What would you go through to get the dog of your dreams?
Recently, my sister turned the big 4-0 and started to contemplate the meaning of life. She thought about all the things she’d like to eventually accomplish which included seeing Earth, Wind, & Fire in concert, purchasing her dream home, and most of all . . . owning a Yorkshire Terrier.
As you know, I’m more of a cat person and never gave it a second thought about the hurdles dog owners need to go through to get the pure bred dog of their dreams. For me, it’s just a trip to the local Humane Society and picking out a furry feline. Simple.
Well, apparently it’s not that simple when it comes to pure bred dogs. Since Hawaii is such a small and isolated place, there seems to be a shortage of Yorkies and it’s pretty rare to be able to find one at a reasonable price. So when Sis came across a local breeder who was willing to sell her a brand new puppy for $1800, she was thrilled! The breeder emailed her a photo of the cuties and promised Sis first pick.
Sis decided to do the necessary research over the internet to find out what to expect in regards to the adoption process. Then she spoke to the breeder over the phone, got all the essential information regarding the puppies, and made an appointment to see them. Finally, she went to the bank to withdraw the cash (just in case) and made a stop at the pet store for all the new puppy essentials - hair bows, sparkly collar, cute clothes, and even a pink carrier . . . oh yeah, and some dog food.
Then she waited and waited and waited. All of a sudden, the local breeder started giving her the run-around. She wouldn’t return phone calls or email messages. She made tentative appointments and never followed-up to confirm. She even misrepresented herself by saying she was calling from work when in actuality she was calling from home.
Sis started to wonder how legit this breeder was. Why didn’t the breeder interview her to see if she would be able to give this puppy a good home? Why did the breeder want to meet at the shopping center instead of at her home? Shouldn’t Sis be able to see where the puppies were bred and meet the puppy’s Mom? So many red flags.
We’ve never been through the puppy adoption process before but it all seems a little fishy to me. Does anyone else have any experience with this? I know a few of you are experts on the subject - The Pet Haven, Dackel Princess, Vader’s Mom, Pink Chihuahua Princess.
What do you think?
Spotlight Comment from Vader’s Mom:
I agree. It doesn’t sound legit. Our breeder required us to fill out forms, called and interviewed Jeff, provided us her references and updated us at least once a week with pictures and progress. (And we had worked with another breeder before we got Vader - and she behaved just like Vader’s breeder) There were several weeks where the breeder was another member of our family.
I do hope your sister is able to get her puppy though!
23 Comments on “How Much is that Doggie in the Window?”
1:54 pm
ALL red flags…I think these are some puppies sis should pass on.
Becky’s last blog post..Xanax anyone?? anyone?? anyone?? Otherwise know as **HEY STEVE LOOK I”M BLOGGING IN MAY***
2:02 pm
I’m no expert but I would run, not walk away! Not only would I want o see where the babies were bred but I would like to see the parents. I, like you, have only adopted from the Humane Society. So I don’t know diddly about private adoptions. But I can smell a scam from miles away!
Lissete’s last blog post..Nothing Better to Say Meme
2:33 pm
I don’t believe these are the actions of a reputable breeder, although the dog business is full of scammers.
witchypoo’s last blog post..The Little Professor
2:47 pm
I agree. It doesn’t sound legit. Our breeder required us to fill out forms, called and interviewed Jeff, provided us her references and updated us at least once a week with pictures and progress. (And we had worked with another breeder before we got Vader - and she behaved just like Vader’s breeder) There were several weeks where the breeder was another member of our family.
I do hope your sister is able to get her puppy though!
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2:53 pm
it’s crazy-sounding on all levels. Firstly paying that much for a dog… Secondly the dodginess of it.
Topchamp’s last blog post..Adventure
3:39 pm
Definitely sounds like a scam to me!
Mama Zen’s last blog post..Like Mother, Like Daughter
4:38 pm
When purchasing a puppy for that amount of money you surely do not want any uneasy feelings. It also might be cheaper for her to fly to the mainland or have a puppy shipped then to go through a “fishy” breeder.
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5:17 pm
Oh, they are SO cute!!!!
