Complaint Review: Bouchards Best Shepherds

I have owned and bred GSD for more than 50 years and am a student and steward of the breed. I would like to offer some important information to possible purchasers of a GSD who come to view this report.

Ms. Bouchard claims that her dogs do not carry the gene for EPI and this was confirmed by testing, Note Well: There is currently NO gene test for EPI as the method of genetic transmission is not known. While there are some candidate alleles this research is still in the early stages. For one of the most recent summaries about the genetic research into EPI see www.2ndchance.info/rawdiet-Clark2012.pdf

Ms. Bouchard claims that if her dogs carried EPI there would have been individuals in each litter. This is INCORRECT and also shows a stunning lack of knowledge on her part about breeding and genetics. With any recessive trait while a Punnett square indicates the percentage of affected animals to be produced that percentage is over the entire production of the animal not for individual litters. Punnett squares are also useful primarily for very simple traits that can be determined by no more than 2 genes while the current knowledge suggests that EPI is a polygenic condition. Not only that but with molecular genetics we are finding many diseases and traits involve the interaction of numerous proteins and enyzymes often located at vastly different places in the genome so once again giving lie to the idea that the parents would have to express (as oppose to carry) the problem themselves.

For those of you looking to buy a GSD PLEASE do your homework FIRST. Ms.Bouchard claims to have bred more than 700 puppies in 20 years. That is an average of 35 a year which is an average of 7 litters a year. This is a volume breeder further proved  by her claims to be USDA inspected. Most responsible breeders breed no more than 1 or two litters a year.

Check out the pedigrees of two of her dogs here http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/forum.read?mnr=786546-looking-for-a-kennel-or-line-of-gsd-called-big-boys&pagen=2#  and you will see as one poster stated the "worst kind of backyard breeding". These dogs are inbred and inbred on dogs who have no breeding qualifications ( work or show titles) or health clearances and are in fact quite faulty by the standard of the GSD. Ms. Bouchard proudly claims her dogs are 135lbs. Until 1968 the GSD standard held weight standards as well as height standards. The height was and is 22-24 inches for bitches and 24-26 inches for males. This is a medium size breed NOT a giant breed. To do police, guide and stock work you need a medium agile dog not a giant clumsy ox. The weight limts were 45-65 libs for bitches and 65-85 lbs for males.  These have increased SLIGHTLY over the intervening years since the limits were removed but they are limited by the structure size of the dog ( see height above). Too much body mass is destructive to the skeleton and function. More common CORRECT weights today are bitches 45-75 and males 65 to 90 with weights around 70-80 preferred.

Finally why anyone should pay the amount of money Ms. Bouchard asks for these volume produced faulty (by the standard)dogs when for that they could get a well bred dog out of proven parents with work and show titles AND health clearances for 6,8 or more generations is just beyond me. Please learn about the breed first - go to LOCAL shows, obedience trials, schuthund trials, herding trials, agility trials etc. Talk to a number of breeders, talk to vets and other dog owners and trainers, talk to boarding kennels. Do not be taken in by a pretty picture on a website - the dog world is full of scam artists and often that picture is not the dog being sold, sometimes not even a dog that person owns - they have just stolen the picture off the web someplace ( note I am not saying this about Bouchard) just saying that these types of scams are common in the GSD world). If at all possible invstigate first locally. A good breeder will educate you and help you. They will interview YOU to see if you are right for this breed and for the dog or puppy you are seeking. With a good breeder it is not just money in dog out - there is too much at stake for the dog, the owner and the breed. Please be careful and do your homework. GSD are a very intelligent, very active breed that needs training and exercise ( not just hanging out in the back yard) and a job to do. Make sure you have the time to commit.

Yes Becky , I am a Realtor in Canada. This format will not allow me to provide a Canadian address so because I also own property in Florida, I used that address. No harm done. 

My dog Anna, whom you've never inquired about< is doing well...thanks for asking.

As I stated earlier I contacted you about Anna's health issues in the beginning of Nov. 2013. Your imediate response was defensive and belligerent.

She has a vet tested genetic hereditary disease. A copy of this test and results with all the  vet information was sent directly to you in November. 

