Desperate Advice Needed - Page 1

Hello everyone,

I need your help.  I am negotiations with my breeder due to an HD case.  Let me paint the picture....

I purchased my male 6 weeks ago when he was 10 months old with FULL registration.  My intent was to breed him once he became OFA certified at age 2.  We signed a contract stating the following:  "There is a 25 month hip guarantee on all puppies, provided that they have been x-rayed and sent to OFA.  If puppy does not pass, then it will be replaced with a puppy of breeder choice from another litter.  Should the puppy need replacing and all guidelines are followed, we will replace the puppy with one of equal or greater value from a litter of our choosing.  Only one replacement puppy will be given.  The original puppy and papers all must be returned if you no longer wish to retain it.  If you should decide to keep the original puppy, a replacement puppy will be given, providing proof of spay or neuter of original puppy and papers returned to **** signed.  No cash refunds will be awarded to the buyer.  Buyer is responsible for any shipping costs for the replacement puppy and the original dog being returned if buyer does not want to keep the original dog."

I thought the contract was fair being I am not one to be able to take a dog in and then return him down the road unless something drastic was to happen such as severe aggression, etc.  Well, I purchased the dog, and within 3 days I noticed something wasn't quite right about him.  He would bunny run all the time, and he just stood a little different.  About a week later I had a relative of mine comment on how it looked as though his back-end was weak.  I then noticed another week later that he was actually shifting his weight off his left leg.  So, I brought him to the vet to get x-rayed to see what was going on.  Vet report came back with Severe HD in left hip and Mild HD in right hip.  I sent the x-rays to OFA for prelims, and he was diagnosed with Moderate HD.  I informed my breeder from day 1.  (Took 3 days for her to return my phone call)  Once I received the written results in the mail, I sent it off to her. 

They are now saying they only are selling puppies with limited registration, so I could get one of those.  Or, now they are saying they will refund my money, but they want the dog back and it will take them a few months to pay me. 

Their "offer" goes against everything that is in their contract.  My argument is this....I purchased a dog with full registration, should I not receive a puppy with full registration?  I even asked how we could negotiate on that factor.  Additionally, the contract states I may keep the dog, which was comforting to me in the beginning as I get very emotionally attached.  Now....since owning this dog for 6 weeks, I have spent money on x-rays, NSAIDS, supplements, food, training, etc.  And now they want me to care for the dog another few months until they can get the money together to refund me AND take him back?

Is this normal??  I will not give out the name of the breeder at this time, so please do not ask.  :) 

What should I do???  I have 3 dogs total, and he has bonded very closely with them, as well as me.  I clearly told them what I have done for the dog already, with the assistance from my vet, and I am willing to give him the home he deserves.  I have the ability to monitor activity, etc.  I have the ability to keep him separated from the other dogs.  I have a big grassy yard.  One of the reasons they sold him was to downsize as they said they had too many dogs.  How can they monitor his activity if they have too many dogs? 

Thanks for responding.....I truly just need some guidance here.....I am at a loss. 
 

maybe they don't have dogs who are breed worthy, hence the limited registration for replacement......seems like lately your chances of getting a good dog from a breeder are equal to craiglist purchase....

IMO you should get a dog/puppy of equal or better value which means NOT a dog with limited registration.  You should not have to return your dog if you want to keep him and the refund should be immediate. If the breeder requires the dog is neutered first, that would not be a problem for me. It's not your problem if this breeder doesn't have the money to send you a refund NOW.

You are now going to hear why some here don't expect contracts when they purchase a dog since it all depends on the integrity of the breeder and contracts are too easy to renege on. This may be one of the cases and you might just have to cut your losses and move on. I'm not sure I'd want another dog from this breeder if I were you. No experienced breeder would ever sell a 10 month old GSD for breeding without a preliminary hip and elbow xray, so that's in itself is a red flag for me.  You noticed the dog had an unsound rear shortly after you bought him, Why didn't the breeder see that? You could very well find  yourself right back where you started with another dog with HD or another health issue and another battle.

You have stated your reluctance to name this breeder, I understand that. However, if this is a well-known GSD breeder then that may be your only recourse. Some are shamed into doing the right thing when they are identified on an international breed database.

Sorry about your dog, but I am glad to hear that he is part of your family and that you plan to keep him.
 

I just feel that if I name the breeder, than that would do more damage then good.  I am not at all protecting them.  They do have a pretty nice litter that is planned for November, and the limited registration thing can be changed to full at 2 years of age, after hips/elbows are done AND a title is achieved. (I forgot to mention that in my earlier email...oops!!!) Well, I do not show dogs.  I am a single woman, with a full time job, and quite green with all the show titles.  But at the same time, with what I am dealing with, I don't know if I trust her to turn over to full registration even if I did make it happen.

It's up to you if you want another dog from this breeder.  First I'd try to make sure that their reputation is stellar, so far I'm not seeing that judging by what you are saying. Are the parents of the upcoming litter titled, what health checks do they have, do they have a strong background of producing healthy progeny? You will need to spend some time doing your homework. There are people here you can contact privately who may be able to give you some sound advice depending on the bloodline/s of this litter. German Workinglines, German Showlines, American Showlines, Czech,  combinations? If  you want to go that way, then you will need to identify the bloodlines of the litter you are thinking about. 

I know it's a pain, but the honest truth is that there are some breeders who will take advantage of an inexperienced buyer. You must  be your own advocate and even then there is no guarantee. I am not a breeder, but if you want to pm me here I can probably put you in touch with some who will help you and be discrete at the same time.

jlb4yoda,

Blitzen just gave you the best advice and made you an awesome offer to PM her. Consider yourself fortunate and in the best of hands.

A limited registration puppy is not a replacement dog for a 10 month old sold. I disagree thought that not xraying a 10 month old is a huge red flag; not everyone xrays that young- many do not. I wouldn't unless I had a reason. I'd wait until the dog was 1 and could send to the SV, and in the meantime, give them a puppy guarantee just as the breeder did. Where I lose their train of thought is here: 1) YOU noticed something wrong- how could they not???  and 2) Again, limited does not replace full. Period. 

They may just be upset and not thinking about this clearly, thinking they're preventing breeding HD dogs by offering limited only until health checked...who knows? You need to stick to your guns and politely but firmly tell them you will accept nothing less than a FULL registration puppy. 

Seeing the litter parents' posted makes me think this is indeed an amateur. IPO2 is all that needs to be stated on the Dam. Not IPO2, IPO1, BH, AD. Every time I see a bunch of titles AND their prerequisites listed I know this is either someone who doesn't know any better or is trying to amaze us with letters, hoping we don't know any better!

I agree with everyone else. Also first contract thing that I hate to see is send dog back in order to get replacement because the kennels that say that know pet owners that love them most times will not go past that part and inact the replacement worried what will becomes of the puppy they loved. I will not look further at a breeder that will not allow defective puppy to be altered and live onward in their home as beloved pet or give owner option to owner and place in good pet home. Now that you chose to go past that hurdle they are throwing other hurdles IMO. Limited is not what you bought first time around do not accept it for replacement.

I would NEVER, EVER  buy a 10 month old GSD for breeding without preliminary hip and elbow xrays  and, if I were a breeder, I'd NEVER, EVER sell one without doing the same.

Personally I'd not want to have anything more to do with this breeder, but that's your decision, not mine.


 

My issue with getting my money back.....in a few months....is I am already attached to the dog.  Keeping him another few months will just make it that much harder, not to mention expensive with the care he needs.  Plus, it is stated in the contract that I am able to keep the dog, so that was a "selling" point for me.