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Gone are the days when a handshake sealed the agreement. In today's litigious climate contracts are very popular, especially when it comes to puppy sales. A contract written or verbal is an agreement to create legally enforceable obligations between two or more parties. Requiring signed contracts is a symbol of the professional breeder. "Symbol," because contracts vary from unreasonable to worthless, depending on intent. Contracts do not replace thorough interviews to assess the puppy buyer, nor does it guarantee a healthy puppy. A contract represents an objective for both breeder and buyer: to breed a health puppy that can reach its potential in the proper home environment.

Breeders use contracts to protect puppies, their breed and their own reputations. Consumers want contracts to offer some assurance the puppy will be healthy with a good temperament. The puppy buyer can accept, refuse or negotiate changes in a contract but it is the breeder who creates the contract tailored to suite himself or herself. The stipulations can tell you a good deal about the breeder.

Pet Quality Puppy Contracts are used for puppies that should not be bred. The contract may be called a Limited Registration Contract or a Spay/Neuter Contract. "Pet" is defined as a puppy that may have a cosmetic fault when compared to the breed Standard. For example in a prick ear breed, one ear may not stand properly or in many breeds the color pattern may be incorrect. These traits do not affect health or temperament but should not be perpetuated in a breeding program. The contract should include a mandatory spay/neuter clause. Many breeders offer financial incentives to guarantee pet puppies are not bred.

If your breeder uses Limited Registration (AKC) or a Non-Breeding Agreement (CKC) on pet puppies the dog is registered with the kennel club but any offspring would not be eligible for registration. These dogs are ineligible to be entered in a breed competition in any dog show. The dog, however, is eligible to be entered in any other licensed event. These events include Obedience, Tracking, Field Trials, Hunting Tests, Herding, Lure Coursing, Agility and Earthdog.

For more registration information, visit the AKC website
http://www.akc.org

the CKC website
http://www.ckc.ca/info/

Show Puppy Contracts are reserved for the puppies deemed to be the best representatives of the breed standard. Terms and conditions are variable, most require showing the puppy and some breeders stipulate obligatory breeding, with puppies back from a bitch and stud service from a male. You should be aware of the additional expenses involved with purchasing a "show" puppy. Not only do these puppies cost almost twice as much as a pet but the expense involved in showing dogs can become considerable.

All contracts should include the basics:

• Kennel name, address and phone number
• Breeder's name
• Date of birth
• AKC litter registration number
• AKC registration name and numbers of sire and dam
• Description of the dog including breed, sex, color and/or markings
• Designation of "pet" or "show" quality
• A current health statement
• Warrantees of genetic health and temperament.
• Copies of all genetic disease certificates (OFA, CERF, vWD, thyroid, heart)
• Replacement puppy options or reimbursement in the event of unforeseen
• genetic disorder.

Contracts are negotiable before signing. Have your breeder explain any unfamiliar terms. For additional contract information visit these recommended websites:

http://beardie.net/bcca/articles/CONTRACTS.htm
http://www.nolo.com/NN179.HTML
http://www.showdogsupersite.com/sdkjour1.html

 

Continuing on your way to Responsible Dog Ownership