I have the same concerns over purchasing a puppy sight unseen. Yet I am planning to get one from a breeder in California. I guess you have to be comfortable with the reputation of the breeder. If they are showing dogs, I guess I would feel more comfortable buying them without seeing them, and references would definitely be a plus.
But when I see posts where someone has had to scrape to get together a load of money to buy a puppy from a breeder in a different area of the country and take the risk of getting an unsound animal, when there are breeders in their area that would probably sell for less, I have to wonder why.
If you are looking for a specific bloodline to add to your breeding program, that is one thing, but if all you want is a pet, why would you take the risk? Not to say that a pet is not worth it, but if it's going to be spayed/neutered, does it matter what his bloodlines are? |