Reasons I would refuse a puppy from a breed

This one is going to upset a few people, possibly.

Below are reasons that I wouldn't take a puppy home and would move on to a new litter / breeder.

I can hand on heart say I would follow these rules when acquiring a new dog. 

• Either of the parents are barking at me

• Either of the parents seem fearful of me

• The puppy has been reared in a shed, yard, barn, farm - Evidence to suggest the puppy has not been exposed to a human house in any meaningful way

• It's "the last puppy left" and you have not been able to track the litter leading up to this

• I’m not allowed to see the parents or the rest of the litter

• The puppy has an illness

• The breeder isn't communicating with me, and I've not met them more than once

• The breeder is not interested in me at all and is happy for me to have the puppy without knowing anything about me

• Puppy is being shipped from another country

• The cost is extortionately over market rate

• If from a professional breeder I would want to see health testing and the breeder’s knowledge of the breed’s genetical conditions, plus a contract with a take back policy. I would also like to hear the breeder’s knowledge of the sire’s temperament.

• If it's a litter from a family I would want to see the vet history of the dam and sire if possible. A "pedigree" sire doesn't particularly mean jackshit if you haven't met him / seen his vet history / had assurances about his temperament. In fact, I would prefer the father is from a family home where I can meet him and see his vet history.

• The breeder tries to switch the puppy at the last minute and give you a different dog. (I had this with a kitten breeder and walked away because of that behaviour and waited another year for the right breeder)

Remember:

This animal is with you for 10 to 15 years! Take your time.

If I were not happy with any of the above, I would move on to a different breeder and would wait as long as it takes to find a breeder I am happy with, even if it takes another year.

It's your responsibility to not take home a broken puppy and not support puppy farms or irresponsible breeders who do not know what they are doing.

Hope this is helpful.

Call me for a free and honest chat that will get you and your puppy on the right path.