[AmHanch]

I bought a puppy with limited AKC registration until neutered, but was told I wouldn’t receive paperwork until puppy was neutered. (It’s a Great Dane so I’m waiting until he’s 18mo.) Is this common? The breeder sent me screenshots of his parent’s pedigree, but I have no legit paperwork confirming my dog came from these two dogs.

 

[3GSD4IPO]

A limited AKC registration means the dog cannot be used for breeding.

IME the breeder/seller of the dog or puppy blacks out a box on the puppy registration application such that the papers are issued as "restricted." This means IF the puppy owner breeds that dog they cannot register the puppies with AKC. The new owner can register the puppy in their name but the papers will state the restricted status.

I bought one puppy with this restriction that would be removed by the puppy's breeder if I titled that puppy in Schutzhund 1/IPO 1 and got her passed hips and elbows by OFA. Integistered this dog with AKC and they issued restricted papers.

I spayed the dog age 3 even though I DID title her to IPO 3 AND she was rated as good/clear for hips and elbows by OFA. Good dog she was but not quite good enough to breed.

 

[LeoRose]

It's not all that unusual. Some breeders will sell outright on limited registration. Some will sell on limited registration but will withhold papers until they receive proof that dog has been altered. Some will co-own until the puppy is altered.

My SPoo puppy's breeder's contract states that they withhold transferring the papers until they get proof the dog has been altered, but that was waived for me. I did make sure that the contract was revised to reflect that.

 

[storyist]

My current puppy is the only one I've ever bought with limited registration. His papers came promptly after I got him, and the breeder contract specified I would have limited registration and would get it right away.

However, it seems to me whether withholding papers until the dog is neutered is common or not is irrelevant to a buyer who agreed to that. People really need to read contracts, make sure they know restrictions, and not buy if the terms are too restrictive. I've seen quite a few breeder contracts I wouldn't sign in a million years. Sometimes you can negotiate terms you can live with; sometimes you have to be willing to walk away.

 

[LeoRose]

People really need to read contracts, make sure they know restrictions, and not buy if the terms are too restrictive. I've seen quite a few breeder contracts I wouldn't sign in a million years. Sometimes you can negotiate terms you can live with; sometimes you have to be willing to walk away.

I recently looked at one contract recently that would probably be ten pages once it's printed out. Among other things one of the main deal-breakers for me was the clause that vaccinating for anything more than distemper, parvo, and rabies would void any and all clauses of their health guarantee (which was iffy at best...). Lepto and canine flu are bad where I live, and my dogs are vaccinated for lepto, and if they have to be boarded, the flu. Another thing that would void the entire health guarantee was the dog being hurt in a accident. Hello, they are called "accidents" for a reason...Another clause was not doing PennHIP between a certain number of months of age also voided any and all hip dysplasia guarantee.

 

[Toedtoes]

I recently looked at one contract recently that would probably be ten pages once it's printed out. Among other things one of the main deal-breakers for me was the clause that vaccinating for anything more than distemper, parvo, and rabies would void any and all clauses of their health guarantee (which was iffy at best...). Lepto and canine flu are bad where I live, and my dogs are vaccinated for lepto, and if they have to be boarded, the flu. Another thing that would void the entire health guarantee was the dog being hurt in a accident. Hello, they are called "accidents" for a reason...Another clause was not doing PennHIP between a certain number of months of age also voided any and all hip dysplasia guarantee.

The vaccination clause would be a huge red flag to me. That suggests that the breeder is blaming vaccinations for genetic issues. I'm not sure how lepto and bordatello would cause any of the common hereditary health issues. And by encouraging people to NOT vaccinate for those diseases is careless and irresponsible to say the least.

I camp with my dogs. And we are around all sorts of water. There is no way I would not vaccinate them against lepto.

And bordatello is required if you board your dogs and is very important if you participate in dog shows and competitions where your dog will be in contact with other dogs.

I guess that breeder doesn't think you should take your dog out of your home at any time or for any reason.

 

[storyist]

I don't vaccinate my dogs for either lepto or bordatella (and I show them), but I agree in principle. I understand most breeders have been burned by buyers who lied to them to get a puppy, people who don't live up to promises, but even so, we buyers have the right to walk away, and I think that's what we need to do rather than mislead someone in order to get a puppy.

If a breeder is determined to only let their puppies go to people who agree with their vaccination (or any other) regimen, they can certainly require that, but they then undoubtedly need to breed few enough puppies so that they can find people willing to comply -- and accept that a few will make the commitment and then violate it when their vet advises otherwise.

 

[Toedtoes]

I guess I just see it as more of a way to avoid responsibilty for bad breeding by making the implication that vaccinations are somehow the cause of any health issues the dog may have.

 

[LeoRose]

I guess I just see it as more of a way to avoid responsibilty for bad breeding by making the implication that vaccinations are somehow the cause of any health issues the dog may have.

That was my take on a lot of things in that contract. I mean, the entire health contract is considered null and void if the dog gets hurt in an accident? And "Do PennHIP between 4 and 6 months (I'm thinking that's what they required) or the entire hip dysplasia clause is considered null and void"?

 

[Toedtoes]

I agree. A dog tripping in the hole that Tornado-dog dug so expertly in the grass should have no bearing on the dog going blind due to a genetic defect.

I can somewhat see the PennHIP requirement. The sooner a sold puppy gets tested, the easier it is to rehome him if he is determined to not be show quality.