Abnormal Breeders?

[snowwhite]

I live in Colorado and I am seeking a Boxer puppy. I have contacted every single Boxer breeder that is not considered a back yard breeder in a 250 mile radius.

Here is my issue, all of these breeders won't let you MEET your puppy. You have to pick your puppy from a picture. You put down your "deposit" to reserve your puppy and then you wait for the birth of the puppies. Once born you receive pictures of the born puppies. Whomever put down their deposit first gets first pick and so-on.

If you chose not to put down a deposit you wait for the left over puppy pictures to go up on the breeders website. Then you pick.

At 8 weeks of age, you pick up your beautiful puppy.

I would like to not go off just looks. I would like to go off personality also. Or at least have this option. I am not given this option however.

When I get a response from said breeders I am given the following reasons.

"We don't want to expose the puppies to illnesses", "We don't want to stress out the parents", "We would be more than happy to set up an appointment to have a home visit @ the 8 week mark".

So, what do I do?

 

[Cami]

That isn't that uncommon. Responsible breeders typically take first pick and or first pick goes to the owner of the sire (or dam). They need to NOT promise a certain pup to anyone until they are old enough to get a look at them, see personality traits, etc...
I visited my girl at 5 weeks of age and even then I wasn't specifically promised her in fact I had gone in looking for a flashy reverse brindle instead of what I got which in the end WAS my choice but I had to beg a little as it was a toss up between her and another female litter mate which the breeder kept. My original choice went to an AKC judge.
You can certainly give the breeder your choice as far as sex of the puppy and color. If those are not deal breakers you can even ask for a pup that is a little more calm than the others or even a little more sociable, etc...
The breeder should be able to tell you most of what you want based on living with and raising the pups for those 8 weeks.

 

[GoCougs]

I think what you should do is put down your deposit, and do as the breeder wishes. Responsible breeders have good reasons for doing what they do, and all of the reasons they gave you are valid. Many breeders only want trusted friends and colleagues visiting their puppies before they get close to the age where they can go to their new homes.

For the sake of conformation, breeders have a general idea of which puppies they like as they mature in the first 8 weeks, but truly they can't be sure which pup(s) is going to be show worthy until they are 8 weeks old. At 8 weeks puppies are structurally very similar to what they will be like at full maturity.

With that in mind, why would they make you a promise of a puppy before they know which one they are going to keep. That happens at 8 weeks, so you simply aren't going to get your choice until then, so there is really no point in you coming to see them. Couple that with unvaccinated puppies being exposed to diseases from other dogs, or adding stress to the dam who is only recently weaned her pups.

None of what you said raises any red flags at all. In fact, if those are the responses you are getting, you are choosing the right kind of breeder. Be patient, and respect the wishes of your breeder.

 

[snowwhite]

Respect

Well put. Well put. I have no problem with patience even though it may seem as though I do. I guess I am going off looks.

 

[GoCougs]

Perfect. Way to keep an open mind. One of those little ankle biters is going to bring you much love, joy...and let's be honest, stress, for years to come.

Good luck and best wishes to you and whichever one will be owning your heart.

 

[elgerdes]

Perfect. Way to keep an open mind. One of those little ankle biters is going to bring you much love, joy...and let's be honest, stress, for years to come.

Good luck and best wishes to you and whichever one will be owning your heart.

The number one gift my Zoe gives me is stress.... and fun vet bills. Good luck!