For the first time in many years our home is without a pet - we have been left devastated by the death of what we can only call our "princess" who died last year of a genetic disease passed on through bad breeding. Finally, we plucked up the courage to buy a new dog to love and treat - this time I decided to approach the top breeder (based on show results) of the breed we are purchasing first before approaching anyone else. I don't want to reveal her name or the breed we are looking for as I don't want to blacklist the breeder`s name as she is an excellent champion breeder - however, lets just say she could work on her attitude. She was really quite abrupt with me, and from the very start of the phone conversation she seemed like she didn't want to sell me a pup! She even seemed to be trying to make up reasons to turn me down - she said in a hostile tone, completely out of the blue whilst I was talking about something else, " Are you going to be going off and leaving this puppy on its own for hours on end while you are at work?" (which I understand she had to ask) but when I replied that there was always someone in the house and we wanted to have the dog with us at all times she actually seemed even MORE annoyed instead of reassured and then she decided to bring the conversation to an abrupt end. I honestly don't know what I did wrong! I am a good loving owner and would never neglect or mistreat an animal. My mother thinks the reason the breeder was so abrupt towards me was because I am young - perhaps she thinks I am a kelly osbourne or paris hilton type who just wants a dog as a fashion accessory and that I`ll dump it to go off nightclubbing. That couldn't be further from the truth - I have health problems which mean I spend most of my time at home and have done for the past 7yrs - I picked this breed because it is a companion dog and doesn't require as much exercise as other dogs. She mentioned time wasters and people who just want dogs because they have seen them on the tv - but I was genuinely interested in buying a dog from her and giving it a home for LIFE! I know that a good breeder will want to ensure that their puppies go to the best home possible and that they should ask questions of a potential owner but - she was very cold towards me - like I said I felt she saw me as a non-starter. I find it really off-putting and don't feel very confident about calling another breeder - would rather just go to an RSPCA home but they don't have any breeds which would be suitable for my health problems at the moment. Any tips for how to deal with nasty breeders? Her dogs were beautiful but because of her attitude she has lost a customer. Would you by a dog from someone like this - I am in a split mind you see - I don't know whether I should be impressed at her thoroughness or disgusted at how dismissive she was towards me. That's two bad experiences I've had now, are all breeders like this - and if not how do I find a good one?!

No, Pinkie, all breeders are not like this - breeders are a mixed group of people, just like all other humans. Perhaps you caught this one on a bad day, or she'd just had a bad experience - nevertheless I'm in no way excusing her rudeness to you! Persevere, the right dog is out there waiting for you somewhere, so don't let this unpleasant conversation put you off. Best wishes in your searching! :) :) :)
Cathy.

Don't be put off Pinkie. I'm sure there are are plenty more reputable breeders out there - with a better attitude. However good a breeder she is, her rudeness is inexcuseable. Tips on how to deal with breeders like her? Easy - forget them, put it down to experience & go elsewhere. It's not you that has the problem! Hope you find what you are looking for.

Firstly, don't let her get to you - even if she was having a bad day that is no excuse for rudeness. I can't say if your age had anything to do with it or not, but I was 22 when we first started looking at our breed (my partner was only 21) - however the breeders we spoke to were not bothered by our age - they wanted to know about the commitment and care we would give the dogs. The first breeder we visited, we went just to talk about the breed and see her dogs, we ended up being there for over 5 hours and she said that our age definately wouldn't be a problem as she could see from how well I had researched the breed that we were indeed very comitted.

I guess the only thing you can do is to try more breeders, I know this experience may have put you off but not everyone will be like that. In response to your question as to whether I would personally buy a pup from somone like this, then no, I wouldn't - I email the breeders of both our dogs regularly to keep in touch and let them know how the dogs are getting on - it great when you have a good relationship with your breeder :)

I hope everything works out for you, let us know how you get on.

Hi Pinkie, dont be put off, we all have our bad days.  When I wanted to purchase my 3rd bitch I phoned the breeder of the mating I wanted, and she was very brusque, (I have been told I am a scary person and she frightened me) :) Anyway, after a couple of phone conversations, I travelled a 10hour round trip just to talk to her, again very brusque, but over a cup of tea and homemade tarts. She sounded as if she was snapping at me, so I snapped back (not snapping but short, and very straight to the point etc.) I now have an excellent relationship with her and she has been my mentor. I, and a lot of people hold her in very high regard, just get past the outer shell.
Let us know how you get on, and good luck

I wouldn't have thought age would matter either, as long as you were very interested in the breed, and it sounds like you are! I was 10 when I got my first dog (a border collie), and my sister was 11 when she got her dog (border collie - breeder spoke to dad that she was worried she would lose interest and he said well if she does her sis will have it or I wil have it - sis did get fed up of her and now I have her!), so no age doesnt really come in to it, as long as you are dedicated and the breeder can see it.

Charlotte

Don't be put off by this particular breeder.  She may well have been having a bad day or it may be that she just doesn't come over well on the telephone.  there are people out there who are lovely face to face but dreadful on the phone.  Bit like the net really!!!!  You can get the wrong impression sometimes.

I would perhaps try her again another day, explain that you had rung before and just wanted to give her a little of your history and maybe to do that would it be OK if you could arrange to visit her and meet her dogs.

I know exactly how you feel from the first time i contacted a breeder i was very put off and made my partner contact the others who were all very nice. I also felt insecure as if my age may have had something to do with it, i am 25 but am also very responsible but thought maybe my young voice may have put the breeder off as i had done a lot of research into the breed i wanted.

Ive been in that position.Contacted the breeder of my choice,spoke on numerous occasions to their partner who said I would get a return phonecall.He never did and this went on for months.I never gave up and persevered,and in the end after he met me and did a home check I ended up having three!
Two years down the line we are best friends,he is my mentor and never stops ringing me!
Now I know him I see now why he behaved the way he did,ish,they get so many enquiries that are no-goes I think they become a little negative.<no excuse however for rudeness>
If anyone rings me about puppies,even though I have none,I try to be as helpful as possible.I like to chat to people to obtain information in a nice way!My way of thinking is that your future purchaser may well end up as a show-exhibitor/friend/breeder etc so good impressions made earlier can only benefit all concerned.
In the breeding world word goes around that you are rude or unapproachabe,so if no-one rings,you may well miss out on wonderful homes for your precious babies and new friends.

Hi Pinkie,

If you check the Kennel Club site and go to the information on your breed you will find one or more contact names.   I'd recommend you call them and ask for their advice in finding a breeder.   You can also contact the breed club.  I am sure they can help you widen your list of good breeders.

Be warned, however, that there are a lot of "eccentric" :-) types in the dog show world.  So do not be put off, a breeder that geniunely cares about their dogs will be very picky about who gets one of their pups.

Stacey

Trouble is it is not just people in the dog world who can dismiss people by age. My sister was looking for a flat last year, she is 24. She has a good job, hardly ever goes out and prefers her own company. She phoned up about one flat, and was immediately asked her age, and when she told then he simply said, no you're too young and slammed the phoned down. Now if he had bothered to put his prejudices aside he would have found out that actually she would have been the pefect tennant, as she is quiet, pays her rent on time and is hardly in because she is working. Further more he probably knows her becuase she runs the local newsagents in the same village.
Anyway, don't let them put you off. I 'm sure there is another breeder out there who would be perfectly willing to let you have a pup. Perhaps because she produces 'champions' she thinks they should only go to show homes?