Buying a dog sold by picture only

[birdstew]

Couple of Months ago I went with a Kennel here in WA to buy a new Lab. Well two days ago got email stating pups were born and to send deposit. So I was like cool not a problem. Then I asked " We would like to come and see pups before I pick which one I wanted. I have first pick on a Male.

I got this big email back stating  that "We have, as well as other hunting kennels, have sold by picture only" and

"We will only allow you to come down and view away from kennels. Foot covers and hand cleaners are a must".

"But everywhere you walk you are bring in possible killers to us and our kennel. "

"Study up on parvo and distemper please"

This is the first time I have ever heard a kennel say this before.

So what are your thoughts about buying a dog by just looking at pictures?

[Fowlweather25]

Nope!!!!

[cougarbart]

Run away! Something is fishy or if they are like that don't give em the service!

[chiefeng]

  I would walk a way I have bought dog that I haven't seen in fact I just bought one but if I wanted to go see it I could.

[JLS]

What sort of references do you have on the parents and/or other litters?  Have you been around the parents?

When I bought my GWP, the breeder told me that he would pick the dog for me.  He said I was welcome to come and look at the parents, call any references, etc.

Distemper and parvo are valid concerns.  I guess without knowing the whole story and rundown, it's kind of hard to say what is going on.

[gasman]

Sounds like there trying o keep a sterile environment to prevent the possibility of transfer of any thing that can harm the pups.

[benhuntin]

That is 100% legit. Sounds like you are able to go if you sterilize. They are just protecting their and your pups. Puppies have very little immunity until they have received their second shot at 6 weeks. You are well within your rights to ask for references. Good luck but this is a very standard.


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[Alchase]

Every dog I have bought was solely based on personality compared to litter mates.
I understand the hazards of bringing strangers any where in contact with the pups, but I would still want to watch the interaction between the pups.

[WRL]

I only allow visitors after the pups have received their first shots.

As a breeder, I don't know where you have been or what you have been exposed to. My job is to protect my puppies.

However, I never say you have to pick a puppy from a picture I send.

On puppy going home day(s), everyone has an appt based on their "pick" order.

If you have first pick black male (for example) then you have an appt to be here at 10 am. Second pick will be here at noon and so on.

That way you get to view ALL the black males and watch them interact.

I would NOT get hung up on not getting to see the puppies in person until pick up day BUT I would not pick my pup from a picture only.

WRL

[birdstew]

They Never said I couldn't see them. I just took it as a way over protective mother. I can see were there coming from. The biggest problem I had was I wasn't told until after I made my deposit and I asked to come see them.

Just threw it out there for those looking to buy a new dog maybe add this question to your list before buying.

This is the first for me so it isn't something I would have thought about asking before going with a kennel. 

[Happy Gilmore]

It's not unreasonable. Unfortunately, my situation is that I live at a dog training kennel and public training grounds. People with their dogs coming and going all day long and any dog can be here after paying to use the property. I limited visitors in the whelping room and sterilize it daily. I bleached / Novalsaned areas immediately around and in front of my house with a weed sprayer. I took puppies to areas not used/available to the public for outside time. Puppy time and worry about them picking something was a constant worry for me.

I don't allow folks to pick my pups. I place them based upon the owners plans. Folks in order of deposit got first right of refusal if they'd placed a deposit for a male and a male wasn't available. I've only placed two pups in Washington so it wasn't reasonable for puppy visits anyways.

[nwwanderer]

It is best if you get this response from any seller of animals.  If you do not it might be best to look for a producer that has these guidelines in place.  The risk of pathogens and parasites is just to high.

[Happy Gilmore]

a bit of a comment on second thought;

You should buy a puppy based upon what is on paper for the parents. Make sure what is on paper fits your needs. Do you want a dog which will be likely to have sound orthopedics? Make sure the OFA Hips and Elbows have been done on both dogs' parents. Do you want a dog which will likely have sound eyesight for it's entire lifespan? Make sure the parents have had recent CERF(cataract checks by a DVM) and a genetic test for PRA if applicable. Are you concerned that the dog may collapse and potentially die during exercise? Make sure the parents status of EIC has is known and was considered before breeding. 

