Marital status and Puppy Buying

sweetardnas1885 · 10-07-2007, 06:58 PM

I have a question for all the breeders out there. I have been looking at and filing out puppy questionaires and have noticed that quite a few, if not all, ask one's marital status. I think I am a good dog owner. I have well-behaved, well taken care of dogs, but I am terrified that a breeder will turn me down because of some reason. Do breeders turn potential buyers away because they are not married, or in my case because they live with their boyfriend? Our relationship is good, strong. we want the same things, we laugh, we have fun. But a breeder doesn't necessarily know that. Will a breeder turn someone down because of the lack of "commitment" and the possibility that things may change? I thought about marriage and how often people divorce and thought that surely my status wouldn't hinder my dreams of owning another siberian, this one for show...Any answers would be great! Thanks ahead.

Dogstar · 10-07-2007, 07:06 PM

I haven't placed puppies I've bred, but I know when I'm placing rescue dogs, I want to know who else is in the home, and that's really it. I also want to know if kids are on the horizon- I generally don't like adopting puppies or really demanding dogs to folks who plan on having kids within 2 years- and if there's a SO already in the picture, I really want to meet him or her too- to make sure everyone in the family is on board with getting the dog, and that the dog clicks with everyone. It doesn't have anything to do with the lack of commitment, but I *do* want to know that the SO wants the dog too, isn't allergic to dogs, or anything like that- those are common reasons I see people getting rid of dogs!

Dakota Spirit · 10-07-2007, 07:06 PM

I think it’s more a concern of divorce and what will happen to the dog afterwards. Working in a shelter I can tell you that we get a ton of animals in because the couple divorced and either couldn't or didn't take the animals with them.

It could also be that some breeders view a married person as more grounded - less likely to just pull roots and move, ditch town, etc. etc.

Either way, I don't think you should worry

Fill out the questionnaire and see what the breeders say. IF you do get turned down, you can always continue communication with the breeder and find out what it is about you application that sent up a red flag.

ETA: Dogstar gave some good reasons as well. I didn't even think of those

Renoman · 10-07-2007, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogstar

I haven't placed puppies I've bred, but I know when I'm placing rescue dogs, I want to know who else is in the home, and that's really it. I also want to know if kids are on the horizon- I generally don't like adopting puppies or really demanding dogs to folks who plan on having kids within 2 years- and if there's a SO already in the picture, I really want to meet him or her too- to make sure everyone in the family is on board with getting the dog, and that the dog clicks with everyone. It doesn't have anything to do with the lack of commitment, but I *do* want to know that the SO wants the dog too, isn't allergic to dogs, or anything like that- those are common reasons I see people getting rid of dogs!

I have to agree with Dogstar. I think it's more knowing who else is in the home and making sure all are in agreement regarding the adoption and future plans which might effect the dog.

007Dogs · 10-07-2007, 07:33 PM

I have never turned down a potiental owner because of not being married. I have turned down really young ones who are entering college or did not seem stable. Most breeder's have a gut feeling when interviewing potiential new owners. Don't let that question sway you from applying for the puppy you want. Most breeders are thrilled when someone say's they want to show~!!!!! Show homes are hard to find. Sure you don't want to show one of my pups. LOL

lovemygreys · 10-08-2007, 12:00 AM

One of the most common reasons dogs are returned: divorce. So, actually it would make more sense to not adopt/sell to married people LOLOL. I wouldn't worry about the question too much. Breeders are just trying to learn more about you and your lifestyle.

poodleholic · 10-09-2007, 01:48 AM

Don't be discouraged - it's good that breeders are careful about who their puppies go to.

I'm not a breeder, but do work with a local breed rescue group in addition to a program for strays (mainly cats). I do a very thorough background check on potential adopters, including arrest records on anyone living in the home. I denied the adoption application of a young woman whose current boyfriend had a domestic violence aggravated battery charge 2 years back, the victim being another woman, not her, AND, he did not live with her - yet. She was very angry and upset with me, saying that I was unfair to use that against her, especially since her boyfriend had never touched her. I wasn't willing to place a dog in a home where violence could occur, and told her that I'd be happy to work with her once she got rid of her boyfriend. She would have provided a good and loving home, but that guy was bad news, and abusers do not change. It was just a matter of time before he started in on her, and this is what I told her.

Fast forward 2 years - this woman was now living on her own, the boyfriend in prison for domestic violence aggravated battery with a lethal weapon. It was his 14th domestic violence charge, so he was doing some hard time. Did I let her have one of my foster poodles? No. Not right away. My requirement was that she go to domestic violence classes (free), and counseling (also free of charge) for 6 months. She now has a darling little Poodle girl named Lola, whose history of abuse was similar to her new owner's history. Hopefully, they will never be abused again.

Shalva · 10-09-2007, 10:43 AM

when I place a puppy in a home I require that I meet EVERYONE that lives in the home so I personally don't ask whether a person is married or not, I DO ask who else resides in the home and then I need to meet EVERYONE, boyfriends, kids, mothers.... etc......

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Mdawn · 10-09-2007, 05:41 PM

My boyfriend and I weren't directly asked if we were married. We WERE asked about kids and things like that. It did come up in a conversation that my boyfriend and I had been together for 7 years though. In the event that my boyfriend and I would split up, we already have an agreement concerning the pets.