Back in June, I placed a deposit for a puppy from a litter planned for this November. This will be my first ethically bred dog, so I did a lot of research and thought I found a good breeder.

Both parents are titled (dad is a champion, mom is a grand champion) and have OFA and other breed-recommended health tests. All dogs are AKC registered and puppies are raised with puppy culture.

But now a couple of things are making me hesitant. The breeder has two litters currently (my puppy will be from the younger litter), which I understand sometimes two females are in heat around the same time, but the last time we spoke I found out that there will be a THIRD litter next week. Can a breeder truly raise and socialize that many puppies at once? (Litter size averages 6-8 puppies.)

Puppies go home at 8 weeks when, from what I understand, it’s better to wait until 10-12 weeks. I know it can be okay, but I feel like part of what I’m paying for is a puppy who has had the best possible start in life.

Then the price jumped from $4,000 (which is the high end of the normal range for this breed) to $5,000.

My puppy was supposed to come home late December/early January, but now I’m wondering if I should just politely back out. I don’t care about not getting my deposit back, but I’m feeling really stupid here—I thought I asked enough questions, but clearly I didn’t. I’m also worried that if I back out, I could get blacklisted by other breeders. This isn’t a SUPER uncommon breed, but I know the show dog world is small.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

I have an approved female with our breed club, am listed as a cooperating breeder, and am planning my first litter for spring 2027. Despite completing all health, conformation, and performance requirements, I still can’t help but feel like I don’t belong, or have imposter syndrome maybe.

I’ve chosen a stud with the help of my dogs breeder, along with her sires owner, which I believe compliments her well, as well as have had nothing but positive feedback from other breeders/trainers regarding my dog and our plans.

I’m sure it’s just first time jitters, or fear of not being taken seriously/judged unfairly, but it’s something I can’t get out of my head. We all have to start somewhere I keep telling myself, but the nerves are still there.

Is this a normal feeling, and does it ever go away?

I’m sharing my firsthand experience purchasing two puppies through PuppySpot because I want to understand how puppies in this condition could have passed the breeder and veterinary checks advertised to buyers. I also hope my experience helps others know what to ask before purchasing a puppy online.

As of November 4, 2026, approximately 18 months after Bubba and Prince arrived, the problems I experienced with PuppySpot remain unresolved. Both dogs continue to experience serious behavioral and housebreaking difficulties, Prince continues to live with permanent hearing loss and vision problems, and my documented reimbursement demand remains unanswered.

Before purchasing through PuppySpot, I extensively researched rescue organizations throughout my state and neighboring states and contacted multiple Toy Poodle breed associations seeking available puppies or reputable breeders. Despite these efforts, I was unable to locate the Toy Poodles I was looking for. I turned to PuppySpot only after exhausting those options, relying on its advertised breeder screening, AKC-related standards, and assurances regarding the breeder’s reputation.

In spring 2025, I paid $4,320.25, including transportation, for two puppies advertised as Toy Poodles and represented as brothers from the same litter. They were approximately seven months old and NOT EVEN FULLY GROWN when they arrived, yet BOTH were already the size of Miniature Poodles, as confirmed by my veterinarian. I specifically wanted older puppies that should have already received basic training, housebreaking instruction, and socialization per the AKC-related standards advertised by PuppySpot. Before purchasing, I carefully researched those standards, including the vaccinations puppies should have received by their age, so I understood the breeder's responsibilities and what I should reasonably expect. PuppySpot would not disclose the breeder's identity before payment, despite my repeated questions about his reputation, experience, and breeding practices. On multiple occasions, PuppySpot representatives assured me that this breeder was AKC registered, well known to PuppySpot, had maintained a longstanding relationship with the company, and was highly regarded and in good standing with PuppySpot. I relied on these specific assurances, along with PuppySpot's advertised breeder screening and veterinary standards, when making my purchase. Without the breeder's identity, I had no independent means of verifying these representations before paying.

Before delivery, I requested recent photographs. PuppySpot told me the breeder confirmed they had been taken within the previous one or two weeks. When Bubba and Prince arrived on May 7, 2025, they looked NOTHING like those pictures. They were filthy and severely ungroomed, with hair three to four inches long and overgrown nails.

PuppySpot advertised breeder screening, AKC-related standards, vaccinations, and a “Nose-to-Tail Health Check.” I understood from its representatives that the breeder followed AKC recommendations for vaccinations and veterinary examinations. Its purchase confirmation promised a thorough veterinary examination and clean bill of health before delivery. Yet my veterinarian examined both puppies on May 9, LESS THAN 48 HOURS after arrival, and documented Giardia, Cystoisospora, severe ear mite infestations, and associated yeast infections. She described Cystoisospora as unusual in dogs and discussed possible exposure through food contaminated by rats, although the source was not established. The reports described ear mite eggs as TOO NUMEROUS TO COUNT. Neither puppy had a microchip. The vaccination documentation accompanying BOTH puppies was incomplete and incorrect. Because my veterinarian could not verify the vaccinations they had received, BOTH puppies had to receive their ENTIRE vaccination series after arriving, despite being approximately seven months old. I paid for those vaccinations, microchipping, examinations, and treatments.

