I hope you all dont mind me asking this but would you be put off if someone phoned you with a barrow full of questions?
Ive just come off the phone to someone (whos number i got from off here) and they seemed really put out that i asked a few questions ..i.e "how long have you been breeding" " are they hip and eye scored" "are they home or kennel reared" and do you give out a puppy pack...which i had to explain was a list of useful tips i.e food,what socializing has been done.The person told me this was the first puppies they had bred and possibly the last.We dont want a puppy just at the moment infact we havent chosen which of the 2 breeds that we like(cocker or min schnauzer) I wanted to short list 2 breeders that we feel we can talk to meet them and the adult dogs and then finally when were a 100% sure wait until the pups arrive(ive waited 2 years i dont mind a bit longer) am i doing this the right way or would i be putting you off as a potential owner???

p.s i cant seem to do a smiley so you`ll just have to make use of an old one :) oohh its done it for me:) :):)

When we were looking for a breeder I phoned loads of people and asked lots of questions. The breeders that I spoke with seemed very happy that I was asking so muchj as it showed I'd researched the breed and it wasn't a fad thing!!

We're buying a Cocker Spaniel puppy and when I was talking to the breeder we spent over 40mins talking about my lifestyle and commitments and the puppies that she'd bred. When I phoned to the breeder I did say that I had lots of questions and if she didn't have the time then I'd call her back when it was more convenient.

Maybe you just caught them at a bad moment. Most experienced breeders are very happy to be questioned by prospetive owners as it goes some way to showing what type of home you'll be able to offer one of their puppies.

Fiona

Chrissy
Asking a breeder questions means you have looked into buying a puppy and its not just a spur of the moment thing.
As a breeder I am happy to answer questions from anyone who wants to know about my breed even If I dont have puppys. I even have people come just to look at my adult dogs before they make their mind up to have a Keeshond as the coat does need some work.
No breeder worth their salt should refuse to answer any questions you have about their breeding and rearing of the puppies.
The way to look at it is if you are at all unhappy with the breeder, or the answers you get to a question WALK AWAY
buying a puppy and being happy may mean you look at several litters before you choice the breeder you like.
Hope this helps
Karin

You are asking the right questions, keep at it, if a breeder won't answer the questions you want to ask, look else where. But be prepared to answer some questions too. Jackie H

I agree with the others - no responsible breeder ever objects to being asked questions like this. I positively welcome questions & am often surprised at how little some people want to know about me as a breeder - it's important to find out as much as you can about breeders & as long as you are polite & friendly, they shouldn't mind one bit :-) It's particularly important in a popular breed like Cockers, where many puppies are produced by puppy farmers, to know what sort of person you're dealing with. I would also be happy for potential owners to visit my dogs when I don't have puppies - far better for someone to meet adult examples of a breed first hand before making a decision than going out & buying a puppy & regretting it later :-)

Jane

It sounded like this breeder may not have been as experienced, or knowledgable as they shouldbe about rearing pups and their breed. Because didn't you say that the person said it was the first time they had puppies and might not again?
If you can't get good, polite answers now I doubt that after purchasing a puppy from them that they will be there for the long haul. A good breeder will be happy to answer questions anytime from someone who purchased their puppy.
If I were you I would keep looking and ask as many questions you want. This shows your commitment to raising a good healthy puppy.
Good luck, and keep up the good work!

Dizzykizzy
We too are in the same situation as you. We are getting a pup in may, but I have been getting in touch with breeders since january as i want to make sure both we and the puppy get the best 'deal' - not the best choice of words there, but you know what I mean.
Fiona made a really useful point about asking if its a bad time I hadnt thought of that! :)
I have spoken to several breeders, one in particular made me feel a right idiot, when I enquired about pups in May, she replied How should I know, its only January!!! i didn't phone her back!!!
The breeder whose waiting list we are now on said she was more than happy to answer any questions I had, she told me to feel free to phone back if I had any more (which I did!), she made arrangements for me to meet the stud dog and she also asked me questions about my circumastances. needless to say we both feel extremely happy with one another and that is why we are going ahead. I think you have to 'feel' really comfortable with a breeder to go any further.
HTH
Zoe

thank you everyone for answering .At least i know im doing it right and not annoying anyone.We have done a lot of research on caring for a puppy/dog and i want to get it right when the time comes.The people i spoke to were not( i dont think) "pro breeders" (it was their first and by all accounts last litter) and i know that might sound stupid not to give them a chance .,but their knowledge or lack of was what really put me off.
thanks again for all your help,i`ve learned so much more about dogs since i can a cross this site last year

iMHO it is very important to have a breeder you can talk to, as you never know when you many need to go back to them for help/advice.

