Do I have a right...?
 

Back in February I was in the mall, meeting up with my friend who works there for dinner. While I was waiting, I saw these two girls carrying two Yorkie puppies around! Of course, I had to fawn over them. Later, I saw a lady carrying the same puppies around! We fawned over them again and got to talking. She told me about them and about herself. After a long while of talking, she told me it was her friend who bred the puppies! She then told me that if I was interested in one, she'd keep my information and call me when the next litter had been born. Naturally, I gave her all of my info. We'd kept in touch and finally, two-ish weeks ago, she called to tell me that the pups were born and I'd be getting one! Clearly, I was excited.

So, Friday, she gave the phone number to the breeder and I called to ask her some questions - normal about food, health, weight, size of parents so on and so forth. She was the RUDEST woman I have EVER had the pleasure of talking to in my LIFE. She gave me one word answers, tried to tell me that the price was nearly DOUBLE what our mutual friend had told me. It broke my heart! I was freaking out! There was no way I would be able to pay double! I called our friend back and told her what the breeder had said and she freaked out, too! She couldn't believe it! So, she called the breeder, promising to call me back later. I waited and waited and waited for what seemed like HOURS for her to call me back. It wasn't that long, in retrospect, but it felt like years!

It turns out, that the breeder said that I was rude to her! That I attacked her! Asking her all of these rude questions, saying that I made her feel like she was inferior and stupid! I did NO such thing! I was just trying to ask the 'normal' questions to a breeder about their dogs! Our friend said that the breeder is just like that. That she doesn't like new people and she's kinda rude all the time. Our friend said that it was just how she is and not to think on it any more. That she had paid for the puppy so the breeder couldn't say she hadn't received payment for him. Apparently, she's done that to people before when she 'didn't like them' over the phone.

Do I have the right to ask her these questions? To talk to her about my puppy? Do I have the right to be upset? I think so! I just... GRRR!

Sorry for the rant.. I just needed to get that off of my chest. It's been bothering me since Friday!

Jessica, I wouldn't buy a puppy from this woman. I know it is heartbreaking because you expected to get a puppy soon but you have every right and duty to ask questions of the breeder. For her to be rude and not want to answer your questions fully means that she is hiding something!! I would not trust her and the puppies might have health issues that she is hiding. I would find another breeder that will answer your questions willingly and happily. You are doing the right thing by asking questions, just move on and find another puppy! Good Luck!

you have every right and then some -


it sucks when people act like you just posted about. A good breeder would be patient and encourage you to ask questions

Couldn't agree more! What happens if God forbid something is wrong with the pup at some point - you will not be even allowed to contact this woman and I wouldn't expect she would help you at all.
Any reputible breeder would easily answer these questions. Any byb'er doesn't know the answers and doesn't want you prying into their business.

I would not waste anymore heartache on this, I would find somebody who can answer your questions. Nothing worse than buying a pup and having heartache later on, not to mention the financial destruction due to poor breeding.

Our mutual friend has gotten her Yorkies from this breeder for years. She's never had a health problem. Not ever. She's getting a female from this litter, too.

She said that the reason the breeder was like this with me is because she said I was rude and mean to her. Our friend said that the breeder felt like I was attacking her asking her so many questions that I "got off the internet" to ask her. I've gotten pure bred puppies before and the breeder has never said that I was rude or mean before. Apparently this breeder has some kind of people issues. I'm going to NC to pick my puppy up and I'm getting pictures of him this week.

Our friend asked the breeder the questions I wanted to ask and she answered them for our friend. I just don't know what the crap happened! I thought I was being really nice! And trying to be a responsible mommy! I've never had someone said that I was rude and attacking them before! :( It's really distressed me!

:thumbup: :thumbup: In fact, the breeder should be asking you the same types of questions. That is not someone you would want a puppy from.

