Not a breeder but I am buying a pup in the winter - my thoughts are do you have a potential puppy buyer list? the breeder we are buying from has been waiting for this litter for over a year and has a list so its kind of a mute point when the litter arrived
I find that puppies sell ok after Christmas, as people have a little bit of holiday to help them settle in a puppy. It is hard work rearing them in winter, but it is only for 5-7 weeks (assuming mum does the first three weeks withough any trouble).
Plus, on the showing side, you'll be hitting it back in the middle of the show season at 6 months, as opposed to hanging around waiting for a show worth going to with a minor puppy
Its true that at the end of the day the decision is mine and all joking aside I have been breeding and showing off and on for years not as much experience as some but enough to know what I am doing the only thing is I have not had winter litters before only summer/spring but that is only how my bitches seasons have fallen with my older bitches (Not Labs) different breed, first lab litter last year.
I do have a puppy list but of cause it all depends on the litter size that my bitch produces, last time it was 8 this time it could be more and some people get impatient waiting for a puppy and go else were without letting the breeder know which is their choice but makes life difficult when you have closed the puppy waiting list and have turn people away.
I don’t have the problem of taking time off work to have my litter as I work from home so that is not a problem.
But as someone as said this litter will be ready to go to their new homes near Christmas approx first week depending on when they are born yet again I have some reservations about this, but hate treating people like idiots and believe that most people are sensible and do know what they are doing when getting a puppy and those that don’t can either be supported or turned away, or I have the puppy back its not a problem of cause I would much prefer that the puppy is in the right home from the start but I am sure other breeders will agree sometimes mistakes are made picking homes and owners it’s a fact of life just have to be prepared to take the puppy back which I am and start again .
Look sometimes you do, indeed have to hold your nose and leap. Three litters ago I had my last winter litter and the pups were 8 weeks old on Christmas Day. I held them an extra week which was HARD but NT because I didn't want puppies sold as presents or anything like that - breeders with contacts and experience don't worry about that because you meet the whole family and don't sell on impulse or to impulse buyers - BUT its hard at Christmas because people are so social more than any other time of year.... even home hermits end up with a hectic social diary. And so they don't want a puppy at that time when there are 11 other months of the year when they are NOT hectic
Also a mad house full of guests, even if just for a day or more, for a 9 or 10 week old puppy can be pretty overwhelming. Great for a 'bursting with confidence outgoing' pup but a nightmare for a shy pup.
However I totally agree with Xena that in HAVING spring and summer litters, as regards showing its a nightmare. My pups are always ready to come out October/November/December which is hidious as regards shows that mean a damn.
There isn't usually a right and wrong answer with this. Pups ready to go at Christmas I would avoid. You could end up with 11 herberts running round the shed at 9 or 10 weeks of age to keep them till convenient to go to their homes....
BUT you just have to ask yourself, shall i give it a try, and if I HATE IT or its a total headache I will just never do it again? That would probably be what I would do if I was in your shoes. Give it a bash, and take that forward for the future.
Di
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The boys!
Read: Wylanbriar Dog Blog on the website: Updated! 1st February 12´!
Oh yes and also to back up Xena as I am nosey too - who are you using?
My chocolate girl Meg is from Mallorns Mr Snowbusiness own by Marilyn and David Nightingale (Boothgates) so decided to go back to them for this litter I will be using Boothgates Black Denim who is black and carriers for chocolate.
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