Just a quickie.

I am just in the process of typing out my puppy sales contracts and have used the kennel club accredited breeder contract as a template.

How long do you suggest i put in the part that says they have 'x' amount of days to get puppy checked and if any problem is found in that time a full refund is given.
I was thinking seven days,does that sound fair to both sides.

Thanks all,

Ali

Hi Ali,

This is what I have printed on one of mine that I signed.

"The purchaser shall have fourteen days after the date of purchase in which to have the dog/bitch examined by any professional veterinary surgeon that may be desired and shall have the right to return the dog/bitch without question during the said period of fourteen days. He/she will be entitled to a full refund of the purchase price and no more."

I thought that was very fair and gives enough time to settle pup in and see how you as the new owner feels.

Thankyou Suejaw,

Yes,i did wonder if 7 days was a bit short,14 sounds a bit more reasonable.

Thanks again

Ali

Just to put the other side, 14 days allows for bonding and then you get the problem of a vet finding a problem and the owner not wanting to return the pup but expecting you do something to help with any vet costs or simply because the pup in their eyes is not longer perfect.

Think 7 days is plenty, I would always have a pup I have bought in to the vet after about 4 or 5 days any way, so my vote is for less than 14 days.

Thankyou Nova,

I see your point also,oh decisions,decisions lol.

Appreciate your thoughts,

Ali

I've just compiled my contract and I'm pretty sure I've gone for 5 working days (can't check as in midst of changing computers & got a problem with the old one :_( ). Whilst 14 is great for the buyer, personally I think it's too long as 14 days in a new environment is a long time for illness/injuries to occur that are not a result of the breeding but may be put down to it. If a buyer knows the timescale for return for refund prior to collecting the pup, it should be dead easy for them to arrange a vet appointment for a day or two after taking the puppy home. Also if I'm going to have a pup returned on grounds of it not being healthy, then I want it returned pretty much immediately so that I can check it out, rather than 2 weeks down the line ... a very long time in the scale of a young puppy.

If you go into the Search section on the forum and search for puppy contracts there are tons of threads that will come up, many of which state the return period - use the google search bit at the bottom of the page, not the bit where you can put in posters etc.

Good points,thankyou Trialist.

I'll have a search around.

Mine doesn't say how many days just that they should take pups to vets in 'the first few days'.

The last pup I bought (last month :) ) the contract said within 7 days.

I think that 7 days is more than enough.  I actually say 3 days because I want their Vet to see the puppy in the condition that I sold it rather than with any infection and/or injury that my pup may have developed since leaving me.

7 days here to is enough.
totaly agree on what you have stated westcoast

I think 7 days is ample. I would always recommend the vet sees the puppy within 2 days tbh. With all 3 of my dogs I have taken them to the vets the next working day for a health check.

What is the big thing with a puppy contract?  I understand wanting to give the new owners information but my understanding was a puppy contract is not legally binding unless signed infront of a lawyer?  And as posession is 9/10ths of the law in scotland, I thought they were pretty worthless.  Am I totally off on this one?

I don't have a contract but I do give info packs away with my pups with contact details and info on what to do should things go wrong.  I have had 2 pups had to be re-homed and both times the owners contacted me and I took the pups back.  I'd much rather things stayed friendly than professional as my owners call for chats, etc which gives you much more info on how your pup is coming along.

>What is the big thing with a puppy contract?
>I'd much rather things stayed friendly

cracar, I don't think these two things are mutually exclusive.  I don't see a contract as unfriendly, and I believe that being professional doesn't mean that you aren't being friendly.  In fact I think it gives both parties an opportunity to discuss their expectations of each other which is invaluable in the decision making process.

3 years down the line I know that my breeder delivered everything she promised and all that I hoped for.  I'd count her as a friend and there's no better person to help me if I need some dog advice. 

Contracts make things easier to have a focussed conversation and, as a buyer, I found it very reassuring :)

I agree cracar and see your points.This is the first litter that i have done contracts.

I have always given a detailed sheet of advice but now being an accreditted breeder i am now obliged to issue a contract also.

I think you're probably right, WestCoast. I'm now planning to drop my contract to 3 working days.

Thankyou for all replies,

I think ,like you Trialist, i feel West coast makes a very good point, and would want the vet to see puppy how it left me.

I tend to put 72 hours which allows for the pup to be collected and taken to the vet on the Monday. This has worked well up to now.