Puppy Finder Service?

[masajackrussells]

I speak to a lot of potential puppy owners who just want advice about the puppy that they are looking to buy. Today I spoke to a couple about a 'rare' colour Jack Russell (non KC reg but parents supposedly health tested) for sale at £2500! The price range for the 'rare' colours in the litter went from £1500 - £5000!!!

It just got me thinking though... is there a market for a 'Puppy Search Agent'? A bit like a 'Property Search Agent' who works for the house buyer rather than the seller? I couldn't find any in a quick google search (but it was quick!). Would it cross the line of 3rd party selling (Lucy's Law) - I think not as you would be paid by the buyer for a service rather than the seller for selling a pup and you wouldn't have anything to do with the sale if that makes sense?

I thought it was an interesting idea which may help take the worry, time and stress out of finding a well-bred puppy from a reputable breeder and reduce the risk of them buying from a less than desirable source. You could do initial video viewings (or actual visits if you wanted to travel) to pre-vet the pups and breeders before the buyer made the journey. I suspect you would have to specialise in a breed or two rather than offer the service for any breed to ensure enough knowledge as to what to look for and I would think only deal with KC reg litters.

I'm interested in hearing what others think about the idea? It's literally just crossed my mind today so not much thought has gone into it yet!

 

[be positive]

I have done a bit of horse finding, usually for clients who I know already but considered doing it on a more commercial basis at one time, my main fear and one that you need to consider, was what if the animal is fine when found/ vet checked but something went wrong that could not be predicted, with animals there is plenty or room for that, even with insurance it could leave you in a difficult position if they decide it is 'your fault' pup is tricky to house train, has poor recall or breaks in some way, there is always risk when buying an animal it is whether the client decides to blame you that would be a concern, you would have to 'vet' clients very carefully which may make it less viable.

A house finder has their back covered by solicitors and surveyors, plus a house doesn't tend to have a mind of it's own

 

[SAujla]

I certainly would have liked something like what you are suggesting when I was looking for a pup. I'd have been happy to pay a fee and tell the expert what I was looking for. I found the process very stressful

 

[masajackrussells]

Thankyou Sukhpreet. It would be like creating a shortlist for people to then go and see themselves. A lot of people I speak to are struggling with what to look for in both a well-bred puppy and a responsible breeder, especially those new to dog ownership.

 

[masajackrussells]

I have done a bit of horse finding, usually for clients who I know already but considered doing it on a more commercial basis at one time, my main fear and one that you need to consider, was what if the animal is fine when found/ vet checked but something went wrong that could not be predicted, with animals there is plenty or room for that, even with insurance it could leave you in a difficult position if they decide it is 'your fault' pup is tricky to house train, has poor recall or breaks in some way, there is always risk when buying an animal it is whether the client decides to blame you that would be a concern, you would have to 'vet' clients very carefully which may make it less viable.

A house finder has their back covered by solicitors and surveyors, plus a house doesn't tend to have a mind of it's own

These things have definitely crossed my mind! You would have to have an extremely water tight contract that covers these sorts of things! The final decision would ultimately be their choice and they would have to sign some sort of disclaimer to agree to that. Thankyou!

 

[blackcob]

In my experience this is the function of a good secretary in a well-run breed club; they've got their ear to the ground about litter plans and the club should have a solid code of ethics for their members regarding health and breeding choices.

 

[masajackrussells]

In my experience this is the function of a good secretary in a well-run breed club; they've got their ear to the ground about litter plans and the club should have a solid code of ethics for their members regarding health and breeding choices.

This is a very good point! Although is this always the case? I know I've never been contacted by our breed club secretary.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I wouldn't use such a service tbh - but I am quite used to finding my own puppies. The cost of some puppies is ridiculous currently and if I had to add on a 'Finder's Fee', I think very few people would want to use the service.

 

[blackcob]

Certainly been the case in the three breeds I've had cause to be involved in; admittedly the best and most personalised help came from the smallest club (I had all the committee members on the case trying to find me a puppy, LOL!) I understand it'd be trickier to get it right in a numerically large breed.

