Hi everyone some of you already know some things about me. Well I am very disappointed right now.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> First of all I dont think I have told any of you how I purchased my 4 month old Kane. (GSD) Well let me run down the story.

Well I decided to purchase from an out of state breeder. Now I know already what most of you must be saying... STUPID! I know but whats done is done and I felt confident making this purchase. The breeder seemed very patient with all my questions (since there should be, even more so when out of state right??) He told me that he would guide me in my training decissions and felt my puppy would be going to a great loving home.

Since I have received Kane (AKA Caesar)I have contacted him just a few times regarding some questions that I have also posted here, such as his aggresivness when being crated and more questions about Kanes parents etc. Well I recently asked him for the paperwork for Kane since I didnt get it when he was shipped to me. He told me that I would receive it soon and a few weeks went by, so I contacted him again. He said he sent them but seemed a little short with me. I contacted him leting him know that I received the papers and thanked him but all I got was AKC papers if I wanted to register him and a letter stating what his shots were written by his wife.

This confused me. I went to other websites that had a sample "contract/agreement" on their site so that you know what you will be getting and and know that a breeder will stand behind their word.

Should all breeders have this? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> And if not how do you know they will stand behind what they say? Maybe Im wrong in feeling the way I do. I asked him if he had a contract and if not why and may I have one stating his guarantee and action that would be taken if one of his dogs did come down with HD. Was that wrong of me?

He e-mailed me stating that he has spent more time with me than any other customer and that he almost didnt sell me a dog... and that he thinks he made a mistake selling me Kane! I was in complete shock, not to mention my feeings were a little hurt. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> I mean this is the same man that said he would be there with any advice and questions I may have? He said "HE" made a mistake? I thiink I made the mistake. I e-mailed him back stating that why did he feel that way and if I knew he felt that way I would have taken my business elsewhere. He did however say he would send me a contract.

I think Im still in shock! It may sound childish of me :rolleyes: but my feelings are hurt in this matter... I put my trust in this man and he felt HE made the wrong choice??

Not that any of you can answer this but him... Was it because I asked too many questions? Was it rude in any way to ask for such documents? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> A word of advice I had received was to stay away from breeders who didnt want to answer all my questions.I was right in asking for an agreement wasnt I? I even explained to him that to please understand that I was being careful by asking all the questions since I was buying out of state and this was my first time making an out of state purchase. He has not yet responded... but this happened just this morning.

Sorry for taking up so much space but this really bothers me and I know I can count on you all for your input and thoughts. I know what most of you will say... that it was a lesson learned and that I should have never purchased out of state. Yet I have heard of many people that do buy out of state in fact many who buy from Leerburg. Although I know Ed is a good man and stands behind his dogs. I didnt know of Leerburg before I bought Kane... in fact my breeder told me about this website.

So please if any of you have any answers for me, or even have some input or want to share their stories of making the same sort of mistake please let me know.

Without knowing what state you live in- all I can say is that there are very few litters in my home state I would even look at. I bought my first pup from outside the country. Buying out of state doesn't mean you are any more apt to get screwed than buying in state. Dishonest breeders are everywhere. Even if the local ones are honest- if all that is available is showlines and you are looking for a working dog- their honesty won't help much.

Not all breeders have contracts. Personally I think they SHOULD as it can turn sour later and into a he-said, she-said on what was to be replaced, etc. Maybe this guy thinks his word should be enough. Maybe your email rubbed him the wrong way- email DOES have limitations on tone and can be misinterpreted- happens all the time.

So far as the shot record being written by the wife- that I see as really a moot point. Most breeders do give their own shots and either use shot records that come from the place they purchased the shots or print their own.

Don't get too upset until you get your contract and if you have questions about it call him- after you have calmed down. Since you already have the dog there isn't a whole lot you can do if you don't like the contract now. If there is ever a next time- ask to see a copy of it before you buy.

All mine are sold on a contract, PERIOD. That way there are no questions. In regards to the shots, yes I give my own, but by my state laws, they have to have a health certificate issued by a licensed vet when sold, and those shots have to be given by a licensed vet.

I don't think you made a mistake by purchasing out of state, heck I just did that too. It really doesn't matter if a breeder tells you those things in person or an email/phone call. Where the mistake might have been is to get the contract signed before the pup arrived.
As far as questions go, no you can never ask too many. Just ask my breeder, I bombarded her with questions lol!
I think almost all breeders do give their own shots. It would be very costly to take each pup in to the vet for shots/worming every couple weeks.

I just want to thank all of you for your comments. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> It has made me feel a little better. I thought that it was "frowned" upon to purchase out of state. So as long as I am happy with my puppy and I have a contract then I guess I shouldnt care what he thinks. Now hopefully he keeps his word and mails me one!
I think that if your are a breeder that you should be made to have a contract. I know its not this way but thats how it should be... not just for the buyer but the breeder as well.

 Quote:

Originally posted by Chastity Tyler:

I think that if your are a breeder that you should be made to have a contract. I know its not this way but thats how it should be...

Breeders will be "made" to have contracts when buyers insist upon it. Hope everything turns out O.K.

Well, really, if you are a buyer YOU should take care of ensuring you get a contract before you ever get a dog and be prepared (no matter how emotional) to walk before you ever make the purchase if you do not.

I know some folks who are very upset because of miscommunication and without the benefit of an up front contract.

But, I would give the breeder the benefit of the doubt at this point in time, too but be persistent on understanding guarantees and getting a contract. Most breeders are not actual business people and a lot of this paperwork stuff is on top of a full-time job etc.

I agree on the out of state stuff as well --it is perfectly fine to get a pup out of state -- mine was on the other side of the continent.

At this point you should ask yourself "Would I give this dog up?" If you wouldn't then a contract means nothing. Most of them say if there is a condition covered by the contract then you can return your dog and get a new one. If your dog is part of the family that probably isn't an option you'll want to take.

Chastity... don't take it so hard. Many people have probably had problems with breeders in the past.

I too had a problem with a breeder. I thought that I asked all of the right questions! I just didn't get the anwsers in WRITING with a CONTRACT!!! Never again!

Live and Learn. If you keep on reading the posts on Ed's site then you too will learn more about what to expect and look for in a breeder.

Good luck with your pup if you decide to keep him. I chose not too, and found a home for him as a second pet to a great family.

Keep your head up!

I cant thank all of you enough for your opinions! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

True since Kane is a part of the family I wouldnt want to give him up in such a case but some breeders offer to say pay half of the vet bill if the dog has a HD problem before 2 years old OR you can have a replacement. I'm sure I would opt for him paying half.

And you are all right... basically live and learn... and now I know in the future what to expect and look for. And I think I was taking harder than I should have but just the thought that someone felt that I wasnt good enough to own one of their dogs! I couldnt figure out what I could have done wrong... but then again maybe I didnt do anything. Maybe he took my e-mail the wrong way... maybe he just didnt like the fact that I asked for a written contract.