Help? - Page 2

Mason, I am sorry to hear about the issues with your puppy, but at least you have a contract and it sounds like the breeder is willing to abide by the terms contained therein. I will be the Devil's advocate here and state that if you preferred a refund of your money rather than a replacement puppy, then you should have negotiated this point with the breeder prior to the purchase of your puppy. No breeder can guarantee that a puppy will not have hip dysplasie-he/she can only guarantee what he/she will do it the puppy is determined to be dysplastic. Many do offer a replacement puppy in lieu of a monetary refund-that is just standard practice in the purebred dog world.

One can breed the best dogs to the best bitches and this can still happen. I know it sounds trite but it is true that "sometimes life is just not fair." That does not make it any easier and you have my condolences. So what would I do? I would fulfill the contract and accept a replacement puppy or live with the one that I own and all of his issues.

Good Luck,

Bob-O

Mason:

Very sorry to hear about your pup.  Unfortunately I, like many others have had to face disappointment regarding hd and their dogs.  I currently have two hd dogs and like the advice given above, keep them thin, give the supplements and swim them if you can.  My vet told me after Molly's recent diagnosis that sometimes - the amount of severity shown on the xray does not always corolate to the amount of pain etc experienced by the dog.  Not sure how other people feel about this, but Molly has been diagnosed with severe in her right hip and mild in her left and at 2 does not show any signs of discomfort.  Upon friends, trainers and Vets advice, we are continuing with her Schutzhund training.  I will let Molly tell me when she has had enough.

As for the breeder and a contract.  I never liked the contracts that state you must return a pup for a replacement.  I get too attached and find it impossible to return one after we have bonded.  I chose a breeder based on a referrel and purchased with no contract.  After they sent Molly's xrays to their own vet, they contacted me back and were very disappointed.  They offerred me a pup from a future breeding.  I was sending Molly's xrays for their opinion because I valued it, not because I was bashing them, or accusing them of doing anything wrong.  HD happens, even if good breeders make every effort to avoid it.  Even if owners do all they can to protect the pup.  What sets this kennel apart (to me) is that they care about the pups they sell, keep in touch, follow their progress, seem very proud of their accomplishments.   They want their pups to work, title, etc.  They made the offer to give another puppy, when there was not contract requiring the to do this.  This is why I will refer people to them and will get my next pup from them as well.  (Plus Molly is a wonderful dog to train and compete with and has to be one of the best companion dogs I have had)

I know contracts are needed especially for people buying pups for specific purposes and do not have room for one that does not turn out as expected.  For them, contracts work, but for me, once they come home and are accepted into the pack, they are here to stay. 

Mason, again I am very sorry about your pup and I hope that he has a long, happy life with you. 

Cheryl