How can you tell?

[NanaDtreasures]

Originally Posted by bjh

Have you tried searching for her name using Google? You could put in her name and the city she lives in and see if anything comes up. If she is a broker you might find something.

Nothing came up...maybe its for the best.
If she was a broker or he really did get killed.
I dont REALLY want to know. Would hurt worse then not knowing I guess
I was hoping maybe there was some way of being more sure it didnt happen again , if it did.

I got several emails telling me that they do it like Dee says in the
"puppy application"
I dont have a website...And I have never used a puppy application.
I exchange MANY phone calls....Many emails...and then one or more home visits.
But I can see how if they used their vet as a reference.
I would for sure call too.

I have always been very happy with all my puppies new homes BUT this one...
You can bet....I WILL go with my gut feelings next time...never again will this happen. I dont care how far they drive...or even if they fly in for their puppy!

[YorkieRose]

Why would you feel odd asking to speak to the vet for a reference...I encourage the buyer to speak to mine about me as a breeder...I have had people hand me letters from their vets with details how they cared for previous pets before I even brought up the subject...many just assumed a good breeder would ask for a letter or phone call...
Listen, you are the breeder who is looking for the best homes for your puppies..if people are insulted, they can go elsewhere..these Yorkie puppies are too preicous to hand over to brokers and poor pet owners...

[LoveMyJake]

I have been considering breeding eventually. Not for a long time, I have lots to learn and lots of research still to do. I keep thinking about this part of it....when it's time to find them good homes. People can really fool you, and in these crazy times we're living in, you have to be careful who you let into your home to see the pups.

As I've been researching, I've run into this problem a lot. I always like to read opinions to see how others are handling situations like this. Some ask for personal references, however, those can be easily faked. I've also heard of people asking for references from the buyer's vet. This sounds like a good idea to me. I have even heard of breeders asking for a letter from a landlord to show that it's ok to have a dog if the buyers are renters. Apparently, lots of people try to sneak and have dogs when they aren't supposed to, and then when their landlord finds out, they want to hurry up and rehome the dog.

Some people just don't keep in touch with the breeder, no matter what. I stay in touch with mine, and I let her know how the boys are doing and send pictures. Most of her buyers do, but there are some that just don't, and she always wonders how they are doing.