You've since retired Anna's mother. I will leave it to intelligent people to figure out why.

I asked for a refund, not the vet fees which amount to well over the $2,500 I paid for Anna and certainly not the cost of the enzyme which is needed to keep her alive. You said in the paperwork I have documented that you would normally give someone like me, ( a disgruntled buyer), a new puppy but since I was being so adamant about you not carrying on with the sale of puppies to others who would experince the same heartbreak as we have, that you had decided NOT to give me a puppy. All in the same email. So an offer for a new puppy was just a tactic to again keep me quiet while you sold , sold, and sold puppies.. And yes, why would I want a puppy from a breeder who was breeding dogs with a hereditary disease that kills them..??

You threatened me, accused me of causing my dogs illness and dodged me for as long as possible so that you could get those two litters of puppies sold. Those puppies from the same parents of my dog who are carriers of the gene that causes EPI.

I have three other german shepherd dogs from kennels in the United States. All three of  those breeders were wonderful to deal with. All these dogs are happy, well adjusted and everything those breeders promised. One of the breeders has become my personal friend.  Professional, caring human beings who care about what they are breeding and understand the heartbreak of a sick deathly ill pup and the day to day dealing with this terrible disease. 

I have been on forums with breeders from across the US, UK and Canada. No one sells dogs with hereditary diseases and turns their backs on their clients. I have many supportive emails from other breeders who are appalled at your behavior and your trying to turn the tables on me. In fact, you are very much aware of these forum disscissions and responded with a big tirade on your facebook site and defriended all of the people you knew who had joined in the discussion.  So you've read first hand how other breeders feel about you and your ethics.

I shall continue to advise people far and wide of what you did to me and my dog. 

 I have documented proof from your own facebook site where your puppies for sale are different prices , all within a few months of each other.

If I had not been truthful about wanting to buy a puppy I could have a litter or two with thwe pup would have cost me $1,800.  Instead you charged me $2,500 as I said I wanted the opportunity to breed. Had she been unsuccessful in breeding because she wasn't sound with confirmation, , couldn't catch, etc.  I would never put the blame on you or the breeding.  But this dog has a deadly hereditary genetic disease which was inherited through your dogs and yet you continue to sell those  puppies. Imagine the veteran getting a 10 per cent discount on a puppy he raises , loves and then watches slowly starve to death at a year of age, lose all its hair and become a fretful nervous shell of the dog it once  was. How happy he will be that you gave him a 10 per cent discount on a dog that will die slowly in this manner unless he pays $500 per month to buy it the medicine to keep it alive. How generous of you..

I have yet to see test results for Izzy.

As a Canadian It takes time for me to learn the US court system and how it works but I do intend to pursue you legally because I would never want anyone else to go through what we have.

As per the discussion on the German Shepherd breeders sites you also saw that others have not been successful in keeping their dogs with EPI viable. I have spent hours reading, investigating and paying a lot of money to provide my girl with a healthy life and a hopefully long future.

I hope you sleep easy at night..my poor dog spent many nights in alot of pain and discomfort because of your breeding. But , in case you care..she is looking and feeling like her old self once again. 

I will post pictures of the before ( with EPI) and the after so buyers can related to what this dog and her family went through.

Every single word I have written here can be proven , I have it all documented .

If anyone is considering Bouchards Best Shepherds and you are reading this please contact me and I will send you the vet report and a copy of the venomous emails I received from Becky Bouchard when I contacted her with this problem.

