What should be in a contract? - Page 1

Hi All, I am purchasing a working line GSD very soon, and the man who sells them, seems very focused on making sure the customers are ALWAYS happy. He doesn't believe in the use of a computer, so he writes his contracts out. He isn't apposed to clients that write their own, 9/10 times he will sign, or even add some extra stuff in there. He has guaranteed so far, that the puppy will clear the hips, recieveing at least a FAIR, and I have until 26 months of age to do so. I think this is fair, as it gives me 2 months to not only schedule the appointment but also await the results. He also guarantee's that the puppy's elbows will also clear as Normal by 26 months. To me this seems to be a pretty good guarantee, and from talking to his clients, I believe he is not only reputable, but even after 26 months, he has been known to either replace the puppy, or give the FULL PURCHASE PRICE back to the client. Do any of you think I should bring up any other guarantee's with him, is there anything else that seems to be missing? Thanks so much for your time, Krista blueskyekennels@msn.com

Hi Krista, Make sure the full purchase price refund is in your contract.

There are no guarentees in life with things that breath. He can offer you a warranty. The warranty is not worth the paper it is written on if he does not honor it later on. To answer your question you can write any and everything into that contract that you want. I know at least 50 people that wish the hospital had given them a warranty for the kids they brought home with Downs Syndrome, hare lips, cerebal palsy, ect. What are your REASONABLE expectations for this animal? That is what I feel you need to address as opposed to HOW MUCH can I include in the contract. Stephen

I agree somewhat with Stephen, is the seller close to you or a distance? Are you picking the puppy up or shipped to you? Some people will offer the world to sell a puppy especially if they are paying their bills with the proceeds. You could slip over to Germany where all you will get with a puppy guarantee is to arrive alive in good health with initial shots from a German Vetrinarian & puppy passport.

I agree with Stephen, reasonable expectations. Even with the " best" puppy, things can happen that is just life. you do the best in selecting the breeder and the puppy and then do the best to care for it. If the breeder KNOWINGLY sells you a puppy with problems that is another thing all together.

Stephen's right. A breeder can only guarantee what he/she will do if the puppy does not live up to promised expectations, and those expectations should be in writing with as much detail as the buyer can muster and the breeder will approve. That is where some negotiation must be done BEFORE the point of sale and the buyer must understand that he/she may need to pay a bit more to guarantee those extra items. Past the normal (?) guarantee for hips/elbows, how about ear set, testicles, digestive system, teeth, bite, fertility, etc.? A puppy is a living thing, and even with the best intentions on both sides there are NO guarantees that will ensure that the puppy matures to be everything that is expected. Life is not always fair. Krista, may you have the best of luck selecting a new puppy. Bob-O

The only thing I would add to Bob's comment (which I respect very much ) is that Expectations.. like I want a dog who will work hard and become Sch. 3 someday, I could never agree to that on a contract, Here's is why, Owners are absolutely as much responsible for getting the dog there with right training and regimends, as is the drive and capacity of the dog. The dog can have the capacity but without a hard working owner at the end of the lead, The dog will go no where. Same could be said for health if I sell a pup that is healthy at time of sale but becomes injured because new owner allows it to jump out of back of truck ( or something stupid like that ) How can I be held responsible for that ? Krista, sounds like you've truly found a genuine breeder, and honestly If your comfortable with this person and have contacted past buyers and have good reports, well then you've done your homework and I say hats off to ya girl, Go get em and have fun with your new baby ! :-)

Echo Meadows and Bob-O, and the others who responded, thank you so much! I have been owning, loving and breeding large breed dogs for 6 years now, and have owned about three shepherds in my life-time, none of which ever developed HD or ED, so I consider myself very lucky. The breeder is less than 30 minutes from me, and I am very comfortable with him, and his amazing dogs. I went there for my very first time, and those dogs had the most stable temperament I believe I have ever seen. I am picking the puppy, and because I have first pick, I am pretty optomistic. He has been breeding for 17 years, ONLY DDR and Czech bloodlines, so he knows them as well as I know my Golden Retriever bloodlines. He is very knowledgeable and knows some of the top people world wide, which I find impressive. His dogs are trained to a point that if I approached them, they would rip my head off, but on his command of "These are friends" I was playing with the dogs, and sticking my hands in their mouths like I was raised with them! Those were by the most awsome dogs I have yet to encounter. I have absoulutly no problem saying his name loud and clear: CHIP WEISS OF CIMMERIAN GERMAN SHEPHERDS, in Michigan!!! The link to his website is: http://cimmeriangermanshepherds.com/ (its outdated though, he hasn't done much with it in about 4 years) and the parents of my soon to be puppy are Wolf (Iltis von der Wildsau) and Ginta (Ginta z Pohranicni Straze) both dogs are on here as well. Thanks again for all of the help, and suggestions (bob-o) I will do a THROUGH examination of the puppies, and all of my decisions will be based on the help I recieve, and the qualities I am looking for. Thanks again, Krista Blueskyekennels@msn.com