I would like to offer some advise on buying a puppy, I get so many heart breaking phone calls from people who did not know when not to buy from a breeder who they thought were reputable.
It doesn't matter how much or how little the puppy costs you could still end up with either lots of vet bills, or a puppy with a bad temerament biteing people or terrified of everything.
When you speak to the breeder, find out why the litter was produced, ie are they planning on keeping a pup, if the litter is soley dogs then it is not unusual for a breeder just to keep bitches and therefore sell the whole litter, however if they had no intentions in keeping a puppy, then it sounds like they are just there to make money.
Always see the mother play with the pups, some times it could be a bought in litter and seeing an adult bitch doesn't mean it's the pups mum. there is no reason for her not to be with the litter, yes by the time they are eight weeks old usually mum just goes in for social play but she is the one teaching the pups their behaviour and it is very important you can see this.
It is nice to see the stud, but don't worry if he isn't there, only large kennels will use their own stud , the reason for this is a stud dog although a
pedigree will not be suitable to mate with every bitch, he will have good points and bad points same as the bitch will also have her good
and bad, all breeders should be looking at what they have and improve in the future generations, therefore someone who owns a dog and bitch and breed them to save themselves a stud fee each time are only breeding to make money, they have no interest in the breed or their puppies.
So you turn up to view the pups, you will not find a show home, however it shouldn't smell or be dirty, if the pups are indoors look at their sleeping and play area, don't be happy for a puppy to be brought into a seperate room, with or with out mum. Is the area used but clean, are the toys clean, ie would you drink a cup of tea out of their cups, if no then walk away, look at mum, she will be a little thin, but she should be happy nicely groomed, knowing your coming to see her, and healthy, now look at the pups, are they lively, try not to go when they have just be fed, they will be very tired after eating, leave it for a hour or so after feeding time, so yes they are playing, are they clean no dry dirty skin, are their eyes nice and bright, no runny noses.
Do you like the breeder,if you feel you can phone them any time day or night if you are worried and they don't mind then they are the breeder to choose.
Paper work, you should have a pedigree, this is a family tree, showing four/five generations. If your puppy is Kennel Club registered you should have a certificate from the Kennel Club at the time of picking your puppy up, this will show your puppies registered name, dob, dam details and sires details with the breeders name and address at the top, if this isn't present at the time of picking the puppy up then make sure it is put in the contract for it to be sent to you.
Endorsements, some breeders will endorse their litter, this means progency not to be registered, you will be unable to breed from the puppy, not for export, this means you will not be able to send a puppy abroad to show. If you do have endorsements on your puppy the registration certficate must be present at the time of collecting him/her, this is a Kennel Club rule.
Make sure you have a contract with the breeder,this should state all terms and conditions. Make sure you have a receipt for payment.
It is very difficult not following your heart but remember, this is a finacial transaction and as such you need to keep your head, would you just go into a shop and hand over money before making sure purchases are in proper order.
If at any time you feel uncomfortable about anything you must follow your feelings and walk away.
For anyone who has had a bad experience, you are covered with the Department of trade and standards under the sales of goods act.