First of all Teri Davidson lives in Canada, not Florida, as she states. Teri is a realtor in Canada, Associate Realty Brantford Inc. 134 King George Rd. Brantford Ontario, Canada.  Her dog was shipped to upstate NY, right near the Canadian border. She vacations in Florida, Just to clarify. Second, I did have both parents tested, however teri felt I did not test fast enough for her. It was Christmas time, and I had both dogs tested within a month of her compalint. Spanky was tested within a week, yet it took a few days for results to come back from the lab. Izzy was done a few weeks later. I have had both parents tested by a vet, and blood work sent to an independent lab (4) hours from my vet. Sent from my vet to the lab. Result came back on both parents as NON-Carriers. EPI can be environmental, yet Teri refuses to believe this. As my vet stated, and research has proven, That dogs that carry EPI would have pups in EVERY litter with this. Spanky has produced many, many, healthy, happy pups over the years with no reports of EPI, other than Teri, and the same with Izzy. Teri wants refund of dog, and pay all medical costs, and keep the dog. I did tell her I would give her a new pup, and she could keep the one she has. She was not open to this, and insulted me stating she did not want a pup from our "poluted lines" She did not pay extra for breeding rights as stated. She paid what all my other clients paid. Our prices do vary depending on litter. Usually range between $2,100-$2,500.00 Bouchard's Best Shepherds will no longer sell any pup with full registration. Limited registrations only, as people assume if they get a pup with full registration it means it is breeding quality. I cannot garantee breeding quality, that all depends on nutrition, nurture, and nature, you will not know that, until the dog is mature. There is a lot more to breeding quality German Shepherds, than just a pretty dog.  Teri contacted clients of mine from over the past 20 years I have been breeding. Yes, pups were less a few years back. Our prices have increased over the years with the increase of our costs to raise them. We also do give repeat clients a discount, and we do a 10% Military discount to anyone who has served, or is serving. I did ask Teri to settle this in court, or with arbitration, which she refused. Better Business Beruea will arbitrate with no cost to her, she refused. After many insults, nastiness, and threatening emails, she asked for a replacement pup. I am sorry, however after all her abuse I refuse to do any more business with her. This really upset her, so she stated she was going to make me pay, and slam my reputation all over the internet. Thus, she filed this report. Anyone interested in purchasing a dog from us, I have no issue with sending you copies of EPI testing done, and the name of my vet Is: Dr Cooler, Morrison Vet Hospital 2366 Hampton St. Walterboro, SC Phone: 1-843-893-2112. I have shown my vet all her emails, and have tested the dogs as she asked. She was still not satified, and stated "how does she even know I tested Spanky, and Izzy?" I told her DNA was on file with AKC, thus if she did not believe me she could swab her pups DNA, and have the parents confirmed by AKC. Once again, she was not interested in this either. Then her last comment was "well, you must have skewed the test somehow." Seriously? My vets response: "this woman would argue with Jesus." Bouchard's Best Shepherds has been breeding and training long coat German Shepherds for the past 20 years with two complaints. One was over a deposit, and this one from Teri. I think my reputation speaks for itself. Not only do we sell you a dog, I am available 24/7 for my clients. Please feel free to meet all our hundreds of clients on Facebook.  Friend me on Facebook:  "Becky Weber Bouchard"  I wanted to share my side of the story. My policy: "Treat others as you would want to be treated, but sometimes you just got to walk away." This is my only post on this matter. Please feel free to contact me at bestshepherds.com there you will find a link to contact me.  You may also contact my  vet if you are considering a pet from Bouchard's Best Shepherds. We encourage all our clients to visit our home, and kennel, and have an open door policy. 

Becky was contacted in November about my dog having EPI which causes a dog to slowly starve to death as they cannot digest their food. Since the dog is only a year old and because we have other healthy german Shepherds living on our farm our vet does not believe this disease to be enviromental, which is in fact very very rare.. Becky has latched onto this as her means to avoid having her dogs tested.

I asked only for a refund for the dogs price of $2,500 ( not for any vet fees) as I am looking at years of $500. per month to keep Anna alive. Becky suggested I place her ( who would take a dog who needs this type of investment to stay alive). I believe she was suggesting to put her down. I responded that our dog was a member of our family and we would not be placing her at the end of a needle. I have documented proof of all of our emailed conversations.

My concern is that Becky or Bouchards Best Shepherds is on facebook, as she states, still trying to sell these puppies to unsuspecting families. Becky originally stated , and  I have this in writting, that she would not sell any of those puppies until they were tested and in fact she would retire Izzy the mom. This is why Izzy is being retired..

When I explained the heart break of having to put a dog down after a year and therefore she should be making sure these puppies do not have EPI she said if they did, she would just give the familes a new puppy. Becky in her own words, which I have in writing, said "I have lots of puppies"  I don't believe this is good enough. No one should have to put a dog down after loving it for a year and or have to face a bill of $500.00 per month to keep such dog alive.

