Would you ever sell a puppy to an owner unseen?

[corgi_love]

I got both dogs unseen. Regis was shipped to me, she trusted me to the point where she shipped him before she even got the check for him as it arrived later than we had hoped

Kyrie I went a picked up, but we spent a lot of time talking and had known of eachother several months before I contacted her the second time asking about Kyrie's litter. I had already put the deposit down and signed the contracts before going up there, but I did get a chance to meet her. She also had a nice list of references so I think she felt comfortable.

If I do, hopefully, get to the point of breeding Kyrie, I'm not sure how I would deal with not meeting the people first. I'd feel much more comfortable if they took the time to come over first. I'll see though. I have several years to think about it lol

 

[AllieMackie]

My breeder and I have prepped for my puppy thus far without having met. We have emailed each other countless times now, she's filled out a form for me regarding how she breeds, and I've filled out an even more complex form for her about what kind of owner I'll be. We've spoken on the phone a few times, briefly, mostly her calling me for updates on momdog.

I'll be meeting her for the first time when the puppies are 5 weeks. If we decide it isn't meant to be, it's okay for me to not accept a puppy. Though I don't see that happening.

If it feels right for both of you and it's done in a responsible way, I don't see a problem with not meeting the breeder first.

Also, side note: My puppy is due THIS WEEKEND SOMETIME and I'm checking my email inbox every 5 minutes and keeping the phone at my hip ohgod excited. ^_______________^

 

[MaryAndDobes]

I have produced 10 litters (38 puppies) in the last 12 years, and I've only shipped one puppy to someone I hadn't met. However, she was referred to me by a breeder/judge in my area who had known her for 30 years and who had herself sold her 5 puppies over the course of the 30 years. That made it a more comfortable situation.

I'm about to ship a puppy to someone I haven't met. I was able to contact the training director of their local club to which they used to belong and where they still train and get a good reference that way. And I also was able to get a reference from a fellow national breed club member that knows the home personally. The people have sent me photos of themselves, their other dogs (both living and deceased), their home, some of their obedience wins, etc. It goes a long way to helping to get to know them more personally.

I have purchased one puppy without meeting the breeder, but I know I was checked out and I'm fine with that. I'm pleased by that, actually.

Stud dog owners I've dealt with have also taken the time and trouble to check me out before allowing stud services, too. And again, I'm pleased that they care enough to do that.

 

[BrownFCR]

I was referred to my breeder through a friend. Turns out the breeder doesn't like my friend personally, but knows she's a good dog owner. Breeder and I corresponded via email and also phone calls numerous times before the litter arrived. Of course I also filled out a detailed questionnaire. Once I was approved for a puppy, she did insist that all out of town buyers come to them to pick up their puppy. I was more than happy to do so. It's 3 years later and we still keep in touch -- in fact all of the puppy buyers do via a Yahoo group that the breeder set up.

 

[blackmaskrott]

I have and will continue to do so. I spend an enormous amount of time checking personal and veterinary references, email and phone conversations even with people that have come to pick up their puppies in person. Truth of the matter is whether you meet your puppy buyers in person or not, their is no guarantee that they are going to raise their puppy in the matter that you wish. You just have to go with your gut instinct and trust that you are placing your puppies in good homes.

If it were not for one particular North Carolina Rottweiler person putting her trust in me, I would not have my wonderful Ruger.

 

[darkchild16]

There are several Chazzers I have no qualms about owning Kharma pups

I better have one of those spots LOL.

 

[cockers2]

I never met the breeder of my Cockers prior to purchasing them. I researched for months,filled,out questionaires and answered questions for a few. I narrowed it down to my breeder because of many things, her dogs, her philosophy and the hoops she made me jump through! She asked a lot of questions and so did I, she put me on a waiting list and we continued to communicate by phone and e-mail for months. By the time a dog was available we knew each other well and had become friends. I have two incredible dogs that I would not have been able to have if she hadn't been willing to sell them to me without meeting me. On the other hand I have two Persian cats that I got from a local cattery, I visited several times, asked questions and so did she, it was 9 mos. before I got kittens and they have chronic health problems that came from the cattery Yes she offered to take them back and return my money but that won't happen, it is not something I could do to them or me. My point is that meeting the breeder or prospective owner in person is not a guarantee of anything. I don't breed but I am thankful that someone placed enough trust in me to place her dogs in my home, sight unseen.

 

[IliamnasQuest]

I'm really thankful that there are breeders who still trust their gut feelings and will ship to people unseen! Up here in Alaska it's hard to find the right pups, especially chow pups.

Of the four dogs I currently have, three were sent to me sight-unseen. Trick came from New Jersey 12 years ago. Khana came from Ontario, Canada 4 years ago, and Tazer came from Texas a bit over a year ago.

It helps to be active in the dog world, because all of the breeders "knew" me by reputation and had no qualms in sending me a pup. They knew my dogs live to old ages and are loved throughout their lives. The rest of it (titles, health certifications, etc.) are just icing.

But I don't know if I could send a puppy out to a stranger, which is one of the reasons I'm not breeding.

Melanie and the gang in Alaska

 

[DanL]

A guy I train with has had 2 pups shipped to him from Europe, from 2 different breeders. They had no problem shipping to him, and they don't know him from Adam.

