what would you do?

Question

A friend of mine has 2 Shih-tzus that she bought back in May (2 sisters that are now 6 mo. old). Anyhow, she had a few concerns about the pups - they aren't really growing and are quite on the small side. Anyhow the breeder admitted to her that she had been scamming the AKC and that the pups mom and dad were really brother and sister but she had registered the litter with another male she had so that the AKC wouldn't acknowledge the litter as being inbred. My friend is really upset with this info, as she spent quite a bit of money on these pups and now feels that she can't register them knowing that what the breeder did wasn't honest. She wasn't planning breeding them so that's not an issue, but was planning on showing one or both of them.

Is there any way of reporting this breeder to the AKC or any other authority? What would you do?

Answer 1

She basically was committing fraud, don't you think? I would think the AKC would like to know.

AKC will register anything when both parents are AKC registered. They don't put restrictions on the dogs - the breeders themselves do. A litter is eligible for registration: (from below link)


"If it is the result of a mating between an AKC registered Sire (male) and an AKC registered Dam (female) of the same breed.


If it is whelped (born) in the U.S.A, its possession or territories (Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Marianna Islands). "

*getting up on soapbox
The AKC needs better restrictions! This is just an example of the laissez faire attitude they take in registering dogs! In Europe, a GSD has to be Titled in Schutzhund to be papered! This proves the soundness and health of the dog for breeding!!!
*getting off of the soapbox
- ehh thanks for letting me rant

Answer 2

If the breeder lied on the registration, that is a fraudulent registration and the AKC can and will probably revoke that breeders ability to register pups in the future.

Your friend;s info is wrong however because inbred dogs are actually registrable, showable and breedable according to the AKC.

The only issue I see for the AKC to deal with, is that the breeder falsified the registration. To prove that, the puppy owner should provide a DNA sample which costs about 35 bucks, to the AKC. They will then require the breeder to provide the DNA of the sire and dam. This will prove parentage.

Hope I helped. and good luck!

Answer 3

I would definitely report her. If you can prove that the pups parents were brother and sister, the AKC will pull the papers on any litters that resulted from breeding the brother and sister. Not only that, but I would think your friend could get her money back if she wanted. The breeder misrepresented herself. Of course, if your friend is already attached to the dogs she may not want to do that. The pups your friend has could have potential for major health issues in the future. If she wants to keep them, she should take them to the vet, explain to the vet that their parents were brother and sister, and have the vet do a thorough exam on them to make sure there aren't any hidden issues.

Answer 4

Yes. Exactly what you wrote. She should report the breeder to the AKC. She should also ask the breeder for a partial refund of what she payed for the pups. In fact, it may be a good idea to do them in reverse order, contact the breeder first and then the AKC.

Answer 5

You can go to the AKC website, and click on registration, and then on 'contact us' and tell the story.. she can still register them, and show them, but the AKC should be informed..However, they might block the registration, as knowing the original application was falsified.. the AKC does in no way care if siblings are bred, just so both are registered..They will register ANY offspring of ANY two AKC registered dogs of the same breed..However, they will deny further membership of the breeder if any fraud is proven..

Answer 6

Yes, please file a report with AKC. This is such a big problem, every little bit helps! Depending on the contract, she should be able to get the money back, especially if she's purchased dogs for showing. I would take action immediately. This could turn into a legal nightmare, so it will depend on the amount of money and whether or not she wants to return the dogs. Sadly, many folks do this .... takes the meaning away from the akc, so please at least have this breeder reported!

Answer 7

IM not sure the exact process of reporting the breeder but I do know that it can be done, Id start out going to AKC.com or maybe its AKC.org, either way get on there & try going to Shih Tizus then you wil be able to locate breeders in your area, start there & maybe try to get the info to someone that can help you, as in amybe another breeder of that breed. They willl most likey be VERY upset as to the other breeders actions & be more thanwiling to give to a # to call or person to contact to take appropriate actions!! SHAME SHAME on that breeder!! Im very sorry to hear your friends situation & Im also very happy to hear she doesnt plan to breed them, GOOD FOR HER!!! As far as showing them though shes right, if found out that they are inbred & shes showing them she could get penilized(sp) & disqualified for false representation....also I would look into getting some kind of reimbursement(sp) on those dogs they are NOT of proper blood line & not what the breeder advertised them to be! I do think that aside from reporting this breeder she also has a law suit in her favor!BEST OF LUCK!!