How about a new twist on an old subject? Instead of HOW to find a breeder, why not compile a list (from a breeder's standpoint) how NOT to look for a breeder. I'll start.

1. Please don't send out generic 1-2 liner emails that tell the breeder absolutely nothing about yourself, your lifestyle or needs, rather just that you are looking for a new lab puppy (oftentimes accompanied by color and sex, but not always). Don't assume that just because you have the money, that the breeder will automatically put you on their puppy list, even if they have the type of lab you want. Make me feel like I will WANT to get to know you better so I can feel comfortable about working with you for the next 12-14 yrs. I get pretty attached to my pups before they leave, so I'm not inclined to just sell them to anyone who comes along.

2. Please don't send out puppy inquiries to breeders without taking the time to research their programs. Visit their websites or attend a dog show or trial first to make sure they have the type of lab (energy, looks, color, etc) you are desiring. If you are strictly a pet home, you probably should not even look at "performance" litters. Realize that there is a wide range of energy levels within the breed, and there IS a perfect lab out there for you... but you need to LOOK first.

Case in point-- I've received 3 requests for yellow lab puppies this past week, and have taken the time to respond to all 3, despite the fact I also was very busy with a 4 wk old litter and my work (the real paying job!). Considering I've not bred a yellow litter in 10 yrs, nor am I listed as having yellow pups on my club's breeder's listing, I have to wonder how anyone linked me to yellows, let alone 3 within a week's time. :eek: I have to assume these were lazy shoppers who sent a carbon copy type mailing to every breeder they managed to find an address for, so in reality, they didn't even deserve a response. :(

3. Please put subjects in the subject line of your emails. It will go into my junk file most likely if there is no subject and if I don't know who you are.

4. Please don't cold call breeders early Sunday morning (or late at night or during dinner hour) looking for that elusive chocolate female, etc. Would you call your grandmother (or great grandmother) at that time of the day?

5. Please don't be in a hurry to get a puppy. Be prepared to wait for the right pup from the right breeder, a breeder who hopefully bred that litter for a reason other than just to sell the puppies at day 1. Please don't pester the breeder asking "But when will I know if that puppy is MINE"??? I listen to puppies whining for 8 wks, I don't need more. :D Realize that we can't put in orders for what WE want when we breed and that we often won't know what we really have (personality/looks wise) until the pups are at least 7 wks old. I can't tell you which puppy I'm keeping until the last week after evaluations, well checks and eye exams are done. Sorry, I'm just not that good!!! :rolleyes:

6. Please don't ask me to comment on other breeders or their litters. It's rarely productive for anyone, I've found. But do feel free to use the info I give you on my website to help with your search. I will offer names and contact info of folks who I am comfortable in sending you to though after you've provided me with some details of what you are looking for.

Anyone else care to add some thoughts?

Great post Anne!!!!

LOL, I have gotten one of those emails. "I loved your site, I am looking for a yellow lab" Hellooooo...if you read my site, you would see that I don't have yellows.

I haven't had a litter in years but a few I remember:

Don't try to tell the breeder how you expect to be able to buy the pick pup. We are breeding to keep a pup to compete with. We are not going to give you pick pup and you won't convince us to, no matter what you say. We have many that are beautiful but we are keeping pick pup.

Don't get stuck on color- you are buying pup that will grow into a fantastic dog, does color really matter so much? The breeder has experience with their line and knows temperments and how the dogs develop. We want all puppy buyers to be thrilled with their pup and sometimes the color you want isn't available or the personality of that color pup isn't what will fit your family. Our goal is to place pups in their forever home so trust us if we say- this pup is not for you, but this one is perfect.

When we ask you questions about your family, lifestyle or ask for references do not get defensive. We are trying to figure out if you would be a good home and if we have a pup/line that fits with your life style. IE: If your favorite thing to do is to sit on the couch, a pup from a high drive performance line may not be for you.

Do not lie to us. We will find out. If you tell me that your dogs live inside and I drive by your house or send another breeder to drive by and your dogs are tied outside or on a chain- I will not sell you a dog. You will never convince me that you will treat this one different.

If I find you are tying your dog out or it is being neglected/abused, etc (all of which give me the right to take back the dog immediately) I will take the dog, right then and there. I did this for a fellow breeder who received a call from a neighbor about a dog she sold. I lived within a couple hours and went by, dog was chained, kids throwing stuff/teasing the dog and I unchained the dog and put him in my car and took him home. (The breeder called the "owner" a few days later to "check" on the dog and was told the dog was doing great, even though he was at my house, they never admitted to the breeder they no longer had the dog or knew where the dog was.)

Don't tell me you want to pick up the pup earlier than I release them (9-10 weeks). I am fairly inflexible on this point unless the pup is going to a fellow breeder/competitor that I trust, then the pup can go at 8 weeks.

