Can anyone give me an idea of the procedure involved in purchasing from a breeder.

How many times will a breeder let you visit before you take the puppy home and - this may sound a bit silly - but how do you know from one visit to the next that you have the same pup?

As you can tell, this is our first experience in purchasing a pedigree dog!!!!!!

Many thanks for all your help.

June

Gosh June that is like how long is a piece of string!! You don't say what breed you are looking at?

When we breed we are happy for people to come as often as they like (weekly mainly) at prearranged times. We start this from 3-4 weeks. Because we only have small litters we often don't allocate pups to people very early so they are just enjoying watching the litter grow and the pups characters develop. We normally have varying markings, but in the last litter we had 3 whites so we used nail varnish dots on their heads to distinguish quickly (in reality there are always structural differences you can tell by).

However many people do different things, one suggestion I would make is that you only buy a puppy from someone you feel comfortable with and whose situation you are happy with, if you have doubts don't go there, finad another Breeder.

Sarah

Thanks Sarah for all the info. We are looking for a Bichon Frise - hence the question about telling the difference. As this is the first time we have bought a puppy you can appreciate our ignorance!!!!

Thanks once again for all your help.

June

Welcome to the forum June.

Sarah is right :-) most breeders will be happy for you to visit from about 4 weeks. Depending on how busy they are , will determine how often you can visit.
Identification, depends greatly on the breed. I have seen breeders tie coloured ribbons on puppies that all 'look the same' or as Sarah said nail varnish spots.
If you have set your heart on a certain puppy, have a good look at it for distinguishing marks. I am sure that the breeder will have a good idea about which pup is which. But if you are worried, talk to the breeder about it.

Leigh

Hi June, ask the breeder the questions you have posted here, if you get a sympathetic answer, then you should have confidence in that breeder.
If they ask you lots of questions in return, even better. JH

It is a two way street, i like to be able to meet prospective new owners (personally or by phone) as early as possible, as you get a feel for people over the weeks (or even months). My worst nightmare is having puppies ready to go, and having a client for an unspoken one, who could really come and take the pup there and then. I try to find out as much as possible about their circumstances, attitudes, and values.

Hi,

Thanks for your message. Hopefully we will be able to pick a good breeder and ask the correct questions.

Your help is appreciated.

June

Hi Jackie,

Thanks for your suggestions - I suppose it is common sense! It is scarey though when going out there for the first time.

Thanks again,

June

Don't worry June the more questions you ask of a good breeder, the better they will like it, shows you care. And don't worry if you are unsure of yourself we all start off knowing nothing and only learn by asking others. Most dog people will tell you that they never stop learning and in truth that is what makes dog ownership so interesting.

Hope you find the right puppy for you and when you get it, you can post on here and let us all know how it's doing, and ask us as many questions as you wish, someone may know the answer and we will all be interested.

What breed do you have in mind and are you hoping to work with it in some way? JH

Jackie,

Thanks for all your help. We are interested in the Bichon Frise. Unfortunately we have been trying for well over a year to find a puppy with no luck - they seem to be like gold dust.

I don't think, given my knowledge at the moment, we will be showing our dog or working with it in any way!! We really only want a family pet. Our son is mad about animals, but unfortunately seems to be allergic to everything from elephants to mice, but we have got to know a couple who have a bichon and he is absolutely fine with it and we all fell in love with her the moment we saw her. This seems to be the way to go. We looked into it a lot before making a decision, hopefully it will work out.

Will keep in touch and let you know how we get on. Fingers, toes and everything else crossed!!!!

Thanks again for your input - it helped a lot.

June

Hi June
If you e mail me I know where there is a litter due to be born. depending on where abouts you are.

June, if you have no luck with Irene's contact, post again and I or someone else will give you the names of breed club secretaries, who should be able to point you in the right direction. JH

Check out our Bichon Frise Information. It includes breeder and breed club details :-)

Leigh

Jackie,

Just to let you know that I have a chance of a bichon puppy from a lady in Glasgow. She shows her dogs so I am assuming the puppies should be ok.

Will let you know how it all goes. Thanks again for your help.

Jackie,

Spoke to you a few weeks ago and thought I'd let you know that we have at long last obtained a bichon puppy. We are buying from a lady in Glasgow who shows her dogs so I assume they should be ok. Our little puppy (a girl) should be with us, all going well, in about six weeks...my son is sooooo excited.

Just wanted to thank you and everyone else on the champdogs site for all your help and information - it was a great help.

June

P.S. Next problem - Any ideas on names??!!!!!!!!

When I have puppies I have a list of people waiting for one{that way I feel if they prepared to wait then that is one good point } I let people see them at about 3.5 weeks before that there is no point plus wouldn't run the rsik of infection being brought in,I only breed to keep a puppy for myself this means I get pick of the litter I then alllow each person to pick theirs first on the list gets first pick after me ans so on, the only problem is I do not asses a puppys conformation till about6 weeks so no-one can pick until then as to avoid disappointment I try and match any quiet puppies with owners that suit them if possible and ask if they have a preferece towards anyone in particular, everyone has been happy with that way as it avoids dissapointment I use nail varnish on the inside of the ear from the day they are born so I can keep a record of weightst but by 6weeks I can tell every puppy apart, as for how many time a breeder will you visit before letting you have one I try and get people to come and see ALL my dogs before they decide if they want one{usually before any puppies are born} of MY TYPE they can then come as often as they like{but not everyday!!!!!} from 4weeks of age good luck with your new puppy