Why on puppy for sale websites do breeders put on adverts when the only have one or two puppies left?

[FidoAndHisBone]

Or is this a ploy to sell them quicker? I have been looking for a puppy but not having much luck from breeders who never get back to me. I have looked on a few websites and the new adverts always say they only have a few puppies left, how did they sell the others?!

[bochead]

A good breeder often has a waiting list for pups before the dam ever gets preggers!

Then once a pregnancy is announced, word of mouth comes into play. Especially if the sire is also a lovely natured, great example of his breed as some potential owners will come via this route too. Previous pups owners may be asked by potential owners who bred their pup.

By good breeder I mean someone who IS responsible in ALL aspects of breeding and has previously produced healthy well-tempered/socialised pups but doesn't produce a litter too often. Doing it properly is hard work.

With the prevalence of puppy farming - the really caring non-profit making breeders often sell most pups totally by word of mouth or personal recomendation. They also won't produce a litter in the first place unless they are 100% positive good homes can be found for all the litter - it's this factor that has led to the decline in some breeds like the otterhound, as general demand dissiapated amongst the public.

I also know a few people who have stopped breeding staffs in the last few years, as they were upset by the numbers clogging up the pounds and didn't want to risk adding to the problem. How this will affect the staff when they fall out of fashion again I don't know. Many owners of poodle studs are refusing to participate in the current doodle craze too. A responsible breeder is usually mindful of the welfare of their chosen breed as a whole and does it for love not £££££

In general having a chat with the relevant breed club is likely to put you in touch with responsible breeders who are considering producing a litter.

I personally think that as a dog is a long term thing it's well worth waiting for the right animal to come along. Then again I may be biased as my last dog finally slipped away in his sleep at 18 lol!

[Morloth]

I don't think responsible breeders advertise at all.

I contacted our breeder at the beginning of last year when my old cat died and went on the waiting list for a puppy.

He is now planning a litter (happily with exactly the bitch and dog I would have chosen [my new puppy will be a descendant of my favourite dog ever sniff]) because he has a long list of homes that he has vetted for any puppies he chooses not to keep himself for showing.

If you want a pedigree puppy then you will need to decide on what breed then approach a real breeder and ask them to go on a waiting list. If you are not fussed about breed then you should get on the phone to a couple of rescues and let them know your plans/requirements for a dog and see if they can find someone for you.

[midori1999]

Sometimes good breeders so advertise on puppy sales websites if they have had a home back out or turn out no tto be suitable, but I have never seen a respobsible breeder saying they only have one or a few puppies left.

I consider myself a responsible breeder and always advertise litters, even when there are none left. Then, when people phone me I can point them in the direction of the breed club/another responsible breeder with a 'left over' puppy or a waiting list and also explain to them how to find a well bred puppy and hopefully steer them away from the idiots out there. You'd be suprised how many people are very greatful and didn't have a clue that some people who breed dogs are so unscrupulous.

[EdlessAllenPoe]

websites to avoid: gumtree, epupz, friday-ad

better to not go via web at all, but talk to rescue for whichever breed you are interested in for recommendations and do the work by phone.

KC accredited breeder scheme sadly includes many puppy farmers.
it is important to remember a single puppy farm can churn out 500 pups a year, a reputable breeder would probably not do more than a single litter in the same year. The bad totally outnumber the good.

[EdlessAllenPoe]

although as midori correctly points out, responsible breeders do sometimes advertise, and will refer on to other good breeders - do lots of research about the place and don't be afraid to walk out if you aren't 100% happy.