Question- breeders?

[Laurelin]

If you were looking at getting a dog in 2 years and the breeder you are interested in doesn't breed but once every 1-2 years, is it too early to contact them? Would you keep it informal and just say who you are and kind of a brief what you're looking for and when and that you're just sending out emails to try to start getting to know breeders or would you fill out the puppy application?

Also, if the puppy application is 3 pages of questions long, is it too long for your finished application to be 7 pages long? Would you answer briefly and expect to get more questions asked later or would you answer in depth to try to clarify things?

 

[JessLough]

I'd contact. I'm not looking for another dog for 5 years probably, and I already know the breeder, and have talked with her, etc.

I'd keep it at 7 pages long

 

[HayleyMarie]

I would contact. I've already contacted the Boerboel breeder that I am very much interested in, we even have talked on the phone.

I think its a great idea to have a relationship with the breeder, and I find they keep you updated with their dogs and such

 

[Fran101]

Keep it long and contact early.
The way I see it, trying to appear less excited/over-prepared/eager to a breeder is like trying to look like someone who eats salads on the first date when you really don't.. you, hopefully, are going to have a relationship with this person, either they like you the way you are or they don't! lol

My breeder application was at least 3 pages longer then the original. and included an already LONG email message attached to it lol and one of the solidifying reasons I picked the breeder I did was because, SHE LOVED IT and we hit it off.

Some breeders might like the hands off approach where you only talk when puppies are on the ground and one little emails.. but if that isn't you.. then why would you want a breeder who wants that kind of relationship? Worse comes to worse the breeder shakes their head and deletes the email or gives you a "WOAH EASY THERE" rude response.. but either way, at least they are turning you down for who you are and you can go find a breeder who will LOVE the long application long email super eager dog owner you are! lol

 

[Laurelin]

Keep it long and contact early.
The way I see it, trying to appear less excited/over-prepared/eager to a breeder is like trying to look like someone who eats salads on the first date when you really don't.. you, hopefully, are going to have a relationship with this person, either they like you the way you are or they don't! lol

My breeder application was at least 3 pages longer then the original. and included an already LONG email message attached to it lol and one of the solidifying reasons I picked the breeder I did was because, SHE LOVED IT and we hit it off.

Some breeders might like the hands off approach where you only talk when puppies are on the ground and one little emails.. but if that isn't you.. then why would you want a breeder who wants that kind of relationship? Worse comes to worse the breeder shakes their head and deletes the email or gives you a "WOAH EASY THERE" rude response.. but either way, at least they are turning you down for who you are and you can go find a breeder who will LOVE the long application long email super eager dog owner you are! lol

My past breeders have been like that and while I'm really happy with my dogs, since I'm getting a new breed I'd like a bit more than that now. The breeder seems to like to talk about her dogs on her website and all that and has bios of all the puppies she's produced and pics from their owners.

Would it be too much to link her to my flickr account and Mia and Summer's flickr albums? (My thought process is so they can kind of see my dogs' life on there)

 

[Bahamutt99]

I'm not a breeder but I think if I were, there would be no such thing as too much information. Share your Flickr stuff.

 

[Gypsydals]

I'm not a breeder but I think if I were, there would be no such thing as too much information. Share your Flickr stuff.

^ This.

 

[momto8]

I contacted my breeder over 2 yrs in advance, we are now great friends even though no pups have been conceived yet

 

[SaraB]

A lot if breeders who don't breed very often have long waiting lists for their puppies, so no, contacting a year or two in advance would be a great idea.

 

[Zoom]

I would contact. I first contacted my breeder in 2004. It's now 2012 and I'm finally getting a pup. I might keep my answers succinct though and answer more fully when they call to discuss. Honestly, my whole "intro" was about 6 sentences and then when the breeder called, we ended up talking about 1 1/2 hours straight, which probably told him a lot more than I could have put together on a puppy app.

 

[tiivi]

Contacting early is probably a very good sign for most breeders. It shows that you've really thought of getting a pup from that breeder and you're willing to wait for the right one. I'd look it this way: If the breeder contacted you back saying you should have contacted when she actually has pups, you should really find someone else. Getting to know each other before you are in a situation there is an actual cute puppy (that can make most people forget why this breeder and why that puppy) is really for future pup's best interest. The breeder is the one to spent the most time with the pups and gets to know their temperaments and other qualities and if she knows you well as you've formed that relationship early she can help you to pick a puppy that fits best your home, any possible type of training you have in mind etc...

I got my second dog (who now lives with my ex) from the same breeder than the first one and it was so easy and the puppy was amazing fit. Nuttu (older one) can be a real bitch sometimes so it was good that we had had contact for the whole four years so she knew me and also my dog's temperament so she could easily recommend a pup with clearly mellower and more human oriented temperament and I think that made a real difference that I never had to be worried of the girls getting along when the younger one matured.

Also, having a good relationship with the breeder before the pup helps if there are any proplems after you have the pup. You already have formed good communication so it'll be easier to get your breeders help and support, like I had when my younger dog needed a knee surgery when she was only four months old.

 

[Freehold]

Early makes sense as you never know when the breeder might breed. It also gets you near the front of the puppy buyer line. As for the questionnaire, more isn't a bad thing. However, be aware that by saying a lot you can also bring things up the breeder might think twice about. Not saying that you should hide anything, just that some people tend to read into things when there is a lot said. Personally though, I'd like it. I'm a bit verbally excessive at times too