So, I completely realize that I am new to this and that I am the most impatient person on the planet, so forgive me in advance. We have been looking for a golden puppy since about May. Granted, it took me several weeks to really figure out what to look for in a GOOD breeder rather than a puppy mill/backyard breeder (thanks to this forum). But in the past month to month and a half, I've contacted no less than 10 breeders in and around our state that I felt like were truly good hobby breeders. Out of those 10, I think I've only gotten responses from 3. Out of those 3, the absolute best even remote possibility was for a puppy after the first of the year, but that's obviously not a guarantee. We did have one SUPER sweet breeder who was going to have puppies, but the timing was the worst possible combination for our family (we have about 3-4 weeks where we just can't do the brand new puppy time frame, and her puppies would be ready right at the beginning of that time). Her puppies were also a bit out of our price range ($2200 - we would like to max out at about $1500-$1800). Additionally, IF we can find a good breeder who will have puppies at a pretty good time (at this point, we realize it will be first of next year probably), a lot of breeders give priority to show dogs and therapy dogs, so for someone like us who really just want a new family member, we're on the bottom of the list.
So, here is my question.....is this a normal process for trying to find a pet puppy? I'm so frustrated that I've taken the time to fill out puppy questionnaires (one took me nearly an hour to complete because I'm super thorough), and then the breeders don't even take the time to email me back. I have tried asking around to some friends who have goldens, but so far, everyone that has made "breeder" referrals have either gotten their puppies from what I consider a puppy mill or from breeders who don't do clearances. I know that I'm maybe being a tad impatient, but I would honestly just like to have someone return an email! For those of you who have been through this process (starting blind like I've done), have you had similar experiences? Can anyone offer any advice? We would have ideally liked to have added a new puppy now or in the next month or so, so that we could be fairly well house-trained by Thanksgiving (the start of our family's super busy season - my hubby and I both have very seasonal businesses), but that obviously isn't realistic. My daughter is so excited about the new puppy, and bless her heart, she has been so patient, but I would love to at least be able to say, we've found our breeder.
So, here is my question.....is this a normal process for trying to find a pet puppy? I'm so frustrated that I've taken the time to fill out puppy questionnaires (one took me nearly an hour to complete because I'm super thorough), and then the breeders don't even take the time to email me back. I have tried asking around to some friends who have goldens, but so far, everyone that has made "breeder" referrals have either gotten their puppies from what I consider a puppy mill or from breeders who don't do clearances. I know that I'm maybe being a tad impatient, but I would honestly just like to have someone return an email! For those of you who have been through this process (starting blind like I've done), have you had similar experiences? Can anyone offer any advice? We would have ideally liked to have added a new puppy now or in the next month or so, so that we could be fairly well house-trained by Thanksgiving (the start of our family's super busy season - my hubby and I both have very seasonal businesses), but that obviously isn't realistic. My daughter is so excited about the new puppy, and bless her heart, she has been so patient, but I would love to at least be able to say, we've found our breeder.