I'm a breeder too, and sometimes it takes us weeks to get to know/screen people/check references to see if they're worthy of one of our puppies. We have a very small non-refundable deposit; but aside from that we would happily refund the purchase price and insist on the return of the dog. There are so many people who would appreciate the puppy it doesn't make sense to leave it to people who don't deserve it. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

OK Let me clear up something I have a contract that states that I have first refusal or if they can not keep the dog I will take it back. I have been a breeder and a DAM good breeder for over 8 years now. I have gone way over and beyond what most breeders would do. When I ask the question are you sure this is what you really want and I phase it a couple different ways This is a way out for the clients if they have any second thoughts. I tell my clients to go home think about it if you are not sure. If you decide not to then that is fime. I don't push or drop prices or say here you go Bye!

Even if they do not buy from me and have any questions please feel free to call. Hell , some have and brought thier new dogs to me to train. I sit on the phone and talk for hours before my clients even come though my door.

Statement made ""it looks like you are concentrating on quantity not on quality"" Yes, I have had a couple litters a year NOT FOR ME!!! there is not enough time in the day to do it right for a one person NO MATTERR how hard you try. SO I have one litter a year now and I kept, yes that is right I kept all three of them . (by the way we only let our male lock ONE time) So I aim for small litters!. I plan my litters and work my dogs and test my dogs so I don't see how I am breeding for it quantity not on quality.

There are MANY "professional" breeders out there that DO charge a restocking fee to cover cost.

When did it become a CRIME to be paid for your time? Hell the crime should be what some of these puppies are being sold for THAT IS A CRIME!!!

OH be the way The reason I posted in the first place was to see "what would YOU do" !! NOT what I would do!! cause I have a contract and that is why she is back home with me!

to some Thank you to the other Get off your soap boxes!!

You asked the questions, you've received honest, excellent answers. If you don't want the truth, as it can hurt, don't ask! <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Glad the pup is back with you and safe. I do agree that if you have to ask over and over, that's your gut telling you to screw the deal and send 'em on their way. It's a VERY clear sign if Wifey hung back, clutching her whippet. That screams lack of confidence and desire. Even if the husband were to be the handler, if the wife was into it she would have had to be reminded by Hubby not to fawn all over the pup. There were red flags that went unnoticed, others here pointed those out and gave suggestions so things go smoother for you in the future. Take the advice you've received and file them away under your "Breeding" file. It's all useful.

Barbara,

There is a breeder on this board who sold a puppy to a family member of mine. The only reason I'm not saying the name is if he/she did not want me to. The puppy sold to us was put down by the time it was 12 weeks due to a medical problem that could be construed as congenital OR hereditary. There were about $900.00 in medical bills spent by my sister to help find out what was wrong w/the dog. Ultimately it was decided that the pup should be put down. Here's the point:

The breeder not only paid her back the entire fee for the pup but also paid every penny of the vet bills too. Now that's an ethical, professional, trustworthy breeder. One that I would recommend without hesitation.

Since perception is everything in this world, I would suggest to you that your initial post(s) appear to reflect a motive different from the one just described. Whether you meant this to be the case or not, that is what it seems. Now your last post sounds defensive and angry. You are entitled to charge whatever you want for whatever you sell. But I would think that if you, the breeder, sends a puppy home to a family who w/in 24 hours wants to return the pup, it is you who is at fault, as you are the professional. Sorry if this sounds like I'm "on a soapbox", it's just that I feel bad for any potential pups in your care if they are sent to homes that don't want them and, you the professional, hesitates in taking them back <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> .

ditto to both the above posts. a good breeder uses their best judgment as to who should have the dog, and you ignored the red flags waving right in front of you. it's not just about if the buyer is sure of the dog. you have to also be sure of the buyer, and clearly you were not.

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Maybe look at some adjustments on the contract ie. return policy and a fee.

what is your current return policy?

just mho, but a good breeder always takes a puppy back at any time of its life if the purchaser doesn't want or can't keep it. a good breeder is responsible for that puppy the rest of its life. you brought it into the world, your responsibility: to find the pup the right home, and if you made a mistake in choosing the buyers, then you make it right for the pup.

i would not buy a pup from a breeder who does not REQUIRE pups to be returned to her if they need rehoming, no matter their age. a good breeder doesn't want a puppy of hers winding up at the pound, in rescue, or at a puppy mill or with an unscrupulous person.

so, jmho, if your contract doesn't already require the pup to be returned to you if it can't stay with the original purchaser, then you need to change your contract to state that.

why do i feel this is important? it tells me a lot about how responsible the breeder is and what is more important to her: getting the money, or the welfare of her puppies.

I'm not a breeder, but I fully agree with everything Alice said...she makes another good point about a pup possibly being sold to a puppy mill after leaving the breeder. That would be heartbreaking. For a breeder saying a deposit is not refundable if the pup is returned is understandable, however if it meant they were going to keep (and possibly sell) a pup they didn't want in order to not "lose" their deposit, if I were a breeder I would take the pup back and give a full refund. Also would take the dog back at any time in its life rather than think any of my pups/dogs would get put to sleep or worse, end up with an idiot. I would put that in the contract.

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or worse, end up with an idiot. I would put that in the contract.

yeah, especially the part about the idiot. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

A good friend of mine told me once "IF you bred you rescue" In 8 years that is what I have done. I have even taken in other breeders pups due to they would not take them back. That has always been apart of my contract. Sorry if I come across angry but when someone "for the most part" I bred for the $$ I have a problem with that.

As far as ethical goes When I did rescue other peoples dogs back in 2003 I had a litter on the ground it came down with Coccidia due to the rescue dog. It was not until some of the puppies went home did we find this out. I paid for all the medication for the puppies, and for the dogs that were in thier home that came in contact with those puppies. I had a guy that bought a puppy from me and a year later the dog died of a rare disease (by the way I did not breed this puppy bought it from a breeeder) and replace it free of charge. I had a older client that bought a puppy from a back yard breeder. The puppy died two days after getting it due to worms. They were heart broken and wanted to buy a puppy I gave them a free puppy and gave them free training class and we been good friends for over three years and counting. These are just a few. So Ecthical, have a heart yes I do.

Yes I guess looking back on it now there were red flags. BUT I know many police officer who do keep there working dogs outside away from the family. Again he was looking for a Narc dog. So hind sight is everything. Live and learn.

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A good friend of mine told me once "IF you bred you rescue" In 8 years that is what I have done. I have even taken in other breeders pups due to they would not take them back. That has always been apart of my contract. Sorry if I come across angry but when someone "for the most part" I bred for the $$ I have a problem with that.

Even though your initial post sounded like it was a "teeny" bit about money, I knew from reading previous posts of yours that you were just wondering about it, it didn't seem to be "your way". Not everyone reads everybody's posts so some conclusions were different. All in all, you did right to take the puppy back.

Thank you Sandy. I guess I was thinking more of the lines of a NON refundable deposit/Non refunable "paper work fee/time" cause we all know once you sign the papers over AKC ask thet there be a tranfer fee and since I register my guys and gals with different registeries it can get costly to get them back in my name. We have books made up with information on back lines, what to feed, do's and don't how to start training, a Cd with pictures of the puppy since birth and pictures of parents and so on. It gets costly and by no means do we charge 1500.00 for our babies. And this baby was 8 months old ,shots, micro chip DNA basic obedience (cgc tested and Award) crated trained, socialized and start on human tracking and agility and was priced under a 1000.00 so I was not in it for the money. Was looking for a good working home. But like I said Lesson learned on my part