That long puppy wait..

[MafiaPrincess]

Any of you who have looked for months for breeders, weeded through breeders, found the perfect one, conversed a long while, and then waited for your perfect pup from that perfect litter.. How did you endure the wait without going mental?

No, I'm serious.. My breeder and I email all the time which helps keep my sanity in check, lol. But the weirdo weather is throwing everyone's cycles off, and even if it wasn't between conception and home time it's months and months.

I figure end of summer is probably a good estimate, and some of the time is flying by... But I'm having dreams of that perfect pup I'm waiting for.

And I know I can't be the only one who had to wait it out. Just tell me I'm not alone, *sniff* My coworkers think I'm insane since this isn't an instant gratification endeavor. But hey they think that going to dog classes, and wanting to trial makes me the weirdo dog lady too :D

[Zoom]

LOL, try a couple of years! The Aussie breeder I want a pup from isn't have another litter until 2009.

[RD]

Eve was the first puppy I had to really wait for, and even then it was only a few months. All I could do was keep my mind off of the puppy, and keep myself busy with other things (even if it was preparing for the puppy).

This puppy was also the first one that I let the breeder choose for me. I went mental while waiting for her to make her picks (she wound up making them about a week early since everyone was getting antsy) and then got even more wound up after I found out which one was mine. I was absolutely mad for the 2-3 weeks after that, until I was able to pick her up. I stopped sleeping a few days before I left to pick her up. :p

I think it's unavoidable. The insanity will come out at some point.

[wookie130]

You're not alone. I've been on the waiting list for my breeder FOREVER for my puppy, and just learned that the sire and dam just mated two days ago...so we're looking at the pups to arrive around April 11th or so. Then, I won't be able to take my puppy home until nearly July. I know what you mean...it's so exciting, and such a tough waiting game!

[Bahamutt99]

I daydreamed about mine for 6 years. I knew I wanted another APBT in 1998, and wasn't able to bring her home until 2004. The wait for the actual litter was relatively short. Good timing, I guess. But researching breeders and waiting until I could get out of my mom's house and on my own took a long time.

[FoxyWench]

ive been looking for a great dane for about 5yrs...i think i finally found the one for me, and even now im still waiting, hes only 19 days old!

the thing that keeps me going is i try and just keep busy...

[~Jessie~]

I had to wait for both Rylie and Chloe, and the wait was sooo hard! I kept looking at puppy pictures online while I waited, and their puppy pictures of course :D

The wait is worth it though!

[Love That Collie]

I had to wait for both Bailey and Chloe.

Bailey's was the hardest wait though.
In Dec. 2004, just before Christmas my beloved Collie (Timmie) of nearly 12 years passed away and I was devastated. Besides me of course, everyone genuinely loved this dog, my neighbors even cried when they found out. Little kids used to come to my door and ask if Timmie could come out and play. My father said, "you will NEVER find another dog as good as Timmie", my dad even loved this dog and Dad isn't particularly a dog lover. But I didn't let that deter me after the shock wore off.

A little later I looked for another breeder as Timmie's breeder wasn't breeding any longer due to divorce issues. I THOUGHT I'd found one near me. But that's another story in itself. This breeder has switched puppies on me. When I got the pup I THOUGHT I'd purchased I soon realized that he was not the pup I'd picked out and I was furious. Long story short I returned him, got my money back and let the breeder have an earful of what I thought of her. I know she took advantage of me because she THOUGHT I was still grieving over Timmie.

I found another breeder about 100 miles away and she was wonderful. I told her my story and what happened with the other breeder. She had a bitch that was due in season and we waited. Three months later Bailey's litter was born and I had first pick of the males after she chose hers. She sent me pictures from their earliest weeks, EVERY week until the time came for me to come to her kennel and see them in person. We emailed nearly every day or at least 4 times a week, spoke on the phone and she invited me to come any time I would like before that to visit. We still email and occassionally talk on the phone. I send her pics of Bailey because she wanted to see him grow and how he was turning out and to hear all about him. She is absolutely wonderful and we still communicate.

That all took 6 1/2 months and I thought that the time would never get here when I could go and get him. The house was so empty for that 6 1/2 months now that my daughter was grown and lives in another state and I'm divorced so you could almost "hear" the silence in the house.

