Thanx Caroline for your reply. The contract reads "Both the buyer and seller agree that the said animal is in good health as of the date of receipt. No obvious or hidden defects or disease are known to the seller. The purchaser renounces to assert any claims later according to development of anatomy or character, or to defects or disease acquired or inherited making their appearance or being established later. There are no further implied or intended warranties or gaurantees. Any legal disputes must be settled in Washington County. The dog is to be free of any genetic disease and hips to be OFA at 2 yrs of age or pup will be replaced with another of equal value.
Since I signed this I thought I couldnt take him to court. But I feel I have to do SOMETHING to this guy. He obviously did not socialize the dog. I thought the shyness/fear would pass in a few days after she got comfortable. I took her to the vet yesterday and he recommended she not be used for breeding as this anxious/fearful state can be passed on to pups. Also that it is possible she may become a fear biter. I am a 9 hr drive from his county - I have to initiate the complaint in his county, right? I think I should take the time - so he doesnt do this to someone else - and to another dog. He advertises that he breeds to standards but this is not the character described in the gsd standards.

Hi Sharon,
She is afraid of just about everything except other animals. She is most comfortable in the outside pen. She hates the house. She will find a corner and not move for hours. She is not motivated by food or toys. She refuses food offered unless she is fed in her pen. Ears are back, tail is crimped and tucked and she looks distressed - dilated pupils, pants, shakes. She cowers when you approach her. She has gotten a tiny bit better with me, but reverts back if anyone - husb or kids approach her. She hasnt growled or bitten. I have had her about 5 weeeks, 2 of which I was off work and spent alot of time with her. I did get her over the internet I am thinking that even with some time - there is something not right with her and I dont think she should be bred as this can be passed to pups. Chris

Hi! Thanx for your thoughts. Yes, I agree she is not the dog I wanted. How do I sell her to someone else when I know of all these problems. I would feel horrible if someone got hurt. Chris

Just a thought, have she been seen by a vet?


Sgt Matt

Yes she has been seen by a vet. He said to euthanize because even though she isnt aggressive now, she may become a fear biter in the future. He doesnt believe in medicating these cases.

 Quote: chris mihalov

Yes she has been seen by a vet. He said to euthanize because even though she isnt aggressive now, she may become a fear biter in the future. He doesnt believe in medicating these cases.

And you got this in writing?

Yes I do have a statement from the vet that she is not breeding material as well as a liability d/t her temperment and the possibility of fear biting.

Chris,
I am not saying that your dog is NOT what the vet states she is, but in my extensive experience with vets and experience as a breeder,MOST (not all, but the vast majority) of them are so ignorant of temperament and overall quality of a dog that it's almost sad.

As a breeder, a letter from someone's vet about temperament and breeding quality is pretty much worthless unless it's one of the rare vets out there that is a breeder of MY breed or someone with extensive experience with working dogs. Vets like this are rare, to say the least.

Also be aware that many dogs show fearful or nervous behavior at a vet's office due to having painful or scary experiences there as puppies....

Vets should stick to medical evaluations, IMO.

Again, I am not arguing with you about the dog you got, just letting you know from a breeder's point of view about the vet letter. A good breeder would want the dog to be a good fit with you and vice versa.

Without seeing your dog, it sounds like she has weak nerves and was not socialized at all and this is unfortunately an all too common practice. We get emails about this kind of thing all the time.

Thanx to all of you who haved helped by providing feedback. I had decided to take him to court until I ran across another c/o about him on ripoffreport. Seems he has gotten away with this kind of thing in the past - even with the courts involvement. I have not had good experiences in small claims so I am not sure if it will be worth taking time off work and traveling 250+ miles to argue with him. I wish I would have found the postings BEFORE! I am so discouraged. So, I don't know what to do. The dog has not gotten better with time and patience. She is who she is. I have contacted a rescue organization that I think may take her. Perhaps I should just cut my losses and find her a good home. I guess I could post/blog and complain to anyone who will listen as he continues to sell and breed. I don't want anyone else to go through this as it really sours the whole dog experience. There sure needs to be some kind of regulatory agency for breeders!