hi, i have found a v nice breeder that will have puppies born in november and will be ready to go home in january. i was just wondering how to go about this. should we visit the breeder before the pups are born and then again after? and what do we need to get ready for the puppy? this will be our first puppy and we have thought long and hard about gettin one and decided yes! :) obviously i will be doing some serious research(!) but i thought i'd check here first-its nice to get first hand advice! thanks for anything u can say to help luv lisa xxx ps- i am so exited! :)

We visited the breeder before our dog was born,we met with the dam and one of her previous litter.We spoke in length to the breeder asking many questions regarding the care and future of any puppy we would have from the litter.We received a phone call from the breeder when the litter was being born and we first saw our puppy at 11days old,then 2weekly thereafter until we brought her home.
We felt part of the whole process and keep in touch with the breeder with regular emails and pics.
There are several books recommended on here,for first time puppy owners,just enter your question into the search facility.
What breed of dog are you looking to get?
Jacqueline :)

How exciting, a new puppy-just remember to make the most of them while they little! It doesn't last long! A good breeder should want you to visit them before any pups are born, coz once you see them it is very hard to walk away and say no so always best to visit at least once and meet them and their dogs. This will give you more of an idea of the kind of dog you can expect to have once the pup has grown up. With our 2 vizslas we went to see them pups at around 5 weeks to pick the one we liked and the breeder then kept this in mind while all the other families came to visit. Then we picked the up at about 7 weeks, too early really but we didn't know any different as all the books say 7 weeks is ok.
I suggest you buy The Perfect Puppy by Gewn Bailey, great for the new and experienced, goes right from the early stages to that awful period of dog adolescense! You could also do a search on this forum about bringing puppy home, feeding, beginning toilet training, the first night etc etc.
What breed are you hopefully getting?
Keep us informed, there are lots of nice people here who give good advice and we always want to know how people are enjoying the dog world! :)
Emily

im hopefully getting as long haired mini dachsund. :) the breeder sent me a picture of the mother (well, soon to be mother- jemima- she is sooo adorable) both her and the father are red so the puppies will be too. im really looking forward to getting one.  i think i will get that book as loads of people keep telling me to so it must be good! :) i will arange to vist in october then maybe- before the puppies are born and then again after to choose one - only im a bit worried that if the breeder put loads of people on the "interested list" what if there are only a couple of puppies? how does the breeder choose who to sell them to? lisa xxx ps-thanks everyone for replying! 

Usually I put the names on a list. One for male, one for female. Then I ask about what an owner is looking for. i.e. pet, show, work, agility, anything. Then it depends on what is born. I've had to say sorry to people because there just wasn't enough of the right sex born (Munsters tend to have big litters though) At the time it really comes down to the nature of the pup. If someone lower down the list is looking for a dog to work,for example, and you don't have one suitable left (others were chosen first) then the best thing is to refuse them a pup and try to help them find another from another breeder. A good breeder will try to put the right pup with the right owners. It's not fair on either if you don't.

i havnt been asked what im looking for- but we dont mind either a boy or girl. how old are the pups when u choose one? lisa xxx

When you go to a reputable breeder, they choose a pup for you. You don't choose one. Like it was said, they know their pups best and will try to make a good match with what you describe your desires to be. Sometimes there isn't a pup left for you. I was on waiting lists. And when it was not a sure thing with one breeder that I would get a pup from her, she gave me ideas for other breeders that she thought were good and that were having puppies. It took me about a year to actually get a pup from the time I started asking. So, be patient. They should be no younger than 8 weeks when they're given to you. Have fun!

Carrie

I start to look the minute they are born! But then I usually breed my own. I will be bringing in a new pup near Xmas time (pup has been ordered for a year) and the breeder knows what I'm looking for. It will take several weeks (and lots of trips ;) ) before I decide which one I want. BUT I will be guided by the breeder. After all, she will be with the pups longer and will know their personalities.

When I'm breeding and selling a pup I would rather know as soon as possible what the owners are looking for. That way I will watch the pups and try to pick the one closest to what they want. Or I will say to them "That one is a cheeky little b***er, but that one is quiet." That way it's up to them. At the end of the day they have to train the pup to be a part of their family, so there is no point putting a timid, shy one (in Munsters? - not usually a problem - they are so friendly and outgoing :D ) into a family with half a dozen roudy kids running around.