[MafiaPrincess]

Awwwww..
It's nice to hear other people have had that wait (or that really really long wait). I saw a black female cocker at work yesterday I awwwed and awwwed wanting my little boy. Coworkers didn't get it at all..

[planet molosser]

Its worth the wait see if you and go visit the breeder to get a FIX on doggie breath .

My dogs get thrown off all the time with weather.

And the breeders that have pups all the time and constant leftovers from every litter are not worth it. The one with the waiting list is.
Patience is a virtue.

I have to hide pup pics from litters till they all leave otherwise future buyers say I want that pup now and it is so hard to turn them down and have to say pls get back in line.
Best of luck hope the wait is not too long

[tinies12]

It took us 6 months to find our breeder. The women was wonderful right from the get go! I guess we just lucked out finding her and Sasha!:cool: :cool:

[MafiaPrincess]

You are totally right. I know it's worth the wait for the right pup, from someone really good. It's just 'new' for me since I've never done this before..

Roomie bought Cider (impulse petstore buy) and went to put her in the pound 4 months later. Only dog I've ever had was rescuing her. But she was my key into researching and becoming well informed :)

I'm fully happy and prepared to wait. Just needed to whine a little, lol. Since most people I know think I'm crazy to fly in a pup, and to wait so long.

Good to know that weird weather throwing girls off is normal. Never really thought about it before.

[Red_ACD_for_me]

I waited 18 long months for my ACD :) . I did a ton of research and found a breeder two hours from me in Western Mass. I looked for someone who did health testing that was necessary for my breed and showed her dogs to prove breed worthy ;) . I was actually so anxious when he was born to get him that I started grinding my teeth at night :lol-sign: I had to start wearing a mouth piece at night so I wouldn't keep causing pain on myself. Crazy huh! That was the longest wait of my life, but he was totally worth it :D .

[BlackPuppy]

My breeder emailed photos to me every week. Then, with one week to go, he called and suggested a different puppy to me. I had my heart set on one of the darkest females. The differences were subtle, the lighter color puppy had more prance to her step which would have been good in the obedience ring. After thinking about it a while, I stuck with my dark color puppy and it was the correct choice. We still email, and he later told me that the other puppy tended to have a dark side to her personality, while my little girl is a sweetie. So, in the end, I got the right puppy.

[MafiaPrincess]

Countdown is about 6 weeks..

I am unsure if it was worse before the conception and having no fixed date, or if I am more anxious now that I'm waiting on something real....

But I keep gettign told you think YOU are anxious! Your breeder is more so :)

[PWCorgi]

Aww! I can't wait to see pictures!! :D

Hang in there :p

[Brattina88]

I can't wait either!! :D :eek: I'm really bad at it, too. Trust me!

[MafiaPrincess]

HAHAAH
I'll be coming back for names with pics you know..
I've picked a few registered names and like 6 call names..

But I find people always have better ones that I can dream up :).

It's so close but so darned far!!!!
And I worry things like what if it's all girls, or the whelp goes badly or or or maybe I shouldn't have told the world just in case..

[Lizmo]

LOL hang in there! Can't wait to see pictures of you new baby :)

[bubbatd]

Is that 6 weeks for whelp !!!??? Wow .... can't wait !

[Zoom]

You're so lucky!

I officially put my name down on the Aussie wait list...and I'm #5!! And this isn't even slated until 2009 and that's IF everything else goes right.

[MafiaPrincess]

Awww.. I thought November till August was bad... Since born About the second week of may is about 2nd week of august for it to be 12 weeks old.

Now that might drive me mad... Here I am afraid of enough male choice just to get the personality I find right for me.

How large are aussie litters normally, and do you have a sex in mind?

[MafiaPrincess]

Is that 6 weeks for whelp !!!??? Wow .... can't wait !

Yeah that's about 6 weeks left to whelp.. I was edgy in like January-February long before she went into heat, and I got an email at like 3am after just talking to her that the girl she'd been waiting on had finally come in just near the end of my work season.. I annoyed my fellow employees to death as they are all you are FLYING a puppy in? You could buy one in any mall :yikes:

Not sure if it's worse when there's nothing going on at all and you are waiting on nature..

