Just had a litter of puppies. most of them have homes. Son lives with girlfriend and family and before the pups were born the family asked about whether they could have one. I don't really know them but they have had dogs before and have recently lost one. Son says they are good with dogs.
The family want a dog rather than a bitch and I have actually had several enquiries for dogs. have agreed homes for all apart from one but have now had another couple of enquiries for dog pups form what sound like good homes. Do I let these new people have the puppy or do I let sons inlaws have him. I think they don't have a lot of money and are expecting to have pup for a lower price or maybe even free, although  we have not discussed it yet. I have asked that the mother rings me to discuss it but I need to know fairly soon so I don't lose these other buyers.
It would be nice for me for the pup to stay local to me so I could see him grow up but other homes sound really nice too, and with money being tight then it would be good to have the full price for the puppy.
If I let family have the pup how much do I reduce the price?

> I think they don't have a lot of money and are expecting to have pup for a lower price or maybe even free

Alarm bells are ringing for me - can they actually afford a home for life ? 

Obviously that is a concern and I will discuss that with them, but I know I have not always had a lot of money but I always made sure the dogs got what they needed.

I think you ought to have a confidential chat with your son about your concerns before letting them have one of your pups.  The other thing is, if he is to become part of this family and you don't let them have a pup (i.e. assuming they will offer it a good home) it could cause some ill feeling in the future.  Maybe they will be expecting to pay the full price anyway. :)

i had a similar situation with my last litter, boy left and a very close friend asked if they could have him, then had lots of interest in him, so i had a chat face to face with my close friend, told her that i would want money for him and that all applies as if i was selling him to someone else, like endorsements on his kc, hip scores to be done at a year old etc: she agreed and gave me money (i did reduce the price by £200) and i have enjoyed seeing my puppy on regular visits and having him so close to home :) i felt i had to still ask for money and do the normal interview i normally do with any puppy i sell, so that i knew my friend was serious about taking on a puppy etc :)

I don't really know them but they have had dogs before and have recently lost one.
I would speak to them in exactly the same way as anyone else enquiring.  If the Mother didn't ring as soon as you asked, then I would take that as not being interested enough.

It would be nice for me for the pup to stay local to me so I could see him grow up
It would also be nice for another pup to be local to meet up with and play with the one that you're keeping but not necessary.

It's never easy choosing the right homes for pups if you care about where they're going ... :)

Oldlocks said :
if he is to become part of this family and you don't let them have a pup (i.e. assuming they will offer it a good home) it could cause some ill feeling in the future.
Yes that bothers me, and Also I worry about what will happen if he splits up with his girlfriend, they have been together for 2 years now but you never know. Or maybe I just worry too much.

I was thinking of registering him on both our names so I can keep some control of him and inviting them along to ring craft etc. It would be nice if they would show him too.

Yes I care very much about where he goes which is why I am finding it so difficult. There seems to be so many pros and cons. I think i will have to interrogate sorry interview them like I would any prospective owner and not be swayed by the relationships.
I was thinking about working out all my cost for the litter and dividing it by the number of puppies and asking that for him, but then I might frighten myself if I actually worked out what I have spent. Thank heavens for credit cards!

Hi dogmad,

Son lives with girlfriend and family

As your son lives with his girlfriend and her parents have you been over to their home before, you must know them as people hopefully?  Know the area they live in and if they are suitable for your breed. To be honest if your most precious of all things your son is living there then they must be ok, (you haven't dragged him back home :-) ) also your son and his girlfriend will have a big part in the raising of your pup being there too, so if you trust them I don't see the hesitation, along with the usual questions for potential puppy owners I feel that your main concern is how much your pup should go for.

It is entirely down to you how you work things out, myself, I've had a pup go to a cousin of mine and also to my foundation breeder and I let them have the pup with a £200 discount, I also do the same for anyone who has come back for another pup, because I am happy with the home which I have already vetted and that is more important to me, (also my new pup gets to be with one of my older pups - bliss :-) ) But that is me, everyone works things out differently and some even still charge full price no matter who it is.

If they want the pup for nothing or next to nothing, then they are just after a freebie and that shows it is an impulse buy just becuause you have had a litter, and they are wanting one without proper thought, were they looking before?  Make sure they understand this is longterm commitment. To be honest if you are happy with them having a pup, I would firstly let your son know how much discount you are giving and have him find out and maybe perhaps even know what they can and can not afford first rather than have you all in an embarrassing predicament, your not a charity giving away pups, your a sensible breeder wanting the best home only.

If you don't think them suitable, don't feel pressured, I turned down my in-laws whom I love to bits because I saw what they did to their last dog, when they saw my pups they went all ga ga but they weren't suitable for my breed anyway, but even if they were their last dog was so overweight as they were always giving him titbits, I told them to their faces they would never have a pup of mine. (With a smile :-) )

Go with your instincts, and sort it out quickly as you say, you don't wish to lose potential owners waiting to find out about the in-laws. :-)

Hi Carrington,

I have met the mother once a long time ago but My son usually visits me rather than me going to their house. That has made me realise part of the problem is I don't really know the family.
Although my son is important to me, he is there of his own free will and able to look after himself. A puppy would be totally dependent on them.
They recently lost their dog at 2 years old of a heart condition which I know cost them a fortune at the vets as she wasn't insured. At first they said they wouldn't have another dog, but now  have decided they want one. They have not seen the puppies yet as they are still to young.
I think I really have to get to know these people before deciding. Have asked that they ring me today if they are serious about pup so if they don't then I will let him go to someone else.

> Have asked that they ring me today if they are serious about pup so if they don't then I will let him go to someone else.

I agree.  The thought ran through my mind that they would have been on the phone and very excited if they were that keen.

> I agree.  The thought ran through my mind that they would have been on the phone and very excited if they were that keen.

Maybe they are a bit shy?  :)

I agree with Westcoast - treat them exactly like any other family interested in a puppy, whether or not your son lives with them. :-)