I can't afford to get a puppy from anyone else. The only breeders I've found around here are crazy expensive. It's just ridiculous, the prices they ask. I've met our friend's Yorkies and they're all really healthy. She's never had a problem before. I just don't know why this lady was so rude to me. I want to call her and apologize, tell her I didn't mean for her to feel that way... But, I don't think I should have to! I wasn't rude, I didn't attack her and I didn't yell my questions. I just... *sigh* I don't know what I did to make her not like me!

It's not often that I have people tell me they don't like me! :(

I know it's hard, but you came here to ask and we're just giving you our honest opinions. Someone that gets that defensive over generic questions that anyone that is getting a yorkie needs to ask in order to get acquainted with your new breeder, which is extremely important, before you even get acquainted with the puppies she has for sale.

This "friend" of yours you met randomly in a mall right? Back in Feb, when she was parading around the mall with two yorkie puppies? She's not someone that you've known for a very long time. The way you met her makes me suspicious that this "friend" of yours is actually a broker that tries to get business for her breeder friend.

when I met/called my breeder the first time, I had what felt like 4823940 questions ready for her and she was more than happy to answer them.

This woman is insane. I feel like you should take a class on etiquette and people skills class before you are allow to breed.

EXCELLENT point! :thumbup:

A good breeder should allow as many questions as you have, no matter what they think of them.

Just a reminder, that "cheap" dog can be VERY expensive in the long run if all the necessary health checks have not been done.
I can tell you from my own personal experience! Do your research. And just because one person has so far been lucky and hasn't had a problem, doesn't mean others haven't - you would never know, would you?

I would just never purchase from somebody who wouldn't gladly answer my questions and who didn't have a few of their own. If she is not a people person, seems she shouldn't be breeding in the first place.

I truly wish you luck!

You know, that was my first thought too.

You've not only got the right, but the responsibility to ask questions. If the breeder didn't like you asking them and she's blaming it on your "tone", that to me would signal it was really that she didn't know the answer to them and didn't like having that pointed out.

You said your "friend" had bought puppies from her in the past and never had any problems. Well, that could very well be true. But I wouldn't count on getting any straight answers from either of them about whether any other buyers had problems.

As to the price, it could be as simple as she is friends with the broker so she gave her a deal. Or it could be that they had hoped to have you roped in and willing to pay what ever they asked.

I'm confused though. In one post you say you can't afford to buy from anyone else and then you say that you are going to drive to NC to pick up a puppy. I really hope your aren't going to buy from her anyway. This doesnt sound like someone you want to be involved with, no matter the price.

Geez, I blame the heat for not making sense in the first paragraph.
I know it sucks to have to walk away after you had your hopes up. It doesn't make sense for the breeder to be defensive about questions she should be hearing from potential parents. Pup parents need to get to know the breeder as much as the breeder needs to get to know the future pet parents. You're not buying a bracelet here, all the little questions are important.

I asked my breeder all sorts of questions, and when I thought of more, I called her back! She always answered to the best of her ability. If there was something she didn't know, she found out. I now have lifetime support, and a new friend.

If I had felt badly about her breeder, I never would have got Mya at all. It's too big a risk and can end in so much heartache. If price is such an issue, please remember how much getting them up to date on shots and spayed or neutered costs. I knew it was expensive, but I didn't think it through quite enough, and now have some hefty credit card bills.

We live in a world where we can't really trust people when money is involved, unfortunately. If you aren't 100% comfortable with her and this situation - RUN.

As a breeder/exhibitor, you have every right. However, a reputable breeder will answer your questions long before you have a chance to answer them. The question answer, meet and greet, relationship should have been established long before the pups were born.

You buy your breeder first, then your pup.

I know this is breaking your heart, but it appears this breeder is not use to people asking her questions or if she is, because you asked them you shouldn't be questioning her.

You are purchasing the dog....you wouldn't buy a car without asking question or sign on the dotted line for house without knowing everything.

I understand where you're all coming from. I really do. And I'm thankful that you're being so helpful.

I've met our friend before, Beth. Before I met her with the puppies. She's a personal nurse that works on contract with the hospital I work at. I just never knew she had Yorkies. I have met two other people who've gotten puppies from her and they've been happy with them, having no problems.

