If a puppy you have bred is returned, what is notmally done about refunding money?
Just curious  because a friend bred a litter  and they are about 9 months old now. Over the weekend the wife of one of the owners rang to say that her husband was really ill and could they return the dog. Of course my friend said yes. When the wife turned up with the dog she insisted she wanted a full refund of the  price paid. My friend said she would take  the dog back and when she resold him would pass on the money less what it cost her for food, advertising etc, but the woman was really unhappy with this and in the end took the puppy back with her.
Surely it is unreasonable  for the puppy owners to expect a full refund of the price paid after 9 months?  

Absolutely unreasonable.

I would have done what your friend did - but I suppose that it should be clearly stated on the contract of sale that this is what will happen!

Sadly, the owner of the puppy will now try and sell it on - at the original price - and will find that she is unable to attain it - after all, in the eyes of the public, an adolescent labrador does not have the same value as a cutesy labrador puppy :(

I hope your friend manages to keep in touch with the owner and continues with her offer - it is a fair and reasonable offer, and the puppy owner may find that its the best that she can get - I hope, for the sake of the puppy, that the breeder can get him back.

In my breed a pet dog of that age would have little or no resale value, a 6 month pup maybe half the puppy price.

The wisest option is to offer to give them what he can be sold for less expenses, but to point out that it is likely to be little or nothing.  Depends if theirs is a breed with resale potential, as most older pups/dogs are simply rescues once unwanted.  What was in their puppuy contract re this eventuality?

I have had to pay nearly 2/3ds the original price for an 11 month old to ensure I did get her back, so now have this paragraph in my puppy sale contract.

"If through unforeseen circumstances it becomes necessary to find your dog a new home, you should contact me as I may be in a better position to find the RIGHT new home, this would normally not entail any refund, as the adopters would not usually expect to pay for an older 'resue' pup or adult dog. "

From the breeders point of view I have never charged an adopter of a returned dog as unlike In a puppy that I have entirely raised I have no idea what experiences, bad habits etc the dog will have and the new owners are taking pot luck, so I don't feel justified in taking any money.  they are asked to make a donation to our Breed Rescue if they can, but often breeders will re-home a dog they have back with a Friend, maybe an older person who can't really afford to pay.

The contract says that the puppy must be returned but doesn't say anything about what will be paid for him. My firend offered to  give her £100 now and the rest once  the puppy had been sold but 2 weeks before chirtmas is not the best time to be selling  even an older dog. Friend is now desparately  worried about the puppy but having just been laid off at work is not in a position to refund all the money now.

They will probably find that they can't get anything for him so will come back to your Friends to get what they can. 

At that point in their shoes I would only give them something after the pup has been re-homed.

Make sure they get something in writing from old owners relinquishing the dog back to them.

I think it is pretty obvious that this person (the dogs current owner) only has one thought in their head and that is money!!! Perhaps the dog at adolescent stage is too much for them so maybe they saw the dog as a cash cow and thought they could have a full refund and use the money to buy more Christmas presents. But money certainly is their ulteria motive here, how very sad for the breeder.

As already said this is totally unreasonable. I wouldn't even expect anyone returning a dog to breeder at this age due to their illnessto be anything but grateful that the breeder would have the dog back, money should not even be thought of. Should it?

Not to mention the time of year it is, many people do not have spare cash around at this time of year of course the breeder may not have the funds even for a small refund at this period, Christmas costs us all a fortune.

There could be one other alternative, do you think the owner thought the breeder would keep the dog and may be a little upset that the dog may well be sold on? Could also be a reason............

But whatever, I'd want the dog back, but if your friend can not afford the price asked (she shouldn't have to really, but sometimes we breeders get backed into a corner :-( ) she could call her and try again to explain as already said dogs of this age do not sell for the original price, who knows the dog may even need totally re-training by the breeder, usually the case!  All extra work, time and effort before re-homing.

Otherwise keep an eye on all ads they are not going to send it off to rescue if they want the money and perhaps when you eventually see the dog being advertised ask a friend to buy the dog at I'm sure a much reduced price, just keep checking daily.

All very sad the breeder was more than reasonable.

i had same with one from last litter although different reason.........I gave them full money back (because without doing so I knew id never see puppy again, even though I was soooo angry with them). 2 months later the right home came along for him so he went there without any money changing hands....its just part of being a responsible caring breeder im afraid!

2 months later the right home came along for him so he went there without any money changing hands....its just part of being a responsible caring breeder im afraid!
Pay full price if needed then take it from there.
This is what I would do to get a pup back if all alse fails. I too think it is one of the most important things to consider when breeding a litter. I am sorry for your friend but I do think she needs to keep trying and offer something in order to secure this pups future safety. Maybe a little less spent on Xmas pressies this year??
For anyone thinking of breeding a litter bear this in mind...it does happen and it is our responsibility to make sure our pups are safe for their whole lives and this may mean refunding money.
I wonder at the idea of putting something in the contract to say no moneys will be refunded..I would be worried that it may put owners off ringing me if it happens, better to get the pup and then talk finances, at least then you are in with a chance of getting pup back.
Aileen

I can never get my head round this type of issue I think you friend is doing more than the right thing in taking back the pup and then offering to return any money miuns her costs. if I were in this ladies position I would be heartbroken at having to lose my dog , money would n't come in to it and its not because I have money and dont need any.  
I hope your friend can stay in touch and be able to find a good home for the pup some people should stick to soft toys not live anlmals. !.

I think sam is correct..  although I do agree with the breeders offer as thats the way it should work .

I would be borrowing the cash if I had  to, to get the pup back or I would spend the rest of my life worrying about this pup wondering where he is.

If the husband is ill you would think handing the pup back to the breeder and not having to concern herself with him would be a relief. I also agree with carrington I think they are after a quick buck.

Perhaps you could ask your friend to re-contact them and offer at least half the cost.  The current owner is not worthy to own a dog, and i personally would do everything possible to get the puppy returned.  Your friend will never have 'peace of mind' and will be forever thinking what has happened to the puppy.  From the sound of this current owner, she is only concerned with money and doesn't have the puppies life in the forefront of her mind.