Hello!
Let’s say you were looking at, for example, a reputable Dachshund breeder. And let’s say you found a breeder called Delilah’s Dachshunds. You are planning on meeting the breeder, checking out the mom, asking questions on-site etc. They seem to be the perfect breeder, with all the appropriate health tests for the breed, but here’s the thing- they ship puppies! You of course will not use this service, but does that automatically make the breeder a puppy mill or BYB?
This is an example of the question of the question I want to ask. So what do you all think? Do reputable breeders ship their puppies?
Let’s say you were looking at, for example, a reputable Dachshund breeder. And let’s say you found a breeder called Delilah’s Dachshunds. You are planning on meeting the breeder, checking out the mom, asking questions on-site etc. They seem to be the perfect breeder, with all the appropriate health tests for the breed, but here’s the thing- they ship puppies! You of course will not use this service, but does that automatically make the breeder a puppy mill or BYB?
This is an example of the question of the question I want to ask. So what do you all think? Do reputable breeders ship their puppies?
I think good breeders can be willing to ship their puppies. That said, I’d personally prefer that they do so rarely and reluctantly. And I’d be more hesitant with brachy breeds due to health concerns. I’d expect lots of questions from the breeder, and maybe more questions during the puppy buyer screening process.
Now, on the other hand, if they’re shipping puppies so frequently they have a page dedicated to it, gushing about their special puppy flight nannies, I’d have a lot more questions and research to do before.proceeding. Anything that gives me the impression that they ship puppies frequently and indiscriminately would.
I would expect a breeder to ask you for a visit in person. I would never purchase or sell a puppy by using the internet only! The breeder should be able to meet you and talk face to face. If you really cared you too should want to meet the breeder, and the puppies mother and also see the conditions in which the puppies have been reared
Puppies should not be an internet “item” for purchase, they should not be chosen, packed up and sent without the breeder or purchaser at least meeting once.
Oh my goodness what a horrible thought.
I would consider shipping a reason for caution but not a reason to eliminate a breeder. Many puppy mills and puppy brokers ship puppies, or they find other ways to avoid having buyers come on site and see the conditions. Many people advise avoiding anyone who ships for these reasons.
However, some legitimate breeders do ship to buyers. One breeder I purchased from had a very specialized breeding program; most people couldn’t just drive an hour or two away to find a dog like what she bred. She shipped dogs throughout North America. However, she was very careful about screening the people she sold to. She also came with recommendations from two other breeders I respected. She microchipped the puppies before delivery and registered the chips to herself to ensure none of her pups ever ended up lost in the rescue system. She provided regular updates and videos showing how the pups were doing. The small number of litters per year, her buyer screening process, the information she provided about her dogs, and her connections with other reputable breeders all added up to a picture of a reasonable breeder.
We live close to the South coast in the UK, I drove all the way up to Scotland, “Inverness” area (an over night drive) to look at a litter of puppies with a view to purchase one. I did not like what I saw.
I drove back home with my money still in tact.
Thank goodness I went in person, or I may have had a puppy /dog that I was not exactly happy with. !!
My breeder mentioned a U.S. law, which I didn’t pay much attention to as it didn’t pertain to me – or her. Strictly from memory, so this isn’t accurate, but it’s the gist of it: if the breeder sells a certain number of puppies per year without meeting the buyer face to face (and I think it’s a pretty low number), they are considered a commercial breeder and have to register as such with ?USDA?
I think I’m with Shadowfox, shipping wouldn’t totally put me off, but it would make me even more cautious than usual. Any sign that the breeder encouraged shipping as opposed to in-person visits and transactions would put me off.
Professional dog breeders do not ship dogs and many will not allow young puppies to fly. Responsible breeders want you to drive the puppy home. Trauma from an airplane ride in early puppyhood could scar the puppy for life.
If anything happens to the puppy, the breeder must be notified and if you are no longer able to care for the pet, it is returned to them. Puppy mill and their brokers don’t want their puppies back and their bill of sale will be a final sale.