I called one of them a while ago to ask if they had the same problems with the breeder. He said that he didn't have any issues. But when his wife called, the breeder got all pissy and was rude and stuff to her.

I just don't know!

I guess it was just me. Ugh. How awful does that make me? Am I a bad person? It makes me feel bad about myself that this breeder doesn't like me. I don't have people not like me! I'm a very likable person! *sobs*

I even checked out the breeder! She's reputable. Her pups are registered with AKC and her line is good quality. Is it just me?

:( Wow, that makes me feel so bad about myself! :(

Just because pups are registered with AKC doesnt mean the breeder is good. Have you studied pedigrees enough to know that her line is of good quality?

Don't kick yourself......You had every right. You buy your breeder first, then your dog. You should be buying a relationship that will last through the pups life. If you don't feel comfortable with the breeder walk away.

I haven't studied pedigrees but I know that the two she breeds are both first or second place winners in shows.

I just got off the phone with the breeders husband. Now I know why she was so bitchy. She had back surgery last Monday and she hasn't been taking her pain killers because they make her feel sick. But if she doesn't take them, he's a huge b**ch to everyone.

He apologized to me for her behavior. Beth called him again to talk to her about how she was with me, it's why he called. That and the other person that I know who has gotten puppies from her before called to find out what was wrong because they had been thinking about getting another puppy but if she was going to be like that then they weren't going to buy from her again.

I guess that's understandable. The husband answered all of my questions and was just as nice as you please about it. He apologized profusely. Everyone has bad days, right? i still feel badly, you know? Like I did something wrong. *sigh* I guess it's just that I don't treat people like that even when I feel badly so I don't think I deserve to be treated like that, either...

Why do some people suck so bad?

I'm sorry this woman upset you so much. It sounds like you were being very reasonable.

As other people have said, the fact that your friend has two healthy dogs from this woman does not necessarily mean that she's a good breeder. How old are these dogs? Many problems don't show up until the dog is 3-4 years old.

Also, re: price. I don't want to pry into your finances, but if you can't afford a normally priced pup, are you confident that you can afford a dog, period? Especially if it needs a lot of medical care?


You might want to consider getting a rescue, since the prices aren't so high, and you will be giving a dog a second chance! :)

If you are willing, maybe you can post the information about the breeder here, or PM someone with the info, and they can check it out. I personally would not be able to tell you definitively if it was a good breeder, but other people here would.

Well, I hope it was just that a "misunderstanding". Like others have said you have more contact with a breeder than you think. Good Luck and can't wait to see pics of your baby, Fynnlie.

I'm sorry you're going through this, but something is just not making sense. In your original post, you mention meeting a "lady" and telling her about yourself. Then you say you've met her before. You get all kinds of very sound advice from experienced owners, including a very prestigious breeder (Mardelin) and you don't seem to acknowledge it. Instead you're beating yourself up thinking you are responsible for this breeder's rude behavior. Please don't make excuses for her, even as badly as you may want a puppy. Her husband made excuses because he's trying to save a 'sale'. There are others out there from very reputable breeders. If you can't afford to pay a higher price, just wait until you've saved more money. If not, you may well pay dearly in the long run.

I'm paying a good deal already. What I mean is that I can't afford to pay like, 3,000 for a dog. Personally, I think that's crazy. I would never, ever pay that kind of money for a dog. My Sheltie that I lost in March was diabetic and I had been paying for all of his medical care, his insulin, his needles, everything, for almost five years. I'm

The lady, Beth, told me about herself in regards to her puppies. I know her from work but I didn't know anything about her personal life or her dogs. I'm an Administrative Assistant. She's a personal RN. We don't have much contact at work. When I met her in the mall and we got to talking and she told me about herself, it was new to me. I knew her face and a little bit about the kind of person she is from work, but I didn't know anything about her life outside of work.

I feel like I'm being confusing and like I'm trying to defend someone I don't even know. Ugh. I kinda just want to go to sleep and forget all about this! Maybe I'll feel better in the morning? *sobs* I need a cuddle with my Maine Coon!