Or if it's worse after it looks like she is pregnant and you are still waiting on nature :)

[Zoom]

Usually between 5-8 puppies. I think I'd like another male, but I'm flexible. I know Sawyer would rather have a female buddy...it really depends on which pup ends up fitting my needs. These lines tend to throw the most awesome looking merles though, so I'd really love to have another merle. Hardly any copper on them at all.

[~Jessie~]

Zoom, who is the breeder that you are on the wait list for? We are possibky looking into adding an aussie to our "pack" in the next 3-5 years... we'd like to move across the country once Ian gets out of grad school, and once we're settled into a house add a pup. I'm really picky about breeders though... looking for a breeder who is actively showing, health tests, and has AKC registered dogs from sound lines.

[Zoom]

This is an ASCA breeder, little to nothing to do with the AKC (which is how I like my Aussies) but they are my example of the paragon of breeding excellence as far as the amount of reserach they put into each litter and the socialization of the pups before they go home. They are a working line breeder, I don't know if that fits your needs or not.

www.adastrafarm.com

[MafiaPrincess]

Man, I'm kinda jealous Zoom, you planning it out so so so far in advance. Though the wait might just drive me fully mental ;)

I didn't know much about well bred cockers when I started my search at the end of summer.. I wasn't aware all the colours I found most appealing were harder to come by, meaning **** hard to come by from someone any good.

While I have had a long enough wait to have first gotten informed, then searched my butt off, and then finally found someone I'd love to have a decent mutual friendship with ad a breeder.. I think that my next next dog, which is much much further down the road of likely another breed I'd be wanting on that like a few year off waiting list, depending if there was varying colours spending that long time searching for that stellar breeder of a colour not as common, but still being bred excellently if I could find it.

I ended up deciding dark was stunning.. black, chocolate, b and t, or c and t and I am beyond happy, but last like august it wasn't what I had my sights on :)

[~Jessie~]

Thanks, Zoom. I started checking out their website, and they have some gorgeous dogs. At first, I thought I wanted to go with show lines. However, I would like to get involved in agility. I don't know enough about Aussies to really make any kind of decision yet... I'm used to going with simply show lines (since with chihuahuas, that is important to me).

I've wanted an Aussie for a long time... started getting into the research, and have plenty of time to do so. We're not sure if we want to go with an Aussie or another breed. It's funny, because I know chihuahuas inside and out... and looking into other breeds is like going into foreign territory :lol-sign: We would like to get another chihuahua someday as well... but would like a 'big' dog too. Another breed we really like is the Toller.

We're thinking we want to go with show lines rather than working. I would, however, like to get involved with agility with

[Bahamutt99]

Oh yeah, and what I do while waiting is buy everything under the sun that I'm going to need. Then I email the breeder a million and one times, talking about what I've bought, what kind of names I'm considering, what I'm going to compete in with the puppy, how awesome its going to be, etc. :)

[Zoom]

It's a new leaf I'm trying to turn over...I've actually had my eye on this breeder since late 2004, maybe early 2005. I just wasn't set up to have another Aussie at this time, which bites because they had two boys that weren't claimed at time of whelping...they quickly found good homes though. Just not with me.

Jessie, tell me about it! How do you think I feel looking up Cavs and Chis and the like? Lol...I can help you sort through kennels though. Actually, this site (www.australianshepherds.biz/location.html) is a great place to start looking, as well as going to the ASCA webpage. I tend to veer away from strictly show lines, I feel they lose some of their brains when the breeding is focused on coat and color, but that's IMO.

[MafiaPrincess]

Oh yeah, and what I do while waiting is buy everything under the sun that I'm going to need. Then I email the breeder a million and one times, talking about what I've bought, what kind of names I'm considering, what I'm going to compete in with the puppy, how awesome its going to be, etc. :)

LOL, my breeder knows exactly what I want to do with this pup, while I wait I tell her about Cider and her brags. See I was going to go buy puppy stuff.. but I don't really need stuff so far.. It's not like bringing the first dog home.. We have extras of a lot of things now, so everything is want rather than need..
I've begun listing names in a word document for myself lmao. registered and call names and what goes together. I am such a dork.

