Is it normal for you to not meet your new puppy until day you bring it home?

Personally I wouldn't purchase or even put a deposit on a puppy I haven't seen.
Most breeders want to meet the buyer in order to make sure they'd be a good fit for a Sheltie (and as a buyer we need to make sure they're a reputable breeder) and the fact that this breeder won't let you meet them even at 5-6 weeks is a little strange. I would go to ASSA or your local Sheltie club to see if she's a breeder in good standing for sure but I'd definitely hold off putting a deposit on that puppy (most breeders here won't take deposits at all, anything can happen).
Good luck!
 
We put down a deposit before the puppies were born. After much research, I contacted a breeder (in another state) and asked if, and when she would have puppies available. She told me that they were expecting a litter of puppies in a week or two, and if I was interested I could put down a deposit and reserve a selection. She sent us a contract that was very well written for both sides, the deposit was 100% refundable if any issues arose on her end, or if I did not want any of the puppies. We also had 3 days to take the pup to the vet, and confirm his health. After the puppies were born, she told us that we had second pick of the litter (4 tri-boys), and sent us pictures of the puppies. We both picked Zulu out right away. The breeder sent us pictures of all the pups up until the day we traveled to make our selection. When we arrived, all 3 boys were available, all were running around playing, all coming to check us out. I guess we had made our decision before we actually met him, but for us and Zulu, it worked out perfectly.
 
Hanne, I know I am restricting myself by only wanting a bi blue. I feel like a color snob, but I do love all their colors. I had all sables previously and this time I really want the bi blue or blue merle.

And to complicate things, I got an email from a different breeder that I emailed a few months back wanting to know if I got a bi blue yet. I viewed this puppy video on FB and fell in love. This little bi blue is what I have been envisioned for a year! This breeder happens to be almost 8 hours away, which make the subject of my post irrelevant. However, visiting the puppy a few weeks prior to getting it wasn't my main concern. It was not being allowed to, that was the issue. I understand due to distance this isn't always an option.

That being said you would think that if a breeder emailed and asked you if you got your puppy yet and had you view a video of one she had available that should you say yes you could send a deposit or whatever required and get the puppy when it's old enough. Well not so fast. Apparently, she also emailed other people and wants to wait until everyone responds. So I'm not sure if she would then choose based on where you are on her list, or where you live (then I'm out) or maybe if you previously purchased from her.

So my list of potential puppies are the first one that the breeder wants to grow out until she determines if she will sell or show, and I may or may not be who she chooses to sell to.

The 2nd is the one who I said last week I would send the $100 deposit to, which in it's latest photo looks more like a tri instead of a bi or blue merle. However, hard to tell as it's only 13 days old and all the pictures it's curled up in a ball with it's litter-mates. I may lose out on this one very soon if I don't send that check.

And the 3rd is 8hrs away and I'm not sure where I fall on her list to sell it to.

I am due to retire this summer and have to say that getting a job during my careers years was easier than trying to get a bi blue sheltie. Although I'm not giving up... just yet.
 
This seems to be a bit of a theme for Shelties at least in areas where they are scarce, like So. Cal. It's like a competition. And granted, there are so many variables in the breed, that the breeders can't always tell right away who will stay show quality, so they "grow them out" first. I do feel for you. I don't think the deposit is that unusual but yes the concern is not being allowed to see the pups.

I think I would try and "sell" yourself to the breeder with the pup(s) that you really like, (the one from the video?) and detail your experience with Shelties, what your lifestyle will be (retired is a plus! No crating for 8 or more hours while you're at work!) and what kind of adventures you plan for you and your pup (rally, agility, tv watching on the couch, nosework, therapy dog, etc). I have found that this makes a BIG difference in who they choose. Good luck, I know how frustrated we were looking for our first Sheltie, we wanted a BIG sable girl. Well we finally got her and she was the perfect dog.
 
Wow Karen a dilemma you have come in :yes:

I thought you should follow Sharon's good advice - sell yourself, you have such good qualities :wink2:

Obviously, if the breeder has had a buyer (a good one) from earlier, it's hard to be you,
- but if you do not try, you can not win either.

If breeders will keep you updated throughout the progress with lots of pictures / video´s.
- I would bee ok - although it would be difficult :smile2:
- Then I could agree that I had to wait to meet the little new when it was picked up when it was 8 weeks.

But then my "belly feeling" should be 100% good for the breeder and the puppy in the whole process :yes:

(so sorry about my bad english - but I feel with you)
 
I agree Sharon's advise is a great idea. Thanks for that Sharon. Right now my favorite based on what I see is the girl, 8 hrs away, of course.

I do feel comfortable with the breeder with the one week old, except that she doesn't allow anyone to visit them. She comes highly recommended from a girl at work who has shelties, from a different breeder. I was hesitant at first because it's a boy and I always had girls. (Although I have heard from so many breeders that their boys are big teddy bears and more lovable than their girls. I guess that would be a different post for a different day. Probably already some on this site about that).

Also, in looking at the pictures there is so much black on this puppy that it looks more like a tri. I want to get another dog in a year or two and want a tri, but this one I really want one that has the gray/silvery color with some black through it, not totally large black sections with very little gray/silver that I can see anyhow.

Who know she may have taken me off her list as she hasn't received my check yet. I'm struggling on how to handle the situation. My mother used to always say if you don't know what to do, don't do anything. So I'm sitting back for a few days and hoping a little bi blue (boy or girl) will magically appear at my door.
 
I have some pretty mixed feelings about this. I would definitely try to suck up to the one that is 8 hours away because that is the look you're going for. I met and picked out Cooper when he was 2 weeks old. Then at 8 weeks old, we went to pick him up. I was a nervous wreck and convinced that it was never going to work because he wasn't remotely interested in me. He was very busy patrolling the boundary of his enclosure to find the week spot to get to his mom. Well, here we are some years later and Cooper is MY BOY! I'm pretty certain that he can read my mind!

I find the "No, you can't meet them" thing to be very strange as that is just not what I do.

One thing- I would NEVER allow a boy over girl thing to eliminate a possible sheltie as both sexes are very loving.
 
When I started I was a color snob and wanted a Blue Merle with dark eyes. I would up with Sca who was a tri with almost no brown. I also wanted one that was a bit crazy. Sca was a super gentleman though still had a lot of energy. He was loved by everyone and super in every way. Sheltie #2 I wanted a Blue Merle again and wound up with Spitfire the Sable. He lives up to his name and is a manipulative monster that has his own agenda, and totally loved LOL. #3 I said who cares color is not the dogs personality and Spitfire needs a buddy (I lost Sca :-( ). Yep you guessed it Angus is a blue merle though he does have blue eyes LOL.

My opinion is get a Sheltie that is a good fit personality wise as it is WAY more important in the long run.
 
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