Hello,

I am just wanting others opinions on taking deposits for puppies in order to reserve them. The breeder I bought my dog off never accepts deposits because she wants to know buyers can pull out if their situation has changed, without thinking 'I have paid my deposit now and I don't want to loose that money' therefore risking the puppy going to a wrong home

What are your reasons for taking OR not taking deposits?

I don't ask for a deposit for the reason you have mentioned and could not live with conscience, keeping a sum Of £200 ( which I have seen non refundable) for someone who has either had a change of heart or circumstances changed and cannot have or want one of my puppies.
I prefer to trust the judgement I have made when talking and meeting people that I do not need to take a puppy.

I DO take a deposit, because for me it is the commitment from their side which I am looking for.  However, I would never OBLIGE anyone to take a puppy if they had changed their minds for whatever reason.  I could never live with that. Depending on the reason for their change of plans, I would either return the money, or part of the money or no money.  In my reservation form it is stated that if I cannot provide the puppy which was promised, then I will return the deposit in full.  If, however, the people who have made a deposit (commitment) simply change their minds (for instance visit another breeder and decide on the spot to buy a puppy from them instead of from me), then the deposit stays with me.  If people have had an accident or anything else untoward or unfortunate which prevents them from taking the puppy, of course we work out together what we want to do.  So, I take a deposit as a sign of firm commitment to adopting a puppy, yet I would never force a puppy upon them should the situation change.  And on four occasions, I have been the one to back out of the arrangement and return the deposit.  This because I became less than convinced about things, due to behavior on the part of the people who had reserved.

That's also my reason. I also know that should someone pull out I have a waiting list and would rather find a home for a puppy myself from that list.

I also don't see the need to take one "to help with the costs of puppies" because why am I breeding at all if I can afford all scenarios.

I just prefer to not have money involved until the pup leaves the home :)

I'd not take deposits one because of that reason, if a buyer had put a deposit down but for whatever reason is having doubts (maby something has happens in their life that make a pup not the best idea) they may decide to just get the puppy so not to lose their deposit money. Making it more likley the puppy will end up for sale online or in a rescue eventualy.

Also if you take a deposit you are agreeing you will supply the buyer with a puppy. As well as the buyer being able to change their mind I would also want to be able to change mine should I find out something that would make the home unsutable (maby person lets slip they had lied about the home environment).

The way I see it is If im happy with the buyer and trust them enough to let a pup go to them why would i need to tie them in with a deposit?

I don't take deposits except on one occasion when the buyers were desperate to make one as a commitment and I later learned they had been let down previously at the last moment so I agreed just to make them feel safe.

We never took deposits.  For the reason I KNEW I'd spend it at some point (rearing a litter isn't cheap) and having to make a refund could have been 'difficult'!    I did pay a deposit for my Whippet however but made sure the terms of making it, were on the receipt.    To be honest, I knew I was going to take her come what may (and had she not been available by collection day, knew I'd get my money back) and looked on paying a deposit as a kind-of stage payment!

Everybody has their own ideas however, so I can't say whether anybody should take one, or not take one.  Sorry.   I do believe that ALL transactions should be clearly stated, in writing.

ps   It's true - some people prefer to hand over deposit monies to protect themselves, more than anything else.   Two sides to every story!  And I suppose part of not taking a deposit was because I wanted/needed to keep my options open.

Before I bred my first litter I read the book of the bitch, which advised taking a deposit.

I have a numerically small breed.

This means that puppies and suitable puppy enquiries are often feast or famine.

I didn't take deposits with my first litter (just 3 pups to home).

I had 3 people end up cancelling on just two pups, having passed on good puppy enquiries to other breeders.  This meant two of the pups didn't leave until over 12 weeks once suitable owners came along.

So from then on I have taken a deposit (10% or less) from those on my waiting list once the litter are born, and they are sure they wish to proceed.

This allows me to pass on surplus enquiries elsewhere.

I did once return a deposit to someone on longer aquaintance situation was unsuitable (I didn't think they'd cope with a second dog).

I also returned one to someone who had a genuine change of circumstances.

In breeds that are easily sourced and also puppy enquiries likely to come along regularly then a cancellation isn't such an issue  as someone else will come along in days.

Also when there are few puppies available those waiting prefer to know sooner than later if a puppy will be available or not.

I have never felt someone had a pup they didn't really want because of the deposit, as my deposit is no more than the cost of fuel to visit and pick up. In fact many people are happy to visit several times.

I keep the deposit money separate from the money I use.  That deposit money is not mine until the puppy has legally changed ownership.  I never accept full pay in advance of pick-up day, as I don't want anyone else to have the rights to the puppy as long as he/she is in my care.