[Lizmo]

I thought it was 6 weeks till your pup was coming home! LOL!

I am starting to look into adding a BC in about the time Zoom is looking into getting another Aussie. Going mentel yet? I know I am :p I'm starting to email breeders...may have found one I really like. Very fine working lines.

Jessie, I agree with Zoom. Show lines are going for beauty rather than what they were really bred to do. IMO I would stay away from show lines.

[MafiaPrincess]

Oh I wish hun. In that case I'd already be sharing pictures!
Lot less unknowns once whelped, maybe get my anxiety down a touch :)

[~Jessie~]

It's a new leaf I'm trying to turn over...I've actually had my eye on this breeder since late 2004, maybe early 2005. I just wasn't set up to have another Aussie at this time, which bites because they had two boys that weren't claimed at time of whelping...they quickly found good homes though. Just not with me.

Jessie, tell me about it! How do you think I feel looking up Cavs and Chis and the like? Lol...I can help you sort through kennels though. Actually, this site (www.australianshepherds.biz/location.html) is a great place to start looking, as well as going to the ASCA webpage. I tend to veer away from strictly show lines, I feel they lose some of their brains when the breeding is focused on coat and color, but that's IMO.

lol... it is really strange looking into other breeds. I feel so lost. I know bits and pieces about a lot of breeds... but I can't rattle off every little piece of information (the way I can about chis).

I would love help in locating a breeder, and to know what to look for in an Aussie breeder. It would probably be closer to 5 years before I get a pup. Location of breeder isn't an issue, nor is price (to an extent... ;) ). I just want a well bred dog from good lines.

It's funny, because toy breeds are so much different. I will only support a breeder who uses AKC, shows their dogs, does the necessary breed specific health tests (of course, with any breed this is important to me). Looks are more important, although I do like seeing earthdog trials and agility titles in parents. First and foremost, I like my toy breeds to come from show lines... since there isn't much work a toy breed can do. Although, my Rylie is pretty good at herding the others into their crate ;)

[Zoom]

As far as Aussies go, you really want to support a breeder that is mainly ASCA (Australian Shepherd Club of America), as they are the original club and the ones who wrote the Aussie standard back in the 1950's. The Aussie has only been in the AKC since the 1990's. Many dogs are dual-registered, but I wouldn't truck much with ones who ONLY have an AKC registry. Also, the USASA is kind of a joke registry in the Aussie world...these was the original "Fluffy show dog" registry that catapaulted the Aussie into the AKC, despite huge protests from the folks over at ASCA...the USASA came about after they split off from the ASCA because the USASA didn't want to worry about stock trialing or herding ability.

[RD]

If you want a Golden Retriever in an Aussie suit, get one from show lines. That's really all I can say about them - I think Goldens are lovely dogs and show-bred Aussies are lovely dogs, but they don't act like Aussies and certainly can't work like Aussies. I think you'll find, Jessie, that the working breeds like Aussies and Border Collies are seriously divided between show and working lines.

This is mainly about border collies, but it's a good read nonetheless: http://www.bordercollie.org/akc.html

Mafia, oooo, i am so excited for you!

[SisMorphine]

You can't wait to get your puppy and I can't wait for my puppy to be an adult. She's 17 weeks old, and is a fantastic puppy as far as most standards are concerned, but I still HATE PUPPIES and I can't wait for her to be 2 years old!!! I wish I could just snap my fingers and have her be full grown. So yeah, looking forward to getting the puppy can get you all crazy-like, but for me remembering how much a puppy sucks kept me enjoying my puppy free time. LOL! The countdown until she is full grown has been on since the day she got here . . .

[MafiaPrincess]

Thanks RD. I'm all freaked cause Cider and my first three trials are coming up, biting my nails having a cow, while I also go OMG puppy!!!!

Aww don't say that Morphine.. I'm asking myself now that I have a dog that is somewhat calm, behaved, etc if it's a good idea to turn my life upsidown and enter chaos into it.

[RD]

HUUUUGE Ditto, Sis! I love my little Eve but I don't like puppy stuff for almost 2 years. An aging potion would be lovely about now, she's exactly the same age as your puppy.

I am excited though, she's getting step 1 to being a "big girl" and working livestock on Saturday.

