To mommies and daddies of blue merles:

[mimiretz]

For those who recommend getting on several lists, I read on one breeder's website that since all breeders know each other if you do this, you won't get a puppy at all since they consider it similar to "doctor shopping" for drugs. This breeder said it shows you don't trust the breeder enough to choose the appropriate dog for you, that you think you know your needs better than they do (you might think you want a bi-blue female when they know a sable male is a better fit), and that such mistrust in them as the expert shows you can't be trusted with such a valuable dog. According to this breeder, you should choose the breeder (preferably them) and trust them to choose the appropriate dog for you; therefore going to more than one breeder shows that you don't fully trust the breeder you chose. Did any of you find this to be true?

I ask because at some time in the future we are considering getting a second dog, and if the breeder we got Oberon from is not available at that time, I honestly don't want to be in a position where we're banned from getting another dog because we went against this rule.

 

[Judyg]

I was only on one list. I had spoken to several breeders who knew I was interested, but had committed myself to the breeder that we did get Lacey from. I don't know what I would have done if we had gotten a call from another breeder about a puppy. I was not willing to lose my deposit and I have a feeling that might have happened if I went to another breeder.

As Mimi says breeders do talk among themselves so you never know. I did have one other breeder try to sell me a puppy even though she knew I had a deposit with another breeder, but she was super expensive and I was just not ready to spend what she was asking.

 

[Calliesmom]

I did not put a deposit down on any of my dogs. I would feel committed to that breeder if I did.....
I was pretty up front about what I was looking for and several of the breeders that I contacted said that they did not have what I was looking for but would keep my information just in case.
When I got the biblack, I did let all the others that I had contacted know that I had gotten a puppy. One of the other breeders contacted me about 3 weeks later that she had a puppy that might be what I wanted originally and I told her thank you but I couldn't handle two puppies at the same time.....
yes, breeders talk but I certainly hope that they don't say you can't have a puppy because you got on multiple lists.....
I like to think that all the breeders that have sold me puppies think that I have provided a good home for all of their babies.

 

[JLSOhio51]

... According to this breeder, you should choose the breeder (preferably them) and trust them to choose the appropriate dog for you; therefore going to more than one breeder shows that you don't fully trust the breeder you chose.

I am afraid that if a breeder were to tell me that "only they" should be entrusted with the decision of which dog was the best fit for me AND he/she should be the arbiter of the final decision or it would mean that I didn't trust him/her as a breeder, MY comment would be, "You are correct!!!! I do NOT trust you as a breeder. What I expect from the breeder is (1) to offer me his/her best advice on the dog that is the best fit for me (in his/her opinion), and; (2) decline to sell me one of his/her pups if we cannot come to a meeting of the minds.

The breeder will NOT be sitting up with me and my dog when he is sick or simply succumbing to one of the many issues that keep owners and dogs awake at night. (Although a good breeder would gladly offer whatever services he/she could provide). The breeder will NOT be paying for vaccines, other vet care, training classes and the myriad of bright and shiny goo gahs that pet companies entice us to buy for or beloved four legged (adored) money pits. NO breeder will be the final decision maker on any companion I buy. I CAN, however admire any breeder who believes strongly enough to refuse sale of a dog that he/she does not believe is the proper fit. But, the decision is mine.

 

[kryslaurelle]

There are a few AOAC breeders in California - one is even 20 minutes away from me. But when I was ready, no one was really interested in talking to me, or they didn't have any plans for litters that might have blue merles. So Enzo ended up coming from Illinois. I was really nervous picking up a puppy I'd never met from the airport, but I trusted what the breeder told me about him, and I couldn't be happier! He's amazing, and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again (with the same breeder). You do have to be careful and do your research, but same goes for the breeder down the street.

 

[melbell]

My blue merle came from my breeder who is about 3 hrs from my current city, but I've known her since I was born and she's from my home town. Blue merles are pretty common in my area, but so are shelties, so I think it depends more on that, at least in the area I live.

I should also mention I waited about 5 years for my blue merle because I wanted a certain mom and dad and I got on the list when mom was a pup. I had a chance to get one from her 1st litter but I fell in love with a tri she had so a year and half after that I got my blue. I've also wanted a blue since I was a little girl.

 

[Silaria]

I don't agree with that breeder's opinion regarding only being on one breeder's list. If that breeder feels insulted you are on other lists, you don't want a dog from that breeder IMO. My concern with this heavy handedness about being on other lists is that this breeder will try dictate other things about my life with the pup. I respect breeder's opinions and I will listen but ultimately I have to do what I believe is right.

