Are dog breeders always so non responsive??? I'm beginning to think there is something wrong with me

Over the past year to year and a half-ish I have contacted three breeders with four emails. All of the ones here in the northeast, I got their email and info from the border terrier breed of america website, where they were listed as active breeders and also willing to answer questions.

I emailed them, telling them about myself, my life-style, why I thought I wanted a border terrier, and my goals for myself and the dog. I wanted to know, if based on my description, they thought it would be a well-suited dog. I also voiced my desire to see or interact with them working (the breeders were listed as being involved in sport). No reply. Ever. Maybe I was too lengthy? Maybe I spoke too much of myself? I figured a good breeder would want to know the details. But what do I know, I've never gone through a breeder.

Then, when the president of the schutzhund club that I am in found out I wanted a border terrier, she highly recommended I contact someone in California, as she knows this lady and has had one of her dogs before. She's a well known trainer and I suspected that she bred but was not sure until Kathy told me. So I emailed her in November... this time I kept it short and sweet. Nothing. So Kathy told me to try again and I did. No response again. I don't want to be a pest so I am not going to try again.

I get they must be busy, but really? Is this normal?

That's pretty much been my experience so far too. I've contacted two breeders and the only reason I heard from one was because someone I knew knows him and mentioned that I'd contacted him.

Maybe it's just me too.

I have done the same thing. I emailed a couple different breeders to ask if they did any health testing (was not mentioned on the website) and got no reply. Sometimes I wonder if my emails get marked as spam.

I think when I get serious about a puppy, I will call first and ask if I can send them an email. Then they know it's coming.

I would do what Leah suggested if I am ever in the market for a puppy. I am sure they get all sorts of loons emailing them.

My breeder tried to respond to me the first time through email and he said it kept getting bounced back. I finally left one with my phone number and he called me the very next day.

Check your junk mail also.

With Coop, I did the same as you. I gave some background and what I was looking for. His breeder called me the next day and I think we were chatting for about an hour!

I have seen it written on some breeders sites where they prefer you phone them (and available times) as they do not have time to answer the numerous emails they get and often the back and forth required as other questions arise. Just a thought .... maybe phone and speak directly to breeders concerned.

if the breeder in ca is the person I think it is... you are better off texting her. and, yes, I have always found that breeders are hard to get a hold of in the beginning. I know they deal with hundreds of emails some days and have to cull through the serious ones... and sometimes they miss the good ones... love love love the BTs!!! especially these, if I am right on the breeder here in ca

Schnickle, it is. She doesn't really advertise it though, does she? That's why I was iffy on contacting her at all, because I was unsure. I heard she has a super long waiting list, so I wanted to get on it... that way my name would be on the top of the list by the time I'm ready for a pup. If I do go through a breeder, she would be my ultimate #1 choice.

Maybe I am the odd duck here but I think it inexecusably rude for a breeder to not respond to potential customers emails.

I can see being busy and I can see a statement on their web board stating it may take up to a week for a response. But at least extend some courtesy to a potential customer.

Kathy- initially that was my line of thought as well. Which is why I tried another... and then another... I was 0 for 4 in email responses and then that's where I started wondering what is it about me that's making them not respond? I understand that they must get hundreds of emails though, so it makes sense to try the phone route first.

Overall I think breeders are getting so much e-mail and potential scams it's really hard to weed the good people out. Facebook and Twitter gives everyone even more exposure for the good and the bad.
A few flyball breeders I know usually have long waiting lists. They don't have to do anything to sell puppies. Their dogs speak for themselves. If you don't have a reference good luck trying to get in.