Our family have recently bought a puppy from a local breader. The puppy 12 weeks old and came with papers and was flead, wormed and vet checked. We have had her for over a week now and have had a vet check of our own. The vet told us that the puppy has a hernia that may cause problems for breeding and also she has a luxating knee. I just feel that the breeder has failed to inform us of these issues and it may cause problems in the pups future. Should I contact the breeder , i feel as though i have been ripped off also :/
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Mislead by seller
- Thread starter Hanlou
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Yes, you ought to tell the breeder. Good breeders should pick up a hernia! They are quite common and most will get them sorted before selling the puppy. The luxating patella is a little harder for a lay person to detect but a good breeder would expect you to get a vet check and should be prepared to reimburse you for any expenses or offer a refund if you are not completely happy. They should be interested to know about the luxating patella, too, in order to check where it came from in their breeding line so that they can avoid breeding more puppies with the condition. Don't hold your breath though.
On another note. Is there a reason the puppy was still with the breeder at 12 weeks? Was the breeder taking steps to socialise the puppy during the "critical socialisation period"? This is up to the age of 12/14 weeks. It is vital that the puppy sees the world it is going to be living in during this time.
On another note. Is there a reason the puppy was still with the breeder at 12 weeks? Was the breeder taking steps to socialise the puppy during the "critical socialisation period"? This is up to the age of 12/14 weeks. It is vital that the puppy sees the world it is going to be living in during this time.
Thank you for your quick response. Am unsure how to word the message to the breader as I have never been in this situation. I will contact her today and wait for her response.
Am not sure why the pup was older than expected. Her mum had a litter of 8 and our pup was one of two left. She had one boy and one girl left. She didnt have her vacinations either which meant we had to pay for them and she has a longer wait period to go out. She is due her 2nd needle in 2 weeks which makes it 3 weeks until she can go out.
Am not sure why the pup was older than expected. Her mum had a litter of 8 and our pup was one of two left. She had one boy and one girl left. She didnt have her vacinations either which meant we had to pay for them and she has a longer wait period to go out. She is due her 2nd needle in 2 weeks which makes it 3 weeks until she can go out.
I have recieved a reply , the owner states that she is not liable. She explains that she has not knowingly bred the dogs with health conditions and the other puppies apprantely have no problems .
As animals are classed as goods ..i am protected by the sale of goods act. Surely this is like selling me a dodgy car as the hernia is noticeable. Does anyone have any legal advice please.
As animals are classed as goods ..i am protected by the sale of goods act. Surely this is like selling me a dodgy car as the hernia is noticeable. Does anyone have any legal advice please.
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You can, and absolutely should take her out in a pet carrier or sling before her vaccinations. The main risk to puppies is from faeces from rats and unvaccinated dogs so by taking her in a carrier you are able to let her build experience and therefore confidence but from a safe place.
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You could try www.doglaw.co.uk
Edited to add, if she didn't have health tests done on the sire and dam, I don't think she can say she didn't knowingly breed health problems. I believe the kennel club has a website where breeders post the checks they have done on their dogs so they are available to any member of the public who is looking at the litter.
Edited to add, if she didn't have health tests done on the sire and dam, I don't think she can say she didn't knowingly breed health problems. I believe the kennel club has a website where breeders post the checks they have done on their dogs so they are available to any member of the public who is looking at the litter.
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Your puppy will be fine to run loose in your garden, this helps with potty training, essential!
My vet does not advise early vaccinations because of the natural immunity that the puppies inherit from their mothers, but by 9.5 weeks of age are ready to have their first vaccination.
Umbilikal hernias; depending on the size should be noticed by the breeder, a small pea size is nothing to worry about and with a little more time, will often close itself. Sometimes there will be a little "fatty" tissue pinched in the closure, this is quiet safe and will not cause any further problems. Large hernias which contain internal organs are much more serious and will sooner or later need surgery.
To be fair, I believe the breeder should make the purchaser aware, and a responsible breeder should make an offer of a reduction in price towards any corrective surgery that may or may not be needed.
Paying for puppy vaccinations I would consider as my responsibility (the purchaser) and part of buying a young puppy. (everyone has a different view though)
Normally puppies are sold and start leaving mum at 8 weeks of age, some breeders like to keep their puppies a little longer for various reasons.
There will always be a first to go and a last to go, they will not all leave at the same time.
Depending on the breed and time of year can also affect the popularity / decision of purchasing a puppy and some puppies may remain unsold for a few more weeks. Just because the puppy is the last to be sold, it does not always mean there is a problem with the pup.
What breed of puppy have you chosen.
My vet does not advise early vaccinations because of the natural immunity that the puppies inherit from their mothers, but by 9.5 weeks of age are ready to have their first vaccination.
Umbilikal hernias; depending on the size should be noticed by the breeder, a small pea size is nothing to worry about and with a little more time, will often close itself. Sometimes there will be a little "fatty" tissue pinched in the closure, this is quiet safe and will not cause any further problems. Large hernias which contain internal organs are much more serious and will sooner or later need surgery.
To be fair, I believe the breeder should make the purchaser aware, and a responsible breeder should make an offer of a reduction in price towards any corrective surgery that may or may not be needed.
Paying for puppy vaccinations I would consider as my responsibility (the purchaser) and part of buying a young puppy. (everyone has a different view though)
Normally puppies are sold and start leaving mum at 8 weeks of age, some breeders like to keep their puppies a little longer for various reasons.
There will always be a first to go and a last to go, they will not all leave at the same time.
Depending on the breed and time of year can also affect the popularity / decision of purchasing a puppy and some puppies may remain unsold for a few more weeks. Just because the puppy is the last to be sold, it does not always mean there is a problem with the pup.
What breed of puppy have you chosen.
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Some breeders will vaccinate any puppies still with them when they are due. They then pass on the charge to the new owner. This helps the puppy to start socialising earlier rather than later.
Your puppy can go to houses and gardens where any resident dogs are vaccinated. You can invite friendly, vaccinated, dogs to come to your house. Try to find lots of different people and well behaved children, to visit your puppy though not all at once! Allow your puppy to move away from any experience that it finds worrying. Reward any brave approach that the puppy makes.
Any health issues can be solved but behaviour issues, caused by lack of early socialisation, are a nightmare to deal with once the "critical" socialisation has passed.
Your puppy can go to houses and gardens where any resident dogs are vaccinated. You can invite friendly, vaccinated, dogs to come to your house. Try to find lots of different people and well behaved children, to visit your puppy though not all at once! Allow your puppy to move away from any experience that it finds worrying. Reward any brave approach that the puppy makes.
Any health issues can be solved but behaviour issues, caused by lack of early socialisation, are a nightmare to deal with once the "critical" socialisation has passed.
