Paying MORE for a health guarantee. - Page 2

Karon Melillo d'Vega,
That was what I was trying to say.

However, due to the number of hostile e-mails I have received, please allow me to clarify some things:

1. My statement regarding "10 generations of dogs with no congenital health issues" was taken out of context by two people.  I said the following: "If, for example, the past 10 generations on either side weren't dysplastic, didn't have heart murmurs, etc. there is an incredibly small chance that the offspring will be dysplastic or have heart murmurs."  I said "small chance" not that there would NEVER be any sort of congenital health issues at any time for any of the offspring.  I said....small chance.  In other words, there will always still be a chance.

2. When I was talking about a guarantee for HD/ED, etc. I was talking about CONGENITAL HD/ED, etc. NOT environmentally-caused (which includes, but is not limited to, diet, lack of exercise, etc.). 

3. I did not say that a health guarantee should automatically state that if the dog is found inferior due to congenital reasons that the owner keep the dog AND receive a replacement dog OR a full refund.  I left that open to whatever someone's agreement is for health guarantees with the statement "[insert offer here]."  I do believe there needs to be legitimate proof of it being a congenital issue as opposed to environmental issue. 

4. I do think that if someone purchases a puppy that was selected by the breeder to perform a certain task (breeder chooses puppy based on sex, drive level, bloodlines, etc.), that particular task/goal is written in a contract, and the puppy cannot perform that certain task due to any defects or clearly just is NOT suited for that "job," then the breeder should, indeed, offer a replacement pup that is more suited for the job.  I'm not talking about Joe Shmo who wants a "big bad guard dog," and, in his opinion, his current dog is not that.  I'm talking about someone who handles and trains dogs professionally looking for a particular "type" and receives a dog not suited for that job due to, I don't know, faulty nerves or something of the sort. 

I did not mean for this post to cause such negative feedback (at least via e-mail).  As I said in my initial post, it is my opinion.  Agree with it, or don't agree with it, but do not turn this into a "I know more than you do" pissing contest.  If you would clarification on something I said, then please....ask.  Do not belittle and take what I said out of context.

Would it sound better to hear the price is $1500 or if you prefer, $1000 without guarantees?  Breeder to breeder sales often are for a lower price without guarantees.  Breeders buying from breeders know that all is done to ensure a healthy dog, and expect lower prices without guarantees.  Basically buying at the higher price with guarantees means the breeder will replace the dog if there is a problem...want a lower price, then yes, the dog comes without guarantees.  Seems reasonable to me.

"Ethical ? what else do you want for 500 dollars?"

Your post made no sense.  No one is talking about buying a dog for $500.

"Would it sound better to hear the price is $1500 or if you prefer, $1000 without guarantees?"

Why doesn't the breeder just sell all of the puppies for $1500 with guarantees and not even mention the other price?  $1000 with no guarantees....$1500 with guarantees?

Personally, I do not see anything unethical about a breeder selling a pup with a guarantee for more than a pup without one. Breeding is always risky business, not just for the sense that "puppies are a crapshoot" but rather "puppy buyers are even more of crapshoot". Unfortunately the world is full of idiots and some of them buy puppies and expect 100% perfection despite their own negligence. Once the puppy leaves the breeder's hands, there is no more control over diet, exercise, socialization, or anything. And then... 1 year down the road an irate puppy buyer calls screaming at the breeder for producing a crap dog, only to find out the owners overfed the dog, locked in a crate 23 hours a day, and fed it Ol' Roy feed from WalMart. My point is that I see offering a guarantee as a risk for the breeder, and not a bad investment for a buyer at $500. -Yvette

"Personally, I do not see anything unethical about a breeder selling a pup with a guarantee for more than a pup without one."

That is not the case in point.  The case in point is ANY of the pups for sale can be purchased for $1000 w/o any guarantees and $1500 w/ guarantees.  It's not a matter of this pup or that pup with different pricing.  It is an entire litter.  

Also, please note that I said congenital defects...not environmental defects.  An environmental defect would include overfeeding the dog Ol Roy.