Puppy Contract Guarantees - Page 1

Wanted to get opinions and reasonings from both puppy buyers and breeders on contract guarantees.  Long story short - I am currently hoping to have my first litter at the end of this summer.  While it is my first litter, it is approximately 12 years in the making so I do not consider myself either a novice in my breeding choices or my breed in question (ACDs).  With that said, I am struggling with the hip/elbow part of my puppy contract and wanted opinions. 

Both parents are not only OFA Good and normal elbows but are Pennhipp'd as well.  There is at least 3 generations of hips done in the pedigree with 1 fair three generations back and the rest "good".  Elbows are just starting to get the attention they deserve (imo) in my breed so while the parents of said litter are tested there is only one grandparent on each side tested.

I have spoken to various breeders and the guarantees range anything from a replacement pup for failing hips/elbows (some contracts state to return the original dog some allow puppy buyer to keep original dog as well) to breeding is a crapshoot so everyone takes their chances when getting a puppy to things in between such as refunding all/part of purchase price.

I have mixed feelings - I can understand the breeding is a crapshoot since even with generations of testing there is no guarantee that something bad will pop up but yet I can understand how a puppy buyer could feel burned for loosing the hip/elbow lottery so to speak.  I would never ask a puppy buyer to have to return their puppy for either refund/replacement if I went that route as I know I would never give up one of my dogs and I am hoping to place my puppies in homes that feel the same way.  However, I am a bit torn on a full refund for a dog that is anything less than severely dysplastic as I have a moderately dysplastic girl that has lived a full life for going on 14 years now and total refund to me speaks of basically getting no benefit from their "purchase" and I have benefitted greatly with the dysplastic purchase I made ;-) 

I have no problem with the idea of a replacement pup but I obviously do not breed all that often and while I have long-term hopes of keeping a girl from this litter to breed to my male, I wash out more dogs for breeding than I keep so there are no guarantees that the breeding will ever take place and would a puppy buyer really want a replacement puppy from a litter whose dam was a littermate to their dysplastic dog?  I know I likely would not.

So what do breeders/puppy buyers think is appropriate? What is a good balance between being fair to the puppy buyer yet being completely realistic to the realities of breeding?  I am hoping that there will be some good ideas promulgated on this thread that will help me make a decision as to the way I want to go.  I would love to see others sample contracts as well if you are willing to privately share them.  Thanks for any and all insight :-)

I as a puppy buyer would stay away from any breeder that would state I had to return the origional dog for a replacement.
After being attached to the origional dog and having to return it NO WAY!! As far as replacement, I would want the option of a future litter of my choice. Same sex pup. 

I forgot to mention as a puppy buyer, I would not expect a full refund in my contract. I think that is the discretion of each breeder.

Thank you GSDloyalty for your insight, it is greatly appreciated!

Just a thought.....here is 2 options for someone who does not breed often....or possibly not again in the near future. Personally...I think it can be very fair options to offer puppy buyers.

Option1) Guaranteed Puppy is $XXXX.xx amount.....this offers a partial refund of purchase price.

Option2) Non-Guaranteed Puppy is $XXX.xx amount.....the price reflects a lesser purchase price.

By offering the *choice* of either...the buyer has the right to choose which option they feel is best for them.
The refund of Option1...would wind up discounting the puppy to the option2 price.

Just another opinion.....

That is an intriguing idea crhuerta - I am going to ponder it :-)  Thanks! 

what about all pups sold with limited registration pending a minimum of hip and elbow certification, then buyer pays the filing fee?

this would cut down on the underage breeding and having a puppy end up in a puppy mill.


how about -
if hips or elbows do not pass at 24 months, either return the dog and get a replacement or show proof of spay or neuter and get a replacement for half price.

Sitasmom...the OP's question revolves around the idea of her NOT possibly breeding another litter...therefore...it is highly unlikely for a "replacement" puppy.

Hi Sitasmom -

I should have mentioned in my original post that with the exception of the puppy I might keep and one other puppy who might go to my friend who owns the sire of the litter, my intentions is that all the other puppies will be sold on limited registration.  

At this time, all interested individuals are involved in performance with no interest in breeding.  However, because these are going to performance homes, there is a realistic concern on soundness for competition activities.  One potential home has been burned with a rescue dog having dysplasia issues so they are particularly interested in the specifics of the guarantee. 

Puppies are a crap shot........30% end up with hip or elbow displacia.

I suggest that you do not sell to this home because they will be a pain in the neck for years to come. Let someone else deal with them.