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Contact one breeder at a time?

4K views 13 replies 8 participants last post by  ShamaMama 
#1 ·
Hi All,

After researching breeders, I decided to contact my "first choice" and filled out the detailed application. Well, it's been 3 days and I havent heard back, so now I'm worrying. I live in an apartment in NYC, and I fear that not having a backyard will be seen as less-than desirable. I work at home and have the time and energy to devote to training a dog.

Should I immediately cast a wide net or wait and give each breeder a week or so to respond? I don't want to waste anyones's time or insult them by sending applications to multiple breeders at once. Whats the proper protocol?

And is living in the city a big turn-off to breeders? I live a block from a major park, and in a quiet neighborhood. Of course, a backyard would be great, but I still have a lot to offer!

Thank you in advance. Grateful for everything I've learned on this forum.:smile2:
 
#2 ·
When we bought our house, we knew that we would be putting up a fence in the back yard right away in order to get a puppy. We love the convenience, and we like having small dogs over instead of going to a dog park. That said, someone on the forum once took issue with breeders seeming to prefer potential owners with fences. She said that it's a lot more challenging to train a dog to walk on a leash and to have the discipline to take a dog out for a walk than it is to just let him/her out in the back yard. She was suggesting that breeders should view people without fenced back yards as excellent potential dog owners. I think she raised good points. Hopefully the breeders will not hold your lack of a fenced back yard against you. As you said, you have a lot to offer in any case.

We had two breeders refuse to sell us puppies because we are both gone 10 hours a day due to our commutes and jobs. One breeder snarkily asked me, "Why do you want a companion dog?" I replied, "To be with in the evenings, on the weekends, and all summer long . . ." (DH and I are both teachers.) We told those breeders we'd have a dog walker visit our puppy once a day, but they didn't care. They insisted that a Havanese needed to have its people around constantly. As it turned out, a former kindergarten teacher turned breeder sold us our sweet baby Shama. We had three different dog walkers the first three years of Shama's life, and now we've had her current "walker" going on two years. This woman LOVES Shama so much and often stays with her well beyond the hour we pay for. Before she got another dog walking gig, she would sometimes be here when my husband got home from work at 5 PM, this after arriving at 11 AM! (BTW, our dog walker doesn't actually walk Shama. She takes her into the back yard and hangs out with her in the house. Shama only weighs eight pounds, so we figure she gets enough exercise without going on regular walks. She does run agility for exercise ...) We also took care to not allow separation anxiety to take root in Shama. From the beginning, we made coming and going very low key. She is not worked up when we leave or when we return. And she seems to love her ex pen, frequently going in there for a nap even when we're home and she could be anywhere in the house.

Back to your question of whether you can contact more than one breeder at a time ... I would say for sure! Choosing your breeder is a big deal, and why not shop around? If someone takes a long time to respond to you without explanation, maybe you'd be wise to stay away from them anyway.
 
#3 ·
When I was looking at breeders, I started out with a list of about 10. Of those, I contacted the top 3. I let them know I was in the beginning of the "looking at breeders" stage and I basically interviewed them as much as they were interviewing me. They were aware I was contacting several breeders. Then when I chose my preferred breeder, I let the others know that I was getting a puppy from another breeder. That way they weren't counting on me to take one of theirs.

Breeders talk to each other. So be upfront and honest. And sometimes if you don't find one that is a fit for you for whatever reason, they will be able to recommend others. Don't tell more than 1 breeder that you'll take a dog from them and then take whatever comes fastest. :)
 
#4 ·
I think both Shamamam and Wulfin have given you excellent answers.

Yes, some breeders might "screen you out" for not having a fenced yard, but they are not the right breeders for you! We didn't have a fenced yard for Kodi's first 5 years, and we kept him absolutely safe and exercised. Now we have a fully fenced yard, and it's "different". Easier for us, but I wouldn't say "better" for the dogs necessarily. I know, for certain, Kodi has a MUCH more reliable off-leash recall in the open (as opposed to an in-the-ring "obedience recall, which all three dogs do fine) and I attribute that to all the time we put into making absolutely SURE that was solid, because it HAD to be... because we spent so much time with him in the open. We've been "lazier" with the girls because of that fence...
 
#5 ·
I agree with the advice from everyone above. I do have a fenced in yard and rarely take my guy out there. He likes walks and seeing the world, new people, new dogs. All of my dogs have been this way. We go walking 3 times a day usually. I don't feel a fenced yard is needed.
Most of the breeders I talked to are very busy, between looking after multiple dogs, sometimes litters of puppies, showing their dogs, family and most have regular jobs also. I think most breeders hear from a lot of people who are not serious, change their minds or their situation changes. It is hard to predict when they might have a puppy for you so sometimes they get lax in responding.
I would maybe contact my top 3 choices, try to chat a bit about their breeding program and see who you feel is the best match for you. But I think they should respond in a week.
 
#6 ·
We have a fenced backyard and almost never take Oliver out there. I couldn’t let him out alone anyway. He eats everything and gets into trouble. It can also get muddy back there in places. Our outdoors are usually leashed and between lots of walks and playing indoors he gets plenty of exercise. You just reminded me we HAVE a fenced yard! My kids prefer the front, too.
 
#7 ·
Well, the other thing is, a fenced yard can create a false sense of security. Coyotes and other predators can still get over most back yard fences, and hawks can easily take Havanese puppies unsupervised in the back yard. Havanese are small dogs, and STILL need to be supervised, even in a fenced yard.
 
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#8 ·
My two dogs have been raised for 11 years without a fence and they get plenty of exercise. Even if I had a fence I would never let them out unsupervised even now that they are older. We have too many predators here. I have to admit it would be nice to have a fenced yard though but I would always be out there with them anyway.
 
#10 ·
We do escort Shama down the stairs from the deck to the fenced-in yard and keep her company while she potties. (I should probably admit that we carry her down most of the time ...) She only rarely goes down by herself, and that's when she really has to go! She's almost never out there by herself, because she doesn't seem to like being alone (unless she's found rabbit poop to eat). I remember being surprised by that in the beginning. I'd imagined I'd be able to let my dog out in the yard for a half an hour or so, but that's never happened. I do especially like the fence for when I'm doing yard work and gardening. It's nice to have Shama's company. The fence has also been a nice backdrop for photos!
 

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#11 ·
Shama is such a cutie pie. 😍

Scout and Truffles only run out to the backyard to potty. Morning and evening they go for an hour walk. A few times a week my husband takes them on hikes to different parks or the beach for several hours. I never would leave them in the backyard alone. We have a 4 ft. fence, but it drops off to open space. A few days ago I was throwing some camellias down the hill and directly below in the trees was a coyote. I was so surprised because it was during the day at 1 PM. The coyote didn't seem concerned to see me because it stared for awhile before moving on. It sure scared me! It was a good reminder to always be cautious when the furkids are in the backyard.
Sky Water Cloud Beach Wood
 
#13 ·
Thanks! Scout and Truffles are pretty cute too. And they have pretty cute names!

I am trying to imagine your back yard dropping off to open space. What is in the distance? Can we see a photo?
It slopes into a canyon. It's an open space park. Coyotes would have to jump uphill and over the fence. One night I went to sliding the deck door open and there was a fox. I think we scared each other. Wanted to take a picture, but it took off. I understand they climb trees.
Rainbow Sky Plant Cloud Flowerpot
 
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