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JudyKayTee · Jan 22, 2013, 09:48 AM

Alty, I'd need the exact language in the contract. Certainly if it gives a time frame there's a chance the breeder is in violation. On the other hand if it's a deposit to be put on an open waiting list the OP is on the waiting list.

Alty · Jan 22, 2013, 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

Alty, I'd need the exact language in the contract. Certainly if it gives a time frame there's a chance the breeder is in violation. On the other hand if it's a deposit to be put on an open waiting list the OP is on the waiting list.

That's a very valuable lesson to learn, not just for the OP, but for anyone else looking to get a dog from a breeder. Thanks for explaining it Judy. :)

JudyKayTee · Jan 23, 2013, 08:49 AM

Alty, I've seen it and, as I said, I could write up similar contracts and get deposits. Is someone not in my area going to take me to Court for fraud? Probably not.

Breeders. Sigh. More importantly, people who choose to buy from breeders but don't do their homework.

Sigh again.

Alty · Jan 23, 2013, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

Alty, I've seen it and, as I said, I could write up similiar contracts and get deposits. Is someone not in my area going to take me to Court for fraud? Probably not.

Breeders. Sigh. More importantly, people who choose to buy from breeders but don't do their homework.

Sigh again.

I agree. That's why I prefer the rescue route, or buying from a farmer that is just as good as a breeder, but isn't in it for the money.

My last pup, a great dog in every way, cost less than the deposit that the OP put down for a breeder pup. In fact, I could have adopted 3 puppies and had money left over. Just because he's not from a breeder, doesn't make him any less a great dog. Although when he's nosing through the garbage, I sometimes wonder. ;)

The farmer offered a money back guarantee if anything was wrong with the dog, and told me he'd take the dog back if I could no longer care for him. Just like a breeder. I'm still in contact with this man. I send him pictures of Rascal all the time. He sends me pictures of his farm, his dogs, and frankly, we may get our next puppy from him, after we buy an acreage. :)

dontknownuthin · Jan 23, 2013, 03:43 PM

Can I also suggest, before putting a deposit down on a puppy, go and see the actual litter and if possible, both parent dogs. Do not put a deposit down on a "potential" litter because a lot can go wrong and such a litter may never materialize.

It is pretty customary in my experience in buying dogs from breeders (I've bought three), to visit the breeder and see the puppies and at least the , if not the sire. The breeder should have a clean facility and the dogs should appear healthy and well cared-for as should the parent dogs.

Depending on the breed, some breeders will test the puppies and categorize them for particular purposes. For example, when I bought a golden retriever, the breeder reserved some of the puppies to be trained as service dogs, some for hunting, and some for family pets. I wanted a female and wanted a pet. She had three puppies fitting this description, and she accepted deposits from three families.

When I put the deposit down on this and my subsequent puppies, I was just guaranteed a female from a particular litter. All of these breeders asked me to wait to choose a specific puppy until the puppies were ready to go home. Then, new owners got picking priority based on the dates on their deposits. I still expressed my preference, which paid off twice. Both times, other families were picking before me and had trouble choosing. The breeders said, "well, if you can't decide, the other lady really has her heart set on this one" and in both instances, I got the ones I wanted.

I had a bad experience when I bought one puppy though because I was not educted enough about the breed and found it to have major health problems. I got emergency vet care before finding I couldn't keep the dog. The breeder refused to refund my money or cover the vet bills when I returned the puppy. I should have taken her to small claims.

I think it's a good idea to have a clause in your contract that you have up to 72 hours to take the dog to the vet, and if it has any serious medical problems, to return the dog for a full refund from the breeder. I did not insist on this and it cost me almost $1,000. The dog was both blind and deaf and I could not care for it properly given that I worked full time, so I had to give up the money and spend more for another dog.

Enjoy your puppy... once you find the right one, it will be great!