MyBabyFynnlie, it sounds like you are a sensitive person (as am I :) ). Please try not to take what is said here as an attack on you personally. We all just want to make sure you are able to do what's best for you and your future dog: making sure you can afford it and ensuring your dog comes from a good breeder (or rescue) are crucial. Maybe there's no reason to be concerned, but just as you asked questions of this breeder, we're asking you questions.

If you are sure you can afford it, great. A $3K yorkie sounds extreme, have you been quoted that kind of price previously? Finally, I urge you to do your homework and make completely sure this is a good breeder before commiting to her.

I've had surgery on my back before too. I couldn't walk for weeks, and the dr took the one thing away from me that has always been a great stress reliever, my car. I didn't take my pain meds either because they made me slow, dizzy, and I was just so "high" I didn't know what I was doing. I knew all this before hand, and if I was a breeder, there is no way in he** that I would plan a surgery during a time I should be actively screening people as potential homes.

OP this is not about you. I feel as though you've already fallen in love with this puppy, but this breeder is raising many eyebrows with the way she conducts "business." To me it seems as though everyone, including the husband and your friend Beth are covering for the bitchy breeder so as not to lose a sale. I just wanted to point out that puppies from puppy mills are also registered with the AKC. AKC means nothing if the breeder behind the breeding isn't reputable.
As far as price goes, not all breeders are out there just to rip you off. It might take some time but you will find a puppy for less than $3k. If you research, you will find a great breeder, you will feel good about where your baby is coming from, and you will have the best support network if, god forbid, anything were to happen to your puppy.

My heart goes out to you because you're such a kind soul. My friend is a super sensitive person, and she got a dog without even seeing her. Now, whenever her baby is sick, she has no one to turn to other than her vet and YT. A good breeder to back you up is so important since they know what they are doing and they can give you solid advice.

I'm sorry if I've upset you, that was not my intention (and I'm sorry about the loss of your Sheltie :( ). Just trying to point out that there are red flags here with the breeder. Sometimes we just want something so bad, we can try to reason whatever it is that may stand in the way of getting it. I totally feel for you, being led on and then let down. One more question - have you visited the breeder's home yet and/or made arrangements to see the new pups there when ready?

I'm going to call the breeder tomorrow and find out what the deal is. I don't want to feel bad about myself because I asked a few questions. I don't care of much pain she's in or how much she is not a people person.

You don't treat people like that for any reason. If I have to forgo my puppy - which I have ALREADY fallen in love with - I have to do it. I'm not going to put up with someone who is okay with talking to her prospective buyers like they're not worth it.

*sobs* This is just awful. I'm mildly depressed now.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: I caught that too. And Beth's only been a friend for 5 months. I wouldn't trust everything a "new friend" would tell me.

Good for you - no need to feel badly when you did nothing wrong. Just sleep on it and deal with it fresh tomorrow. I wish you the best with getting a pup. Please keep us updated.:)

I will definitely keep you guys updated. Thanks for the great advice. I really appreciate it. :)

You know, no one here can have a clear picture of what happened. You certainly have a right to ask questions, but sometimes it's a matter of style rather than the questions themselves.

As others have mentioned, you buy the breeder before the dog. With that in mind, realize that you are establishing a relationship with whatever breeder you decide on. Your questions should be part of the conversation and not resemble an inquisition. Not saying you did that, just offering it as general info.

Your initial contact with a breeder should be only for the two of you to get a sense of each other. You shouldn't expect for the breeder to offer to sell you a pup at first. If the two of you can establish good communication with the first contact, then you can ask to come visit and see how things go from there. You may get asked for a vet reference along with other questions. Just as you have questions for the breeder, they will have questions for you. You both can use the time between, before the visit, to see if either of you have any reservations on pursuing this further.

This breeder may not be a bad egg, but, if you are not comfortable for any reason, you should look elsewhere. Remember that the relationship with your breeder will last as long as your dog.

Good luck in your search.