Are you able to return a puppy that is bought through a breeder?

Question

They said their license says they are not able to accept the puppy back. Does anyone know this for sure or direct me where I can find the info. I'm in Iowa.

We have a 2 y/o child and it just wasn't working out. The majority of our time was training the puppy. The puppy was bitting and growling a lot.

We though that would be the best thing for our family and the puppy. The puppy needs a family with older kids over the age of 5. There was no contract, just a record of sale.

L.S., I did plenty of research and this person said they had a male and female that they breeded twice a year. They said they have been doing it for 15 year with no complaint. They e-mailed up pics and the whole ball of wax. Also, we weren't expecting a refund. I did take hae to the humane soceity and they will take care of her better than the breeder. They said they already had a family with 2 kids.

Answer 1

Whether or not a breeder will take a puppy back is up to the breeder and the contract you probably signed. There is no other place you can "find info" on this. Why do you need to return your puppy?

Call your breeder, if you are reasonable maybe you can them can work something out. If not, your breeder may be able to help you find your puppy a good home. Good luck!

Answer 2

Any reputable breeder would gladly take your puppy (or even adult dog) back without any questions. The only breeders who should have been worthy of your consideration are those who take the responsiblity of breeding dogs seriously and realize it is a LIFE LONG OBLIGATION. This obligation is generally accepted as meaning that you will provide for this animal until the end of YOUR life (in which case you can also make plans for your companion animals), or until the end of the DOG'S life - whichever comes first.

Just because you don't want it anymore isn't a valid, legal reason - perhaps you made an unwise purchase on the spur of the moment - oooh, he's just sooooooooo cute. It would be surprising if you are protected by any consumer laws...

This obligation is the same one you should have considered before you purchased a puppy.

That said, you've made a poor decision and need to get rid of your puppy.

Why aren't you going to live up to your end of the deal?

If you have made a foolish decision to buy a dog from someone who does not have the fortitude to take it back, you cannot reasonably expect your money back.

Take the dog to a breed rescue, SPCA, Humane Society or other local shelter.

Rather than passing your unwanted pet on to someone else, perhaps you might consider putting it down - its a nasty choice, but people have to take responsibility for their unwise choices.

People can convince themselves of any reason to get rid of a dog - it doesn't match my new carpet, its growling at my kids, i dont like the way it smells - it is sad and uncalled for.

If you knew that you had small children (which I'm assuming that by the age of two, you've figured out that there is another being in the house), why would you purchase a dog that you can't commit to?

Puppies growl and bite. They also take a tremendous amount of time - just as much, if not more, than your child. Could it be that you just realized you are in over your head?

Have you enlisted the assistance of a professional to assist you with handling your dog?

Have you made EVERY REASONABLE effort to rectify the situation?

The dog growls at the kid isn't a reason - it is a training issue.

Answer 3

I'm pretty sure that there is no such thing that says they can't accept a puppy back. In fact, most responsible breeders take their puppies back without question! They may not give out refunds unless there is a medical reason for returning the puppy, but they usually always take the puppy back. It may be different in Iowa; I would call other breeders and ask them if this is true.
If you cannot keep the puppy, try to place him or her in a rescue organization specific to his or her breed. You can find lots of these on petfinder.com. Don't drop him or her off at the animal shelter; they may euthanize the puppy (even young dogs are not immune; so few homes and so many dogs).

Answer 4

Unless you're dealing with a puppy mill, or a backyard breeder, any reputable breeder will have a return policy. I would not believe that their license would restrict the return of an animal that they bred and sold. There's an easy way to find out, just call the issuing agency. Most breeders have a contract that you sign upon purchase, documenting the conditions under which they would accept the animal back. If you're doesn't have a return policy then you own the animal. You're always welcome to file a complaint with the AKC or parent organization that the breed is registered with.

Answer 5

Not usually. They give you a health certificate for a number of days to guarantee they had them checked by a Vet.

They don't know what you did to that puppy so they probably wouldn't want to sell it to someone else with their guarantee.
How long have you had the dog? It doesn't matter if they won't take it back.

Your best bet now is to run an ad in the paper. Place notices in the pet stores and Vet offices. Try and get at least some of your money back. That is really too bad for you and the pup. I would also ask my family, friends and neighbors too. You never know who might want a nice puppy.


HEY, YOU GUYS! If the breeders took back every dog someone wanted to return, they would not make any money. Some people get a pup home and if it's not housebroke in a week, they want to return the pup and get their money back. If the pup cries too much or chews something up, they want to return it. They didn't realize how much trouble a puppy is. They don't have the time to invest right now.
Some people don't have common sense.

Answer 6

Why would you want to do that? A good breeder would take their dog cack. There is usually some sort of health guarantee...this is another good reason not to buy from a backyard breeder, puppymill, petsore, etc.

Try the Humane Society of the United States website (HSUS) or the AKC website - they at least have links to breed rescues if you don't want the puppy.

Answer 7

It depends. You probably should have asked that before you bought the puppy. If their contract or whatever says they don't, they probably don't (unless it's after a certain amount of time.) I would say if you really can't keep it, find it a new home with a friend or give it to anti-cruelty or a shelter.
Your SPCA should have a local site...

Answer 8

I don't know but I just feel sorry for the puppy you bought that you don't want now and the breeder doesn't want to take back.

Answer 9

Only if the pup has a serious health problem, and they did not inform you about it. But I could be wrong because of different state laws. Check your local laws.

Answer 10

EVERY *REPUTABLE* breeder will DEMAND-in WRITING!- that EVERY pup WILL **ONLY**be reurned to them!!!

OBVIOUSLY you DID NOT do any research!!!

NEVER get ANY dog w/kids under *10yo*!!! NEVER get ANYTHING from jerks who breed TWICE A YEAR!!! Etc,etc....

Good grief..people are SO IGNORANT!