 

[MafiaPrincess]

Smudge was shipped to me sight unseen. We have a mutual breeder friend I've known since Cider was a puppy though, and Smudge's breeder and I talked a lot on the phone for months between making contact and his dam was in heat. We also still talk on a monthly basis. We became friends.

 

[CanadianFreeSpirit]

the 3 dogs that I have right now (and plan to have for many more years) all came from the same breeder.
I found her on line, and had multiple phone calls with her. the first time I called her, I told her that I was looking to buy a toy or t-cup poodle puppy on a non-breeding contract. that opened the door for me. at that time she didn't have any puppies expected, but told me that she planned to do some breeding in the near future. she asked me to keep in touch with her.
for the next several weeks, I spoke to her on the phone at least once a week. she finally told me that she had a pregnant bitch-was I interested in making a deposit? of course I was. she was selling to me sight unseen (she lives in very northern Ontario, it's about a 8hour drive) and I was also buying a puppy the same way.
my pup was born June 10, 2003, one of a litter of 2. the other pup had been reserved by an "older English couple" as she told me, but because I had contacted her first, she would let me pick out personality traits that I wanted. both pups were solid black, so colour and size were not an issue. both were males. so, when the pups were about 6 weeks old, she and I were talking and I told her that I wanted the more outgoing of the 2. okay. then, on the great day I got him, my dad drove me half-way and she drove half-way and we met in a mutual town. when she handed me that adorable ball of black fur, I was smitten. I gave her the rest of the payment for him, promised to keep in touch with her, and we all headed back home. that was July 29.
I DID stay in touch with her. frequently. in about 9 days I was talking to her and she told me that the other couple had backed out of purchasing Jonathans(that's what I called my pup) litter mate. for 24 hours I couldn't think of anything else, and I called her back to see if she would consider selling me Jonathans brother. she agreed, and we came up with a payment schedule, and, strangely enough, the guy who worked for her had to come to Toronto the day after that phone call, and she could have him bring me the other pup. so, on Aug 9, I got Oliver. best impulse buy I've ever made.
I had at that time, an older white female (spayed of course) toy poodle. for the next 2 years we were a happy family; me, her and the 2 pups. but she went blind almost immediately after I got the pups, and by 2005 she was also quite senile. and she was only 9 years old. puppy mill dog, but I found out much too late. anyway, I talked to many people who knew her, and all agreed that her quality of life was zero. I made the dreaded call and booked the appointment. she was euthanized July 6 2005.
then I called the breeder, and told her that I was in the market for a new puppy. she had some puppies available, but her employee wouldn't be coming down here until the end of the month.
so, July 29, I got Magic, too. he's my avatar picture, by the way.
I remain in communication with her, I call once a year just to tell her how great the boys are, and how much I love them.
for me and her, sight unseen worked out very well. I'm glad she took a chance on me, and I know the dogs are glad I took chances on them. lol

 

[Miakoda]

Just remember that what you see on the internet website and what the person tells you isn't necessarily what truly is.

For example, there's a Bloodhound breeder here that has an amazing website and she can talk a good game. She ships her dogs all across the country and boasts about how in-demand they are. If you just talked to her over the phone, you'd think she's got her **** together.

But just see the dogs in person. Sure she's got those gorgeous photos up, but those are special occasions. On regular days, the dogs look to be in poor condition and are grossly under-socialized. She breeds pretty much every bitch on every heat cycle. Coccidia and her puppies go hand-in-hand as do hooworms. She's even had a few litters with whipworms (not too common in pups) and some giardia. After seeing and having to personally vet her dogs, I wouldn't take one of them if she tried to give it to me. She's one of the best cons out there on the market.

 

[mrose_s]

I have a few breedes in mind for the dogs i'm interested in, all our atleast 1200kms away. I find talking to people that have got dogs from there/know dogs from there has helped a lot in narrowing down the breeders I want to get into contact with.

 

[AgilityPup]

We got Zoey without ever meeting the breeder, and it was a mistake. She probably came from a puppy mill, but we were un educated, and I've learned a lot since then. For the next pup I'm getting, I hope for it to be a "talk to you for a long time, and ship to you, without needing to meet you" but I'm also willing, and ready to fly out and pick the pup up... But I will only be able to meet the breeders once... And I know a lot more about this breeder, and have heard all good things about them...

I'd do it, if the person talked to me for a long time in advance, and was willing to send pictures of what they have now, their house, etc..

 

[Boxer100]

Even if you see the future owner and they seem OK, that does not mean the conditions that they are going to keep their dog are going to be acceptable unless you pay a visit to the owner's house once in a while to see how your dog is doing. A responsible owner would want to see you as the breeder and get to know you and your dogs better. Talking over the phone with the future owner in most cases is fine, especially if they live too far away from you. If you want to see them, if they have a computer, then you can video chat with them through Skype. You can ask them questions about how they live and how they plan to take care of the dog. You would probably want them to sign some contract before you send them the puppy. I know that a lot of breeders will sell puppies to other breeders without seeing them in person. They would rely on references from other breeders or based on your breeder reputation.