Timely Responses from Your Dog Breeder

Initially, 85 – 90% of all our inquiries arrive in the form of an email, asking 1 – 4 questions, dealing with information that they have read on our website. Our response goal is to follow up via email within 2 days. That considers that we DO take time off, to step away and have some “us” time along the way, even if we do not physically leave the farm. But generally speaking, I try my best to return emails and calls within 24 hours if at all possible.

Our actual average response rate is well below that and is less than a 1 day response, more like 18 hrs or less. Believe it or not we have on multiple occasions over the years, returned an email inquiry in less than 5 minutes, just because we happened to be reading emails when the email arrived. But I have found that responding THAT FAST can be problematic and scare people off, thinking we have nothing better to do than answer emails. Nothing could be further from the truth, but we want to let everyone who inquires know that we care about their interest and we want to encourage, to have more than just a dialog, but an actual conversation.

Our standard reply, which is always typed specifically for them, never a pre-formatted email response, in which we will thank them for their inquiry and questions and ask to have a live chat over the phone for 20 mins or so in the next day or two. We underscore the importance of answering their initial question as well as those that will inevitably follow. Next, we mention looking at the possibilities that exist with current and future litters. Then we ask them for a few SPECIFIC times that could work and then we arrange an appointment like, scheduled commitment with them.

Believe it or not, about 40% of all the folks who get that invitation, we NEVER hear from again. And that’s OK, because it gives us more time to talk with the 60% who will show up to have a chat. And chat we do. Typically, our initial chat lasts 2-3 time longer than the 20 mins I asked for. That’s because they have more questions, ( I already KNEW they would) and because we have an engaging style of talking that weaves anecdotal stories, along with factual TRUTH, that answer their questions. I typically warn people that we don’t give short answers and we want them to ask whatever they want to ask.

You see TRUTH is especially important to us (all) in this process. For me personally I don’t have any problem relating the truth as I know it, believe it and have experienced it. And it never comes back to bite me (pun INTENDED!). Plus at age 70, I have C.R.S. and you know, I Can’t Remember Sh…..uh, Stuff. Seriously, we are known for our straightforward approach for telling it as it is, in a kind, patient manner.

And we do all of that, to the best of our ability, in a Timely, Responsive Manner. You should provide/expect nothing less than that when dealing with a reputable breeder. I am sure you would agree.

I have heard hundreds of times over the past 25 years, “You are the only breeder who returned and email or call!” There ARE businesses (or worse) out there who would like nothing more than for you NOT to bother them with, you know, legitimate questions about the dogs, the breeding practices, the breed of the puppy and a whole lot more. If you do NOT speak to the breeder personally, live, and real time, you could definitely be taken advantage of. So, look for a breeder who is not shy about replying and wanting to talk to you directly.

For scoring I would only give a 4 to someone who you actually spoke to at all. 2-3 for emailed responses in what you would consider “timely” and obviously a ZERO from those you never hear from at all.