I pestered the breeder of my Terv pup mercilessly, called round once a week for 8 weeks and stayed for at least an hour, plus phone chats :) She was great about it,knowing I was so committed/interested. I know I can alwasy go back to her as well if I need to.

lindsay

I never mind when people ask me infact I expect them to.I have one lady who rings me regularly as she is on my list to have a pup from my next litter .Every time she rings she asks loads and loads of questions but I think that shows her commitment to the pup.When buyers come I get out the photo albums so they can see past generations and I invite people to come and see my bitches if I've got pups or not.I have nothing to hide and I want my buyers to know that.Anyone not willing to answer questions or pass on information sounds dodgy to me
lorraine

Don't be put off asking questions when talking to
breeders. The ones that care about their pups
will want to ask you lots of questions too.
Although I have always owned Goldens and was
recomended by a mutual friend the breeder I
bought the Elf from still wanted to meet me first
and see me with her other dogs. She cares and
should anything unthinkable happen I know that
she will always take the Elf back with her.
Wish you happy times when you find your new
pup.
Jaq and her Golden

Iam so glad i dont breed often as I would never be able to cope with all my puppy owners .I have bred two litters of bullmastiffs in six years, im only going back six years , to give an example. I have 14 puppy owners that I keep in touch with, I often get calls from them and some visits as well , they are welcome , and I love to know all the news , but what if I had bred six litters and they were all keeping in touch with me.That on the top of the people that ring me for information about the breed. I would never have any time for my own family and friends and more importantly no time for dogs. Some want to visit to see the dogs and I try to oblige but , there are times when I cant oblige , Imight be sick , family might be sick, you could be suffering a bereavement , you could have a wedding or anything that all normal families have , and usually if itwas not convenient, people are ok but you get some that are not ok, as if it was their god given right to invade your home at any time , I have calls like , we would like to come and view your stud dog tomorrow , no one asked if I was allowing them to use my dog or if I approved of the mating , and when I say im sorry no im not letting him be used, some get very offended.Iam not saying kizzy would be a nuisance at all im only saying that when you add up all the people , you would never be off the phone or finished making tea for callers , what I do now is when my bitch has puppies I let the people who are buying visit once before pups are born to see mom and dad , and twice to see puppies before they get them , and I always say to them if you are worried please feel free to call me .I photocopy handouts and I suggest books to buy and I ask for puppy to be brought back for assessment when they are a few months old .I am not an unfriendly type at all and I do enjoy company but sometimes it gets too much to deal with , does anyone agree,mari

I agree Mari that sometimes I can get a rather pushy people or down right weirdos asking about my dogs. Usually I can tell right away and put them off by tone of voice or some excuse. Sound bad? Not really, I don't need any pshycos coming to my house or God forbid condemming one of my dogs to live with them. That is where screening of potential owners comes in. We have every right as breeders to refuse to do business with certain individuals based on our set criteria. If the person doesn't like it, they are free to try someone else.

Hello Mari,Anybody that has had a puppy off you will agree with what i'm about to say,You give your time and advice freely without hesitation and make time for the little people who matter.You always make sure your pups go to the right homes and follow their progress like they were your own.I know when i have a problem you are only to willing to give me advice and will do everything in your power to help.There is a fine balance between new owner and the breeder and you have it just right. Now where's £10 for saying all these nice things.Ha Ha.

BILLY £TENNER ON THE WAY :D

Hi dizzy, If a prospective puppy owner didnt ask me loads of questions, then they wouldnt have a puppy. (Unless of course it was someone already in the breed that I knew well) In return, I ask them loads of questions too. Whatever pup you decide to get, you should AT LEAST have a diet sheet, helpful hints guide, and the promise that the breeder will always be there for you and your dog, no matter how old the dog might be. You should also be offered the option of returning the dog to the breeder if ever you can no longer keep him.her. If you feel you are being pushed out of the house quickly, and they are all to eager to take your money, then dont buy from them. You should be able to visit the pups regularly,( not when new born though) and your questions should never be ignored. You were right to ask all those questions, so dont let that first breeder put you off. Good luck with your search

None of that counterfeit or monopoly money!!!

As everyone else has said, I firmly believe you are doing the right thing by asking questions. If the breeders are put off by it then run a mile. Also, be sure they ask YOU questions as well. If they don't seem all that interested in your situation then I would worry as well. We had a great experience - the breeder answered all my questions before I asked - and I tried to give them all the info I thought they would want before they asked. It was as important to me that they be as confident about letting us have their puppy as we were about receiving their puppy. They have been no end of support and I know I could contact them over anything however trivial or serious. In this day of the internet I must say it makes it so much easier!!

Keep doing what you are doing - you will find the perfect breeder and get your perfect pup.

Wendy

I am always happy to answer any questions about how I breed etc, BUT I have found that some callers are not very considerate about time or whether I am in a position to answer them. I have told one caller that I was about to go out and could she ring back the following evening when I could spend as long as she liked talking. She carried on trying to talk, with me saying I had to go out, in the end I had to be fairly short with her to get off the phone.

Joan
Take the rough with the smooth

i like to be asked too, i'll go into great detail about the breed -good and bad-as people whove bought from me would tell you,i nearly just about put them off having one, if they then still want one fine, each individual pup and its character are discribed,from a show point a run down on the virtues and faults as i see them are given too, im happy for anyone to come and meet the dam, i prefer to see them before the pups are born, as at this time they get to see an adult ,not just a wrinkly pup, also the dam will be in full coat ,not the moth eaten effect she's wearing at the minute,
i find i land up talking people through the good and bad of the breed even when ive got nothing at all to do with the dog theyve rung or written about,i cant just say ,go elsewhere as you didnt get it from me, some breeders sell them and the minute they leave home thats as much as they want to know--my lot should be so lucky, :)
so yes. ask lots ,if theyre not keen of answering now, cant see they'll be any better if you have a problem,