Ok, so you go and view some pups. You aren't happy with the pups mother/the way they have been kept/the pups are too nervy/not interested, or something just isn't right.

How do you politely tell the owner that you aren't interested, without being rude or sounding judgmental, yet without telling a fib?

I've found myself in this position [long story] and had to say I wanted to talk to my partner about it in the evening - they weren't happy as they assumed they had a sale just by me phoning for a viewing and turning up. Just v embarrassing.

I think you should just say, that the puppy is not for you, you dont feel the connection, and that is important to you. They must be used to people saying no on occassion.

I would just say that there has been a change in your circumstances so you're putting having a puppy on hold for now as it is a big and important commitment. The change in your circumstances is you don't feel the pups are right for you and you won't be taking the enquiry further. Of course, you could just say that!

I'd say you're being sensible. You can tell when a litter just isn't right. It can be that they have a low grade bug that's making the difference between their demeanour and a settled, inquisitive, cheerful and enegetic puppy (even if they're a bit timid to begin with). Or the pups may be in an environment that is used only for prospective buyers to see them in and they're not used to it and aren't confident. Or the bitch may not have been a good mother (one of ours was appalling with them when they were tiny but the kindest of mothers once they were weaned). Who knows, but what really matters is your instinct.

Years ago, we bred a couple of litters of (home-made, kitchen-raised ) chocolate labradors and we were determined that they should only go to good, knowledgeable homes. If a prospective owner said to us that they weren't sure about taking a pup after all, that would have been fine with us.

You don't "owe" these people anything (not in a monetary sense) so don't feel at all bad about saying thank you but you don't intend to take your enquiry further.

Just be brave and tell them like it is. There are so many stories at the moment of pups being bred in puppy farms with their mothers in terrible conditions - and then being passed on to what looks like a "regular" family.
Can you check to make sure that the older dog you see is really the real mother? Sadly - puppy breeding is big business now.

If anything doesn't seem right - then walk away - you have no responsibility. If you feel pressured - then that is also a very good indication that something is wrong.

Tbh if i felt the way you do I would not hesitate to tell the breeders so, I also think the breeders attitude tells you all you need to know. I'd also report them.