 

[masajackrussells]

I wouldn't use such a service tbh - but I am quite used to finding my own puppies. The cost of some puppies is ridiculous currently and if I had to add on a 'Finder's Fee', I think very few people would want to use the service.

I agree it's insane and they would be the puppies someone potentially offering this service could help them to avoid I think! It would definitely be aimed at the novice puppy buyer.

 

[{97702}]

In my experience this is the function of a good secretary in a well-run breed club; they've got their ear to the ground about litter plans and the club should have a solid code of ethics for their members regarding health and breeding choices.

I think you can say this for a breed of small numbers, but certainly not with a popular breed. It would have been totally impossible in cavaliers when they were popular for example - maybe now the numbers are reducing so much (thank goodness!) it could work, but then there is a well established puppy register run by the parent club

 

[smolmaus]

I can't see myself using such a service. The puppy market is fraught enough with dodgy dealers that I wouldn't want an extra middle man on top of that who I also have to vet. I'm a naturally suspicious person though, research is calming for me rather than stressful.

 

[masajackrussells]

Certainly been the case in the three breeds I've had cause to be involved in; admittedly the best and most personalised help came from the smallest club (I had all the committee members on the case trying to find me a puppy, LOL!) I understand it'd be trickier to get it right in a numerically large breed.

It's definitely what the secretary should be doing. I think a lot of people don't know that breed clubs either exist or have someone who's supposed to do this job as well. Again more in the novice puppy owner sector.

 

[masajackrussells]

I can't see myself using such a service. The puppy market is fraught enough with dodgy dealers that I wouldn't want an extra middle man on top of that who I also have to vet. I'm a naturally suspicious person though, research is calming for me rather than stressful.

I'm the same I love a bit of research which is probably why this thought popped into my head!

 

[masajackrussells]

I think you can say this for a breed of small numbers, but certainly not with a popular breed. It would have been totally impossible in cavaliers when they were popular for example - maybe now the numbers are reducing so much (thank goodness!) it could work, but then there is a well established puppy register run by the parent club

I think you are right in that a breed club is more help for a smaller breed numerically yes.

 

[Cinnamontoast]

I’d definitely use a horse agent, one of my long-standing FB friends is Irish and does this, I’d hate to alone to a sales over there alone.

For dogs, I think I have enough contacts to know where I’m going for my next pups. Also, in dog buying, people tend to be impulsive and hate to wait, so I’m not sure they’d want to go through an agent.

 

[{97702}]

I think you are right in that a breed club is more help for a smaller breed numerically yes.

Well it is more that with larger number breeds there will be more than one breed club, and each club will usually have its own agenda ?

To be honest I personally find it an unusual suggestion that this is what the club secretary should be doing, but that will have been shaped by my own observations over the years. My mum was on the committee of the parent club for years (she is president now) and that wasn’t something that the secretary ever did, other than in the line of general enquiries they would get as an exhibitor/breeder? But then as I said, that’s what the puppy register existed for ?

 

[blackcob]

I think you can say this for a breed of small numbers, but certainly not with a popular breed. It would have been totally impossible in cavaliers when they were popular for example - maybe now the numbers are reducing so much (thank goodness!) it could work, but then there is a well established puppy register run by the parent club

The system seemed to work in cockers but only because they have so many regional clubs, I think as many as 25? It'd be near impossible at the main club level or with only a few regional secretaries. Still depends a bit on the general gumption of the secretary or the larger culture of the club and committee, some will be more helpful and engaged than others.

 

[{97702}]

The system seemed to work in cockers but only because they have so many regional clubs, I think as many as 25? It'd be near impossible at the main club level or with only a few regional secretaries. Still depends a bit on the general gumption of the secretary or the larger culture of the club and committee, some will be more helpful and engaged than others.

My personal perception was that personalities always got in the way with many breed clubs and there was loads of infighting and jostling for position between the clubs ???

