Breeder Situations: Do These Make Sense?
 

Situation #1:

I have posted about the vet/breeder we are planning to buy our puppy from next month. When I talked to the vet's wife last Thursday, she agreed that I could come by this afternoon to look at the puppies at her home. She gave me two phone numbers: house and cell. I called both and got no answer. I called the vet's office, and left a message. I left a message on her house phone (but couldn't leave a message on her cell phone). She never called me back.

So I begin thinking about Plan B.

Situation #2:

I found another breeder in our state (AL). She has a male who will be "standard size" (5-8 lbs.) for $450. He will be ready next week. Her tiny puppy (will be 4 lbs. or less) is $1000. She offers a one-year health guarantee against all life-threatening illnesses/disease and will replace the puppy if something is wrong with it during that time. She has 27 years experience breeding.

Situation #3:

Another local breeder has three boys ready. One is 8 weeks. The mother is 5 lbs., father 3.2 lbs. He is $600. She describes him as energetic and "beats up" on the two older puppies. She has two older puppies: one is 14 weeks, one is 15 weeks. She says one is shy, the other is "brilliant" and a go-getter. She will sell them for $100 each to the "right" home. The father is the same as the 8 week old: 3.2 lbs. One's mother is 4.5 lbs., the other 6 lbs. She offers a guarantee that the puppies are healthy now, but if a vet check shows a problem, she will replace the puppy. She has 15 years experience breeding.

I am reluctant to adopt an "older" puppy. What are, if any, concerns with doing so?

Do any of these situations make sense? Or am I just having a bad day?

pups
 

14 and 15 weeks is not considered older IMO..and at $100 is unbelievable..why so cheap? You certainly have nothing to lose with a $100 puppy and if you want a health pet and it is health, sounds good to me. They have no doubt been to the vet for earlier shots and checked out..you could buy two..!

Ideally, I would see all pups and pick the one that you favor, housing situation, breeders, guarantee, whatever..

PS..sometimes when a breeder says "energetic", they mean hyper.., not wild about them myself..

I asked why so cheap, and she said because they are older and really need to go to homes.

price
 

SHe might breed in bulk and can afford to reduce to make space and time...

14 or 15 weeks of age is the perfect age. Pups should be socialized, eating well on their own and have a minimum of 2 vaccinations. $100.00 is almost unbelievable.....but, if they have a health guarantee...why not. Does this person have any references.

8 weeks is way too young to bring home

I too would go to look at the ones that really interest you, and pick the best one you can find. Check out how their being treated, where their staying, and see the mom and dad if you can.

I don't consider 14 and 15 weeks "older" at all... I prefer a pup at that age or actually even older....$100.00 just sounds unreal. Are you able to go there and see the pups and their living conditions?

14-15 weeks are not older puppies IMO either. I would be a lot more worried to get a puppy that is too young than a 14-15 week old pup! The price seems very low...

I think the 5-8 lb. male in #2 sounds like a great buy! He'll be a little bigger, so you don't have to worry about how fragile he is all the time. Plus, it sounds like a very experienced breeder-which IMO is a GOOD THING!

OMG if you don't get them let me know and i will lol they are perfect age not too old at all considering they useually don't go home till 12 weeks anyway. I would definently be going over there to look at them at least. That is an incredible deal and if they are in good health i would by both of them lol. I would just have them checked imediatly though because $100.00 is unreal but if it's true do it!

Update on the breeder with the 2 14-15 week old puppies: She is offering them for $100 each as long as I agree not to breed or show them. I asked why, and she said because she paid $1500 for her dogs. I'm assuming she is referring to the mom and dad dogs. She has AKC registration papers for both. She has young kids at home. The puppies go out the doggy door to potty during the day and use paper inside at night. I'm going to see them Wednesday.

Most breeders require that you spay/neuter the pups by a certain age, so that's not abnormal at all...I'm still so surprised about the $100...Maybe she really just wants to find them good homes. Has the breeder asked any questions about you, your home, your lifestyle, other pets, etc?? I mean, has she shown serious interest in where the pups go?

$100
 

I would look at them, nothing to lose..and agreeing to neuter and not show is not much to ask for 100 ...you aren't looking for a breed/show quality, correct?

oh wow thats a good deal im looking for a pup to would you mind giving me her email i want a little boy thanks

I would NEVER bring home a yorkie puppy under 10 weeks of age - and really 12 weeks is more ideal. 8 weeks is WAY too young. You'll probably have a lot more problems with an 8 week old than you would with the 14 or 15 week olds. I think 14 or 15 weeks is a GREAT age to get a puppy. They're old enough to have some bladder control and should catch on to potty training more quickly. At 8 weeks old puppies really have no control over their potty habits when they have to go, they're going to go wherever they are. Also puppies learn a lot of socialization behaviors and bite inhibition from its mother and siblings between 8-12 weeks so the 14 and 15 week olds should be past that phase. An 8 week old will also be much more susceptible to hypoglycemia and other diseases. At 8 weeks old it's only had one vaccination (hopefully one at least) and really has no immunity to parvo and other diseases. The 14 and 15 week olds should have had at least two vaccinations and may have already finished their series completely depending on the vet the breeder is using. With the older pups, you should be able to see their hair color already changing which should give you a better idea of what the puppy will look like as an adult. Anyway, all this to say that I would MUCH MUCH MUCH prefer a 14 or 15 week old to an 8 week old puppy. And being a little older is really no reason to reduce the price in my opinion. Her low price really makes me wonder... I would definitely see them in person and have the puppy vet checked ASAP if you choose to buy it.