Originally Posted by Ladyhawk (Post 1849245)

You say that it's hard to trust breeders but I've been on both sides of this coin and I know that it's hard to trust buyers as well. Everytime you turn around you run into someone who wants something for nothing. They tell you one thing before they leave your home with signed contract in hand and than call a week later demanding that the terms be changed. When you refuse you are so mean and they can't believe you are treating them this way. They breed without your permission, refuse to keep in touch, feed incorrectly and than cry when the dog has pancreatitis ( a friend of mine's dog). I purchased a dog that ended up with Legge-Perthes. The breeder honored the spoken contract and I got a replacement puppy after I fulfilled my end of the bargain. There was no reason not to get another pup from her. It was from a different breeding, she was an honest business woman, the replacement pup is from a line that I want as part of my foundation. I do not think of the dog that had Legge-Perthes as defective, she just had a problem that kept her from doing what I purchased her for which was showing and breeding. I'm a new breeder and my first litter is not yet 2 years old. I have had no health issues and have had some buyers that I now count as friends. The honest truth is breeding is more difficult than I ever dreamt it would be and to quote a very well known breeder (had a top 5 yorkie last year) " it's not the dogs that make it difficult, they are a joy, it's dealing with the stupid people!" There are alot of us responsible breeders out here working our butts off, you just don't know the half of it!

Originally Posted by blitz (Post 1849318)

I think a lot of things can be avoided if breeder and buyer get to know each other as much as they can before they make a transaction...

I agree with that, interview the people to make sure the puppy is going to a good home with reasonable people who can afford to take care of it and who understand that nature sometime does unexpected things. It's always the people looking for the cheapest puppy also looking for a lifetime guarantee that nothing will ever go wrong with it. I also love the ones who arrive and declare they only want to see the "low end" ones because they're not interested in a show dog, but next thing you know they're prying the puppy's mouth open to check bite, and yapping about toplines and coat...
Geez, I'm cranky today an should probably quit breeding and spend my evenings just playing with my Yorkies...

Originally Posted by mojo (Post 1849785)

And not to make anyone angry, but if you don't agree with a contract, DON'T SIGN IT! Walk away and keep looking.