I was on two lists with local breeders who had the few Sable dogs in the region. One breeder only breeds once a year and the other was waiting until the bitch finished her Championship to breeder her. Both were aware I was on multiple lists and neither cared (and yes, they knew one another). Then I turned around and got a dog that wasn't Sable from half way across the country. (Go figure.) Both breeders were happy for me. One was admittedly confused about why I went outside of Pittsburgh for AOAC since there are so many in the city (including her) but she was genuinely happy for me.

Now, if you KNOW you want a dog from a specific breeder and are willing to wait however long it takes to get one from them, there is nothing wrong with that but it should be YOUR choice.

If you are going to be on multiple lists, I would definitely be honest with breeders about it.

 

[JLSOhio51]

I don't agree with that breeder's opinion regarding only being on one breeder's list. If that breeder feels insulted you are on other lists, you don't want a dog from that breeder IMO. My concern with this heavy handedness about being on other lists is that this breeder will try dictate other things about my life with the pup. I respect breeder's opinions and I will listen but ultimately I have to do what I believe is right...

If you are going to be on multiple lists, I would definitely be honest with breeders about it.

Silaria:

I think you made your point very well here. I also think that you are spot on with your point of being honest with each breeder (however many are involved). I would think that it would be hypocritical if I had more than one breeder on the line so to speak but I didn't do them the courtesy of letting them know I was "expanding my options". In such a case, how could I expect open and honest communications FROM them?

The only difference I have with your point of view expressed here is that I really don't have a problem with a breeder having opinions about how many lists I am on or TRYING to micro manage my relationship with MY dog. When a breeder puts the time, effort, heartache and total investment into breeding and raising QUALITY dogs, they have earned the right to conduct their business as they see fit (even if I happen to disagree with their methods). These things are just elements I will use to choose the right fit in a breeder for me.

 

[Justicemom]

.

Now, if you KNOW you want a dog from a specific breeder and are willing to wait however long it takes to get one from them, there is nothing wrong with that but it should be YOUR choice.

If you are going to be on multiple lists, I would definitely be honest with breeders about it.

This is the key. honesty and communication. We have had several people who were in contact with several breeders as well as us. We do have a waiting list. But we do not take deposits as we don't want anyone to think they are guaranteed to get a certain puppy out of a certain litter and we do not let the buyer pick the puppy unless there are several that will fit the bill.

We get a detailed description of what the person is looking for(color, sex ,purpose, personality etc) and go from there. If we have another pup that may work that is a different color or even sex , we will offer the pup but we don't make anyone take any puppy they do not truly want. The more specific you are in wants, the longer you will likely wait. ie We had one lady who wanted a bi black female for performance. She waited almost 2 yrs though 3-4 litters before we had one that worked. Sometimes you are lucky and come by a the right time, when we have something that doesn't fit with what anyone else on the list wants and there is no wait.

We don't expect people to wait 2-3 or more years for a pup from us if we don't have what they want.But if they do get a puppy while they are waiting, it is important to tell the other breeders so they can take you off the consideration list.

Me I have been waiting for another bi blue male from my friend for 6yrs. Ended up with a blue merle an a bi black so far.

 

[labgirl]

I am afraid that if a breeder were to tell me that "only they" should be entrusted with the decision of which dog was the best fit for me AND he/she should be the arbiter of the final decision or it would mean that I didn't trust him/her as a breeder, MY comment would be, "You are correct!!!! I do NOT trust you as a breeder. What I expect from the breeder is (1) to offer me his/her best advice on the dog that is the best fit for me (in his/her opinion), and; (2) decline to sell me one of his/her pups if we cannot come to a meeting of the minds.

The breeder will NOT be sitting up with me and my dog when he is sick or simply succumbing to one of the many issues that keep owners and dogs awake at night. (Although a good breeder would gladly offer whatever services he/she could provide). The breeder will NOT be paying for vaccines, other vet care, training classes and the myriad of bright and shiny goo gahs that pet companies entice us to buy for or beloved four legged (adored) money pits. NO breeder will be the final decision maker on any companion I buy. I CAN, however admire any breeder who believes strongly enough to refuse sale of a dog that he/she does not believe is the proper fit. But, the decision is mine.

Exactly what I was going to say Jeff