The breeder I got Hefner from was leary too due to the pregnant woman that was murdered and wouldn't let anyone come over unless her husband was home. I did go over to her house several times, however. She wouldn't give out the address though, and only had one cell phone number that she gave to actual buyers because she was carefully screening the potential buyers through email. Otherwise she would have been completely inundated with calls and not able to handle the important ones. I really appreciated this. Her husband met me in a parking lot near their home and I followed him.
The other breeder was from Texas and also did not publicize her phone number. She only gave it out after carefully screening over emails. I spoke to her vet and thought that was the best reference. He was extremely professional and raved about her. He said he had a lot of breeders in his practice...a lot which he wished weren't, but that she was one of his Premiere breeders. This woman also initially refused me as a buyer. I had to convince her that my home was safe place for the puppy. I had the puppy shipped when she was 15 weeks and she did great and we love her to death.
I also believe you can tell "in your gut" if it is okay, and just as there is no dog that meets the "breed standard" perfectly, there is no breeder who meets all the criteria for the perfect breeder. Not everyone has the father on the premises for example, but they should be able to see pictures and review the pedigree.
JMHO. |