13/05/2026
One thing I don’t think people always realize is that there’s a real person behind breeder pages.
Most of us aren’t giant businesses with employees answering messages all day long. It’s usually just us, replying while scrubbing floors, folding laundry, sanitizing bowls, ordering supplies, setting alarms through the night for mums and babies, scheduling vet appointments, and trying to remember where we even put our coffee down for the third time and keeping up with our kids as well.
A lot of these conversations happen while puppies are asleep in our laps or while we’re sitting in a whelping box exhausted, running on little sleep, but still excited to talk about our dogs because we truly love what we do.
So when someone reaches out asking about:
• price
• temperament
• health testing
• go-home dates
• parents
• photos and videos
• availability
• our curriculum
• our program
I genuinely sit there and thoughtfully type out responses because I care.
I care about my dogs. I care about where they end up. And I care about helping people make the right decision, even if it’s not with me.
And trust me, I fully understand asking questions before bringing home a puppy. You absolutely should. A puppy is a huge commitment emotionally, financially, and time-wise.
But sometimes, after spending an hour answering questions, sending videos, taking updated photos, explaining health testing, talking through personalities, and pouring emotional energy into a conversation.
it just ends with silence.
I don’t think most people mean to be hurtful when they do it. Life gets busy. People get distracted. Plans change.
But on the breeder side, it can feel discouraging sometimes because these puppies are such a huge part of our hearts and our everyday lives. This isn’t just “inventory” to us. These are babies we’ve stayed awake with, worried over, celebrated milestones with, and poured ourselves into for weeks, months, and years through our programs.
And while we’re here, this is your reminder to please talk things over with your spouse, partner, or family before reaching out to breeders.
So many conversations end with:
“Let me talk to my husband.”
“My husband isn’t ready.”
“We didn’t realize the investment.”
“We’re actually going on vacation.”
“The timing just isn’t right.”
And those are all completely valid reasons. Truly.
But having those conversations beforehand helps save everyone a little emotional energy and time.
At the end of the day, breeders are people too. Most of us are just dog lovers with tired eyes, messy buns, laundry piles, and phones full of puppy photos trying our best to raise really good dogs and place them with families who will love them as much as we do.
So if you’ve ever reached out to a breeder and changed your mind, that’s okay. No hard feelings at all.
Just know that a simple:
“Thank you so much for your time, but we decided to go another direction.”
means more than you probably realize.
