I often read the messages on this site and think that the members do a great job despite the criticisms you sometimes receive.  That aside, I am hoping for some guidance in my own dilemma.

We decided the time was right to get a dog, wanted to wait till the children were a little older and I was home fulltime to care for a new puppy.  We have owned this particular breed before and went to shows to get an idea of breeders and current lines.  I found a line I loved and spoke to the breeder back in May of this year. At the time she had no puppies but was expecting to have a litter in the new year (05).  Anyway we have kept in regular contact via email and have just received news that the mating has occurred - fantastic news ....now the problem!  I had booked to go home with the kids (Aus) at the end of March for 3 weeks and now having done the maths it will be at the exact time the pups will be 8 weeks and ready to go to their new homes.

I am going to be heartbroken if after all this time we have to miss out on a pup.  It is also going to be the last litter from this bitch, so its not like I could wait for the next litter.  Would any of you as breeders be prepared to keep a puppy on longer in this circumstance?  My OH will be at work and wouldn't be able to take time off either.

Thanks for any replies, I am going to have to bite the bullet and call her but thought I might see what anyone else has to say first.

I am sure if you spoke to the breeder she will be happy to keep it for you.  As it shows you have waited a while for a pup from this litter and you do want it the breeder shouldn't have any problems.  When we had our litter we had someone who wanted the pup but was going on holiday, we kept the pup the extra couple of weeks, but we did ask for a non-returnable deposit so if they backed out when they came off holiday we wern't left short as we did turn down people because we had sold them all.

At the end of the day it is up to the breeder on if she is happy to keep it, but nay respected breeder would. 

Good luck to you and your puppy, Why don't you join and tell us more about your puppy, especially when you get her! :D

My suggestion would be to have a chat to your breeder. At the time I brought my second Labrador I was going away at just the wrong moment and because the firm I worked for had fixed holidays I could not change. My breeder said No problem! I had my holiday then took delivery of a lovely 11 week old puppy. I was a little late getting her out but was soon able to make up the socialising. Dogs are remarkably adaptable if you are prepared to put the work in.

Regards, John

I kept a pup for an extra 3 weeks last year in exactly the same circumstances.
I do think it best for pups to be in their new homes around 8 weeks old but I socialised him as thought he was mine, and he adjusted with no problems at all.
A responsible breeder will always be happy to go that extra mile for a good home!  Of course, if SHE has booked a holiday for 2 weeks after the pups are due to go ..................

Quite right Val, the right home is always worth waiting for to anyone who truly cares about their litter and if that means a little inconvenience of some sort or another or just simply working round a temporary problem I think most if not all breeders would be absolutely OK with it.

The Guest has obviously tried to do all the right things and seems to have established a good bond with the breeder already.

Very Best of luck to him/her ;)

Best wishes, Teri

I'd be happy to run on a pup for a few weeks (and have done in the past).

I hope it works out for you, and you get your pup.

I've done it too. I kept a puppy until it was 12 weeks (good excuse to hold on to a puppy for as long as possible anyway!) Might be a nice gesture if you offered to pay towards its upkeep for the extra weeks.
Good Luck.

And me! The right home is worth waiting for to a good breeder, and she knows you've waited for one of her pups. The one I kept was fine and had no problem when she eventually went to her new home - I had the innoculation done at the request of the new owner and loved having her for that extra 3 weeks!

I kept one on for a few weeks longer than normal too, and the puppy settled into it's new home with no problem at all as a long standing Champdogger can verify. Mind you she later turned into a lady of so much personality that the owner has promised if she is bred from I'll be getting a grand-pup bacK - called Revenge! :D

Almost every litter we've had  resulted in someone not being able to pick up their little darling at the same time as the others.
I and  I'm sure most breeders are happy to hold on to pups until new owners have taken their holidays,finished their building work,moved house,made the garden puppy proof etc etc etc