what stipulations do you have in your puppy contracts?...i'm looking for some more/other things that i may need/want to put in mine, but it has alot now that i have had people turn away (those i don't want anyway) saying i'm too picky....

but, i'm always looking for more ideas

I am not a breeder, but here is my two cents...

If you guarantee your dogs against genetic health problems or defects, do not offer just a one or two year guarantee. MOST genetic diseases and conditions are late onset and are not detected or diagnosed during the dogs first two years of life. I do realize that genetic problems can arise no matter how good the breeding is, but if a breeder is truly confident about their bloodlines, they should be able to offer a guarantee that surpasses one or two years. I have been told many times that a one year health guarantee is considered "the norm"...as far as I'm concerned, that is unaccpetable.

Also, be very specific as to what will be done in the event of a confirmed genetic problem. Do not expect a person to return their dog if it has a genetic health problem. No one should be required to return the dog in order to be compensated or for the health guarantee to be honoured. It is different when a puppy turns out to have a genetic problem that is discovered only days after it goes home to it's new owner. I'm not saying that it wouldn't be hard, but there is a big difference between that and a dog that has been with it's new family for a long period of time. People that love their dogs will go great lengths to do whatever they can for them. Asking someone to give the dog back for a "replacement puppy", or a refund, is cruel and heartless. And as far as I'm concerned it is nothing short of emotional blackmail that protects the breeder from havong to honour their health guarantee.

Any good breeder will not just let anyone have one of their dogs. A good breeder will only offer one of their dogs to someone that they trust and genuinely feel will provide the best home possible for the dog. They want the dog to have a good home and will go to great lengths to ensure that that happens.

...if a person is willing to just give a dog back to the breeder because it is not healthy...a dog that they are supposed to love and who should be considered a member of their family,...then you have to question how much they really care about that dog. Why would any breeder want to give someone like that another one of their dogs? If they care so little about the first dog, are they going to care about the new one?


I don't believe that a contract can ever be too picky, and I would be very reluctant to anyone that feels that to be so. The contract is there to protect the buyer, the seller and the dog.

I hope that I don't seem harsh or rude in any way. I just know the experience that I had with a HORRIBLE schnauzer breeder in Ontario, Canada. I ended up having to take her to court and it is something I would never wish upon anyone.

It took me quite some time, but I finally found a new breeder that I trust and that has a contract that I agree with 100%. She stands behind her dogs and her lines and is highly regarded by her national breed club and many other breeders of the breed.

I'm assuming you have the usual spay/neuter requirement, health guarantee, that sort of thing. One thing I find missing in a lot of contracts that I do include in mine is Right of First Refusal. What that means is if the owner cannot or does not want to keep the dog somewhere down the line, they must offer it back to me first. If they have someone who wants to take the dog, they have to contact me and allow me the chance to talk to the individual in question, and approve or not. If I don't, the dog comes back to me for placement.

As a breeder, I feel a 100% responsibility for the puppies I produce from birth to death. I created them. Their my responsibility.

no, i don't believe you to be harsh or rude in any way.....i agree w/ what you are saying....for the genetic health, my contract stipulates that the hips are "guaranteed" up to 2 yrs at which point they are to get the hips xrayed and preferrably certified; if HD is present, a replacement pup or reimbursement is given upon proof of s/n (they do not have to return the dog)....the eyes are guaranteed for PRA/CEA for life (CEA can be DNA'd for in BC but not PRA) and, depending on the age of the dog, reimbursement is in order....any other genetic disorders in the BC are guaranteed to the extent that i can do so (some cannot be tested for but the lines are screened for it as well as i can, such as epilepsy).....no one is ever required to return the dog to me in order to get reimbursed or a replacement, but it will depend on the age as to the amount returned (if they choose not to check hips and eyes and it shows up in later yrs, then to me, that is their responsibility)...

all pups are sold on a nonbreeding status until the requirements of the contract are met (certs, ability for work, temperment).....no pup is to ever be resold, they come back to me regardless of age, for reimbursment ($ amount to be determined on age/condition of dog)....and i want, at least, monthly updates.....

there's more but it'd take to big of a post here....

[UnderDog]

Here is a contract I got from a breeder (as an example) wich I think is pretty fair:

By signing this contract and purchasing one of (name here)'s dogs/puppys I agree to:

1. Take the puppy to a licensed, ceritified vetinary surgeon to be neutered at 6-8 months of age.
2. Under no circumstances will I pass the dog or rehome the dog without first contacting the breeder and giving them the option to take the dog back.
3. I will update the breeder of my puppy/dog every month.
4. I will notify the breeder of any health issues.
5. I will notify the breeder should I move to another address, change my phone number or board the puppy/dog at a kennel.
6. At 2 months of age I will take the puppy/dog to a ceritified/licensed vetrinary office for hip scoring and eye testing.
7. I will take the puppy/dog to a licensed/certified vet. to have annual vaccines.
8. I will take the puppy/dog to a licensed/certidied vet. at least every 6 months for a check up (eyes, nose, teeth, respitory system etc)
9. I will allow the breeder to confiscate the puppy/dog at ANY time if they feel it is nesscesary or the puppy/dog is not being cared for appropriatly.
10. At 8 months of age if the breeder feels the dog is not being trained correctly I will take the dog/puppy to professional dog training school.

_______

There is loads more that I will try put up later (it is on a seperate peice of paper wich I have lost