Which Breeder?

[Jubjub81]

I've narrowed it down to two sheltie breeders and now I can't decide which one to get a puppy from the first one is about 4 hours away, and is we're my best friend got her perfectly awesome sheltie, and the other is one that i found about 18 hours away, and would have to get flown to me (because I'm not driving through the mountains in the winter). To my knowledge both are great breeders, and have great dogs. I can't decide which breeder suggestions on choosing between to equally good breeders?
Also male or female (I have a female schnauzer, but she is very friendly) or would you pick temperament over gender?

 

[Justicemom]

I would say if everything is equal in terms of health testing, socialization(what do they do with the puppies to help them develop into stable, sane members of the comminute) etc. Than you need to choose the breeder that you feel you can communicate with the best. In other words the breeder that you feel you can have the best long term relationship with.

The breeder should be the person you can call with any question at any time and even though than puppy left they home they care about it as if is still their own and will stand behind that puppy for its entire life. Think as it as gaining in laws. If you can't talk with them then don't get into a relationship with them.

As far as male or female vs personality. That is a personal decision. I personally like males better and think they mix well with a female in the house. It really comes down to what your goals are for the puppy ie pet, performance etc. A good breeder should help in picking the puppy for you. In fact, when people get a puppy from us we match the puppy to the person. We don't let the person pick unless there are 2 similar puppies because it never fails the quiet pup home wants the wild thing bouncing off the walls. uh no. We do try to match the sex they want if possible. But if they don't care, it opens more choices.

 

[Jubjub81]

Thanks for the quick response It helped
I think I'll choose the one that is farther away, and make a trip out there this summer, just to make sure. I feel that it was easier to talk with this breeder over the other one. What types of socialization are recommended?
I hope to do performance sports with this puppy mainly agility (my schnauzer thinks it's better to use her nose then her brain )