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....

 

 

[Cyndi, The Boys & Callie]

As you said, everyone has a lot of activities.  However, my concern would be if he/she does not have time for you now, if (heaven forbid) you should have health issues with your new puppy, will he/she have time for you then?  Our breeder always made a point of returning calls/emails very quickly and never made me feel like we were a bother (and believe me, I sent a lot of emails).  If I caught her at a bad time, she was always very polite, told me when she would call back and kept that time line. I felt very comfortable with her then (enough for two dogs and thinking about a third) and still feel comfortable with asking the occasional question.    Just my 2 cents.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Some of us know a bit about different breeders. I follow lots of labradoodle breeder sites and some of the forums. If you ask on someone's page they can respond. Not everyone is on the site regularly though. Many of us have listed the breeders of our own dogs somewhere so a general search my turn up some leads. I think you are allowed to mention a breeder as long as people don't respond on the main page. I'm not positive though.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Yes and a good breeder STILL responds after 3 years.  Ours does.  About fun stuff, pics, facebook posts, etc...

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

YES! My breeder still responds to my emails and Cooper just turned 3. If I have questions and she cant answer right away (eg recently when Cooper was having her tummy issues) she sent me an email saying she got my email and would respond the next day, which she did

[Jeanette Clark]

As an update - I did get a call to my house (when only my daughter was home) this evening, as well as an email response that apologized for the phone tag, answered some of the questions I had summarized in an email, indicated they feel is is asking a lot of their previous adopted families to be references, and referred me be another forum and their facebook page for references/information.

It was nice to be contacted - but is didn't overcome some of my "gut" concerns....

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I would not hesitate to be a reference for my breeder... that seems suspicious to me 

[Carol and Banjo]

I think it's always good to listen to your "gut" feelings.   I would consider moving on if she's reluctant to give references from adoptive families.  

[Jennifer and Jack]

I agree not a good sign! I have been a reference many times for my breeder!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

My breeder ASKED ME if I would mind being a reference and if she  could share my e-mail address.  Then she gave my e-mail address to the potential buyers and they contacted me.  Your breeder could ask some of her previous customers the same thing.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Jeanette - I think you knew the answer to your question before posting.  Something isn't right about this breeder but because you prefer a puppy of a certain size and color you just aren't ready to pull the plug.  I would run, not walk away from this breeder.  If they are un-responsive now - forget any support after the fact.  I spent months researching breeders and once I found the one I thought was best - I called, left a message and got a return call the same day.  The breeder had a very long wait list but I knew that I would get what I wanted - you should not compromise or you'll regret it.  During the "waiting" period - of several months we emailed on a regular basis and she sent photos and videos.  LOOK FOR A DIFFERENT BREEDER.

[Lori, Rooney & Zuzu]

I just want to add that I specifically told my breeder that I would be HAPPY to serve as a reference if she ever needed me to. What responsible Doodle owner, who knows how much time, energy and money goes into adopting one of these lovely dogs, would find it a bother to act as a reference? I think that's a lame excuse for not offering up specific references.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I also spoke to other owners who have my breeders dogs for references and there was no problem whatsoever.  I would be very happy to get a call from anyone looking to get a puppy from her.  I also get regular emails and a lovely one on Riley's birthday.  I send her regular photo's of him.  As she picked him for me she knew how he would turn out and proved to be 100% correct. I put temperament and health above all else but I got much much more, I got the dog  I always dreamed I would have.  I think it was largely to do with reading up a lot on this site as I set about my search.  I wish you the very best luck with your search but would walk away from this breeder.