I just wanted to get a little advice and opinions on what should be done with a puppy born with a screw tail.

I had my first litter of EB puppies in January from my two year old girl. Both her and the stud we used are health tested clear for the usual hereditary diseases, neither have displayed any health issues and both have perfect straight tails.

Two of the seven puppies were born with corkscrew tails. Although this was my first litter of bulldogs I do have 5 years experience with breeding Boston terriers which I know can also be born with corkscrew tails but none of mine ever have. My mother in law has two EB’s both of which have a corkscrew tail but has never been an issue for either of them.

All the puppies went to lovely family homes and I have had an abundance of great feedback since they left for their new homes in April.
However, one of the new owners recently contacted us to advise that the puppy has been suffering with dermatitis around the screw tail and that they are having to clean it regularly and apply special ointments which is costing them a ‘fortune’ and she would never have bought the dog if she had known it would have this problem.

She visited the puppies at 3 weeks old and then took the chosen puppy home at 10 weeks old. She’s now had her for 5 months but is saying she never realised she had a corkscrew tail (which is very visable).This particular customer asked very few questions regarding the breed and it seems to me didn’t do any sort of homework into the care requirements they have. She’s now telling me that I shouldn’t be selling puppies with corkscrew tails. But what is supposed to be done with them? Do we drown them in the bath at birth like cruella Deville?

I explained to her that although most breeders do their best to breed away from this shape of tail, puppies can still be born with them but in my experience and as I’ve been advised by other bulldog owners, it often doesn’t cause them any issues and just needs to be kept clean as a preventative measure as I do with my dog who has a straight tail.

Am I wrong in feeling like it was her responsibility to do some research into the breed before buying?

I can’t help but think she bought the puppy because it was cute and chunky and wrinkly but didn’t look into the breed and now she’s realised that they’re probably a little more high maintenance than the average dog, she can’t be bothered.

What do I do in this situation? Do I offer to buy the puppy back? Do I offer to pay for the treatment? I’m really at a loss because I’ve never had this kind of experience before.

>I explained to her that although most breeders do their best to breed away from this shape of tail, puppies can still be born with them but in my experience and as I’ve been advised by other bulldog owners, it often doesn’t cause them any issues and just needs to be kept clean as a preventative measure as I do with my dog who has a straight tail.

The breed standard says about tails "Lack of tail, inverted or extremely tight tails are undesirable.". Screw tails are, however, more common than straight ones in my experience, and as you say, need routine maintenance to keep the folds free from infection, just the same as the folds on the face.  It's all part of the particular care the breed requires due to their unusual shape. She must surely have noticed that the pup had a screw tail before she bought it? I think you're absolutely right - this person hasn't researched the breed and just fell for its looks (and trendiness) without bothering to consider the practicalities.

In this situation I would offer to take the puppy back, at an adult rehome price, because it's no longer a cute baby puppy and can't be re-advertised as such. You'd feel easier in your mind to be shot of this woman. Good luck!

Thank you Jean! It really means allot to know I’m not completely alone in my opinion on this matter. I have offered to buy the puppy back but was basically told to stick it where the sun doesn’t shine.

It’s a lesson learned on my part I know for future reference to go into more detail with prospective new owners about the ins and outs of the care the breed requires. I just assumed (stupidly)  that she would have done her research like I had and would be prepared to deal with any issues if they arose.

What does she actually want from you then? You've offered advice and support, offered to take the pup back.
I'm of the same opinion at JG on this too.
Would giving them advice on this pre purchase have made any difference? I doubt it tbh.

I have Labradors, and you'd think people would understand the common problems with Labradors with health issues, but nope, unfortunately very few people are really clued up on health tests, health in general etc.  Even people who've come to me to ask to go on a waiting list and who have had Labradors for a long time, longer than me, are surprised when I tell them some of the things they know as a fact about Labradors, aren't really true.  Or even just in the chat I have with people, that they're surprised with completely new information that has been around for years, but they've just never come across.  I had one couple ask me why I used a particular dog food, as they'd always used a well known brand which is full of colourants and nasty additives, but they'd assumed because it was well advertised and not cheap, it 'must' be good quality. 

It sounds as though you've come a cropper of people who like the breed, but haven't really done much research.  When I get people contact me to go on my waiting list, I have a list I go through with the health, the build and temperament of my dogs, the good, the bad, why I'm using a particular stud dog, what I will do as regards worming etc, why I don't do the first vaccinations and info to pass on to their vets (and advise they get puppies vet checked within 7 days) and so on, so then you can't forget to leave out information like this, that they may come back to you with later.  I also make sure they have seen copies of my contract of sale and endorsement paperwork, which has been checked by my solicitor to ensure it is something that will hold up if I ever need to resort to using it with a puppy owner who goes against my wishes, and what they have signed to accept under contract on sale.

they are a high maintinance breed.  Even I who really am no fan of bull breeds know that- I noticed home bargains even sell pet wet wipes with a photo of a winkled face dog on designed for doing the folds so its hardly a secret that folds need attention whether the folds be on face or round tail. 
frankly if she gets through owning her dog and the only issue is cleaning folds she will have got off very lightly.

