another family. This family were supposed to be collecting a boy and we had reserved a girl but my concern is that they had had the dog since saturday of last week and had not contacted the breeder to point out the change in sex. We left Lowestoft to a phone call from the breeder saying she had contacted the family and they were not prepared to give her up. I suspect we were taken for fools as as soon as we arrived she started asking if I wanted the boy and showed me 3 week old pups that could be an alternative. We are extremely disappointed as this is the only real window oof opportunity we have to introduce a pup to our 11 month old cavalier. We would be grateful of any advice on were we stand and what we can do if anything.

Seems a bit strange that the breeder could make such a mistake .
Legally I dont think there is anything you can do but someone else may be able to advise otherwise?

only my inexperienced opinion, but I'd find another breeder. x

Seems strange to make that mistake and have another lot of pups waiting to be sold.  It would certainly ring alarm bells with me.  I'd ask for my deposit back and find another breeder too.
Best wishes and good luck in your search

I would have walked away.  A knowledgable breeder wouldn't make a mistake like that!

A knowledgeable breeder could definately make a mistake like that. A few years ago a high profile, long standing and very experienced breeder of Irish Setters made exactly that same mistake. I can't remember the outcome though.
Dawn R.

Hi there

Sorry to hear about what happened when you went to get your puppy, I would go back to the breeder and ask for my deposit back and look elsewhere for another puppy from a different breeder.
In response to Nursey I have to disagree with the statement about experienced breeders making mistakes.
I also have Irish Setters, although have only bred one litter which happened to be a singleton. I do however keep in regular contact with the breeder of my first Irish. I find it strange that an experienced breeder could make this kind of mistake whether the puppies are all marked identically or not. When I picked my wee girl the breeder cut a little piece of hair from her back and kept a record of where each puppy had hair missing from thier bodies,this must have been very time consuming as there were 14 puppies in the litter. I was also actively encouraged to visit my puppy as often as I wanted and each time I was there I knew which puppy was mine very easily. I think that any breeder who could make a mistake like that doesn't have the interests of their puppies at heart or that they only breed for money. It is also possible that this breeder felt that the puppy would "do" better in another home possibly being shown or owned by someone better known in the breed.

Alli

Hi Alli, if you show your Irish you will know the name of the breeder I referred to. The story was in the national newspapers at the time, I too thought it 'unbelieveable', but nevertheless it happened. I'd be willing to PM you with the name if you like.
Dawn R.

I remember it too she gave a family the only bitch in the litter which was the last of her line instead of a dog. In the end she didn't get the dog back but was allowed to take a litter off the bitch. Not sure whether they actually did. Personally checking the sex is the easiest thing to do. I can understand having a litter of a single colour and maybe not giving them the right one but getting the sex wrong?

Jesse

Don't touch this breeder with a bargepole.  Any decent breeder would take enough interest in his/her puppies to know them all individually within days of their birth.  If they don't then that shows how little contact they have had with them.  I suppose something like red setters would be more difficult, but if it is a breed with markings, there is no excuse - just a try-on as you say.  Someone probably came along who offered more money than you if they could have the bitch.

if it were a pup of the same sex with no colour markings but a pup of the wrong sex???don't think so.As the others have said take back your deposit and find a reputable breeder
Good luck,Archer

As everyone else has said I wdn't touch this breeder either.  Ask for your deposit back and I hope that you find a better breeder next time.

well having had puppies  same colour and sex, i thank god for rik rack!!

LOL

Years ago when i picked out my rottie pup,the breeder put little dots of water paint on their heads,each having a different colour,my boy was red dot ;)

christine

When I had a litter of 5 black and tan griffs I used a dot of nail varnish on different parts of the body to distinguish one from the other. 

Joan
Take the rough with the smooth

I forgot to add,i would also demand my deposit back,this breeder sounds as tho the nice way probaly would not work.
Find yourself a reputable breeder,it will be worth the wait.
I hope things work out for you :)

Christine