 

[BBP]

I used something similar to this when I found my puppy (border collie). She was a well known and respected breeder who I had contacted about litters but wasn’t breeding any that year. She didn’t find the puppy for me, I found him, but she reviewed his breeding, health tests, details of the breeder, breeders past litter etc and gave me an honest opinion on if I was buying a puppy that was likely to be healthy and of good genetics. She also suggested extra questions to ask the breeder, and things to think about when getting the puppy. I found it reassuring as it felt like a minefield to make sure I was supporting good breeding ethics.

 

[CorvusCorax]

I kinda do this and match adult dogs/rehomes as well but never any money changes hands, not why I do it.

 

[masajackrussells]

I find I am essentially doing it anyway and I do enjoy it. It just crossed my mind that someone (not necessarily me) could make a reputable business from it like a horse agent, although we don't have dog auctions like with horses.

 

[MurphysMinder]

I am in a couple of GSD groups which offer reams of advice on what health tests to look for, and will recommend breeders who fit all the criteria. Yet the group is mainly full of people who have bought a pup from Joe Bloggs round the corner and are now having problems with it. I think in the majority of cases the people who would use a puppy finder are also prepared to do the research for themselves, whereas the ones who want one instantly don't care. For years my mum wrote the breed notes for one of the Dog weeklies and people were always phoning her for help looking for good breeders but then most people were prepared to wait. I still occasionally get asked for help and am always happy to recommend breeders, and try and steer people away from others.

 

[masajackrussells]

I am in a couple of GSD groups which offer reams of advice on what health tests to look for, and will recommend breeders who fit all the criteria. Yet the group is mainly full of people who have bought a pup from Joe Bloggs round the corner and are now having problems with it. I think in the majority of cases the people who would use a puppy finder are also prepared to do the research for themselves, whereas the ones who want one instantly don't care. For years my mum wrote the breed notes for one of the Dog weeklies and people were always phoning her for help looking for good breeders but then most people were prepared to wait. I still occasionally get asked for help and am always happy to recommend breeders, and try and steer people away from others.

I think you have hit the nail on the head here. If they care they will research if they don't they won't!

 

[Blazingsaddles]

I kinda do this and match adult dogs/rehomes as well but never any money changes hands, not why I do it.

I can see a market for ‘ready made’ working dogs. Either training personally or sourcing the right dog?

 

[CorvusCorax]

I can see a market for ‘ready made’ working dogs. Either training personally or sourcing the right dog?

Worms. Everywhere. Lol

 

[Blazingsaddles]

Worms. Everywhere. Lol

Eh? I’m not as intelligent/knowledgeable as you, CC. ?It’s an acronym for something but I don’t know wot!

 

[CorvusCorax]

Can of. Open!

 

[Blazingsaddles]

Can of. Open!

Open it. I’m still clueless.?

 

[CorvusCorax]

There is a trade in 'green' and part and fully trained patrol/service/protection dogs. Training and experience/accreditation varies widely and prices are usually astronomical, and people often pay a premium for a dog they later find out can only bark at the end of a lead and bite a man in a padded suit/with a visible target, in a certain scenario.
The washout rate is incredible and a lot of dogs are sourced cheaply, trained and sold for humongous profit.
I have strong feelings in terms of the ethics of this whole area.

In terms of sport, it is not uncommon to leave a pup with someone for foundation training and take it on later and pay for food/board on top of that etc.
Some big names have sold fully trained dogs to novice handlers complete with follow up training and there was often a situation, that in a country where there was no competition to get onto a world team, that someone who'd never done the basic entry level traffic-safe companion dog test, could buy and walk onto the field at a world championships with a fully trained dog.
However mechanisms have since been put in place to stop this.
I'll never forget seeing one of the greats in my lifetime, lashed with sweat and swearing profusely, walking behind a guy on the practice pitch and operating his arms for him, as he literally turned up with a made dog and no idea what he was supposed to be doing.

Generally, people want to be able to say, they trained their own dog from scratch, I met a woman last year from America who buys dogs and places them with top handlers 'as it's the only way to get ahead'.
It's a more common thing there.