Please Help Moral Dilema - Page 3

Echo, I would wish you to have been one of my puppy owners. You and your family are very descent people who really deserve not be taken advantage of. Put it away as another disappointment and I have to congratulate that more than fantastic dog you must have for having come into such a good home. Good luck to you and of course your pup.

I agree with many of the comments given to you. I to had a couple of Agreements go wrong when new in the breed many years ago and it taught me some very hard lessons. Get your Vet to provide a written statement about the missing testicle, send a copy to the Breeder stating you wish to pay the Pet Price for the dog as you intend to have him neutered for health reasons in later life - keep copies of all your correspondence just in case there are further problems. Learn from this experience and go get yourself another good show puppy from trustworthy breeders who will be willing to let you examine the puppy carefully before purchase - either outright or partnership if you wish to go down that road again (examine its health, mouth/teeth and testicles, see the mother and if possible the father and judge from what you see if you like their conformation and temperament/health - ask lots of questions about the parents, see the Pedigree and do some research on it before purchase - get a full agreement in writing containing everything about teeth, testicles, ears and hips/elbows etc) - after all that then you have some comeback on the new dog. Even if you purchase the dog outright insist on some paperwork for the future of the dog - if he is to be shown. Also, if you want to show dogs seriously it may be that you will have to make decisions in the future whether to keep every dog that comes into your life - most of us keep the first one no matter what as it is the start of our career (whether it is suitable or not) and after that we need to decide if we wish to show seriously and let them go with no regrets - making very sure the new home is the right one for them. Good luck with all of this and I am sure your dog is best to stay with you in a happy home.

Echomeadows, I know that this does not help you now, but I would like to raise this issue: How can any reputable breeder sell a male puppy with a non-descended testicle as a "show prospect"? At 8 weeks of age, both testicles should have been descended. If not, a visit to an experienced vet is warranted if he/she can feel it close to the scrotum. For me, this male puppy is pet quality and would be sold as such on a limited AKC registration. Most of the time, this testicle will not descend, period. Even if it did, there has been a study (don't know if he was the author or if it was done in former East Germany) which Werner Dalm (retired SV judge and from East Germany) had told me about: If a male had retained a testicle beyond 8 weeks of age, and it descended later, this male has a very high incidence of producing sons with testicle problems. If somebody wants to buy one of my male puppies, I always make a possible testicle problem a stipulation. If somebody wants just a pet I inform them that it is absolutely necessary to have this dog neutered and this surgery is a bit more costly than the "regular" procedure. If somebody is looking into showing or working, I will have the owner "feel" for both testicles when picking the puppy up or have my vet put in writing that both testicles are descended if the puppy is being shipped.That will also take care of the problem when the testicle supposedly went back up. I do not believe in guaranteeing show quality puppies (ears, size, teeth, general structure), but I do believe in giving a guarantee that at the time of purchase the puppy is free of non-show disqualifying faults (which really is only the coat factor and a possible missing testicle if a male). Also, in my opinion it is unethical to enforce with a contract that a dog is to be bred and that the breeder is to receive puppies back. That only encourages backyard breedings to fulfill demands. There are way too many GSDs in rescue already. To come back to your case: Was the breeder of your dog aware of the missing testicle at the time of purchase? If not, hmm... any serious breeder should be. If yes, was it made aware to you or did you find out only when examine the puppy upon arrival? If your contract mentions that you were guaranteed a show quality puppy, you might have a case in small claims court. I would try to reason with your breeder in a phone converation. After all, it is also a matter of reputation. How would the breeder feel if you showed this puppy and would cause an upset also for the breeder as registered co-owner? Is your breeder willing to risk that other potential buyers and co-owners will think twice before committing to a dog from that kennel? I am sure that you might have a few options which are in your favor, it is after all a matter of negotiation. Another thought: If you refuse to pay the price for a show quality puppy, how is this breeder going to enforce her/his demand? Taking you to small claims court? Good luck and I hope it works out in your favor, Chris