Until very recently I have always allowed people to come to my home to view their new puppy. Several events have caused me to change my policy on home visits. I understand that some people may not like my new policy, however, through experience of my own and others this the best way I know to have peace of mind for my family, dogs and home.
First of all this is my home not a place of business, for our safety and our dogs’ I have decided not to allow strangers into our home any longer.
Puppy diseases are easily spread even by the most casual contact. The best breeders will not allow their puppies to be seen or handled until the puppy as had its first set of shots and do everything in their power to keep their home disease free.
Then there is the biggest nightmare, thieves and other criminals. People have had their puppies, dogs and personal property stolen right from their homes, all because they had a puppy for sale and allowed people into their homes to see it. This happens more than people realize unfortunately. The AKC has published an article warning "Breeders need to be aware of home visits by potential puppy buyers" link follows:
link to a AKC Article
link to another AKC Article
link to ABC video
link to another AKC video
Last but not least, don't forget Bobbie Jo Stinnett, the girl from Missouri that was murdered in 2004, and had her unborn child cut out of her womb all because she allowed some woman to come to her home to see a puppy she had for sale.
Link to story
yorkie puppies that were stolen at gun point, from a home in LA on 03/03/07. Caught on video !
link to video link to fox news
pit puppie Jul 9, 2010
link to srory
stolen Alaskan Malamute pups Oct. 3 2010
link to story
Oct 3/11
Dog, puppies stolen from Crystal Lake kennel
Link to story
October 28, 2011
Puppies stolen in Brevard home invasion
Link to story
Nov 11/11
Yorkies stolen
link to story
Nov 11/11
Three purebred puppies stolen from home
Link to story
DEC 3/11
2 Puppies Stolen From Local Dog Grooming Store
Link to story
Dec 23/11
breeder speaks out
Link to story
Jan 20/12
Lawrence police investigate dognapping of Maltese puppy from home
Link to story
Feb 11/12
4 San Francisco Puppies Stolen In Brutal Attack
Link to story
Then held for ransom
Link to story
Puppy stolen from Breeder caught on tape!
Link to video
Apr 26/12
Dozen Puppies Stolen At Gunpoint In East Tulsa
Link to story
Then there are my own personal experiences, and its just not worth it to me, I would rather lose the sale of a puppy than lose the life of one of my family, dogs or myself. Therefore I meet all customers in a public place, for your safety and mine, I will not go to your home either. You can see them and interact with the puppy that you may be interested in. It may not be the best scenario as the puppy isn't in its own environment and pictures have to suffice rather than viewing parents in person. But this is the best I can do under current day circumstances. There are no exceptions
Although some people may not agree with my policy or like it, I hope they can at least understand my reasons for making this decision.
Thank You.
the main part of this this was written by a CA breeder, I found it when I did a such on the Yorkie story. I asked and got permission to copy it and added a bit to it myself