[MafiaPrincess]

Aww I'm excited about puppy breath ;)
Think if I ask nicely he'll come with a bottle of aging potion tucked into his carrier?
I'm starting to enjoy at like 2.5 years old calm doggiehood.. To turn it upsidown cause I so want another..

[SizzleDog]

Shopping. Shopping makes the wait easier. ;)

I had to wait about 8 months for Ilsa. She had hundreds of toys by the time she came home! Collars, leashes, bowls, tags, toys, treats, beds, chews... it makes the time fly by!

[MafiaPrincess]

Oh oh oh oh

Talked to her tonight, and my guestimate was way off...

April 19th - a week later she's due... WOOOOOOT!

The time is passing fast finally!!

[Brattina88]

:D awesome!! I'm so excited for you !!

[Beanie]

I cannot describe to you the excitement you will feel when your breeder sends you the e-mail that your puppy has been born. It's like a million explosions of HAPPY in your heart. =>

Aww... I feel all nostalgic for the puppy wait... XD

[MafiaPrincess]

LOL, just hearing I had guestimated wrong made me happy. I'm like sooner WHAT????

[Spirit2010]

I've got to wait EXTRA long!! :( Unless my mom still goes through with the puppy agreement we had a while back ago.. And because Hershey still needs training.

[bubbatd]

As a past breeder , I know what you're going through when waiting !! I never knew who was happier .... when I had a great whelp or those on the waiting list !

[MafiaPrincess]

True enough Grammy.. As the time gets closer my breeder is gushing that she looks like she has a basketball belly, and I'm gushing going OMG PUPPIES!!

Figure she's got more to be nervous about though. I can sit on my bum.. It's her whelp.. *prays for a nice boy selection*

[MafiaPrincess]

Well, they were born last night.. 4 days early. She was holding 9 puppies. One stillborn, 3 boys and 5 girls, but 2 were super small. They didn't make it.

So I'm awfully sad. 5 girls, 1 boy.. b and t, and I'm not sure I'll fall in love.. :(

[Lizmo]

Aww! What color do you want? Male or Female?

I am SURE you will fall in love with a COCKER puppy ;)

[MafiaPrincess]

I'll only take a male..

And i wanted black or chocolate. Only male is black and tan. I really wanted choice to make sure I got a really outgoing pup..

[showpug]

Black and tan...just look at it as a black with chocolate markings. See it was meant to be ;)

All kidding aside, I hope you do fall in love and that this is your dream puppy. I think black and tans are beautiful!

[MafiaPrincess]

I find them to look endlessly grumpy due to the 'second eye' in tan eyebrow markings..
I was really hoping for a solid black or solid chocolate. Rest of the pups are black..

I hope I grow to love him, but I'm sad it may be another year of puppy waiting ahead now.. Won't know till they grow up a bit though..

[Beanie]

Oh no! I'm so sorry. I hope you meet him and fall in love. You never know.
Whatever happens, it's for the best... even if it sucks to wait another year. *hugs!*

[bubbatd]

Don't buy unless you really fall in love and want him . There are always others .

[MafiaPrincess]

Don't buy unless you really fall in love and want him . There are always others .

I've gotten that advice from a few people really into dogs.. Thank you. I've been told if I settle, even if it's on colour alone that I will still be wanting another pup of the colour I did want...

It's nice to be told not to settle by others though.

Still makes me really sad. Waiting from November till now even though a pup wouldn't be coming home till the end of July... So who knows how long a wait..

[wookie130]

Naw...don't fret. One of two things will happen...you'll either fall seriously in love with one of the pups from the current litter, despite the color issue, or you should wait to find the pup that really breaks your heart.

Don't settle for less than what you're looking for!

Oh, in other news, I originally posted to this thread way back when, and I'm happy to report that the dam of the litter I was on the waiting list for delivered last Wednesday...these are basset hound puppies, as I'm sure most of you don't remember. The news literally made my heart LEAP out of my chest. The breeder sent me photos, and we immediately fell hardcore in love with a little tri-color female, with the neatest black/white markings!!! She's beautiful, and is quite the little angel.

We are making the drive tomorrow to meet our new baby girl, which we've named "Rita"!!! We can't wait to see her in person!