So, If You Wanted a Puppy in About a Year - When to Contact Breeders?

[easypeasy]

DD will likely be getting a puppy of her own within a year or so. Has to be a full-bred + certain-breed due to my allergies. Our last dog just fell into perfect place - we contacted a breeder when they'd just dropped an enormous litter of 12 puppies (others on her waitlist were waiting for another mama's puppies). We were far down on the list, but he was the one I wanted from the get-go and was still available when we were able to pick. He's utterly perfect. ♥

We won't be going through the same breeder because DD is getting a different breed of dog.

This time, we want to plan ahead so that DD can plan adequately. I'm just not sure how far ahead that usually is?

[Pen]

Now.

better too early than too late

[Pawz4me]

Definitely now.

[StaceyinLA]

I was also going to say now. Reputable breeders often have very few litters, and they are also often spoken for ahead of time since a good breeder isn’t just trying to make money off litters of puppies. I would seek out a responsible breeder of the breed you’re interested in, and make a deposit on a puppy from a future litter.

[klmama]

Another vote for now.  Check out a few breeders for your type of dog, and talk to people you know!  That's how we found our dog; dh worked with a couple of people who had gotten dogs from this breeder.  Dh talked with the breeder on the phone, then we went to meet her and the dogs she planned to breed, and while we were there we put down a deposit to hold our spot as first in line.   

[matrips]

Yep, now.  If you’re dealing with a reputable breeder, their litters are often spoken for before the pregnancy because of a waiting list.

[easypeasy]

Unanimous, wow! DD will start contacting the few breeders she has researched and getting more information then!

[kiwik]

A good breeder will have a waiting list of at least a year.  So I agree now.

[Selkie]

Agree with everyone that you should do it now. My friend breeds Aussies and her puppies are spoken for long before they are conceived. She has a lot of repeat customers (including us 🙂) who let her know far in advance that they would like another puppy, so the waitlist can be long.