Complaint Review: Irina Barrett - Alexandria Virginia

A responsible breeder backs up the immediate and congenital health of their puppies 100%.  A responsible breeder requires the purchaser to have the puppy checked by a veterinarian within 72 hours of receipt of said puppy to ensure that the puppy is in good health upon receipt.  Any health issues found at that time wether congenital or otherwise are the responsibility of the breeder.  A responsible breeder backs the congenital health of their puppies.  Most congenital defects will show themselves within the first 2 years.  The whole point of breeding dogs or any other animal is to improve the breed/variety.  Thereby, a responsible breeder will back their "product".  When a puppy is not free of congenital defect --- any breeder will tell you, no matter how hard we try, mother nature throws imperfection our way.  We cannot prevent mutation.  This is why all breeding stock should be tested for hip displasia, etc. 

For instance, Danes should have their hips, eyes, hearts and thyroid tested prior to being entered into a breeding program.  These areas are where the majority of congenital defects appear in this breed.  Other breeds may have other tests that should be done.  By breeding stock free of congenital defect we make every attempt to prevent the appearance of congenital disease/defect.  When a breeder winds up with a puppy that has a defect/congenital disease, that does not prevent it from leading a normal life as a pet, if they cannot keep it they should place it in a caring, loving home with complete transparency.  The maximum a breeder should charge, if anything, for such a puppy is the total incurred costs of normal veterinary care given to any puppy....ie. shots, worming.  It is unconscionable to charge the price of a show or even healthy pet quality puppy for a puppy with defects that affect its health, not just it's "showability". 

A responsible breeder who sells a puppy who is later determined to have a congenital defect that affects its health, should be willing to take that puppy back immediately if requested and return at least 50% of the price charged for said puppy or offer another, puppy of the same quality (without known defects) in replacement of the original puppy.  No responsible breeder will deny fault of a congenital defect in a puppy they bred.

Have you ever wondered why a lawyer specializing in civil litigation goes on to forums, chatboards, ripoff-report sites to post exactly the same message and not to court?
Yeah, I wondered that too.
If there were much ground for this person's complaints, this matter would have been settled in court and not online. :)
I have already posted information about this matter on dobermantalk and have no intention to repeat myself. If anyone is interested, please, refer to the site.
Oh, and the accusor failed to mention that her puppy cost $500 and she was warned beforehand, several times, that that puppy did not come with any genetic health guarantee. For more details, please, refer to the website mentioned.

When I was less informed, I purchased a Doberman. He was the runt and he grew to be a huge 108 lb. canine. I discovered he had a heart murmur when he was older, after he was diagnosed with Wobbler's Syndrome.

While I feel for your little guy (he's the one who is ill), a reminder on how to purchase a canine companion...if you feel you MUST purchase from a breeder. Meet both parents of the puppy, ask to see the kennels where the canines are kept, ask for references from previous purchasers, ask for the name and number of the breeder's veterinarian. I did all of the aforementioned and still had a canine with Wobbler's. "Guarantees" are not worth the paper they are written on.

For your next Doberman companion, I suggest you check out your local Doberman Rescue group. The rescues are generally kept in foster homes, the foster parents can give you information on their behavior and any issues they may have, they are spayed/neutered and have seen a veterinarian. You can find the names of specific breed rescue groups on Petfinder.