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.

I have to agree with everyone.

Roxy was 6 months and TJ was 13 weeks. They had already been started with paper training, etc.

I rather them be a bit older. Mine are 2.5 yrs. now and still act like pups - very funny to watch. And we added Cuddles (15 months) now too!

And $100 each - OMG - I honestly suggest you snatch them BOTH up! What a deal. Plus, truthfully, everyone deserves to have a 'forever friend'

You would have such a blast with 2 - and they would be BEST BUDS!

Get them both :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Something just doesn't seem right about this. I'm trying to recall bits and pieces of our first conversation. I think she said the "older" puppies would be best in homes without little children, although she has young school-aged children at home. I checked out her web site, and I don't see any mention of the "older" puppies. When I asked her again why she is selling them so cheap, she said she is in a position to do so. It sounds like she is trying to "move" them because she believes they really need to be in their permanent homes.

What kind of questions should I ask? What should I look for when I go look at the puppies? I don't want to make a mistake, but when something seems too good to be true, it usually is!

yea I always thought I wanted a small one. Now i have Abby she weighs 3.5 pounds and I always worry about how fragile she is... Even at night I worry about rolling on her. If (I mean WHEN:)) I get another, I'll make sure they weigh over 5 pounds.

And i got Abby at 13 weeks, so 14 or 15 is not bad at all.

what's the website link i'll check it out for you and give you my opinion on her cause something doesnt seem right you can just pm me it

Yes, if you post the link or let someone take a look at it through a pm, you might be able to get some good opinions...Someone will be able to spot any red flags that there may be...

Hmmm, by all means go and see the puppies. But $100 is ridiculously cheap, make sure you really vet the breeder. Insist on seeing the parents and her other dogs (to check out the living conditions), ask her loads of questions about their eating habits, training, their littermates and other things because you want to make sure that she has actually bred them. If you do decide to buy them then remember to get the health guarantee in a written contract.

I would go for the ones that are $100.00 and 15 weeks...BUT I would definetely wonder why they are so cheap...were they oops puppies..mixed breed she is trying sell as yorkies?? If you get one...take him/her to your vet right away...set up an appointment so that you can go directly there and get everything in writing...sounds like a great deal though...as long as everything is on the up and up...

Good luck!!

Dawn

According to her web site, she breeds other breeds of dogs as well. So I was thinking along the lines that you were....are these mixed breeds. I asked her if she had proof they are purebred Yorkies, and she said she had the AKC registration papers. But couldn't a breeder fib?

I'm afraid to give specific information because I would hate for someone to contact her and get the puppies before I have a chance to look at them!

Yes the breeder could fib, she could simply lie to AKC about who the father is.

If a 14 week old puppy weighs 3 pounds already (she's guessing), does that sound like he will weigh only 4-5 pounds full grown??

Approx 5 1/2 to 6 pounds .

I think that they can grow at different rates. My yorkie was 2 pounds when I got her at 11 weeks old and now at 11 months old she is 4.2 pounds. My maltese was a little more than 3 pounds at 12 weeks old and now at 7 months old he is almost 8 pounds and still gaining very fast.

Note: No such thing as 8lb STANDARD. The standard of this breed is up to 7lb. If a pup bigger, that means it is back yard breeding .
Red flag: replacement a puppy without returning money back is BAD. Most of puppy millers have similar "quarantee". If something happen to a pup, would you replace for another defective puppy from a bad breeder? ;)

Try to find the breeder through the club who quarantees returning money or at least negotiate re those details: make it sign in contract that IF puppy is sick the breeder will be RESPONSIBLE for vet bills.

No good breeder will sell a pup at age less than 10 weeks. Usually 12 or even 14 weeks. $100 is way to suspicious to me. I have never seen prices like that for a good quality and HEALTHY yorkies, so I guess she is a puppy miller, who mass produce puppies and can afford a wholesale price, or maybe something wrong with the puppies...:confused:

Also, the breeder's experience doesn't mean much. I know VERY RESPONSIBLE breeder with 2 years experience and typical puppy millers with exerience 15+ years....

well... i was right. she seems to me as a typical puppy miller since she breeds other breeds. AKC means nothing. Most of puppy mill's dogs have AKC papers and AKC work with puppy mills and makes alot of money from them.

Please, don't support puppy mills. Oh, btw, I have noticed that some puppy millers pretend to be a good Christians, honest and good breeders:eek: , but reality is different...:( :thumbdown

If she breeds other breeds, I would definitely be careful...Look her up and find out if she is USDA licensed, that\'s a good way to check and see if she is running a big operation...