How far does a breeder's responsibility go?

[Bahamutt99]

I was contemplating this over my pizza this afternoon. When a breeder produces a puppy and places it in a new home, at what point do they become no longer responsible for what happens to the dog? Does their duty stretch on until the dog is old and gray, or is it merely their job to give him the best possible start? What about when that dog is bred? Does the breeder have any responsibility to the puppies bred down from one of his own?

I'll share my own thoughts later. I'm just curious what people think.

 

[FoxyWench]

personally...

my puppies go home on a spay neuter contract so puppies from my dog are not a matter of question (if i find out one of my "products" has been bred my contract reserves me the right to remove the adult dog and any remaining puppies)
my personal responsiblity varies on the subject. when it comes to vet care after the dog leaves my home it is the new owners responsibiltiy to tend to any and all medical care, once again if they cannot medically support the dog i reserve the right to remove the dog (ie if i visit and the dogs covered in fleas and emaciated i reserve right to remove the dog)
however, i feel i am responsible for all other aspects untill the dog passes, i make myself avaiable to my buyers during any resonable time of day or night (any other times i get back to them as soon as possible and if its a medical emergency i tell them go straight to the vet)
if for any reason they cannot keep the dog, it comes back to me, ect.

I feel like in breeding im playing god and if im willing to make that desision i need to be available for the life of the animal I played a part in creating.

I hope that makes sense.

 

[Bahamutt99]

Here's what I think. I think that a breeder is responsible for the life of the dog, within reason. I personally wouldn't think less of a breeder who placed a dog well, then the placement turned bad and something happened to the dog before they could act. That, unfortunately, can happen. On the other hand, I have no respect for a breeder who would simply choose to leave the dog in a bad situation, rather than going in and retrieving it. No matter if the dog is 10 months or 10 years.

On the matter of intact dogs going out and making puppies, I think the breeder does bear some responsibility, again within reason. If a breeder sells a dog who is in turn bred, and the puppies end up dumped at the pound, I think the breeder has a responsibility to go get those pups, and then go get the dog they were bred from.

 

[fillyone]

personally...

my puppies go home on a spay neuter contract so puppies from my dog are not a matter of question (if i find out one of my "products" has been bred my contract reserves me the right to remove the adult dog and any remaining puppies)

All of your puppies? Does that mean you're breeding simply for pets?
opcorn:

 

[Zoom]

No, she keeps one or two that she shows. Foxy's been through the "breeding gauntlet" already here.

 

[fillyone]

Suppose that makes sense with the tiny breeds.
Be bad thing with GSDs, litters with a bunch of pups should have some going out that are working/show prospects.

 

[ravennr]

I agree with Bahamutt on this one...I also wish that was the way it worked everytime.

 

[FoxyWench]

i only breed a litter when im looking for my next show dog, and a chis average litter size is 3 pups and in a typical litter theres usually 1 outstanding pup and 2 nice but not champions pups , so yes the dogs that i search out to find homes are PETS only, i keep my show prospects (its also one of the reasons pups dont leave here till at the earliest 10-12 weeks)
if i was ot have a littler of more than the average, i WOULD consider sending out other show prospect (say i had a litter and all 6 pups were show prospect) to other RESPONSIBLE RESPECTABLE breeders,
i expect other breeders feel the same way, even with large litters a respectable resonsible breeder would not send puppies out to just any family and say "yeah sure go ahead...breed her!"

 

[bubbatd]

Breeders usually have a written contract that spells everything out . Some insist on dual ownership to control breeding for show only .

 

[otch1]

Hi Bahamutt... is this a legal or ethical question? (Much easier to answer from a legal aspect.) The breeder is bound only by his/her contract and even then they often don't completely protect an owner. There is such thing as a lemon law for pups though, so were a buyer to purchase an unhealthy puppy or one that has a serious genetic defect they do have some recourse in small claims court. A breeder is not responsible for the puppy, outside of that, once they're removed from his care, the initial wellness exam has been performed and a designated period of time has passed. (Usually indicated in the contract.) Unless this was sold as a show prospect/breeeding stock and it's determined the animal is unbreedable at a later date, the breeder is not repsonsible for any of the pups future offspring. It can be very tricky when dealing with a live animal. A good proffessional breeder will do everything in their power to make sure the owner has great experience and should something go wrong, they are usually there in some capacity, within reason.

