Did you really see the mother?

Yesterday evening I got a phone call, someone looking for a Cavapoo puppy. Not an unusual event, but talking with this person, she asked me if I knew a breeder of them, which also breeds Cockapoos. I said I knew of them, as they have a website and facebook page, but did not know them, and I could not give them a recommendation. Thinking that was why they were asking if I knew them.  
It turned out that they had recently had a Cavapoo puppy from them. They had paid £1300 for the puppy and it came home, became ill and died from Canine Parvovirus. Apparently this is not a first for this breeder We are inundated with stories about sick puppies from this kennel- Puppy Love Campaigns ​and further stories can be read about on their website about this breeder Your Stories
Further to my conversation with the lady yesterday evening on the phone, seeing the Mum of the puppy, consisted of her being carried in to the room, of a very plush home of the breeder, never being put down, not interacting with the puppy, and then carried back out again. That is not seeing the Mum. That could of been any dog that they saw. So I'm re-blogging a poster I published back in March How to tell a real Mum and asking, "Did you really see the Mum?"

When buying a puppy, probably one of the biggest pointers to what your puppy will be like when an adult is their parents, and seeing Mum interacting with the litter also is a good indicator that the establishment ain't an outlet for puppy farmed puppies. Dad may not always be able to be seen, as he maybe a stud dog used some distance from the home of the Mother of your pups, but if they say they use their own studs, you should be able to see Dad as well.
​This is one of the most important issues you need to get over to the breeder before visiting (and you should, and be allowed, a visit before picking up your puppy) is that you want to see the mother and with the pups, interacting with her litter. If they claim to also have Dad on site, that you also will be able to see him along with Mum and pups. This will give you a good idea of type and temperament your puppy will have as an adult, and don't you want piece of mind that Mum is really a well looked after loved dog. If they try to discourage you from seeing Mum like this. Then don't get a puppy from them. If you are told you can see Mum with her pups, and you get there, and it turns out not to be the case. She is just whisked in and out with her paws never touching the ground, let alone interacting with the puppy, and they try to fog you off with some old tale. Walk away. 
Some breeders use fake Mums as the poster above explains or often the Mum has spent a lifetime kenneled used as a cash cow with little socialization. Putting her down on the floor in their spotless plush home (which is hard to believe a dog steps foot in), she is probably going to be so frightened, that she will crawl under whatever she can or in to the nearest corner and shake with fear. Which tends to not help make the sale. That is why it is paramount to see Mum with her pups, interacting with her pups, because otherwise you have to ask, "Did you really see the mother?"