Are puppy waiting lists a good idea? And how long before a mating or litter does a waiting list need to be started? All aspects of waiting lists would be much appreciated.

I wouldn't consider breeding a litter without a waiting list. You need to know really that you have enough of the right sort of homes waiting for your puppies and not just rely on advertising them when they arrive and possibly being left with several of them.

If you want a puppy from a specific dog and bitch then a puppy list can be a good thing yes. It also gives you a chance to build a good rapport with the breeders before the pups arrive

The length of time depends on the breed and how long before the bitch is old enough to be mated

I think how long before the pups arrive, propably depends on what breed you have or how desirable your pups will be if that makes sense. For instance if both parents have proved themselves in the show ring or working then people will already have enquired about their offspring and be prepared to wait, possibly for years. Same if you have an imported breed or new bloodlines. However if you have a pet lab, mated to your friends pet lab, then people would not want to wait more than a week for the pup.

There are four ways of starting a waiting list.

1. For a known and well established breeder a waiting list will usually start straight after the last litter has gone and people will stay on that waiting list for a good year to make sure that they are getting a good dog, from a good breeder.

2.  Once you have decided on the stud and the bitch to be mated, then you can advertise a pre-mating between the two at which you will get interested parties wanting to be on the list. 

3. Or you may advertise after the bitch has been mated and pregnancy confirmed.

4. Lastly, once the pups are born they can be advertised and a list compiled.

5.  Not do one at all, and just advertise and hope for the best. (As you can see not in favour of that one!)

1, 2 and 3 obviously give you much more time to sift through and get to know potential owners.

4,  gives you much less opportunity although you can still get lots of good potential owners. You need to be a good judge of character to wait until the end.

I much prefer 1 or 2 as it takes away a lot of the worry about who will be a good owner for your pups and leaves you to concentrate on the whelping and raising of puppies. It also gives you time to get all the paperwork ready and named, to have names, addresses, tel no's etc. already on file and gives you time to bond really well.

I always have waiting lists, but I've never started one intentionally. It's always been a case of somebody approaching me at a show for instance, and asking if I am planning any future litters and if they can go on the waiting list in that case. Then the word spreads and more people get in touch.