Has anyone ever heard of a situation like this? Has anyone ever heard of a breeder switching the puppy [for one of it's littermates] on a buyer when they come to take it home? For example, say I pick the puppy I want when I visit the litter, and place $100 deposit on him to hold him until it's time to take him home. Then I leave, wait, and come back when the puppy is old enough. How can I be sure the puppy I originally put the deposit on is the same one? They will only be 4 weeks old when I see them, so it might be hard to tell them apart. And by the time they're 8-12 weeks old, who knows if iI'm still getting the same puppy, right? I live about 2 hours away from this breeder so I can't really visit every week to keep track the puppy I buy. Any advice on how to recognize distinguishing features of a yorkie puppy? Is it rude to ask the breeder about this being a possibility of happening? Do you think it would offend the breeder to take pictures of the puppies to help me keep a record, and then asking the breeder to send me periodic photos of MY puppy as he grows? The reason I'm asking is because I'm worried someone else will come after me and offer the breeder more money for the puppy I placed a deposit on. Even though I will demand a bill of sale for proof, if she thinks she could get away with switching the puppy, what's to stop her? I am not, by any means, saying she will actually do this or that it would even cross her mind unless I bring it up, but anything is possible, right? Please help! Thanks so much! :) |
I have only had one litter of puppies but the white spots on their chest was each different, one especially had a unique shape. Also the coloring on their face was a bit different. |
Which breeder is it? I'd personally be taking lots of pictures of my little one to have till you can pick him up. :^) |
That so funny! I was worried about that exact same thing. I took lots of pictures myself, and kind of joked with the breeder "Don't give him to anyone else!" (I tried not to let her know I was seriously paranoid ;) )She was so nice and not offended at all. She knew I fell in love with my baby at first site, so she understood. She also let me come back and visit several times between then and when I could take him home. I got to know his body type and markings that way too. |
...since you live too far away, maybe you could ask her to send you updates with photos??? My breeder offered to do that too. |
An ethical breeder would never do that, they want their puppies to go to the right homes! Like someone else said, usually there is something a bit different about each puppy, maybe you can find that on yours and keep track that way:) Good luck with getting your puppy:D Martha |
Yes there is a possibility of that happening. which is why I tell people it is more important to research the breeder than to find the perfect puppy. If you are dealing with an hoest reputable breeder, they will not do that. And don't be afraid to ask your breeder about anything that concerns you. they should not be offended. After all you are putting out a lot of money for a long time companion. You deserve to get the one that you choose. If they are offended, then move on, because chances are they are guilty. |
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An honest reputable breeder would not do that. It is okay to ask for pictures as they grow also! I take weekly pictures of mine with every litter I have. |
This is a good point. It's called buyer beware. I had a friend who against my advice, ordered a little Yorkie from another state. The picture was adorable I have to admit being thick coated and perfect set ears, back and all. One week after she recieved the pictures, she paid for the puppy and shipping and picked the puppy up at the airport only to find a very long legged, ears not up, thin coated puppy. She cried all the way home, placed her in the newspaper and sold her. The breeder would have taken it back, but not pay shipping. (of course) You just never know sometimes what your going to get. |
Of course its possible with unethical breeders :( Just let the breeder know your concern and they should be very reassuring (if not find another breeder). They should let you know how they personally can tell the puppies apart (personality and looks) and like others said to get updated pictures of the puppy as they grow. And of course be sure to post a pic of the baby you choose :) |
I have heard of that happening many times. I would never get a dog unless I were picking it up at the same time. But it helps to do lots of research on the breeder in advance and find a breeder you can trust. But its a buyer beware world out there. Good luck in your search!! |
bands Some litter mates are hard to tell apart at different times in their young life. They eventually take on a personality and look of their own though. In the mean time a lot of breeders use this pink and blue bands to tell them apart (especially if they are picked early in life). Buy one online and ask her to put in on your pup! |
Some breeders use colored bands for their litters to tell the puppies apart. Also a 4 week old puppy looks nothing like it will at 12 weeks. It's normal to have strange thoughts like this but its great to have a breeder that you are comfy with too. My breeder was great to work with. Below are pictures of my Jeter at different ages. His breeder was great with sending us pictures and also I lived close by so I was able to go see him a few times and hold him. I trusted my breeder though it did helped that he was smaller then his brother so it was hard to mix the 2 boy's up. He was close in size to one of his sisters but when you checked to see if you had the boy you wouldn't mix that up;) In the first picture Jeter is 3 weeks old , next he is 5, then 9 then 12 and by the last picture he was 16 weeks. http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...06/a_jeter.jpg http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...rame06/fgh.jpg http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...thJeter024.jpg http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...6/100_2334.jpg http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...ry32008149.jpg |
I would ask the breeder how she tells them apart. I would say something like, don't you get confused they all look so much alike? The breeder should exspect you to take lots of pictures...For your baby book right? And I would ask her if she would take pics and email them so you have pics for the baby book also. My breeder pointed out a white spot on one of the puppies paws. They will help you through the worry if you ask in a good natured loving way! |
It is very possible. When My breeder was holding Jewels another buyer tred to get My breeder to sell her to her.I could never try to do that to somebody! |
It's called a "bait and switch". I've heard of it happening when people buy a puppy from a picture on an internet website. One member on another forum thought she was getting a 10 week old female and was shocked to find a male who was about five months old in the crate when she picked the puppy up at the airport! :eek: The fact that you are questioning this breeder makes me wonder of you are completely confident about getting a puppy from her. If you have any doubts, trust your instincts and find another breeder. |
I Dont Put Anything Past Anyone These Days It Seems ... Follow Your Heart .....i Hope Everything Works Out For You .. I Know It Must Be So Frustrating! |
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i was paranoid about this too when getting my one baby... i flat out asked the breeder how she tells them apart and how i would know i got the puppy i was supposed to ... she is a great breeder and was not at all offended by my question (which says a lot IMO) she also made me videos and sent me pics allllllll the time so i saw him growing up and i knew i got the baby i was supposed to :) |
Welcome to YT!! Hope the puppy you bring home is the one you picked out!! I used to breed Bichons, and I always had each puppy color-coded. That way I could track their weight & know who was who. Most good breeders are paying attn to each puppy as an individual & not just as a litter as a whole. Ask questions of the breeder - don't be embarrassed, if they don't want to answer your questions that's a red flag. Also ask for the pictures, so you can watch your little one grow over the next few weeks. Be sure to save those pictures for when you bring your one & only home |
I never even thought about this with puppies:eek: . But I know for sure it must happen Somewhere, sometime, b/c I know it does with bird breeders. If you can't tell one baby bird from another and someone comes along and offers more money for a particular bird (even if it's got a deposit on it) b/c they just happen to like that one the best, there's not much (other than integrity and honesty) to stop a breeder from selling it to them. I knew that someone offered my breeders more $ for my bird when he was still being handfed and Luckily, I had the band # written down (and they're not the split ring type of band; they have to be put on when they're really tiny and can't be removed other than cutting them off)...otherwise, I wouldn't have been surprised if they'd taken the guy up on it. And I probably wouldn't have known the difference. Too bad they can't do the same with puppies or something similar. Of course, if they were microchipped, you wouldn't have to worry about it. Hopefully, the breeder you're working with is honest; I know I wouldn't want to bring that kind of bad juju to my life by doing things like that:rolleyes: . |
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