Hi

I hope that you can help

I purchased a Siberian Husky Pedigree Puppy from a breeder in feb of this year. The puppy has had many problems.
One of his testicles did not drop and was trapped in his abdomen which has now had to be removed and also he is having intestinal problems which are currently being looked at to remedy but will have to be on prescription diet all his life (he is only 9 months now)

I have been told that I can go to the breeder and claim back my purchase price as I am unable to breed him and due to his tummy problems he is not a well dog. I have been told that I can do this by Law.

Please can any one tell me whether this is true and if so, please can you tell me where I can get info about this Law to advise my breeder

Any help would be gratefully appreciated

Regards

Emma

Hi Emma,
Sorry to hear that your dog has had some problems. Firstly I am surprised that your vet has already had the retained testicle removed. It can, in somecases, take upto 18 months for them to drop so your vet could well have jumped the gun. It is highly unlikely that you could make a claim against the breeder unless she knew that the testicle was retained (this can be very difficult to ascertain in tiny pups). I also doubt whether you purchased the dog specifically to breed from. It is very unusal, unless you already have an established kennel, to buy a dog puppy solely for breeding purposes. Again if you did not make this clear at the time of purchase of the puppy then you probably have very little redress for that.
With regards to his stomach problems again you would have to prove that the breeder was well aware that the puppy had a stomach problem or that it was prevelant in the lines. Unfortunately pups can pick up bugs once they have left the breeder which is beyond their control.
I'm sorry that this probably isnt the news you want to hear but unless you can prove that the breeder was aware of the defects in the pup and sold the pup to you without advising you of the problems then you will have very little chance of making a claim. With regards to the breeding again you would have to provide quite substantive proof that you informed the breeder of your pup that you were purchasing a dog solely for breeding purposes.

Hi Emma
Sibes are not my breed, but I am most surprised that your Vet has advised castration at such an early age. I have had a dog retain a testicle until 19 months old, after which time he had a pair to be proud of, so I would consider castration under 12 months to be very premature. No breeder, however knowledgable or experienced, can guarantee that a puppy, dog or bitch, will grow suitable to show or breed from. I have a sentence in my puppy booklet that says exactly that. At 8 weeks old, a breeder can say that it is a promising puppy, but when dealing with living things, nobody can guarantee anything. If we could do that, then we wouldn't have human babies born with problems. If there isn't a known problem in the line, then the breeder can't reasonably be held responsible. Did you make it clear when you bought your baby that you wanted to breed from him? My puppies go to their new homes with 6 weeks insurance, and a recommendation that insurance is continued for the first year, because this is often when unforseen problems will show up. I trust that you are insured to at least help with the finances.
Perhaps the digestive problems could be congenital, but it would be difficult to be sure unless it was known that there is a problem in the line. Or perhaps the problems are due to your puppy being fed a food that doesn't suit the particular individual.
I hope that you have kept in regular contact with your breeder as they are the best people to advice you on any problems that may arise.
I hope that your boy improves and thrives. Good luck.