I posted a while ago about fostering. Since then we decided to get a dog of our own.

All of our previous dogs were rescues of one type or another, but this time we want to go with a breeder and get a puppy. Health, temperament and the ability to train from the puppy stage are our primary concerns. So, far we have:

* Researched and selected a breed.
* Created a list (from various sources) of breeders in our province.
* Started eliminating from the list all those who have retired from breeding, have no litters available or planned, or raised red flags for various reasons.

Then, we contacted one breeder by e-mail, but haven't heard back (2 days). We contacted another and heard back immediately, but then we inquired about visiting the kennel and haven't heard back again (2 days). So yesterday, we contacted a third breeder, letting them know that we have been in contact with two other breeders. So far, nothing.

I don't want to do a blitz e-mailing. (And, while I could phone in some cases, most are long distance calls, plus I prefer having a written record of our conversations.) After all, their time is valuable, so we would want to go with the first reputable breeder who is able to give us the puppy we are looking for.

I also know that people are busy with new litters, showings, etc. Still, what is a reasonable response time from a breeder for an e-mail inquiry - even if it's just to say that they received my e-mail and will respond later?

Well, I started with a list of 132 breeders. I've narrowed it down to 21 (including the three I've already contacted). I'll give it another day before I e-mail the rest.

The thing is, I specifically picked three that claimed to have available puppies. Maybe their info is out of date and all the puppies have been reserved. If there was something objectionable in my information, I would prefer to be rejected as a potential owner than ignored. At least then I could make other plans - or work on correcting the problem. And we wonder why people buy from pet stores and newspaper ads?

Relief! We now have a couple possibilities (which will still need to be confirmed with visits and checking vet records, etc.). Both litters are later than we had initially planned, but that may be good because now we can take the time to make sure we have the house puppy-proofed, the garden completely fenced, all the equipment and supplies purchased and the first vet visits arranged.

Another rescue was our next choice, and we may end up going that route in the future, but this time we really wanted to start with the best possible situation - a puppy from a carefully planned litter with healthy, stable parents and clear medical checks.

Thanks for asking this question, it could help others, and shed some light on the process of buying from a breeder.
My experince has been, when we first enquired with the breeder we went through with Kato, I first like you made email contact, I did end up with a same day response to say that there were some litters coming up soon, and then she called me the day after that and we got the "spanish inquistion". (painfull it was too, but I know a must when you are using a good breeder) I didnt hear from her after that for some time, and really thought that she just didnt like me after that conversation, but I wasnt going to give up OR go to another breeder (this one was the only registered breeder in our state and the rest appeared to be Back yarders or mills)
But after about a month she called me again, to say that a litter had been born and there was an available pup. Phew, ok so she did like me after all. I at that point had actually said to her that I was really concerned that she just didnt like us, and she appologised and did say that she had been so busy with shows, and breeding and all that stuff. We went and met the baby boy at 3 weeks old, and fell in love, so we did say yes to taking him.
Long story short, it can be hard because we as buyers do expect from a shop quick and accurate information, but a good breeder is not a shop, but a person or family that care greatly for the breed that they are promoting and do seem to take their time to make sure their pups are going to the right home. As frustrating as it can be from our end, a breeder is not governed by "customer service" standards that are applied to stores, and we rely on thier own nature as a person, to provide timely response, and sometimes they dont necisarily meet our expectation. (speaking for myself, i just assume as a buyer, that the seller must be timely) But it is not always the case.
sorry this is so long winded i have had problems trying to explain in writing what I am actually thinking.
At the end of the day, you need to be comfortable with the breeder as a person, regardless of their flaws, we found delays in initial enquiries and purchase, but once we became a member of the breeders extended family, she has been nothing but a great support for us and our little (well not so little) man.
And if this helps, we also got in contact with previous buyers from the breeder and asked how they were with them once they got thier pup.