Ok. Here's the latest 'issue' with my breeder...

For those who haven't follow, I've been in contact with my breeder since late November regarding a pet puppy. Don't want to make this post extremely long so I'll just post the thread if you're interested.

previous thread


Now the dogs are almost 6 weeks, and I contacted him to ask for new pics. Well he said the dogs were fine, and that he thinks he's going with the bigger dog for me instead of the small one (the biggest of the litter vs. the smallest - both males). He described him as more adventuresome and outgoing and that he thought the dog would handle the flight better than the smaller one. He also said the smaller one is more laid back and would be a better fit for an older couple that wanted a dog.

So here I am debating whether this is a good thing or not. I'm a little glad that the breeder is now evaluating his dogs personality to see which will be a better fit for the different owners. I may also agree on the trip issue. It's going to be close to 8 hours and I would think a bigger puppy would tolerate it better.

On the other hand, I'm a little upset by the fact that he first told me I was getting the smallest dog because he thought I wanted a small dog (without considering dogs personality), and 2 weeks after said I'm getting a different dog.

So, is this a normal thing for a breeder to do? For starters, I guess it's not normal to choose puppies when they're 3 weeks old, so it may be a trick question. But considering the facts...

PS. He also said the dogs are getting their first shots and a worming at 6.5 weeks old. I know some of you think this is too soon, but I don't plan on vaccinating him ever again, so it can't be all that bad. And I would think the bigger dog would be less likely to get side effects from vaccines... or just wishful thinking?

just one thing to think about - as a breeder, I often distinguish puppies by "naming" them "bigger male, smaller male, bigger female, middle female, small female" etc. This doesn't mean the bigger puppy will end up big compared to the others - it's just how the breeder might distinguish them at young ages. I know when I label pictures on my computer it's "big male #1, "big male sit", small male sit" etc. How they turn out later as far as size, doesnt' have anything to do (usually) with their sizes/builds as small puppies. So in your case, the "small male" might not BE small, the breeder might just have "named" him that - the actual difference in size might be slight. The ability to handle flight, suitablity for what you're looking for, etc may have much more to do with the developing temperament of the pups.

molly

His exact words were: "The other two males are very similar except one is quite a bit bigger than the rest of the puppies." This was when they were 3 weeks old.

I don't think size should matter if you're getting a dog from the same litter. Genetics will eventually catch up and what may be the 'runt' will turn out the same size as the others, and so on. It's not like you're buying a Chihuahua and the breeder is swapping a St. Bernard for it. When I was buying a dog, I wanted another colour, and the breeder swapped it for another litter of the colour I didn't like because she felt the pup would be more suited to my needs, even if it was not the pup I originally wanted. And I have to say, I'm very pleased she intervened like that--because in the end, she was the one who knew her dogs best and I'm very happy wth the dog I have.

I think it all comes down to whether or not you have confidence in your breeder. I wouldn't be afraid to pose these questions to him if you're concerned about the selection process.

If the breeder thought that size was a concern for you and had two pups who he thought had temperaments would be suitable, then there's nothing wrong with him picking the smaller one. The problem would be if he gave size MORE importance that temperament and suitablity to your situation.

He may have thought that of the two pups in question, that you would be fine with either a laid back one or a slightly more active one, based on what you told him about your situation/goals, etc.

So then when thinking about the fact that the flight is a long one, may have chosen the harder pup for you just because he thought that the temperament of the dog would help him handle the flight better. The fact that he's a larger dog is coincidental (in my hypothetical situation, anyway ). The larger one happens to be the harder dog and therefore, it would be the best choice.

But that's all assumtions. I don't know your breeder, but I will say that good breeders often do pick the dog for you, and I know it's hard to have that element of control taken away. But a good breeder does know his dogs better than you would know them just based on a single or a few visits.

This is why you need to have complete faith and confidence in your breeder. If you don't, you should talk to your breeder and express your concerns and maybe then you'll feel better. OR, maybe you'll feel even more unsettled and then you'll know it's time to find a different breeder.

A good breeder will answer your questions and not be defensive because you asked them, IMO.

PS- You were wondering why he chose a different dog for you 2 weeks after he was considering another one for you. When pups are that young, 2 weeks can make a big difference! I would rather my breeder chose the pup for me when they were as old as possible. They will know more about the dog(s) the older they are.

Hope this helped, keep us posted.

I took home the biggest puppy in the litter when I got my standard manchester terrier, and now, she's so small compared to her littermates that she looks like a toy manchester terrier.

Maybe the breeder likes to make plans (so, picking your puppy early on), but is flexible with changing them as he/she sees fit (changing his/her mind as the puppies' temperaments develop)

I'd be irritated too, though, that things keep changing around.

Hi Richard, I haven't read the previous thread so I don't know if you've had other issues with your breeder or not. I think it's great that you're communicating though. Three weeks is very young to assess temperaments. With experience you can kind of get a feel of each pup at that age, but nothing too solid. I like that your breeder kept an open mind rather than adhering to her first choice for you "just because she said". I agree that a bigger, more robust pup will have an easier time in transit, too. It's true about genetics; the "runt" from our last litter is every bit as big as her sisters, bigger than some; the sizes will equalize with maturity. Have you discussed your concerns with your breeder? I love it when people ask questions, even difficult ones.

Richard, What did your breeder say when you told him you were upset? I read & responded to your previous post. You obviously do not trust this breeder. You have been unhappy ever since you found out you don't get to pick the pup. It sounds like you are not going to be happy regardless of which pup the breeder picks. Do yourself & the breeder a favor & go eleswhere for a pup.

 Quote: susan tuck

Richard, What did your breeder say when you told him you were upset?

He got upset in return and we fought a little and didn't talk for a while after. Now things are back to normal (NOT!).

Thing is I really want a dog, been waiting for this puppy since last year and the pedigree is very nice. An outside breeder, when I told her my problem, said she didn't know this man but she knew the dogs and that he had good dogs and that this pedigree was a good one. Guess that is the reason I still want the dog.

Okay, since you two have been fighting...I would say find a different breeder. Regardless of who's right, you need to have a good relationship.

The idea is that you should have a breeder that you trust. You should be able to talk to the breeder for the life of your dog if you have any concerns/questions, and you can't do that with this kind of a relationship, IMO.

I understand not wanting to wait. But more than one breeder exists that have good dogs with good pedigrees. You're off to a rocky start and I would get out now, if I were you.

Take this as you like, but it seems to me that you want to pick your dog. However, many if not most good breeders will pick the pup for you. Most of the people posting responses to your question here have told you that. That fact alone does not make your breeder a bad one.

The fact that he changed his mind about which pup to give you is not a red flag to me either. From the time the pup was 3 weeks old to now is plenty of time for the breeder to get to know more about the pups (and you) and have a better opinion on what dog to give you than he did at 3 weeks.

A larger dog with a harder temperament *does* sound like a better choice to me, given what you've written.

He said welcomed you to visit: A good sign.

I'm not saying your breeder is great, I'm not saying your breeder is horrible. But it DOES seem like you're unhappy...and you shouldn't be. You should be very happy, and raving about your breeder. If not, move on. This dog will be a member of your family and hopefully with you for over a decade. Picking a good breeder IS important.

If your gut tells you this is a bad idea...then walk. If the only reason your upset is because you can't pick the pup, then you should know that is going to be a recurring theme with good breeders.

Just my two pennies.

Good luck, whatever you choose.