Who warrenties against allergies? - Page 1

I can't imagine ANYONE that has it in their puppy guarantee that their puppies do not have and never will develope any allergies of any kind to anything. But thought I would ask anyway and to see HOW you would react when you get a sudden letter from a buyer that has one of your pups (that you haven't heard from since the pup was 4 mths old)  that is now 1 1/2 years old and they are demanding full reimbursement of the cost of their puppy, the cost of the initial shipping of their puppy and their current vet expenses for prednisone shots and antibiotics for their dog because their dog now has allergies (He left here at 9 weeks showing no allergies whatsoever). Of course they want to keep this dog, they just do not think they should have to pay any costs for health care for it.
They state they bought their puppy to have a dog that their kids could take to the barns and go riding with since they leased horses for trail rides and some long distance rides (This is true, it was stated in their Application). They state the dog now has food allergies and they had to change it's food to have it not have allergic symtoms and it also has enviromental allergies when they take it to the stable several times a week. They state the dog has had to be treated five times with prednisone in the last 15 mths.
So how many of you warrenty against all possible allergies when you sell a pup and would send this family full reimbursement for initial purchase and shipping reimbursement let alone medical expenses?
Personally I feel sorry for the little guy if he has to live with a family that thinks he is not worth a penny now that they have had to pay for more than his annual vaccinations. He deserves more than that IMO.
OB

 This is a shame for the family, and for the dog, but I do not imagine that allergies are normally covered by warranties in the way that dysplasia or serious dental faults (for example)  are.  No breeder can guarantee that a puppy can be healthy throughout its life, and it may be possible that environmental factors as well as genetics are involved.  Difficult one, I would be interested to know any one else's opinion on the breeder's responsibility in this case.

Guarantee's are idiotic, and mostly a sales ploy.
You want guarantee's, buy a toaster.

Depends,
how many litters has this pair produced?
Did any other pups develope allergies?   
What about the parents and grand parents?

Decide if they should ever breed again.

There is more to the story or there is not.
Pedigree?
Price?
Did you have knowledge?

The rest of the story?

I am sorry to hear what's happened. I am not a breeder, however from my perspective as a GSD owner I wouldn't dream of holding my dog's breeder responsible for any allergies that could occurr.

Also if I knew that my dog was allergic to the hay in the stables, my first course of action would be to stop taking my dog to the site that was making it poorly, I certainly wouldn't continue to take him there several times a week.

Allergies are something that cannot be foreseen and are brought on for so many different reasons, some can be avoidable to a degree because they are environmental. There is no way an honest contract could state that a pup would be void of any allergies throughout their life.

They do not have a leg to stand on and so they should not It is laughable what some people will try on, Just send them a Polite letter by post  not email signed and dated by you saying that you are sorry for the Dogs problems but it is out of your hands, Make it a one time letter only
Steve1

As an owner, not a breeder, I would not think of holding a breeder responsible for such a thing!  There is no way to predict what health issues will arise and that is the responsibiliy you take on when you purchase a puppy.   Anything that should have been obvious before the pup left would be different.  Down the road is impossible to predict.  I, too, feel sorry for the pup if they value him as worthless, what a shame!

 See my PM I sent relative to an exact situation. No, the people should keep the dog away from the hay and the horses. Yes, AT THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL LEVEL, ALLERGIES ARE GENETICALLY DETERMINED. Is it your fault? No, unless you knew other dogs bred from that same mating or the parents had allergies. I think the real answer depends on how your contract is worded.

I completely agree with Hodie. There is a strong genetic component to allergies and, in some cases, breeders know (or should know) full-well that certain linebreedings run the risk of producing dogs with allergies. Consequently, a knowledgeable breeder *would* have some responsibility, depending on several factors, including whether close linebreeding with particular dogs is *known* to produce allergy (or other) problems. Just as some lines are notorious for iffy to bad hips, pancreatic problems, etc., [close] linebreeding on certain dogs is also *known* for allergies. I agree with GSDtravels that there is no way I would hold my dog hostage over it. Bottom-line: absent gross disregard or stupidity by the breeder, the buyer simply was subject to the same adage the rest of us are: puppies are a crap-shoot. They should suck it up, and move on. Btw-could it be that it is not the HAY the dog is allergic to, but some attendant mold?

Yes, it well could be a mold as well. I personally cannot go into an arena for a stock show, for example, without getting asthma! 

Hay is notorious for mold, i would never allow any dog to sleep in it Plus even Straw from the Farmer i will not use that for Dogs or pigeons all my straw has been cleaned and checked before it is considered for use, your nose will tell you what it is like and your eyes
Steve1