Returning a Puppy to a Breeder

W

Wagonracer

Forums Regular
As I proceed with adopting a puppy I worry about the slight chance someone in my home may be or become allergic to a puppy. What is the accepting typical "return policy" (from breeder) on puppy adoption, has anyone encountered this issue? Thanks...
 
I can no longer sit back...

PLEASE, Do NOT adopt a dog if you really truly think you will be returning it. Dogs are not an accessory, they are your child. They depend on you as your own human children do. You can not give and take as you please. They, especially Shelties, have really sensitive feelings and it would be very wrong if you were to adopt one on a "trial basis". Rehoming a Sheltie causes them quite a bit of upset, sometimes not eating for days as part of their transition. This would NOT be fair to the dog nor the breeder. Too many dogs are ending up in homeless shelters because people adopt not being 100% commited. Research owning a dog with allergies on Yahoo or Google. Research raising a puppy. Get all the necessities in line before so you know you will be giving this pooch a forever home.
 
Reply to Amac

I agree with you 100% AMAC... Let me give you more information... We have been researching Shelties for almost a year, I have had a dog in the past but my wife and daughter have not. To say I am taking this extremely seriously would be an understatement. I have attended shows with Shelties, visited several breeders, even had my daughter tested for dog allergies. I have read almost ever book out there on Shelties and have been getting great information from this forum. I don't think there is anything I haven't done as a precaution. If so, please let me know!!! Even with all these precautions there is no way to know 100% that someone in the household won't have an allergic reaction (health threatening). In talking with the breeders they have told me you have to live with the dog for a period of time before anything may show up... this is the reason for my thread (worse case situation)... Thanks AMAC, and everyone else on this forum for all the great input...
 
I didn't mean to come of rude. I've been reading the threads as you have been writing them and throughout all of them you have seemed very "unsure" of your choice (Internet writing and intentions can be very opposite...but that is how it seems). I would hate for a dog to endure the stages of moving and being settled in and have to be up-rooted again for another move with new people in yet another environment. I'm not saying you don't have the capabilities to tend to a dogs needs I just think you should be dead set on having a dog and commit yourself to the maximum of your abilities.

With that being said ALL reputable breeders will take one of their own back in if necessary or atleast assist you in rehoming if worst comes to worst.

Another option if you really aren't sold on having a lifelong Sheltie partner through thick and thin...is looking into other breeds with single coats and less dander (aka breeds that claim "hypoallergenic" standards). I'm a Sheltie NUT but to each their own.

Remember: Opinions are like..:dead:..NEVERMIND!! Lets just say we all have our own and go with that.
 
As a breeder, I have had to take back dogs/puppies for a variety of reasons. Some good, some I totally disagreed with but I did it just the same.

Since you've asked about allergies a few times, I have to ask if there is an underlying health issue with your family members that would cause you to worry about this? Very rarely are dog/pet allergies life threatening (anaphalactic shock). Mostly they cause itchy, watery eyes and sneezing and sometimes hives. I have 4 children (one was tested for cystic fibrosis) that have all had their bouts of 'childhood' allergies and asthma. We have over 20 shelties, 5 cats, and a rabbit at the moment :eek2: I work from home and have clients in and out all day long. Many of them have allergies and asthma and the dogs never bother them. If they are bothered at all, it is because it is rather dusty when I put new chips in the puppy pen.

Having said all of that, I know allergies can be dealt with. Think of it this way, if one of your family members develops an allergy to bees, are you not going to let them out of the house? NO, you would be cautious. Same can be done with the dogs. We don't let our animals on the second level of our home or in our bedrooms and the kids are cautious not to rub their faces on the animals and to wash their hands after messing with them alot. Good grooming helps too.

It all can be dealt with if you want to :smile2:
 
Shelties are great, I love them to death but there are many other dog breeds that also make wonderful, devoted family members and are much better for allergy sufferers. Perhaps to round out all of your research you should look into other breeds too, before deciding whether a sheltie is right for your family too.

I didn't read most of this page, but if you scroll to the bottom there is a large list of dogs that are thought to be hypoallergenic for allergy suffers. I personally like miniature poodles (when they don't have the poodle cut), as well as schnauzers and the havanese.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypoallergenic_dog_breeds

FYI, any breeder who will not take one of their own dogs back or make an effort to find an alternative home is a BAD breeder
 
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I put it in my contract that a puppy can come back to me for any reason, at any time. I would much rather have a puppy come back to me and me be able to find it another suitable home than have someone send it to the humane society/pound, or dump it on the street, or just give it to some random person :/ It's also stated in my contract that, upon finding a new home for the dog, any money the dog is sold for, minus $100, will be refunded. Now, that does not guarantee a full purchase price back. An older dog generally is not going to sell for the same price as a young puppy.
A good breeder will take their dogs back. Now, money back is up to each individual breeder. Some may refund, some may not.
 
HopeShelties said:
I put it in my contract that a puppy can come back to me for any reason, at any time. I would much rather have a puppy come back to me and me be able to find it another suitable home than have someone send it to the humane society/pound, or dump it on the street, or just give it to some random person :/ It's also stated in my contract that, upon finding a new home for the dog, any money the dog is sold for, minus $100, will be refunded. Now, that does not guarantee a full purchase price back. An older dog generally is not going to sell for the same price as a young puppy.
A good breeder will take their dogs back. Now, money back is up to each individual breeder. Some may refund, some may not.
Click to expand...

That's very generous of you to offer any money back. I'd not heard of breeders doing this.
 
I always hope that will be the difference between them bringing the dog back to me and sending it to the pound. I like to think someone would rather get some money back than dumping it and losing their money.
Money is very motivating... When my blue male got loose last summer, the lady only brought him back to me because of the reward.
 
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