I agree with sj .what exactly does she want? Just to rant that her cute puppy takes some work ? I think she was taken in by the idea and yes dint do much if amy research
I dont own  eb  but from talking and reading and the odd one I have known in person they do appear higher maintenance than many others .especially in regards to skin .
Having had dogs with skin issues for years  due to  allergies I can't really imagine what cream she is using that costs a fortune tbh even if as it sounds its prescribed .
Most ive heard seem to use coconut oil for.general.care.

She sounds like the sort of owner who'd complain that her cockerpoo's coat needed daily grooming, when she'd assumed that a 6-weekly trip to the groomer would do it and she wouldn't have to do anything in between visits (there are sadly a lot of owners like this). All breeds need coat and skin maintenance, the laboriousness depending on the breed and its lifestyle. Breeds with skin folds need those cleaned daily to prevent yeast infections - that's a given. But the creams do not 'cost a fortune'!

The only time they might become costly is if maintenance is neglected, and infection sets in, then of course antibiotic and perhaps cortsone cream may be needed, but that would be their failing.

> Am I wrong in feeling like it was her responsibility to do some research into the breed before buying?

Did you tell them before they brought the puppy that it had a screw tail and that it would need some extra care?
Do you give out advice on the breeds need to puppy buyers?

Just my opinion but while yes any puppy buyer should do their research before buying a dog likewise so should breeders be offering this information too as we know sadly many puppy buyers don't do the research.

http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/dog-health/dog-diseases-conditions-a-z/screw-tail-strange-name-a-bad-condition

This reads as if it's quite a problem - although to be honest, I've seen many Bulldogs with this defect and most seem to be living a perfectly normal life.

So what exactly are these people asking of you?   It does come down to how long has the puppy been WITH the new owner really although I might expect a breeder to point out any significant departure from the Breed Standard at point of sale, and maybe make an adjustment to the sale price?

So are these people asking for a contribution to the cost of this ointment?  Hum.

I'd lay odds if you offer to take the puppy back (not BUY him back), they'll say they are too attached to him to do that.

It looks as if it's possible to have surgery done to 'straighten' the tail - are they asking you to pay for/contribute to the cost of that?    Or just for the cream - and if so, for how long?

I think this comes down to what they expect of you, how much you are prepared to accept as your 'fault' and whether your reputation might be at risk?

>It does come down to how long has the puppy been WITH the new owner really

5 months, apparently.

> This reads as if it's quite a problem - although to be honest, I've seen many Bulldogs with this defect and most seem to be living a perfectly normal life.

I've no experience with the breed but have  heard of a couple needing surgery on some dog groups, tails and skin removed.  I guess it may depend on how severe it is and how well the owners can manage to clean it all maybe?

(Just tagging on to the end.)
When I bred pedigree cats (for 25 years) I occasionally came across people like this. They'd had all info on breed traits and care etc in writing, questions asked of them, but every now and then a particular type of person would appear. They'd get in touch about some problem with their cat. Very similar to this story. Want to keep the animal but complains about something. Ultimately what they wanted was money. I found that telling them to get their vet to call my vet (who had examined any animals I bred before they were sold) -and that I gave my vet permission to openly discuss with their vet, would suddenly have them run a mile and never be heard from again. Don't get me wrong, I'd most sincerely WANT to get vet details if there was a problem, but the problems seemed to mysteriously improve or vanish once I'd ask for vet details.

This would be my first choice of action.

> I found that telling them to get their vet to call my vet (who had examined any animals I bred before they were sold) -and that I gave my vet permission to openly discuss with their vet, would suddenly have them run a mile and never be heard from again. Don't get me wrong, I'd most sincerely WANT to get vet details if there was a problem, but the problems seemed to mysteriously improve or vanish once I'd ask for vet details.

I had this once with a puppy I sold to what I thought were a suitable couple (they'd had a Basset before).   When taking their new puppy to their vet, after the first weekend, so on the Monday, they were told he was all wrong and that vet wanted to have him in for full top to toe x-rays.  I freaked and asked them to bring him back so we could all take him (back - he'd had a health check prior to being sold) to my vet.  When they refused, I asked them to at least have their vet talk to my vet.   They refused, again but that poor puppy, newly away from me and his siblings, did spend the entire following Wednesday with their vet having x-rays done.   What was discovered?  NOTHING!!  I was not only frustrated as heck, and this had soured my relationship with these new owners, but really upset to think about what that poor lad went through - FOR NO GOOD REASON.

Not about the OP but this comment struck a chord. 

I hope this situation can be sorted out amicably.