Reserving a puppy pros/cons - Page 1

I have been doing LOTS of research into a pup, and have come across numerous places that have sold all their puppies before they are even born. How do you ensure, if you reserve a puppy with someone, that you will end up getting one that fits your needs?  Like in my case, I've determined that if I were to get a working line dog, I would want one with a lower energy drive than is typical in the breed. I know or at least think I understand, that there are usually some in each litter that will have a lower drive than others. But how could I ensure that's the one I would end up with?  Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm getting the idea that DDR would be more along the lines of what I want since I want a lower drive dog but still one that would enjoy agility or obedience activities. 

No offense whatsoever, but you're not in a position to generalize lines and their temperaments just yet. When you've worked hundreds of dogs from all different lines, then you've earned the right to do a bit of generalizing because even then, you know you can't generalize too much- there are almost more exceptions than there are dogs who fit the sterotypes. Some of the most obnoxious, least willing to please, most dominant, useless animals I've ever met were DDR dogs, now that you mention them. Doesn't mean I don't like some, and I have bred to one in the past.  On the flip side, the most biddable, willing, wonderful female GSD I've ever known is nearly all W.Ger. working lines. I've had Czech dogs who were amazing and Czech dogs who were not worth what I spent feeding them. You simply cannot buy a dog like that, on those terms (monikers like "DDR."). A LOT of that DDR stuff is marketing aimed at pet buyers, and a lot of those breeders do a fine job of it. Remember, the wall came down in 1989. There are no more DDR dogs.  

When it comes to ensuring you'll get the perfect pup who is exactly what you want, you cannot ensure that when buying a puppy, any puppy, from anybody. Puppies are made up of 2 key ingredients- what they are genetically and what you make them over the course of your time together. Thus, if you're not confident in your ability to make a dog what you want it, provided the dog has the raw material genetically, perhaps an older dog might be an option. Otherwise, be clear with what your needs are and trust the breeder to pair you with the right pup. If you don't trust the breeder, then you shouldn't be buying that pup, period. 

Regardless of where you procure a dog, when you're not an expert, you rely on those who are to give you insight. When it comes to puppies, the breeder SHOULD know them well, depending on how much time they spend with them and how adept they are at gauging temperament. if you're getting the idea that the breeder doesn't know their lines and their idiosyncrasies, that's a huge red flag, as is not being willing to discuss those little details that may very well make or break a deal in a home like yours. It might be prudent to ask for references from buyers who could speak to how well a breeder knows their dogs and how proficient a "matchmaker" they are if this is of great concern to you. 

suzyc,

any line will be fine as long as the puppy has the correct temperament and drives. Even a nice, lower drive West German, Czech or DDR or all in between will do. In your case, lower drive, easy, sweet puppy with outgoing personality would be ideal. I had two males in a litter. One of them is a dual purpose dog in WY and the other one lives with two toddlers. Both were placed based on my intuition, observations and spending time learning about those two.. One is like the father, the other one was like his momma! You should probably find a breeder who has been successful placing puppies in the right homes (which is not easy). Some puppies grow to be less what expected, some more. There is never any guarantee.

I cant tell you how to approach reservations. Breeders want to have a commitment from buyers so they take deposits. I don't know if I would feel comfortable taking deposits on an unborn litter..but I take reservation in a form of a list. When the puppies are about 6 weeks I kinda have an idea what I am looking at in individual puppies.

So you will have to probably trust the breeder to pick you a good one., but the right breeder will do all s/he can to place the puppy..after all, who wants all of them back if the placement is not done right.



 

And I don't know who told you you will be getting a lower drive dog with a DDR dog, apparently someone that don't know them.
   My female has the kind of drive that you don't hear of often, drive you crazy if she don't have something keeping her busy all of the time.
   You better do a little more research and have faith, and trust in the person you get your pup from.

suzyc,
you seem to be ignoring the best advice you were given.
At best look before you leap.
 

Regarding pups sold before born, that happens a lot. In that case, it depends on the breeder how they get chosen/sold. In cases where mine were advertised early and sold before they were born, I took a certain number of reservations and as the pups aged, I started deciding who would go where based on temperament, ie, it wasn't done by "first pick" and so on. Twice, I refunded a deposit because by the time I got to those people to choose their pup, I didn't think the remaning pups were for them, so I just sold those pups individually later on. You may end up with a 10week old pup for sale when it doesn't fit the buyers you have left, but who cares? That's a whole lot better than sending them all home at 8 weeks and hoping for the best. 

What you need to watch as a newbie is that you're not allowed to buy any pup you want based on a picture, and that there are no paypal buttons on the breeder's website that allow you to reserve a puppy without ever speaking to anyone about that puppy's temperament. 

thanks for the input.  i certainly hope i didn't offend someone - that was not at all the intent of the post.  it was just to get an understanding of why someone would want or need to do that - not as an insinuation of knowledge of anything on my part. i didn't know if reserving a pup was or was not a good idea because of the reason i gave.  now that y'all have explained it to me, i understand better.

as for making generalizations, i was not in any way suggesting that i know enough to do that.  i was just going off of what some of y'all have described about certain types.  apparently, and clearly, i'm still not grasping it.

feeling stupid again.

Oh, don't worry about Moons.   I don't think you posted anything that offended anybody. 

You offend no one, don't be silly or feel stupid.

" Otherwise, be clear with what your needs are and trust the breeder to pair you with the right pup. If you don't trust the breeder, then you shouldn't be buying that pup, period. "

Good advice Jen!