How do you feel about health guarantees when purchasing a puppy from a breeder? Are they a prerequisite? A minor consideration? Not a consideration at all? I’ve been mulling this over for a while now.
For me personally, it doesn’t factor in at all anymore. It used to; I used to definitely feel breeders should offer genetic health guarantees. But honestly, as I’ve gotten to know more breeders as individuals, I’ve started to feel that it’s kind of unfair to ask that a breeder be both non-commercial but simultaneously treat their pups as product that can be replaced.
I feel it’s up to me to examine the health testing of the parents and the line, and speak with the breeder about what genetic issues the dog may carry potential for, and make my own decisions based on that information. I can’t imagine ever asking for my money that I gave the breeder a year and half ago back, or expecting them to have a replacement puppy for me in a timely fashion. Breeders are just people and things happen, I expect a breeder to do everything they can on the genetic health front, and then it’s my decision. And even with health tested stock, issues pop up, and I guess I don’t hold the breeder responsible for them as long as they’ve done their part by screening the parents and considering the health of the line – and as long as they have accurately disclosed that information.
Obviously this is personal and hardly a matter of right or wrong, so how do you feel? I’m curious if anyone feels the same or has a contrary point to offer. Breeders on the board, do you offer a health guarantee? Why or why not?
For me personally, it doesn’t factor in at all anymore. It used to; I used to definitely feel breeders should offer genetic health guarantees. But honestly, as I’ve gotten to know more breeders as individuals, I’ve started to feel that it’s kind of unfair to ask that a breeder be both non-commercial but simultaneously treat their pups as product that can be replaced.
I feel it’s up to me to examine the health testing of the parents and the line, and speak with the breeder about what genetic issues the dog may carry potential for, and make my own decisions based on that information. I can’t imagine ever asking for my money that I gave the breeder a year and half ago back, or expecting them to have a replacement puppy for me in a timely fashion. Breeders are just people and things happen, I expect a breeder to do everything they can on the genetic health front, and then it’s my decision. And even with health tested stock, issues pop up, and I guess I don’t hold the breeder responsible for them as long as they’ve done their part by screening the parents and considering the health of the line – and as long as they have accurately disclosed that information.
Obviously this is personal and hardly a matter of right or wrong, so how do you feel? I’m curious if anyone feels the same or has a contrary point to offer. Breeders on the board, do you offer a health guarantee? Why or why not?