Thank you so much for all of your input! It is greatly appreciated and you are all right- as a long-time reader of this forum I have answered all of my own questions. In regards to the "churning out" puppies comment,I was being funny but in three months I have seen maybe three litters from her. Is that a lot? I think so but everything looked and felt leaps and bounds above other breeders in several states near by. I spoke to her on the phone twice,texted many times. I felt totally comfortable with her and her operation. She answered my questions on the phone and her puppies were gorgeous,though I obviously waited months before settling on a breeder,then puppy. I feel I did everything right in being patient and researching. So when the time came I was confident putting down a deposit to hold the puppy after seeing only photos as her puppies go fast and most of her clients are from out of town.
The dog was gorgeous,really socialised. I have met many a puppy but I actually bonded with this boy.
So my options are- make sure I'm covered contractually in the event of him being sick (this state does have a puppy lemon law). Make sure to test him for EVERYTHING under the sun on his first vet visit. Or...
Forfeit my deposit and start over and hope the same thing doesn't happen and I find a puppy that comes close to being as "special" as this little guy. Like most client/breeder transactions,it will have to be done from afar as I cannot drive 8hrs+ round trip to every potential breeder.
Though I know better,I'm still torn. The biggest issues are why wouldn't a reputable breeder genetically test her breeding dogs?! That's madness! You are producing puppies that need to behealthy. And the parents seeming to switch bodies and looking bigger than described...
I hope this thread at least helps a newbie like me; showing different types of breeders,discrepancies,etc.
Thank you guys so much. Ill keep you updated and post a review of whatever breeder I use! |