If a dog does not have papers, should I buy it?

Question

It is a 8 week old yorkie. The seller says its up to date on shots, yet they don't have any papers.

the price is $500 for a yorkie

it costs $500 & its supposed to be a yorkie...the breeder said it has all its shots @ 8 weeks, but they don't have any papers

Thanks for all your help :)

Answer 1

Nope, without AKC papers there's no way to know that you're getting what you're paying for.

Some people I know just bought a "dachshund" that they were told was purebred, no papers. Just one look at it and I could tell it wasn't a purebred. They paid $300 for this mutt.

Answer 2

Have you met with the breeder and his/her house? Have you looked at the b*tch to make sure she's in good condition? Have you looked at the eviorment to which the puppies and the b*tch is in? Will you be able to look at the pupp's records to state that yes the dog is up to date on shots?

Some information about AKC regsitration:

"The American Kennel Club, a not-for-profit organization established in 1884, maintains a purebred dog registry, sanctions dog events, and promotes responsible dog ownership.

As AKC does not breed or sell dogs, it cannot guarantee the quality or health of dogs in its registry. AKC reserves the right to refuse or to rescind the registration of any dog for cause.

The owners of registered dogs have access to numerous educational and informational services provided by AKC, as well as to various competitive events. The rules and regulations for each type of event should be referenced to determine specific eligibility and performance requirements."

"There is a widely held belief that "AKC" or "AKC papers" guarantee the quality of a dog. This is not the case. AKC is a registry body. A registration certificate identifies the dog as the offspring of a known sire and dam, born on a known date. It in no way indicates the quality or state of health of the dog. Quality in the sense of "show quality" is determined by many factors including the dog's health, physical condition, ability to move and appearance. Breeders breeding show stock are trying to produce animals that closely resemble the description of perfection described in the breed standard. "

http://www.akc.org/reg/about.cfm

If you have done all of this and the only thing lingering is rather or not the dog has papers that is up to you.My opinion is that if I reciving a dog with no papers then the price has to be low, when I say low (the price you would pay to adopt a dog from a shelter low). The reason I state this is because I can go to a shelter/rescue and adopt a dog with no papers and actually be helping

Answer 3

I asked the same thing when I was looking for a pure bred puppy.

If you ask a breeder, the breeder would say, "Why do you need papers?" Are you getting a puppy for a pet? OR to show in the ring? Did they health test the parents?

Why did the owners breed? Was it for the $$? Or was it strive to breed healthy, keeping the good of the breed in mind?

You're really not supposed to buy from backyard breeders. They breed, breed, breed their dogs just for the $$$. Most backyard breeders sell their puppies, then alot of them eventually end up at an animal shelter. Sad, but, true.

So, if you want to get a puppy without papers, try going to the animal shelter first and adopting one for cheaper.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

Do you just want a pet? All papers say it the sire and ***** were registered with the AKC and presumably pure bred. It is not a indication of good breding and has nothing to do with the veterinary care they may or may not have received. How much money does she want for the dog? If you really want the dog and is priced accordingly it's OK. She is up front about the papers. I you do decide to get the dog, take it to be checked by a vet right away, and on the condition the dog can be returned and your money refunded if your veterinarian problems.

Answer 5

Sure, its fine if you are getting a dog at the SPCA but no papers makes you wonder what else they missed. Health tests? They obviously dont show because you need papers to do that. The pedigree on the parents would be unknown, so No. If you want it to look like an actual Yorkie, have a good health and temprement then find a breeder on the AKC web site and save your money.

Answer 6

Here in California Yorkies with papers go for $1500.00 but in Oklahoma Yorkies with papers go for $600.00. So, if you are in Oklahoma for example and they want to sell you this pup for $600.00 without papers then it's bogus. Also, ask to have the puppy checked out by a vet of your choice before actually purchasing it; if the seller won't allow it the puppy probably has health problems. Papers are primarily to show the bloodlines of dogs if you decide to breed; any legitimate breeder that sells you a dog without papers will require that you to spay or neuter your dog.

Answer 7

Having an AKC registration certificate doesn't mean anything - unless you want a show dog - which you obviously don't - cuz they would have papers. :)
What you DO need is a health gaurantee on the puppy. Make sure that they will take it back within one yr if found to have any genetic health issues. You should also have a gauranteed full refund if the puppy does not pass a veterinary health screening within 72 hrs.
I have owned puppies who had no papers (a puppy I rescued.)
She was purebred, but I didn't give a hoot about the papers cuz she wasn't show quality & I just wanted to give her a good home.

Answer 8

Do you need the dog to have papers? $500 seems like a lot to pay for a dog without papers. If you like the dog, and want it, then the papers shouldn't matter. I am buying a puppy and it is a purebred but it doesn't have papers, but I fell in love with her, so don't care, but I'm not spending that much for her for the simple fact that she has no papers. I would think about if you are going to breed,or show or just have it as a pet? Did they say why she doesn't have papers?

Answer 9

Paper for what? Proof of shots? Vaccines shouldn't start until they are 8 weeks of age. Papers to show pedigree? If you want to support BYB, it doesn't matter. Actually, papers are just that, papers. if you don't intend to show your dog or breed your dog (let's hope not), then papers are truly not meaningful. People will say that to get more money. If they are selling these pups for an outrageous amount w/o papers, I wouldn't support them. But, then again, you just want a puppy, right? But, price plays a huge factor. This link may help: http://www.canismajor.com/dog/responbr.html

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Answer 10

I would not want a dog that is not registerable with the American Kennel Club. (no papers). That's just because I persoanlly prefer pure bred dogs.
However, if I were going to buy one like this I certainly wouldn't pay much for it.