Breeder health guarantees

[Smiley4896]

I'm still looking for a breeder, had it narrowed down but when I reviewed their contracts/health guarantees they were crossed off the list. I would appreciate any help you could offer.

I've seen breeders offer a 1 year guarantee on the hips. I've read that OFA doesn't certify until the pup is 2 years old. Is this a deal breaker?

Also breeders are willing to replace the pup in case of HD but you have to return the original dog. This kind of turns me off- how can a breeder expect you to just return the dog for a new one?

The breeders I researched all seem to have quality dogs, titled parents, good temperament but the health guarantees threw me off. Am I reading too much into this?

I want a healthy dog but on the other hand I know there are no guarantees in life.

[jocoyn]

You know it is more important to me to know the breeder as a person and what they are doing to ensure healthy dogs in the first place. I honestly don't think guarantees mean so much; they are living breathing things - not machines.

That said - I like what my breeder did --- if we get any dysplasia by age of 2, I get a refund. I keep the dog. But I know what she puts into her dogs and probably would not "cash in" if we did have a problem.

[llombardo]

I found the breeder that I'm going through and to be honest I didn't even read what the guarantee is, I know there is one, but I don't think I would ever use it, if it meant returning my dog. I agree that if you know that the breeder is doing right by the breed, then you have a better chance, but nothing is 100%. I would take responsibility for the dog and not leave it up to the breeder anyway....it is my dog and its my dog till the end.

[Omar Little]

Ask Tommy Boy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEB7WbTTlu4

[Heidigsd]

In my opinion most are not worth much.

Breeders know that the majority of owners are not going to return the puppy for a replacement or refund. And why would I want another dog from the same breeder if the first one is not healthy?

Most health guarantees I have seen do not mention a refund at all and especially not for major genetic issues, mostly it's just for hips.

You'll see breeders claim "Health Is Guaranteed" doesn't mean much in my experience

[Galathiel]

One of the breeders I've looked at (and am still considering in the future) has a 2 year guarantee on hips, and gives a replacement puppy if yours becomes dysplastic and allows you to keep your current dog (you receive your replacement after proof of spay/neutering of the dysplastic dog). They are out there.

[stealthq]

Originally Posted by Heidigsd

You'll see breeders claim "Health Is Guaranteed" doesn't mean much in my experience

Personally, if I saw that claim in any 'guarantee' I'd run fast and far. It just smacks of snake oil salesman to me. Good breeders will tell you upfront that they can't guarantee any such thing and will never imply it - their contract is to give you some recourse and support if your puppy is one of the unfortunate ones.

[gagsd]

The one year thing would not bother me. Many reasons for one year.... maybe the breeder wants to know the status before breeding that female again.

The "return your dog" thing is, IMO, bogus. What in the world would the breeder do with a bunch of returned dysplastic dogs?

Now.... if they were just willing to have the dog returned in case the owner does not want to keep the original dysplastic dog and the replacement..... then that I support.

JMO.

[Okin]

Mine came with a "3 day health guarantee" basically you had three days to take the dog to the Vet to look them over and if the vet found a problem you could get a full refund. After that there is a year and half "replacement" for HD but honeslty I would never return the dog at that point.

These were the important parts to me:
1) They will always take the dog back if you can't care for it anymore
2) They will stop breeding the Dam if HD shows up in a pup and will move her in to being a service dog, they don't own the Sire.

One thing to watch out for is with the contracts some breeders don't allow you to spay/neuter your pet until after the guarantee is over. They want to be able to potentially breed them if they have to take them back. If you plan to get a female and spay her it is much better to do it before the first heat.

[Marnie]

After going through what I did, and witnessing other owners struggle with breeders, I would never accept a contract that said anything less than complete refund for congenital problems before age two years. I would never give my dog back to the breeder and I would never allow them to put me on a waiting list and choose my puppy for me. I have a friend who is still waiting after 4 years for her replacement puppy.

All contracts are negotiable. If you don't like something about the contract, tell the breeder and if he won't negotiate--move on. Or consider getting a dog over a year of age. Most problems can be diagnosed by that age.