Question:I have an 11 mo. pedigree German Shepherd. The AKC cert. Breeder I bought him from (in 7/05) I've tried to contact 10 times regarding his hip dyspasia and I'm not getting any responses. What can I do? My Puppy came from a litter of 8. I wonder how many others are having this same condition? Also--she SHOULD NOT be breeding dogs w/ this severe of HD, it's torture for the puppy & the owner. If you have any suggestions I'd love to hear them. THANKS:-)
Answers:
A reputable breeders will have their breed dogs hips certified. This is where they take the dog and get the hips xrayed. The xrays are then sent off to a lab where they xrays are looked at my a specialist. The hips are then rated my the specialist, Excellent,Good,fair etc.
When you buy a puppy from the breeder, the breeder should show you the hip rating of the parent dogs. If the parent dogs hips have a bad rating then it is most likely that the puppy will also have bad hips. Yes you are right. If the breeder knowingly is breeding dogs that throw this defect she/he should not be breeding the dogs. Unfortunately some breeders are more interested in money than producing quality dogs. Check you contract to see what your guarantee is. In the future always ask for the breed dogs hip certification info.
Other Answers:
I would contact the AKC and see if they are in-fact an approved breeder. Then, I would report them and let them take the action necessary.
I know German Shephards are one of the breeds that are more apt to hip dysplatia, but at such a young age? Does the dog have any other problems? I'd start looking into maybe if the bloodlines have severe inbreeding in them. I'd also contact the AKC, and maybe your local ASPCA about this. And to take it a notch further, threaten the breeder with legal action, because you did not get what you paid for. I am sure you paid alot of money for an AKC registered full breed dog and you ended up with a dog that has a severe disability.
I live in Scotland and the lady who I sit beside at work had the same problem with her GS. Her pup was only 8 months when she found out. It is common in the breed but your right in saying any good breeder wouldn't breed from the dogs again.
Poor wee pup.
This is pretty typical of disreputable dog breeders. Many offer little or no response to claims about their dogs.
You have a few options. First, you should look up this breeder's address, then using www.pets911.com, call the animal control office and better business bureau that are local to him/her. You can file a complaint, as well as find out if previous complaints have been filed.
Last, using the big map on www.StopPuppyMills.org, you can find out which office oversees dog breeders for the state that the breeder lives in, and you can file a complaint there. If the breeder is a USDA Class A breeder (or Class B dealer), you can also complain to the USDA.
That your dog to the vet and hve it x-Rayed they have to put the dog to sleep to get the pic. of the hip. see how bad it is.
I had a German Shepherd with pedigree from a registered breeder who also runs the German Shepherd League. The dog failed her x-rays with hip dysplasia & 2 elbow diseases, but there was no satisfaction available as I had not requested a guarantee against those diseases. If u have a guarantee from the breeder/seller to refund or replace the dog with the problems then u are entitled to claim that. I would however report the breeder to the AKC if he doesnt not offer anything. Be aware that if he refunds yr money he will either resell the dog or have it destroyed.
Unfortunately, no breeder is "AKC certified". Anyone with AKC registered dogs can breed them and sell the puppies. The AKC is a registration body only. They do not police anyone breeding AKC registered dogs beyond record keeping inconsistencies and animal cruelty convictions.
It sounds like you bought your puppy from a backyard breeder or puppy mill -- someone who clearly did not certify their German Shepherds' hips prior to breeding them, did not give you a genetic health contract when you bought the puppy, and does not care about anything beyond the money you handed over when you took the puppy home. Any responsible breeder would not be dodging your attempts to contact them!
If you have the name and contact info for these people, you could contact your local Better Business Bureau and see if there is any way they can help. You may also look into "Puppy Lemon Laws" for your state. Unfortunately, because these people are not running an actual business (like a pet shop), these sources may not be able to help.
Otherwise, please continue to try to contact this "breeder". They are likely hoping you will give up and go away -- don't give them the satisfaction! They need to know that they've done the wrong thing, and they shouldn't be able to victimize more people with the kind of heartbreak you're having to go through.
I'm so sorry to hear about your puppy. I wish I could do more to help.
Unfortunately most of the answers given here won't do you much good. The Better Business Bureau has no legal authority and in most areas is nothing but an legal shake down. The ASPCA and humane societies have no jurisdiction and if no overt abusive acts are taking place, they are powerless and won't even take your complaint. The USDA only regulates (and very poorly at that) commercial breeders and primarily deals with living conditions not genetics and contracts. The AKC only cares that the registration fees have been paid and that the pedigree is correct, nothing else.
I would look to see if the breeder is a member of a breed club with a code of ethics and if so, file an ethics complaint. I would also check to see if your state has puppy lemon laws and if so, contact your state's attorneys general and see what can be done. Finally there is always the time honored American tradition of filing a lawsuit which in most cases I am highly opposed to but in this case I am highly in favor of. Unethical breeders need to be put out of business and hip dysplasia is a major issue with GSD's and they need help in stamping it out.
Who are you to tell a breeder that she shouldn't breed? Did you know that in a breeding with sire and dam who both have OFA excellent hips and normal elbows you can get pups with HD? Do YOU know anything about breeding?
As for your problem get in your car and drive out to the kennel and speak with the breeder directly. Give your head a shake. If you don't understand the genetic probabilities in breeding then don't offer opinions on if the breeder should be breeding!
More Questions & Answers...
- what is the difference between worming tablets from a vet and from a shop?
- I've had it with my dog! Help?
- want to know about feet. why does a dog lean back on his feet,toes spead apart?Is there something wrong?
- Is there anyone out there that wants to purchase a AKC Bichon Frise puppy?
- WHICH KIND OF DOG SHOULD I GEt?
- Our dog has a bit of a thing for our Rosemary plant?!?