Buying a dog sold by picture only

[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!!