I particularly liked the last sentence : Pro tip: If the breeder tries to give you one on your first visit… walk away. A good breeder of a difficult breed is just as difficult as the dogs themselves. You have to work for it'. I'm afraid I'm guilty of trying to put people OFF getting a puppy from me. Why? Because I don't want enquiries from people who haven't or aren't prepared to do their homework. If you haven't met a Lappy in the fur but you're asking if I have puppies available, then you are acting on impulse, not the kind of home I'm looking for. I spell it out on my website and if you haven't bothered to read that before making a sensible enquiry, well then I can't be bothered with you.
I pick people who will put in the effort to get past my Rottweiler tendencies and discover the joy my dogs bring to not only me, but every home who owns one. I'm happy to stick the kettle on and introduce my dogs (these visits tend to last at least 1.5 hours, usually more and during this time you'll get sniffed by a Lappy who will demand a belly rub and have a German Spitz jump on your lap) and I'm happy to answer lots of questions and I'll even throw in facts you didn't think you needed to know - but if you don't introduce yourself properly, if you write two lines and the second line is 'how much are they' or if you ask to be put on my puppy waiting list when we haven't even met, then you've fallen at the first hurdle and you probably won't get a reply yet alone a cup of tea.
If you think you can buy a puppy and then walk out of my life, then sorry, you're going to be disappointed on that score too. You're going to have to wait many months before my plans become a reality and when you do finally get to take your puppy home, I'm going to stalk you on Facebook 'liking' photos of your puppy and I'm going to be asking questions like 'how's training going' or 'fancy a walk?'. What do you mean you don't have Facebook? Then you clearly have a life! I only sell puppies to saddo's like myself who use Facebook as a means to pour over gorgeous Lappy photos, yup, bit weird, but there's lots of us and we're worldwide! Now that IS scary ;-)
Survive the mauling and you'll have more than just a puppy, you'll hopefully have a new friend and be part of our wonderful Lappy community. If none of that appeals, if all you wanted was a Lapphund, then I will put you in touch with a great breeder with puppies planned.
I have small litters too, it's really annoying, not just for me but for those patiently waiting for one from me - but good things come to those that wait, right? It's so bloody easy to buy a dog these days and with many breeds you can rock up to the breeder and just point and say "I want this one" said in a Matt Lucas stylee . If that's what you're looking for then just open up your local paper or Exchange and Mart and go ahead and dial one up, it won't be a Lappy of course, but perhaps a Lappy isn't the right breed for you anyway.... you do know they are not Huskies?! or even Pomskies.....
Sometimes I feel guilty for bringing pedigree dogs into the world when we already have so many dogs languishing in rescue centres desperate for a home. If it doesn't HAVE to be a Lapphund, why not consider giving a rescue dog a home?
http://thedogsnobs.com/2013/11/26/put-it-back-you-dont-need-that-a-k-a-picking-the-correct-breed-is-important-dont-fuck-it-up/