Those are pretty much Universally considered the "Minimum" all responsible breeders of Labs should do. That is buying a pup on paper. It's far more important and better than seeing a picture or visiting a litter. Spending a week with a bunch of 4 week old puppies means nothing to what information would be on the "paper".

[Fowlweather25]

Except you still have a chance to see their personality.

[MtnMuley]

Go see it away from the kennel then like he said.  Sounds like the guy is doing everything possible to provide the best dog he can for the buyer.

[Happy Gilmore]

Except you still have a chance to see their personality.

I believe they change drastically between 5.5-8 weeks. A shy pup at 4 weeks may still be catching up in weight and then surpass the pups by 8 week time to go home. It has happened in both of my last two litters. The pup I kept was one I liked from the time I whelped the litter. She was smaller right up until the last week. Granted, her personality changed significantly, I liked her from the start. She was not the "best" looking or the pup with the best balance and structure. So many puppy breeders put weight on what a pup looks like standing on a table. It's a crap shoot. I've seen more than my share of "pick of the litters" turn out to be big duds once they've grown another month.

[JJD]

I always try not to be the last deposit.
I base a lot on breeders reputation and the dogs they are breeding.
I always have the breeder pick the pup for me after explaining what I want in a dog.  How can you expect to know the personality of a pup after laying eyes on them once or twice?  The breeder should interact with them on a daily basis.  Who's to say that a certain pup didn't just wake up from a nap and is a bit droopy when ya went to inspect them?  Or just ate or dozens of other things that can affect their personality at a given moment? 
The sire and dam's traits, passed on in a liter are much more important than the individual pup.

 

[KFhunter]

I wonder if the kennel is not up to par or is a disgusting mess or something horrible that they must keep it hidden from view.

Understand the foot covers and hand washing, no issues there.   Why the offsite viewing?



Ya, me thinks the kennel is a horrid cess pool of dog mistreatment. 


Maybe I'm offbase and it's a fine kennel, but it really sounds like a puppy farm.

[Bluemoon]

Is this the kennel out on Alpha-Centralia road?  Seeing you are in Chehalis....

[jetjockey]

I'd never let someone pick my pup for me. I also want to see them as they progress.  My wife and I saw my pup 3 time before we took her home.   

It's your pup, and just because it has good breeding, doesn't guarantee anything.  Don't let someone else decide which pup your goin to live with for the next 10-14 years.

[birdstew]

Is this the kennel out on Alpha-Centralia road?  Seeing you are in Chehalis....

No, and I don't want to throw a kennel name out there or to say they are a bad kennel. I'm not a dog trainer but I have had dogs most of my life and this is not my first Lab and I have gone and picked out everyone. But this is the first time I ever heard we prefer to sell by pictures. My duck hunting buddy use to be a dog trainer and has taken dogs all the way to nationals. His thoughts and many books is The best thing you can do is close your eyes and grab one.

So maybe a better question would be. For those who say you need to go and see the dog before you pick.

Do you really fell by spending an hour or two with a group of puppy's you can pick out the best one to fit your needs?

[Bluemoon]

There is a lot to said about closing your eyes and picking one, as long as you are starting with the right ingredients ie; Dame and Sire , pedigrees, Etc. Etc.. 
Personally I have purchased two on line,  the first one was a Pointer from Arizona I went on pedigree alone and she was a total flop and I re homed her.  The second one was my Poodle last year from Oklahoma after swearing I would never do it again.  I got exactly what I wanted and more.  With that being said I have seen more culls sent across the US then good dogs bought by my clients on line.
I hope you get exactly what you want as well,  Good luck with your new pup!!