Don't convince me to sell on co-ownership if you have no plans to show and make it impossible for me to take the pup and show.

If you come over to my home, remember to be respectful. That means, don't set your kids loose to run around, jump on my furniture (yes, I had one buyer's kids do this) and be mouthy to their parents and myself. If you can't control your kids, you won't be getting a dog from me because I will assume that you aren't going to put training time into the dog.

When you come over, I want to get to know you but that doesn't mean I want you to stay for the complete day. I have other things to do and a family. So after a couple hours, I will give hints for you to leave, be understanding and take the hints.

If you are lucky enough to get a pup, call and give updates on your pup to the breeder. We love hearing news and seeing pictures. We grow very attached and love all the pups we breed. If you have issues, call us, we can probably give advise that will work.

A big one. Don't make a huge deal out of the cost. I have many dollars invested in each dog with clearances, titles, stud fees, etc. I will not negotiate price unless I co-own the dog and then there are other responsibilities on the buyers part.

I won't decide to change my price because you think it is too high. Yes, John and Jane Doe down the road have pups available (with no clearances, a poor pedigree and no titles) for half of my price but I am not Walmart and I do not price match.

AWESOME THREAD!!!

I am "getting ready to get ready". I don't want to start actively looking for a breeder until I have a solid timeframe on when I know we will be ready to bring home a pup. Threads like this are so helpful for someone like me who is trying to do it right this time, and get a great dog from a reputable breeder.

Again, this is great stuff, thanks!

Another: Don't commit to a litter if you don't like the contract (which should be given to you up front so you can review it).

Another: Don't commit to a litter if you don't like the contract (which should be given to you up front so you can review it).

I agree 100%.

I had one couple come to pick up a dog and all the time I have said "no-breeding, spay/neuter and theys said " We refuse to have the dog neutered as they don't believe in it".

Well, sorry, you are NOT getting a puppy then.

Great thread folks. Here is another.

Don't bring your know it all dog trainer to meet me or take their advice on matters they know nothing about.

Example: one couple brings trainer. I start to explain my neuter policy. Not until 18 months. Trainer looks right at me and says "aint gonna happen" "this pup will be neutered at 6 months".

I looked at her "Are you paying for this pup?"

I spoke at length with the buyers (more than once in person and on the phone without the trainer there) and explained that this my pup, my policy. "Are you willing to sign the contract and follow my rules not those of your trainer (who is not a breeder)? That also goes for my feeding guidelines, not those of your trainer"

"Yes of course we are."

Found out later they voided the contract by neutering at 6 months. :-(

Patty, that reminds me of one with the only couple I refused to sell a dog to...I tell them to have the dog nuetered between 12-18 months, then in the next breath she tells me that she's going to have the dog at doggy daycare (found the perfect place already) as soon as it's allowed. So all the supposed research she did apparently neglected to realize that you MUST have your pups fixed by 6 months to attend most day care facilities.

Also, another thing...don't tell me that the dog is for YOU and not the kids, when the breeder who wouldn't sell to you but referred you to me, tells me that you told her that the dog is for your 5 year old boy. Then you bring that 5 year old over, who isn't afraid but is such a wuss that he drops the first pup he held due to "he scratched me". Honey, this dog is going to do more than scratch. What's the boy going to do when the pup gets excited and accidentally bites? Oh yeah, and when I ask you what is going to happen with the pup during the day, don't tell me that someone will be home all day long with the dog, and then later tell me that both you and your husband work full time out of the house, and the housekeeper will be home all day with the dog. I am not selling HER the dog.

Exactly Patty, I had one woman arguing with me what she was going to feed my puppy. Duh, it's in my contract until they are 4-6 months of age and to please contact me when AND if you are contemplating changing their food.

Don't neuter him at 6 months and then inquire, when will his head grow, we like the big, blocky heads!!!

I had one inquiry from a man that seemed so sincere and he had just lost his 7 year old girl. Asked what had occurred, hmmm, his wife thought he was giving heartworm medication and she though the husband was administering it. Needless to say, she died from heartworm infestation :( Nope, I don't have anything available.

I really find some of these stories funny that you all have shared. I can't believe how irresponsible some of the buyers are..

Just because you have money does not make you a suitable buyer....

When I was purchasing, I was asked:

Whether or not I planned on breeding.
What kind of living situation I had.
Who lived with me?
What was my lifestyle?
Have I ever owned any pets?
Personal references and past breeders?
What do you plan having the pup as... a pet/companion, to hunt, or for show/trials?
Also was given a contract before any deposit would be excepted.

This is just a few things off the top of my head that I was asked. I am not a breeder so I can't typically give input from that aspect.
Did I have a fenced yard?