A question for breeders?

Question

If you have a clause in your "contract" with buyers, that states that you will take the puppy back if they have any problems... Have you ever had to take one back? And if so what do you do with it? Rehome, keep& spay or neuter?

Answer 1

Yes we do have that in our contract, Not that we WILL, but that the dog absolutely MUST come back to us. So we can check the dog out, and do what needs to be done, vaccinations, training, etc, and find the dog a new and appropriate home. Sometimes owners can be in a rush to rehome a dog and don't put a dog in the right home. We aren't in a rush and can spend the time and energy to make sure that the dog gets to the right home. We don't want our dogs ending up in shelters or rescue or in a bad situation... So we want them to come back to us. We also microchip them and have the information in our name so that if they are lost, or do end up in shelter or rescue, the dog is returned to us.

Answer 2

I have a clause in my "contract" that state if for any reason the puppy has health/genetic issues that come from MY home, I will take the dog back and refund the money, and then I nurse the dog back to health and rehome it. That ones a bit hard because you have to really analize the situation because I'm not taking back a dog thaty was at thier home for 3 weeks and suddenly got parvo, etc... so there's a certain time frame I have, depending on the situation. I also state that people who for some reason cannot keep one of my pups no matter what the age, NOT to take it to a shelter, to contact me or bring the puppy back to me and I WILL REHOME IT but will not refund money for this reason. All my pups that have no showing prospects, I have a spay and neuter contract on, they are bred for family pets, and I don't want anyone else breeding out from pups that are whelped here unless it has show prospect. I've not gotten any pups back as of yet, but I only breed 1 to 2 litters a year and have only been doing this for about 2 years.

Answer 3

Of course!!!! Anytime, day or night, no explanation needed if they don't want to provide one.
I have taken ONE back when the wife got cancer and they could not give the dog proper attention when they were gone to different cancer centers all the time.
The dog, who was 2 and already neutered, was placed in another home and has been just fine.
And pets that came back would be spayed or neutered ASAP, any "show" prospects would be evaluated.

I also know EXACTLY where all my puppies are and communicate with owners at least yearly, so I am 100% sure NONE of my dogs are in ANY shelter anywhere.

Answer 4

I carefully screen my puppy people. Unfortunately, you can't always find a good match. Sometimes circumstances arise that the puppy people would no longer be able to care for your pup. My contract states that I would take the puppy back for the life of the dog.
This protects the seller in several ways. I (the seller), don't have to worry about the buyer re-homing the dog at some place where they might be subject to scientific experimentation, or puppy mill practices. I don't have to worry that my puppy would wind up in a shelter. I don't have to worry that my puppy might wind up in another country without my knowledge.
I have many avenues to help me re-home any of my pups, and if I didn't think that a pup could make a good pet somewhere else, I'd keep him.
If you get one of my puppies, not only do you get a comprehensive contract, you get support for the life of the dog, and you and I stay in touch for (at least) the life of the dog.

Answer 5

I had an 11 week old puppy come back the day after I placed him. The buyer found out that she wasn't as ready for a new pup after her other dog had died as she had thought. I refunded her the money, since she had only had him one day, and she hadn't done anything intentionally wrong. I didn't find another perfect home for him until he was 16 weeks, and he is still wioth them. He was on a neuter contract due to appearing to be pet quality, but he turned out better than I expected him to, and I still kick myself for not growing him out for myself to show. Yes, he is neutered and happy though, so no big deal.

ADDED: Yes, I DO have that any dog that cannot be kept for ANY reason MUST come back to me. I have buyers initial that clause as well as sign the bottom of the contract.

Answer 6

My contracts state that if for some reason, the buyers can not or will not keep the dog, then it must be returned to me. If it is due to a health condition of the dog that is genetic then I will refund the money or replace the puppy. If they just dont want it, then they do not get the money back. I will then rehome appropritately, spay/nueter, or keep depending on the situation.

Answer 7

I actually took one back from my brother in law once! haha The dog was not being treated the way I had been given to believe it would be treated and I removed it from his property and kept it. I wouldn't have any issue with re-homing a dog in the same manner I would initially place a dog - with a properly screened new owner and written contract. If it was not to be bred it would be altered prior to placement. The clause doesn't say I will take the puppy back - I will take the dog back whenever and for whatever reason so if the dog is 8 years old, it will still be taken back. I would keep the dog if it was what was best for the dog and with my BIL's dog, it definitely was the best thing.

btw, I never spoke or saw my BIL again... would have likely bitten him!

Answer 8

Yes I had that in my contracts. I'm retired now. I did get one pup back but not for it being sick or having problems. It's owner was killed in a car accident. I re-homed the pup with in days.
Other than this 1 time no I never had one pup returned to me and I kept in touch with all my puppy owners. None of my pups ever ended up in a shelter or pound.

I should add too that all my pups were under a spay or neuter contract too.

Answer 9

I'm not a breeder, but I will point out that all answers, save one, you have received so far point out one of the major differences between an ethical, quality breeder, and a BYB, That's the insistence on having a dog returned to them, should the owner decide for any reason that they can't/won't keep the dog, at any point in its lifetime. I sincerely hope that some of the "just one or two litter" folks read these responses and take heed.

Answer 10

I definitely state that an animal can come back to me at any age for any reason. I will refund period, since it could mean the difference in getting it back or having them sell or give it to someone else. I find it sad that you guys trash non showing breeders for being money hungry scum,,,,but not ONE of you are willing to refund 'unless it's your genetic mess up' etc. If you are not money hungry , you give the money back regardless, to make sure the dog comes back to you. If you refuse a refund and they sell it at a flea market for 50 bucks,that's just fine with you. Shame on your for being a hypocrite.

Also like to note to people that don't know this........A spay neuter contract is NOT designed to help the dog population in ANY WAY. It is purely to keep a breeders name out of a bloodline if the person breeds the dog. A contract actually states that the new owner will get no registration papers until they spay/neuter. So .....you guys could care less how much the animal you sold is bred,,,,,as long as your name isn't involved. Again shame on you!