NetKennel Weekly Website Wednesday – Week #16

Earlier this year, I had a guy contact me to complain about a breeder he had bought a dog from on Gundog Central. It’s rare that I ever receive a complaint about a dog or a breeder, but when I do, I try to contact both parties to mediate the situation. I’m not the Gun Dog Police, but a bad breeder on Gundog Central isn’t just hurting their reputation—they’re also hurting mine. I’m pretty quick to ban any accounts that tarnish my name.

This particular guy claimed that the breeder he bought his dog from was “sketchy,” based solely on the fact that the breeder made him sign a puppy contract before purchasing the dog. I explained that a puppy contract is perfectly normal—and that most reputable breeders require one. He went on to say that the dog wasn’t working out, and now the breeder was trying to enforce a clause in the contract requiring him to return the dog. I asked, “Did you read the contract? Did you sign it? Did it say you had to return the dog if you decided you didn’t want it?” To which he said, “Yes.”

A puppy contract isn’t some shady agreement, and I highly recommend that your kennel offer one. The contract isn’t a one-sided agreement—it’s designed to protect both parties, buyer and seller. In your puppy contract, be sure to outline what should happen in case of a dispute, what your return policy is, and whether there are any monetary penalties for not adhering to the contract. You should also include clauses that protect the puppy’s welfare, outline health guarantees, and define any breeding restrictions.

Your puppy welfare clause should explain what’s expected from the buyer in terms of proper care, vaccinations, and socialization. You might include a clause stating that the puppy should be returned to the breeder if the buyer can no longer properly care for it.

Most reputable breeders also offer a health guarantee against genetic conditions until the puppy reaches a certain age. Your contract may require the buyer to have the puppy examined by a veterinarian within a set number of days.

If a dispute does arise—like the one mentioned above—a signed puppy contract can provide legal standing and specify penalties for breach of contract.

Clearly state in your puppy contract whether you have any spay or neuter requirements, or if the puppy has limited registration that forbids future breeding.

Good breeders don’t want their dogs ending up in shelters, so they’ll include a Right of First Refusal clause in their puppy contract. This means that if the new owner decides not to keep the dog, they must consult with the breeder first.

I will provide a sample breeding contract with this post. If you plan to use it—or create your own—make sure to have it reviewed by a professional before finalizing it. You can review the puppy contract here : Sample Puppy Contract

You can read more about what’s in a puppy contract on Gundog Central using this link :
Whats in a puppy contract