When I called Becky she originally was rude and uninterested in my dilemma> wasn't her problem..she had never had a sick puppy.. She then lied and said said she would give me a new puppy but had none at this time. .....she has two litters which she didn't realize I knew.

I did provide proof to her about the results and she responded by email..I have documented proof. 

She emailed me on Dec. 10th to say she had taken both parents in to be tested and would have results in a week.

She emailed me 10 days later to say Spanky did not have EPI but sent no proof.

I waited till after Christmas to ask about Izzy's results..on Jan. 2nd Becky responded that Izzy had not been tested as she was waiting to wean her puppies. Those puppies are eight weeks old so I am positive they have been weaned already. and now on Jan. 4th she claims to have the results that Izzy never went in to have taken ...impossible. The tests take at least a week to come back and since Becky told me, in writing, that Izzy had not been tested and she was waiting until her pups were weaned , how does she now have test results a day later? more untruths.

Izzy has had three litters in the time of a year and a half. She is being bred every heat. look at Facebook and you'll see the proof. Becky changes her dogs  name from Isabella to Izzy but it is the same dog. Spookie who has a litter being offered for sale now was bred at under a year old..in her first heat. This is not what a reputable breeder does.  My understanding is you breed a female once a year to give her time to recover and you bred a maiden female when she is two years old. This ensures good health for the female and her pups. Spookies pups are available on facebook..scroll back and you'll see how old Spookie is. Spanky is the father of those pups, same as my girl.

I decided yesterday that I will be pursuing court action based on the continued untruths that Becky writes in her emails.  I haven't received anything from Becky or her vet proving that either dog has been tested or the results of such testing. When i received my test results I immediately sent them to Becky.

I sent this report yesterday, have make a report with the South Carolina Consumer   Protection department and   will be sending a report to the American Kennel Club as well as copies of everything to Becky Bouchards attorney. I am hoping if anyone else has had problems with this kennel and the health of her dogs that they will contact me.

This morning Becky was foolish enough to send me several emails about how she was going to retaliate against me by submitting bad reports against me and my company  here in this same venue. I have it in writing, along with a copy of her words about slandering me provided by my answering service and a second email where she says all her clients will be slandering my reputation and business as well.

She and I have never done any business together other than me purchasing a female German Shepherd from her whom I thought would be free of a genetic, hereditary disease.

People can read both reports here, both mine and her rebuttal and can decide for themselves where or not they want to purchase a puppy form a woman whio does not honor her obligations and takes no responsibility for her problems.

 FACT: Bouchard's Best Shepherds has maintained an A+ rating with the BBB for many, many years. Feel free to check us out with the BBB.

Fact: Both parents have been tested, niether parent carries the gene , and it CAN be environmental.

Fact: Izzy and Spanky have NEVER produced EPI pups in all the litters I have had until this one pup. If they carried EPI according to my vet, and Teri's vet, both parents must carry. Testing shows both neg. Feel free to contact my vet who had the testing done at Clemson University which is a specialist in EPI. Morrison Vet, Dr Cooler Walterboro, SC 843-893-2112 His exact quote was "Teri would argue wigth Jesus".

Fact: per our contract I offered her a new pup. She wants me to refund her money and pay all her vet bills, and keep the dog.

Fact: she would NOT go through the BBB or court, as I suggested. A Contract is a contract.

Fact: I have no evidence of what she claims as she refuses to call or send me by mail any verification of sick pup.

Fact: She paid the same amount for our pups as anyone else. This can be verified. She diid not pay for full breeding rights. She paid the SAME price as any other client. As she told me she "might want to breed, but she is not a breeder."

Fact: Check me out on Facebook "Becky Weber Bouchard" ask any of my 700 clients on FB if they have ever had any problems with me. I have been in bussiness 20 years, and have sold many, many, many pups and have had only two complaints. There are always some people you cannot please. (the other complaint was over a deposit as the woman reserved a pup, and then purchased another pup from another breeder without telling me. Then wanted deposit back. States clearly on my Website that deposits are non-refundable. BBB backed me on this claim.)

