Advice Regarding Breeder Consideration

[Jeanette Clark]

First - I'm not asking for info or references for a specific breeder.

Let me explain -

We're not new to doodles, per se.  We haven't owned one, but have been following threads and talking to breeders and owners and trying to educate ourselves about the breed and breeders for over a year.  We lost our family dog (a wonderful golden) of 11 years to cancer a bit over a year ago - and it was truly one of the most difficult things we have been through.  We knew we would want another dog as part of our family - but we needed time to heal. 

We would like to think that we have been dilligent in selecting breeders to talk to, and based on talking with the breeders and communicating with them, chose wisely in the ones we continue to maintain a relationship with until we felt as a family we were ready to have another dog. 

Now that time has come, we have expanded some of our breeder search as the specific size and color we prefer has not been common, and the few breeders we have built a relationship won't be including those in their breeding program until next spring/summer - if at all.

As we expanded our search, we found what appeared to be a great candidate breeder.  We found good references/referral information on the web.  We believe we found current owners actively supporting the breeder on forums.  The information researched included details on the appropriate health testing, warranty/contract, etc.

The issue that has raised concern is that I have been unable to actually talk to this breeder.  I emailed, I filled out their online form, and left voice mail messages - all went unanswered for a few days.  I left a follow up voice mail communicating that perhaps there had been a technical issue with their web site - and later that day, had 2 emails back and a voice mail - all inviting me to look up info on their site, as well as call her back to discuss my questions/interests. 

So I did - to only get voice mail.  And despite trying to communicate a sense of urgency of needing to talk with them, I have not heard back (I left the voice mail and additional email yesterday).

I fully understand that we have lots of activities and commitments we are trying to balance - that despite the best of intentions, some times things just come up - but I guess I have a slighly less acceptance to that when it somes to business and financial dealings (in that, when there is money, or the potential to have money invovled, I have slightly different expectations, regardless of the amount).

In comparison, another breeder, that might have an alternate for us to consider (depending on current picks, etc.) has been in almost immediate communication with every email or call we have made - to both emails first thing in the morning, as well as in the late evening.  Great customer service in that regards - but unfortunately, the puppies aren't our first choice in size/color, close...but not our first choice.

Here's the request for advice - Am I reading too much into the delay/lack of communication/response?  Is this a warning sign regarding the involement of this breeder with thier adoption families (and potential support or issue resolution)?

Thank you!  Not hearing back is driving me crazy...and I don't know if I should just give up and move on to working with a different breeder or not.  We want to do as much screening up front as we can, before a visit - as once we see puppies, we know emotionally it will be hard to walk away without one....

 

 

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I only know what I did and hope this helps a little.  I spent weeks doing my on-line research and then contacted breeders.  I spoke at length on the phone to the one I eventually chose.  I would definitely want to talk to the breeder and then if possible arrange to visit before you are actually picking puppies.  I did have to wait nearly nine months but once I had made up my mind on the breeder and was satisfied that she was bone fide and ticked all the right boxes for me it was a very hard wait but so worth it in the end.  So, my advice is if you haven't got a call back within a reasonable time frame, bearing in mind breeders are often very busy then I would continue your search. Read the what to look for in a breeder guidelines on DK over several times and be very wary.  Websites can be very misleading.  In fact my breeders website is rather old fashioned and not that up to date so it certainly wasn't the website that was the deciding factor.

PS I don't know what forums you are looking at but I do know that you will get the best, most sensible honest advice from lots of great people here.

[Jeanette Clark]

I entirely agree that the web sources are not the source of truth regarding a good breeder.  I put so much more consideration to personal experiences, especially when they are positive (as we are so much prone to sharing a bad experience then we are a good experience).  And building that relationship - via phone, and ideally in person, is so important.  We actually had a breeder that was "the one" we were gonig to work with - we knew families with her dogs, were very comfortable with her breedig program and ethics and we were close enough for multiple visits if needed, etc.  We were closely following upcoming litters and additions to her breeding program.  Unfortunately, although there had been some initial plans for litters with the size/color we prefer - the breeder has had to make some changes to their breeding program, and even though we had been waiting for some time, if we still wanted to consider our preference, we needed to expand the breeders we had relationships with.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

A good breeder (one who does health testing, feeds quality food, trains/socializes the dogs, does temperament testing) doesnt actually make much money from breeding (despite the high cost of a pup which is usually $2000 - $2500) so they may have an additional job (many are groomers) and a family to deal with. So emails and phone calls may not get answered right away. I think a few days is unacceptable though, they should check emails/voice mail once a day. Can you go visit the breeder - that will often tell you instantly if this is a person you wish to be dealing with or not. As for it being hard walking away without a puppy - if they are not old enough to go home yet (8 or 9 weeks old), then you cannot walk away with one :)

I think most people have a size/colour preference, but you have to consider temperament too. I did not want a cream dog, but if that was the best fit for us, then we would have taken it. I actually wanted a red doodle, but the breeder we chose only had chocolates and creams in her current litter. I didnt want to wait 6-9 months for a red/apricot as the timing for a puppy was right (DH was not working and was home to train the pup). Cooper has the perfect personality/temperament for us

[Jeanette Clark]

Temperment and health are definately the top items on our criteria - and we have tried to screen breeders to address health as best we can, and hope to have a relationship with a breeder to best allign a temperment to our family - for the best environment for both the dog and us.

