Is This Common Practice?

[~Annie~]

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I was talking to a lady who shows another breed yesterday but who had also wanted a whippet to show. She apparently did plenty of research into her preferred type, lines etc. and talked to a number of people before approaching a breeder on the recommendation of the owner of the stud dog that had been used. The breeder was very helpful but when she asked if she could visit the pups she was told that there was no point as yet, there would be a show quality pup of her preferred gender available, there were two in the litter, but another buyer who only wanted one pup had booked the best two and would decide between them at 12 weeks, at which point the lady I was talking to could have the other if she so chose, or she could have at 9 weeks, the age at which they normally homed their pups, a third pup that the breeder was far less confident about re. it's show potential. This lady had been completely put off by this, in her view the prospective buyer should have not been allowed to book more puppies than they were prepared to buy. She understood that where not every pup in a litter has been pre booked the latecomer might not get much choice, but she said she had never come across this practice before and it gave her little confidence in the breeders commitment to her as a future shower of their dog. Obviously I'm very new to all this but I wondered how common it is that someone is allowed to prebook two pups when they only want one.

Annie

 

[affieluver]

unfortunately annie i think a majority of show kennels do this you just cannot tell if the puppies are going to be good enough to show untill they are a bit older.

imo though the breeder should have just told her that she was waiting to see how they turned out not that she had a prospective buyer choosing between two and she could have whatever is left or she should have just told her that she wouldn't have anymore that would be good enough for the ring but if she had another litter she could have pick of that litter i hope she gets the little puppy she is looking for soon

 

[bertha]

Not normal, I can understand a breeder running two on, I have done it and then made my mind up. People viewing the litter would be told this and could choose from the rest. A bit mean to provisionally book two.

 

[Noise]

maybe the breeder feels confident in the person who booked two pups to give the best possible show home?

a lot of people struggle to get on the showing ladder, how many breeders do you know that will give a very perspective pup to a newcomer to the breed? when they have a choice to give it to someone already established.

 

[affieluver]

maybe the breeder feels confident in the person who booked two pups to give the best possible show home?
a lot of people struggle to get on the showing ladder, how many breeders do you know that will give a very perspective pup to a newcomer to the breed? when they have a choice to give it to someone already established.

mmmm not sure i agree here i think a majority of show folk would only be too happy to rehome show pups into a novice home after all most genuine breeders are only too happy to help get you started in the show ring

 

[Noise]

maybe the breeder feels confident in the person who booked two pups to give the best possible show home?
a lot of people struggle to get on the showing ladder, how many breeders do you know that will give a very perspective pup to a newcomer to the breed? when they have a choice to give it to someone already established.

mmmm not sure i agree here i think a majority of show folk would only be too happy to rehome show pups into a novice home after all most genuine breeders are only too happy to help get you started in the show ring

um, can we just remember the thread with the revelation that some breeders even de sex small pups before rehoming? I'd say it's the opposite of being only too happy to let pups go to a novice home as opposed to an experienced home. in this case though the potential owner is already showing and came with a recommendation from the stud owner, but could someone really, off the street, walk up to the top kennel and say I'll have the 2nd pick of the litter please, and get it?

It's not a dig at anyone, I think it's common sense that a breeder will want the best home for a perspective puppy, if your bitch had puppies, would you feel more confident giving a pup to someone you already know and trust or a stranger? I am currently looking for a pup and I much rather have someone's who is experienced, 2nd pick at 12 weeks than have the daunting task of making my choice at 4 weeks and deciding there and then which one I'd like, when as said, even breeders with vast experience in the breed will run pups on to make the choice, what chance do I have?

 

[bertha]

Personally, I would rather sell to a good pet home, I never sell a 'show dog' they are all whippet puppies. You cannot guarantee a show dog at 8, 9, 12, 14 weeks. If you do you are asking for trouble if the dog fails to win. Having had a very nasty experience with a pup I sold as a pet. The next thing I know it is going to be shown. It's along story, I had 10 years of harrassment from that owner.

 

[affieluver]

point taken ive just been very lucky i guess and im one of many that whatever they are my babies first and show dogs second so its irrelevant to me how well they do in the ring but i guess i just hadn't looked at the other side of the coin and i suppose some people do think because you have given them a show prospect it automatically has to do well :wacko:

 

[Noise]

there are some things you can tell - size, for example, I chose Eskil over his fawn litter mate that I originally wanted because to me he looked a bit bigger, and now indeed stands at proud 23''. incorrect bite, bone structure, topline, undescended testicles, yes, they can drop, but I wouldn't risk it, both my dogs had both balls at the age of 8 weeks. it's about perspective. sure, there are stunning dogs who just hate showing, you can't predict it.

