thanks for all your advice. that was my feeling too, there's NO WAY once the pup was a part of my family it would ever be given up no matter what. I just figured it'd show the breeder had confidence and an interest in his puppies to provide info and/or a contract rather than just sell and be done. my concern was the breeders attitude to breeding and i wasnt altogether comfortable with everything so I'm still looking! Maybe for the breeder this(selling puppies) is routine but for me having a happy healthy companion is a serious commitment and not one i take lightly. thanks again.

If something goes wrong and your darling Bully encounters serious trouble at .. let's say at 10 months. Would you be willing to forfeit him/her back to the breeder?

I personally consider that provision to be a crummy loop-hole for the breeder because they know nearly everybody would refuse to give up their dog.

You need a WRITTEN contract regarding what the breeder will do if certain conditions arise within a certain period of time. Don't be afraid to ask brutally frank questions.

I had to sign so much paper work when I went to pick up Bosworth it was like I was buying a car! They sent me home with things to read, food, his favorite 2 toys. They even took our picture. And, since we had a looong drive back home and we took our time doing so we had a few messages on our machine reminding us to call as soon as we got home so they would know all was well! They even told us they would not deposit our check until we had him looked over by our vet and he gave him a clean bill of health. I have bothered them a million times already with questions along the way and they get back to me ASAP. I can not tell you how much this all means to me. Dont rush and take whoever happens to be available. Where your puppy comes from is soooooo important.

By the way, Bosworth was 14 weeks old when we adopted him. I set out to 'pick' a puppy that was just days old and take him/her home as soon as I could. But you know what? He got a lot out of spending all that time with his littermates and his parents. I never really gave it that much thought before but now that I have experienced the difference I wouldnt want it any other way.

BozNBeans

if a breeder doesn't have a contract or health guarantee...look elsewhere.

i think the usual time breeders let pups go is 8-10 weeks.

quality of dogs is very important, and i would be concerned if someone is having multiple litters per year, and not keeping any to show.

get references from past buyers, and even a vet reference. most breeders would be happy to pass along some names, and will probably ask for your references as well

liz

You should always get a health gaurantee. Most breeders will have no problem with this. Usually they are a one year gauantee. I would be concerned if they have alot of litters in a year that just screams Mill to me. And at least the very least 8 weeks old. Some breeders will let pups go at 6 weeks but that is way to young for them to leave the momma and litter mates. Again I am no expert this is just my opinion. Good luck with your search.

Always have a contract. It protects both the buyer and the seller. If someone promises you the world, but you don't have it in writing, how good do you think those promises might be later on? What if you have health issues, and nothing in writing?

As far as many litters a year, that would be a big red flag.

The questions I'd ask since it appears they are not just a first time breeder, but have been doing it a lot and for a while is:

1) Do you belong to Bulldog Club of America?
2) Do you belong to a Bulldog Specialty club?
3) Do you show? If not, why?
4) How many champions have you finished or bred?

If they cannot answer yes to the above, it sounds like they are only into it for making money, and not the health and betterment of the breed.

Keep in mind, not everyone might be into actually showing themselves, but with as many dogs they seem to be producing, they could have a handler show their "top dogs", and if they were producing quality, with all those puppies being sold, they should be a few that have finished.