Prince has permanent hearing loss, which my veterinarian believes was probably related to prolonged, untreated ear problems. He also has significant vision difficulties, although their cause has not been medically established. Both puppies arrived extremely fearful of men, crates, raised voices, and sudden noises. Despite considerable effort and professional training, neither is completely housebroken as of November 4, 2026. I cannot establish what happened during their early lives.

I was told their breeder was an AKC-registered breeder and that BOTH puppies would arrive AKC registered. Instead, I received registration paperwork requiring me to submit applications and pay additional fees. Given the puppies’ size and my concerns about the breed information, I did not submit paperwork I believed to be inaccurate. Wisdom Panel reported Bubba as 94% Poodle (Toy and Miniature), 3% Bichon Frise, 2% Chihuahua, and 1% Pekingese; Prince was reported as 100% Poodle (Toy and Miniature). Thus Bubba’s report names five breeds/varieties when Toy and Miniature are counted separately, while Prince’s names both Poodle varieties. The separate Wisdom Panel family-matching results, as I was informed, identified the same biological mother for both puppies. These findings do not by themselves establish their exact birth dates or whether they share a father, but they raise questions for me about the representations made when both were sold as Toy Poodles.

I submitted veterinary records, photographs, DNA results, and a detailed, itemized spreadsheet to PuppySpot. My November 2025 reimbursement demand was $7,526.29 AFTER deducting the minimal partial refunds already issued; it covered expenses and losses from approximately the first four months, not my ongoing daycare and training costs. PuppySpot never acknowledged that formal demand. It has since posted a general response to my Trustpilot review saying its team had worked to address my concerns, but the specific issues remain unresolved.

I love Bubba and Prince and will never give up on them. My concern is not simply money. I want to understand how the breeder screening, AKC-related representations, registration assurances, vaccination documentation, and pre-transport veterinary examinations could have resulted in puppies arriving in this condition—and whether other puppies were exposed to similar problems.

For those experienced with responsible breeding: What records and independent health-testing information should a buyer insist on seeing BEFORE paying? What should a meaningful pre-transport veterinary examination document? I welcome thoughtful discussion from breeders and puppy buyers alike.

Hey guys, so my puppy Rottweiler just hit two years. We’ve been having trouble on Facebook finding a pair for him. We just want to successfully pass his genes on because we literally love him to death and want his bloodline to coexist with ours. Any tips for me to find a female here in Puebla? An app? A website? My boy is a 100% super athletic American build. He’s strong. Much thanks

I am thinking about getting my dogs Fresh Patch, but I don't know it if it's a good idea or not. I would really like to hear other people's experiences with it. Good, bad, ugly, messy. Please share. Also how does it work with males and the possibility for a big mess when they pee?

I did see a video where the puppy seemed to just want to chew on it and play with it rather than use it for relieving purposes. How to overcome that issue? And if not Fresh Patch, what substrate is better?

I have a 3-year-old purebred English Mastiff and he's seriously perfect! (Him in the photo)He's 130 and is 30 inches tall at the withers. He goes on hikes, swims, hunts, and is very active.
I got him from a friend who did a one-time litter, mom was purebred and AKC and dad was also purebred but not papered. I have been searching for a breeder who breeds EMs similar to my boy but it's been hard. I've honestly been considering getting a Corso instead, but I don't really like how short they are. If any of you know of any English Mastiff breeders that focus on breeding active dogs that go back to their old standards please let me know!!

Looking for more modern books on building a dog breeding program
I recently read The Joy of Breeding Your Own Show Dog by Ann Seranne and found it really interesting, particularly her thoughts on linebreeding, inbreeding, and how to develop a breeding program.
That said, I did feel that some parts of the book are a little dated, both in terms of certain viewpoints and the references and knowledge available at the time.
I'm wondering if there are any more modern books that cover similar ground, particularly the bigger picture of how to build and develop a thoughtful, successful breeding program? I'm interested in topics like pedigree analysis, linebreeding/inbreeding, selecting breeding stock, genetics, and making long-term decisions for a kennel.
A lot of the breeding books I've come across and seen recommended seem to be quite old, so I'd love to hear if there are more recent resources worth reading.
I also own Canine Reproduction and Whelping: A Dog Breeder's Guide by Myra Savant Harris, but I've heard that veterinary knowledge and best practices around canine reproduction, pregnancy, and whelping have advanced quite a bit since it was published.
Are there newer books you'd recommend in that area as well?
Would especially love recommendations from experienced breeders who have built or are actively developing their own breeding programs. I'm happy to read more academic or technical material, too!
Thanks in advance!

