puppy dilemma - Page 1

I put first deposit on a mostly working line litter so have the pick of 6 males, this is the first mating from this bitch. Mum has not been very good and stopped feeding them at about two weeks only just found this out, the weight of the male pups at 6 weeks 2 days is according to the breeder 7lb 3oz  mum and dad are medium sized  growth charts suggest they should be in the region of 12-13 pounds, are they going to make up this set back? Apart from the feed aspect mum has probably not been disciplining  or interacting with the pups so the breeder has to take mums role not the ideal. The most worrying thing is I spoke to the breeder yesterday three days before I am due to select a pup she said don't expect the pups to come up and play they are aloof, I was to gobsmaked to say anything at the time, aloofness comes later you don't expect to see it in pups. I have selected nine pups from litters over the past 35 years, my instinct is telling me walk away from this one and maybe lose a big deposit or do I go along on 22nd June drive 4 hundred miles round trip with my testing gear ball rag box food etc get down on my hands and knees and see what I have before me. Just a thought if they are advertised as a working type litter and from testing they are realy not suitable for that purpose surly deposit back me thinks, any thoughts on this one?

It's a long way to go but what could it hurt to look?  I think you'll end up regretting it if you don't go.  Woulda shoulda coulda.

no bananas - I am afraid it will be up to the breeder and what she/he told you in reference to the deposit. Most deposits are non-refundable. But I would think if they want to please their customers for a possible later pup or referral on their integrity they will refund your money if the pup was to be bought for work and the prospects look dim. You might remind them one happy customer will probaly sell another pup for them but an unhappy customer may make them loose ten sales...

This does not bode well at all, especially if you intend to eventually breed the pup as I would be afraid that the mom's traits could be passed along.  I have seen pups in this situation turn out great and I have seen just the opposite.  A lot depends on how much time and effort the breeder is willing to put into the pups at this crucial stage in their development.  Personally, I would ask for either my money back or a pick from another litter.

Wow that's a difficult situation... aloof pups at 6 weeks ?  Ouch.   I have seen some take an extra few days to become the explorers that the rest of the litter is,  But never would have described them as aloof...  I agree with Policemom and Trailrider,  might very well be worth your peace of mind knowing you went and looked,  If you truly don't find what you paid for,  then I would suspect a deposit return would be appropriate.  I like that we refund deposits,  and that we insist our dogs come home if the original purchaser can not keep them.

Let us know the outcome of your testing,  Wish you luck.

I can't believe any breeder would admit her pups were aloof.  That's a first for me.  IMO....Forget it.  You're not happy and will always blame the initial weeks of rearing on whatever comes up in the future.  They could be fine....but you're skittish now.  For your sake...AND the puppy's, you might want to look elsewhere. Out of curiosity---how much of a deposit did you lay out? 

Generalizing here-------Seems to me, these deposits can sometimes cause more harm than good.  Buyers, uncomfortably, select a pup.....and hide any warning signs to the breeder that they are anxious and probably not the best candidate for reliable ownership.  The match is doomed right off. (I hate these deposits.......they help the breeder, but not so sure about the pups.)

Anyway......I hope whatever decision you make ends up one you're comfortable with-----Good luck.

Wow for a female to stop nursing at 2 weeks of age is a bit early !! earliest I ever had was at 4 weeks however mom did interact with them just did not want to nurse the bunch. I would say go check them out if they are indeed not going to interact with you or act playfull and are not promising working prospect . I would pass.   Also pups at around 6 weeks old are about 10 pound average  give and take a few ounces.

a reputal working dog breeder would not sell a pup that shown no promising traits to a working person .

Pia

doesn't sound good - but doesn't hurt to go look - ask for your deposit back if none of the pups are what you are looking for, especially if none appear to be good working prospects.  If I were the breeder and this happened (it wouldn't) - I would return your deposit if no pup was suitable for what you are looking for.

molly

This breeder needs to learn how to rear pups , they may have just put pups in a cage and stick a bowl of food in the kennel, clean it, maybe , and sell the pups    If you do not handle a pup from the beginning , they can all be aloof  a mistake a lot of unlearned breeders make......the problem is breeder doesnt seem to know better, so her deposit will go down the drain.......usually non refundable,,,and  maybe breeder needs someone to educate them     he or she.......?  since it is first mating ,   Id sell that bitch   like the one that  ate its pups that got bred to my male ,,,,,she did get rid of her , last week......to a former policeman ,in Tyler , that wanted a female to travel with he and wife....turned out good and he spayed her....unon request of my friend....held akc papers till he did that.....

The reason I left a deposit is because in the past I have preliminary booked a pup first contact on projected matings only to be told near the date friends or club members have booked, I have ended down the list ( totally out of order ) at least when you put your money up front on first contact you have a lever. I put a deposit on first pick not a specific pup and had no worries untill resent conversation with the breeder.