 

[Noise]

point taken ive just been very lucky i guess and im one of many that whatever they are my babies first and show dogs second so its irrelevant to me how well they do in the ring but i guess i just hadn't looked at the other side of the coin and i suppose some people do think because you have given them a show prospect it automatically has to do well :wacko:

Eskil has another 6 months, if he doesn't do well, he is off to Battersea dogs home. Popsy was a lovely compact little pup, he has gone over the standard for good 2 inches, and is leggy and never developed a lovely full coat, as soon as it dawned on me - hasn't had a dinner since.

does it make you a bad owner if you show your dog and want it to do well? does it mean you don't love them? Eskil is the most amazing dog I have ever known, hasn't put a paw wrong, Popsy is a nightmare, very headstrong, no show prospect what so ever (though when I got him I had no interest in showing) but I love them to bits both equally.

 

[affieluver]

point taken ive just been very lucky i guess and im one of many that whatever they are my babies first and show dogs second so its irrelevant to me how well they do in the ring but i guess i just hadn't looked at the other side of the coin and i suppose some people do think because you have given them a show prospect it automatically has to do well :wacko:

Eskil has another 6 months, if he doesn't do well, he is off to Battersea dogs home. Popsy was a lovely compact little pup, he has gone over the standard for good 2 inches, and is leggy and never developed a lovely full coat, as soon as it dawned on me - hasn't had a dinner since.

does it make you a bad owner if you show your dog and want it to do well? does it mean you don't love them? Eskil is the most amazing dog I have ever known, hasn't put a paw wrong, Popsy is a nightmare, very headstrong, no show prospect what so ever (though when I got him I had no interest in showing) but I love them to bits both equally.

sorry i didn't word that post very well what i meant was regardless of how well they do in the ring they are with me for life regardless of course i want them to do well and do not want to be in a position where i feel i have let my girl down but its not the be all and end all if you get me :thumbsup:

 

[bertha]

Exactly, you always take the best dog home. :lol:

 

[affieluver]

Exactly, you always take the best dog home. :lol:

i do ann :lol: and i firmly believe a good show dog comes along once in a lifetime and not all the best make it either but trying to find the "one" is the best part

 

[Ridgesetter]

It's not unusual for a breeder to believe that a couple of pups have potential and run them on for a show owner to choose and then if the other puppy is also of good potential, that would be offered to the 2nd purchaser.

The only problem I see with this scenario is that the potential purchaser isn't allowed to see the pups now. All potential owners are invited to view my pups regularly and as is often the case, a pet owner may like a puppy that I may be running on for myself so you generally sit and explain why that puppy has more potential than the others.

If the lady is new to whippets, I would have thought it advantageous to show her the pups as they grow and change and pass on some knowledge.

And, regardless of whether it's common or normal practice, just because one person gets first pick, doesn't mean they necessarily pick the best pup. :-

Cheers

 

[Happy Humber]

Just because you have to wait it does not mean the second pup will be inferior. If it is a good litter they could both be stunners

 

[chelynnah]

I'm wondering if she's sort of misunderstanding what was said to her. I don't believe the original person has 'booked' both puppies, but if the original person has been promised pick of the litter then it makes sense that the breeder is running them on to choose at at the better age 12 weeks, that gives the second person second pick. If she's not willing to wait that long she can have a different puppy earlier, but the breeder cannot make any promises as to the show quality of this pup - she is more certain about the other two.

The original person hasn't booked two puppies, she and the breeder are waiting to see who the first pick is going to be.

The bit about not coming to see them is a bit silly. All my puppy buyers came to see the pups and none of them knew who they were taking home until the day the first boy went.

I think actually the breeder is being very fair in saying she's happy for this person to have 2nd pick of the litter - she'll just have to wait a bit longer, and if she doesn't want to wait she can have 3rd pick earlier.

Wendy

 

[GotWhippet?]

I think it is really hard to choose whippets as pups. I've seen quite a few here do well as baby's (even minor) with group and in show wins and then you never see them again.

You need patience when it comes to getting something promising. It could take a couple of years (some cases even longer) but it's worth it. Some dogs are just "stands out" from 8 wks of age but when you have an entire litter that is very even then it's hard.