I'm so close to getting my puppy - August 20th. I've gone and met all the puppies and picked my favourite mostly based on it's personality. I wanted the 'middle' puppy. There are 3 boys - and after spending an hour with them there was one that was obviously a little more reserved (puppy #2), and 2 more energetic ones(#1 and #3). Puppy #3 (one of the energetic puppies) is definitely going to a show home in California (we live in Alberta). Puppy #1 is the other up-beat puppy. That one was my favourite. Puppy #2 has a kink in his tail so he can't be shown although he does have very beautiful features otherwise (and the kink in his tail is kind of cute and charming). I don't get to pick my puppy. The breeder insists on picking everyones puppy based on a temperament test. Yesterday they were 49 days old and was the day of the test. I still haven't heard from her on which puppy is 'supposed' to be ours based on this test. For whatever it was worth, I made it clear that puppy #1 was my favourite.

Yesterday morning (the day of the test), the breeder emailed me asking that if puppy #1 turned out to be my puppy, would I be willing to let her show him. When I initially spoke with the her months ago, before the puppies were even born, she had me fill out a form/questionairre and I stated that I did not want to show my puppy. Now I'm worried that if I say that I don't want her to show my puppy she will not give me puppy #1.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not too worried about the showing part. She will just come pick him up a few times a year for a weekend. What I'm concerned is that he has to remain intact for that period of time that it takes him to finish his championship. The breeder is saying that if he is as pretty as she thinks he will be that it shouldn't take too long. But what if it takes up until he's 2 years old? I was planning on neutering him at 6 months.
So my questions are A) is it going to make much of a difference neutering him at 18 months- 2 years instead of at 6 months? I'm worried about marking in the house and also trainability. I'm dead set on teaching my beagle perfect recall - don't laugh it's possible. If he isn't neutered is this going to affect how well he listens to me?

And B) Is the breeder somewhat out of line asking me this the day of the temperament test? I feel like my answer will influence her decision on which puppy goes where, even though she said right from the beginning that temperament decides all.

See puppy #1 below - I'm in love already

Amanda, some other things to consider: If the Pup is shown to a championship, the breeder may want to use him for stud, and then you are certainly not going to be able to neuter him. If she shows him, will you co-own the pup and if so what are the conditions ?

Will you get a break on price ? Just some things to think about. If you really love the pup you may want to go along with the breeder's whims.

We haven't really talked about the terms. She didn't mention anything about using him for stud....yet. I kind of thought it would be more like he is my puppy and I am allowing her to show him. I certainly don't want to co-own the puppy and let her breed him whenever she feels like it. I was really hoping that I would just let her show him 3-4 times and he would get his championship and then I would neuter him and it would all be over. I didn't even want anything to do with showing my puppy in the first place. I'm really frustrated that she is all of a sudden putting this pressure on me.

Amanda...just giving you a "heads-up" on the possibilities and ramifications of the breeder showing the dog. For participants in the conformation ring, it really is all about "carrying on the line." And depending on the dog, it could take way more than just 3 or 4 shows.

And why would she trouble to show him to a CH. title and then just go away? She'll want to breed him for sure. I don't think you've heard the end of this and won't for a long while.

 Quote: Becky Shilling

And why would she trouble to show him to a CH. title and then just go away? She'll want to breed him for sure. I don't think you've heard the end of this and won't for a long while.

Completely agree with what Becky has to say. If you don't want to show, then you need to tell her - even if it means you will end up with a different pup.

Wow I'm really glad I asked this question or else I wouldn't have even thought of all this. It's not like she's going to tell me this all at once. And I was worried about not being able to neuter him until 18 months...

A)
http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/longtermhealtheffectsofspayneuterindogs.pdf

http://www.caninesports.com/SpayNeuter.html

http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/spayneuterage.pdf

Marking in the house has nothing to do with being spayed/neutered. It is a training issue.

B) No, I think the breeder is taking into consideration that you asked for pup #1. She sees this pup as a potential dog to carry on her lines, but also wants to place the puppy in a good home. For responsible breeders, they want to choose the best stock possible to do this with (I will leave my opinions on "show dogs" for another thread) If you want a pup that will for sure not be shown, then choose the one with the kinked tail, or find another puppy from another breeder, or wait for a future litter. The breeder has every right to place the dog where she would like, so be honest with yourself now about what you are willing to do with your dog. If you will not allow your dog to show for 2-3 years, then possibly be bred, then don't get THIS dog.

I do not like my dogs altered until they are around 2 years old and have had no problems. Additionally, I do not think the breeder was being unfair at all. On the contrary, I think she was being considerate in that she knew that you really liked #1 but that you also did not want to show so she was giving you the opportunity to consider what was more important - not getting the puppy or not showing..... Would you have preferred her to just not give you the option of #1 with the showing requirement?

Not all breeders who want to finish a CH on a dog are going to want to breed it. Other reasons for finishing include working towards special breed club awards for sires/dams producing champion offspring, bragging/advertising rights etc. I have shown and titled dogs that I had no intention of breeding because I like having titles on both ends of my dogs name.

Here is my take on the situation - the breeder has said from the beginning that she has final say on placement and if she wants puppy #1 shown and you do not want to do that, she could very well place him in a home that will. I would think honestly about whether you want to get involved with a deal where the breeder takes the dog and shows it. Some people are fine with that and some might not think it is a big deal in the abstract but it becomes way harder to hand over a beloved pet to leave for a period of time....

I know you have fallen in love with #1 and so it makes it hard but if you do not want to do the showing deal, be honest and save both you and the breeder a lot of grief down the road. If the other pup is just not acceptable to you than perhaps the litter was not meant to be for you. There will be other litters with pups just as cute and I would encourage you to think about that when making this decision. Good luck :-)

Agree with all. If you are only wanting a pet quality puppy then get a different dog. With a pet quality puppy the breeder is simply looking for the best possible home based on temperament and will normally expect the dog to be neutered. On pet quality pups there is normally a contract but full ownership. Call the breeder and have a long talk with him/her to fully satisfy your questions. You can fall in love with a different puppy if necessary AND know that the one you fell in love with first is going to the right home. Good Luck.