 

[IliamnasQuest]

My thoughts on this are on the moral issue of breeding.

I feel that breeders should take responsibility for what they bred. I agree with those who have said that breeders should be willing to take back any dog they bred (at any age). I think that breeders should keep in reasonable contact with the owners of their pups throughout the dog's life and be willing to step in if it becomes apparent that the dog is not being treated well. It may be that stepping in means they help the person out or it may be it means they take the dog back (depending on circumstances) but they should be aware and willing to do what is best for the dog.

I think that anyone who sells a dog or bitch and who has not set up a limited registration and non-breeding contract is responsible to a certain extent for puppies that are produced by the dogs they sold. They need to be darn sure that the person who is breeding is responsible and knowledgeable.

All this responsibility is one reason that I haven't bred yet. I have found that the breeders who have supplied me with dogs (and the breeder that I'm going through to get my next pup is the same way) don't seem to have any problems selling me a fully registered bitch because they know my feelings on breeding and that I would only breed if I had a really good health-proven dog with exemplary temperament. AND I would then probably end up keeping all the puppies because I'd be so concerned that others wouldn't treat the dogs like I would .. *LOL*

Yep, that's me in my old age ... surrounded by dozens of dogs that I can't give up!

Melanie and the gang in Alaska

.. not interested at ALL in breeding GSD's, by the way ... possibly chows though as we could use more "working" chows .. *L*

 

[bubbatd]

I knew all my pup's owners and all knew how I felt about breeding . None ever had a litter. I took back only one pup . Sold to my daughter's friend and his father wouldn't let the dog in the house . No pup of mine would ever be tied out !!

 

[tinies12]

Sorry but being a novice I have a question or two:

I buy the dog and something goes wrong, caused from either:

1) breeding
2) new owners handling

Who is responsible then?

 

[dr2little]

I knew all my pup's owners and all knew how I felt about breeding . None ever had a litter. I took back only one pup . Sold to my daughter's friend and his father wouldn't let the dog in the house . No pup of mine would ever be tied out !!

:hail: :hail: :hail: This is how it should be.

 

[Bahamutt99]

Hi Bahamutt... is this a legal or ethical question?

Moral. Ethical. How a person would perceive a breeder who washed their hands of a dog once its left their hands.

 

[Bahamutt99]

Sorry but being a novice I have a question or two:

I buy the dog and something goes wrong, caused from either:

1) breeding
2) new owners handling

Who is responsible then?

It would depend on what you're talking about, specifically. What I'm talking about specifically is a dog that ends up in a bad situation -- dumped, homeless, abused, etc.

 

[squirtsmom]

Interesting thread.

 

[doberkim]

id expect the same thing i offer anyone who adopts from me - i am ultimately responsible for that animals health and well being. if its not cared for up to my standards, if its not wanted anymore, if it simply cant be kept - i will always take back what i have adopted out.

if there isnt room, iw ill find space. if i cant, i shouldnt be adopting out period.

id expect that from my breeder too - and if i ever bred, that is what i would offer. 10 weeks, 10 months or 10 years - always a home with me.

 

[Lizmo]

My thoughts on this are on the moral issue of breeding.

I feel that breeders should take responsibility for what they bred. I agree with those who have said that breeders should be willing to take back any dog they bred (at any age). I think that breeders should keep in reasonable contact with the owners of their pups throughout the dog's life and be willing to step in if it becomes apparent that the dog is not being treated well. It may be that stepping in means they help the person out or it may be it means they take the dog back (depending on circumstances) but they should be aware and willing to do what is best for the dog.

I think that anyone who sells a dog or bitch and who has not set up a limited registration and non-breeding contract is responsible to a certain extent for puppies that are produced by the dogs they sold. They need to be darn sure that the person who is breeding is responsible and knowledgeable.

I completly agree....

I would love to breed in the future, and it is the BREEDERS responsibility to go over and beyond for ANY dogs you bred. Even if it means you get back EVERY dog you bred in that litter. Even though I hope that never happens, but if it does, it's the BREEDERS responsibility.

 

[tinies12]

Okay I understand now. If I could no longer keep my girlie I should contact the breeder first. If the breeder does not assist then she/he is a bad breeder.

I know that will never happen here. My Sasha stays as long as I stay. If you know what I mean.