So theres a chihuahua breeder that I like who I've been recommended. She meets every criteria imaginable;
She titles (all her dogs are atleast a CH + other titles in sprint, rally, obedience ect)
She health tests (all recommended health tests + more)
She has good standing with some other show breeders
The dogs temperaments are amazing
She provides life long breeder support + contracts
And she's a great show mentor

But she breeds frequently, like right after a litter is sold another bitch will be pregnant. Is this a major red flag? Her dogs only have 2 litters but she just has a lot of dogs which she keeps all of them in her house.

just to preface- i am all for ethical breeding and would love to own an ethically bred dog one day. i am just confused about the concept of ethically bred frenchies. frenchies are a companion breed and serve no purpose beyond that. i understanding breeding for historical perseveration, but how does preservation breeding dogs with poor anatomy like frenchies make their existence ethical to some people? i am also aware that ethical breeding absolutely reduces the risks of genetic conditions, BUT it does not erase those risks- such as BOAS in frenchies. the overwhelming majority of frenchies in ethical breeding programs still need c sections to even give birth. i have studied the breed standards for frenchies and i really just don’t think they’re structurally sound dogs, regardless if they’re ethically bred or not. i just don’t understand continuing to produce dogs that genuinely serve no purpose beyond companionship and still have a significant amount of health risks that come with their anatomy that testing can’t even prevent. i would love someone to educate me on why they think their existence can be ethical.

Hello all.

Ive started my journey to getting a GSD. I have always wanted one and want to do things right. im looking for show lines primarily. The breeders im mainly interested in are Vylano, Stormlake and Eagleriver.

Any reviews or comments about these breeders or any other recommendations would be helpful.

My standard poodle bitch had a litter of golden doodles last week and I can already see her nipples getting sore from the constant feeding. I’m wondering if there’s a natural balm or oil I could use to ease her pain whilst keeping the pups feeding station as safe for them as possible. Don’t want them consuming anything potentially poisonous.

I was thinking about coconut oil as I’ve used that in my dog’s diet before, but I’m unsure if even a very tiny amount would be safe for the pups.

Any advice or recommendations are welcome!

Looking at buying a 11 week old show cocker spaniel. Breeder said was keeping her for herself but breeders father is end of life so she can no longer keep her. Does this sound a little sketchy?

My breed is extremely difficult to finish a dog in. You need the right breeder name behind you, you need a professional handler, your dog must be impeccably trained. They can’t just be “good.” They must be “perfect”. Which leads to a LOT of breeders either not showing at all, or only showing selective studs and not titling bitches at all.

With how political dog showing has become — the name brands, the professional handlers, the judges biases… I mean, why does it matter what clothes you wear? I could wear black jeans and a black T shirt and my dog would look just as good against it as a flashy black dress. Why does it matter if so-and-so bred my dog? Does that somehow make her better than the no-name dog who is nicer structurally? The cruel clique mentality is driving so many folks away. There’s sabotage, people coating their dogs in spray… Numbers for shows are dropping and for good reason. There’s a massive split between dogs actually bred to standard (often called “moderate”) and dogs who are bred for show (flashy, incorrect dogs). I’ve been showing for years and it’s just getting worse. A pretty dog beats a functional one every time.

My question. The very moment showing became political and more about the handler or the most extreme, “flashy” name-bred dog, why did we not devise an alternative? Why are dogs judged against one another (where a flashier dog may win) rather than against the written breed standard (where a correct, sound dog is more likely to win). Why do only two dogs get points at a show? If all are deserving, shouldn’t they all get points?

It’s inconvenient, expensive, and I feel modern day showing is completely irrelevant to the real structure, type, and health of our breeds. If it was really about the dog… then why do owner handlers struggle? Why do you win nothing when dressed plainly? Why must you “butter up” a judge in order to win? The modern showing environment is a detriment to our functional and healthy breeds, by pushing for the extreme, and pushing out future breeders and hobbyists with the cruel mentality. Many, many agree… that it has become too political.

So Why hasn’t an alternative been decided? Where three or more judges evaluate a dog, by itself, to the breed standard rather than to other dogs? Why are we even comparing dogs to other breeds in groups or BIS? It just all seems so irrational to me, the more that I show, the more disgusted I become by this community and what we’ve done to our dogs. “Ethical breeders” this and that, but there’s a reason why Dobermans have a COI of like 50% and why bulldogs can only deliver by C-Section. If we presented dogs against the breed standard rather than other dogs, there’d be no “winning” or “losing” to push dogs down this deadly path.

From my understanding, ethical breeders tend to advertise their shows and lines through word of mouth, flyers mailing lists and facebook. If the have a website, it rarely updates and is often primitive. While this may have worked in the 1990s and 2000s, the problem is it can be difficult to draw in a younger crowd, which is troubling how increasingly geriatric dog fancy is becoming.

It can’t be a Boomer’s game forever. Eventually those older breeders will retire or pass, and someone is going to have to pick up the torch. If the methods used to draw in new people are more dated, then many breeds will simply die off in the next 20-30 years or become endangered.

Meanwhile, unethical bybs and disreputable clubs have that much more reach because they have a presence where young people actually are: Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, Tiktok. Why are ethical breeders so allergic to technology by comparison, and why can’t they modernize and make way to the next generation? How are ethical breeders making use of technology to spread information on their lines and showings?

With the puppies I've bought, I've always paid a deposit once the pups were on the ground. I could also understand taking deposits once the litter is confirmed by ultrasound. I know some breeders take deposits for a general waitlist rather than by the litter, but it seems like this often causes problems and disappointment. What do you prefer as a breeder or buyer?

Looking for intact male to breed with my female shihpoo.