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5:45 pm
I have no experience with this wither, but you could probably talk to a vet. about the process..breeders might even need to be registered…maybe theres a list of breeders…hope all works out.
Carey’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday
6:00 pm
Sounds fishy to me. I think it’s time to look for another breeder. I like Cathi’s idea. You’ll have more options and hopefully more reliable breeders. Hope she finds her puppy soon.
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7:58 pm
This “breeder” sounds more like a puppy mill to me (why she won’t meet at her house!) ALWAYS meet the pup’s parents!
Like the others have mentioned…your sis should run from this deal before it is too late.
Check online through the American Kennel Assn for breeders. Many breeders (good ones) have websites. Your sis could also check for a rescue group for her prized pup. Yes the chances of finding this pup in Hawaii are very low, but your sis has connections with the airlines
to help get that pup home.
OH and PLEASE have her make sure to have the puppy go straight to the VET as soon as she gets it…no matter what the breeder tells you, get the pup checked out.
PS. My mom used to breed Shetland Sheepdogs.
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8:14 pm
Sounds like no good to me. Poor puppies…
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9:01 pm
i had to drive two hours each way to get mine
Anne’s last blog post..Saturday Nothing to Do
10:36 pm
Yorkie wouldn’t be my choice. Doesn’t fit my personality I think.
I would turn that puppy person over first to the better business bureau and then quite possibly to the SPCA
Pamela’s last blog post..Are there more out there?
6:51 am
Sounds a little odd to me… you’d think the breeder would be a bit on the protective side of the pups… making sure they were getting a good home, letting the buyer know they were coming from a good place. I think I’d skip out on this offer…
1:54 pm
Definitely no expert here, but I’ve seen and read enough about “puppy mills” that if she feels awkward, and this does sound like a strange situation, I would not go further… It’s really sad the way puppies are treated. I much prefer rescuing our dogs from the shelter, but I also understand how it feels to want a particular dog!
Jen’s last blog post..Banding the Babies
9:39 pm
Sounds pretty shady to me. My sister-in-law bought a Yorkie from a pet store, and it’s health/social problems are endless. It’s important to follow her instincts on this one..
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8:41 pm
A little delayed response here. But i actually had this happen to me when my parents and I were considering getting a mancoon cat. The breeder wouldn’t let us into the downstairs of her house - and when we asked her how many cats she said she wouldn’t answer “20?” no response. “40?” nothing. And when we said we planned on letting the new kitty outside she pretty much refused to sell us a cat.
8:44 am
Well I paid way more than I ever thought I would when we got our yorkie. We bought her through a pet store though so I don’t have any input or help on the adoption or private breeder side of things. It has been a wonderful 13 years with my baby! I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Hugs,
Holly
9:58 am
take it from someone who has been screwed over by a yorkie breeder and also great dealings with a different yorkie breeder (they are by far my favorite dog).
DO NOT BUY FROM THAT WOMAN! If she is not willing to talk to you and ask for references, let you see her home and where the puppies are raised, see the parents’ papers, etc, they are either stolen dogs, inbred, raised in an unhealthy environment, or they are not purebred.
also, never buy one that does not have a 30 days money back offer. the day you get the puppy, take him/her to your vet immediately and have the pup tested for everything possible. our very first yorkie was sold to us with Parvo and we only had her for 8 weeks before the poor baby died. that’s when we learned a LOT about breeders.
if you have any more questions, please let me know. also, i know a wonderful breeder here in texas and her pups are not anywhere near $1800
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4:32 pm
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11:13 am
There are so many scams and problems using local breeders. Make sure you don’t give any money in advance of seeing the dogs. Plus, a good breeder will make sure the dog is going to a good home and make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into before buying the dog.
Although it’s easy to say you want a certain type of dog, you’d be surprised how quickly you’ll find a dog of a different breed that you’ll fall in love with and want to take home. My advice, don’t get your heart set on a Yorkie, but instead, go to stores and the humane society and see what other dogs warm your heart.
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7:44 pm
dude
never adopted a puppy from a breeder . . but I imagin there are other breeders . .
cute little buggers though . .
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