I can't believe!

[Weims]

I still have the puppies here. They are now 5 months old and eating me out of house and home. They are fully vaccinated and housetrained. Crate trained too.....

Why can I not find them homes.?? I have even reduced the price by £200.... still no takers....



Lexi & Loulou

[sian]

and they look so lovely too!

That must be every breeder's nightmare, to have some puppies that love you too much to leave home...

[daniela]

Yikes. Are you on champdogs? I advertised my litter on there and the KC's PSR and I seemed to get a lot of enquiries via both.

The majority of enquiries came via email so it seems the Internet is the place to be these days.

[Weims]

I have had lots of enquiries just not suitable ones. I am on Champdogs, E pupz, WCGB website, on here. just cant think of any other places..... Oh yes I am on puppy planet too.

Lynn

[weimaranermama]

They look lovely. Maby at this time there where to much puppies born?
Hope for them they will find a new home adres soon.

Gr. Ina

[tasha]

is a little worrying that puppies aren't being sold from good breeders... maybe the puppy farms have finally got us to a point where we are saturated??

How many have you got left??

[Wetdog]

Lynn, I'm sorry you are having troubles.

is a little worrying that puppies aren't being sold from good breeders... maybe the puppy farms have finally got us to a point where we are saturated??

The problem is not so much too many puppies as it is not enough breed recognition. There is a LOT of the public who have never heard of, or seen Weimaraners before. Also, like it or not, for most of the public, puppy buying is an impulse thing---they buy the first "cute" puppy they see, THEN they start to do some research.
Is there some sort of public market or area that you could take the pups out to be seen and interact with people and offer them for sale? (I know that flies against every rule of the way things are suppossed to work, but in the real world, you have to go with what works, not what is "supposed " to be true.)

Another thing you can do---place some newspaper ads, with a note to call for information about savings(shots, vet bills, etc.) and convenience(housebreaking, able to be trained now, less suseptible to stress, illness,) and how this is the perfect age(the 4-6 month period) when puppies actually start to become "real" pack members and learn the rules---so the new owners won't miss anything in bonding. There are a lot of advantages to getting pups that are that age---but people don't know what they are, you have to tell them.
I'd tell them that serious "dog people" much prefer looking at older puppies in that age range---you can know a lot more about what you end up with, and avoid a lot of expense and frustration.

Don't worry---there are people out there who want exactly what you have, the problem is finding those people and being able to tell them the advantages of the pups you have to offer. In many cases, they don't even know yet how good it is to get an older puppy---no one has ever told them.

[Weims]

Tasha I have 2 bitch puppies left.

Wetdog we dont have that many newspapers and I have had ads in the local ones. I understand where you are coming from but a newspaper ad is about 5 lines long and about 30 words... You have to be short and sweet.....

Lynn

[tasha]

the other option is your offer them to show folk as free to home but with shared ownership??

This was something I was offered recently but I am not in a position to take on another dog at the moment as we have a houseguest and I have plans for a pup from germany and would like to keep my options open.

[Wetdog]

Lynn, I know what you mean---people from other boards have often come on with ads from papers etc. that are "short and sweet" with lots of flaming criticism about backyard breeding without stopping to think that even the best of breeders cann't include everything about titles, pedigrees etc. due to cost and space restraints. The best way to go is to look for people who are shopping for or thinking about getting a dog---and have them call you for information, something like {Thinking of getting a puppy--get introduction to a wonderful breed--distinctive and unusual--phone #}
{Thinking of dog showing-excellent prospects and experienced mentor phone #}
I like Tasha's idea---co-ownership to good show hunting/working homes, this gives you the option to be more flexible on payment.
People are swayed strongly by something distinctive and unusual, convenience(we all pay more for things that cost more but save time or effort---already prepared food for instance, or we buy things at convenience stores even though they cost a lot more for the same thing because of location and getting through check out lines quickly), and service, knowledge and attitude--there are people who would like to show, hunt, work, whatever, but have no idea where to start.
So, alternatives to newspapers--radio, often small local radio stations have phone in trading hours where people can phone in the things they have for sale or swap---think of some things you'd consider to take as a swap rather than a cash payment---local ad papers like you find at the entrance to grocery stores offer classified ads at low rates(usually have names like Penny Saver or Thrifty Ads or similar)
And, a little training and getting them out in public(they need to be socialized anyway) cann't be beat for stirring interest in the breed and the puppies. I guarrantee you'll have people who will be interested come up and talk to you out of a clear blue sky.
When they do, ask if they are interested and if they aren't, ask if they know anyone who is deciding to get a dog---oftentimes you hit it lucky. Word of mouth is pretty effective if you get the word out.
Get some cards printed up or make some on the computer with your phone # on them and never go ANYWHERE without them.
People are out there who will appreciate your pups--it's only a matter of being able to find the right people. The more you reach, the better your chances of finding the right ones.

[Weims]

Thanks Tasha and Fred for your ideas. I am working on them as we speak!

I think a lot of it is to do with the fact that they are not docked. I have had several phone calls asking if they are docked and when I say no they dont want to know.

Thanks again
Lynn

[greyghost]

weims said:

I think a lot of it is to do with the fact that they are not docked. I have had several phone calls asking if they are docked and when I say no they dont want to know.

Lynn

Hmmm I wonder if we have inadvertently scuppered the over breeding at puppy farms in that they will maybe realise that they cannot sell them so easily now

OR

Will it mean an excess out there for rescue

[sieglinde]

Lynn, sorry to read this. It is indeed a little worrying. Hope you will very soon get some suitable, lovely new homes for them.

[hollie]

oh no wish i never read this post ickle pups!!!!!!

[Alkemist]

Sadly it looks like the UK 'market' might be really flooded with pups, one of the reasons I am not in a rush to mate Anya. Maybe posting the pedigrees and some pictures might get people interested, afterall there are a lot of readers only out there.

Nina

[weima]

I know a lot of pups who are still awaiting homes. I do think the market has been flooded but there are an awful lot of time wasters out there who say they will come & never turn up

[tasha]

docking must have had some impact, I know several people who don't like the tails on their new dogs...

[Rachel]

Do you really think the docking ban has made such a difference ?

I think it is a sign of the economy as people are having a hard time now finding money each week to pay the bills, dogs then get put behind the priority list when you have to put food on the table first for your family. The UK is a very expensive place to live now and lets face it when we walk into a supermarket, we don't get a lot of change out of a £100 each week now. Especially if you have teenagers in the house that eat you out of house and home. Plus my biggest moan is that petrol and diesel has just gone up in price to £1-09 in our village. ahhhhh....It makes dog showing also an expensive hobby on fuel alone. Okay I will stop moaning now.

I will think of you Lynn and if I get any en quires this week will pass them over to you.
Rachel

[alabama]

Hi Lynne
Sorry to hear about your dilemma, I also believe the docking ban has an awful lot to do with it, fortunately we don't have this problem in Ireland at the present time but I'm sure things will change. The weimaraner is truly a high maintenance dog and getting the right homes can be a problem. I will do my best and keep my ear to the ground for you!!

Karen
www.zilvereinweimaraners.com

[Weims]

Thanks Rachel & Karen, I have had quite a few enquiries asking if they are docked and when I say NO then they dont want to know so I do think the docking ban has had an effect. But we are going to have to get used to them. Having the puppies in the house I am now used to the tails bashing me around the legs and knocking the tea off the table... lol


Lynn