But part of that screen process is building that personal connection - which for me, starts wtih being able to talk with them...  :)

This breeder in question is a 5 hour drive away - and yes, we would be willing to make that drive for a visit - but I respect the breeders request that visits are by appointment (as they want to protect the health of their puppies/dogs as well) - so I still need to talk with them to arrange for that.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Jeanette, First of all, I am so sorry about the loss of your wonderful family dog. It is so hard to lose a four legged member of the family. It sounds like you are doing a lot of research and asking the right questions.  I think the breeder should call you back. I am a very impatient person and would be aggravated, however, with that said, she/he could have a lot going on right now, something came up, etc. I would try one more time via email or phone and just say you have left several messages, etc. and would appreciate hearing from someone and if they do not respond, I would move on. You have to ask yourself if you have this much trouble BEFORE the sale, what is it going to be like after you get a puppy from this breeder and you need advice. Just my thoughts.

I would also like to add that personality/temperament is so important in any young puppy and a breeder that can help guide you in the selection of the right dog for your family would be the one I would go with for your puppy. How exciting all this must be. I just love puppies. Good luck and let us know what happens.

Also, this might help in what to look for in a breeder.

http://www.doodlekisses.com/notes/What_To_Look_for_In_a_Breeder

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I agree with Laurie.  I'd try one more time to talk personally with this breeder.  If no response I'd continue the search elsewhere.  My Breeder was totally available to me and willing to share lots of advice and information before and after we made the decision.  I would expect no less.  Good luck...follow your instincts.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Not a very good business practice. You could check with Owner Recommended breeders here and see if your breeder is listed. Also if you know of anyone who has a doodle from your breeder here you could ask that person(s). You can search for the breeders name, it works, I just checked with my breeders' names.

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/ownerrecommendedbreeders

[Jeanette Clark]

None of the breeders in our "short list", including the one questioned here, is in the list.  We did check.  The one in this thread, however, is believed to be the breeder for at least one site member (and although the site member had accepted my friend request, they have not responded to my messages).

The breeder in this thread, however, is mentioned on some other breeder sites (including some in the "what to look fo rin a breeder" pages on this site.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I echo what others have said.  Peri's breeder has always been accessible via the phone. It is part of her business to be able to talk to the future families of her puppies! A good breeder would WANT to talk to you on the phone, in a way to screen YOU!  I say if you still can't talk to her personally today or tomorrow, that might be a red flag.  Are you close enough to be able to visit her place of business/home?  If not, it would be good to be able to talk to someone who has been to meet her OR use one of the breeders on the Owner Recommended List.

 

I am sorry about your golden. The good news is that you will find a WONDERFUL new friend in your golden/labradoodle.  They are just the best.

[Jennifer]

I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your golden. We lost our 8yr old golden this past September and I still cry on a regular basis. I miss that dog like crazy. :-( I can sympathize with how hard it is. (((HUG)))

We recently took the plunge and adopted a doodle puppy ourselves. In my opinion, the breeder would be more important to me than the color of the dog. I did not wind up getting my top color choice either. After speaking to our breeder and understanding the different coat types etc... we wound up selecting a different color than we originally had thought we wanted.

It doesn't sound like you're getting a good vibe from this particular breeder. I'd go with my gut... especially if you think you'll want to remain in contact with the breeder after the adoption takes place.

Maybe you can make a list... what things are most important etc... and base your decision off of that. Good luck with whatever you decide, you'll no doubt fall in love with whatever ball of fur you wind up with. :-) :-)

[Jeanette Clark]

Karen - I would be interested in the types of things you are more aware of now having been through the adoption process - just to be sure we haven't overlooked anything.  If you prefer, please feel free to private message me.

[Jennifer and Jack]

I am a moderator of a fan club page for my breeder. She is outstanding and amazing. She is active on our boards on a daily basis...always there.

There are occasions though that she goes away on vacation or is out of town a d sometimes she does not get back to you that day. She usually leaves an automatic response that she is away.

I feel that the breeder does need to be available but I think a reasonable amount of time needs to be given. Always go with your gut. If you are looking for a great breeder private message me and I will hook you up with out fan page...however I believe there is a wait at this point.