Fact: I will not play games and be drawn into a he says/she says, I will just state the Facts.

Fact: Izzy is being retired as she has found her forever home. She has produced many, many wonderful pups and is now going to live the rest of her days loved by a family with a special needs child. She is such a good girl, has her Canine Good Citizen, and will make a wonderful therapy dog.

Fact: i have been ispected by AKC,  Dept of Agriculture, and Animal Control. Our home and kennel always passes with flying colors.

Fact: I was well respected by the town of Petersham, Ma by town hall, police ect.... all whom have visited our home, and kennel.

Fact: I breed living, breathing creatures. Just as with humans sometimes you do get a pup that is not perfect. It just happens. Even with all the testing, hips, elbows, bloodwork ect.... I can never truely promise a perfect dog, that is impossible. I can only do my best to make sure the pups we breed are happy, healthy, and cared for. I am not God.

Fact: Spanky was for sale as I have my own limit of 12 dogs. I was trying to thin the heard. Spanky did go to another breeder. She ended up retiring, and GAVE me Spanky back. Her husband had health issues, they were an older couple, and just could not keep up with the work of their breeding program. Per our contract Spanky was to be returned to me "if" she could not keep him anymore. She called me first, and Spanky being so gorgeous with a wonderful temperament (doing cancer walks etc...) remained with us, after leaving Ann, and Doc. This is our policy with every dog we sell. No man or dog left behind. We have this return policy with all our dogs, as I never want to see one of our dogs in a shelter. I have no problem re-homing older dogs. I have waiting list for any dogs that need to be re-homed. I also post on my FB GSD's (not our dogs, just GSD's that need homes, long or short coats) that clients send to me that need to find homes. I work with  German Shepherd animal rescues. Bouchard's Best Shepherds also donates to local shelters.

Fact: I have been breeding for 20 years with 2 complaints in all those years. I think that is a great track record. Sometimes their are people that no matter what you do, you cannot please them. 

Fact: I am there for my clients 24/7 with any questions regarding training, diet, growth questions, even geriatric questions. I also give people advice when asked that purchased their dogs from other breeders, and have had no luck with follow ups from their breeder.

Fact: all our dogs are vet checked every year with complete check-ups, and they are proffesionally groomed, fed top high quality food, and are loved.

Fact: I did not offer her a pup from the two litters I had on the ground as she wanted different lines. She did not want a pup from Spanky or Izzy. Well those were the only pups I had at the time. I offered her a pup from a future breeding with different parents.

Fact: I am sorry Teri is so upset. I have worked very hard to please her to no avail. All this was during Christmas, and New Years. Vet has had limited hours, and Izzy does have pups. I didn't rush to have Izzy done as #1, it doesn't change anything, as it takes two ressesives to produce EPI, and Spanky being tested right away, proved he did not carry the gene.  #2 Izzy was still nursing when she "demanded" I test Izzy. My vet, was not concerned, and told me to wait to test Izzy when her pups were older. I am sorry, but I respect what my vet tells me to do. I will not jepordize the pups, by bringing mom in before the pups had shots or were finished weaning.  At the time Teri wanted testing done, Izzy's pups were 5 weeks old. Then Christmas, and New Years. I did not jump fast enough for Teri. However, I did get Spanky tested within a few days of her first complaint email. When she was told he was negative, her comment. "Well, he proberly isn't the father anyhow, how would you know? you lie". she said So I told her to take a cheek swab and have her dog tested, as Spanky's DNA is on file with the AKC. It is a simple test, and the AKC will send you the kit for about $40.00 including doing the testing.

Fact: I will not post anymore on this complaint, as my kennel speaks for itself, and my reputation is excellent.

FACT: Bouchard's Best Shepherds has also maintained an A+ rating with the BBB for many, many years. Feel free to check us out with the BBB.

Please feel free to visit me on Facebook "Becky Weber Bouchard" see our home, meet our clients, lot's of free training tips, bad dog food recalls, question, and answers. Most of all, a huge family of Bouchard's Best Shepherds dog owners, sharing pictures, videos, and comments. We all have one thing in common, Our love for the long haired German Shepherd.

Becky B.