We are about to buy a puppy. The breeder wants to maintain the ownership of this pup until after a first litter. She wants to show the dog, and be identified as owner, handler and breeder.

Thus far, it is an agreement of "trust". The breeder suggested that we can draw up an agreement based on our discussions. Especially sinc ethis breeder, and breed, are new to us, this is probably a good idea. Can anyone recommend / share a model format that could be followed.

Thank you.

Noreen / Canada

Hi Noreen, I no nothing of the showing in Canada, but sounds to me as if the pups breeder just wants you to act as the dog kennel maid. If that suits you OK, if not, find a breeder who will 'sell' you the dog to do with as YOU wish. All the best Jackie H

Just reread your post and I would not worry about being new to the breed, a responsible breeder should offer you all the suport and help you need without strings attached.

Too many if's and buts in this type of situation - would suggest you either buy the puppy and it is yours or go elsewhere

What happens if:
bitch has to be speyed before breeding age due to infection
she has an accident that means you think she is not fit to be bred but the breeder does
she only has one pup

these are only three of the many, many things that can happen

Christine

Agree with Kerioak - it usually ends in tears. You should really buy a pup with no strings attached. The only bitch I ever let go on breeding terms some many years ago vanished off the face of the earth, apparently - maybe went abroad, I don't know, in spite if Kennel Club agreement signed. I'm still sore about it. (She was a Kerry Blue)

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

i agree with jo,buy your pup out rigth so there no problams later,good luck.

terri

Co-ownership agreements in both Canada and the US are common for a variety of reasons. First, it will ensure that the dog is shown and that the breeder can exhibit it in the Bred-by-Exhibitor class which states that the person exhibiting the dog must also own or co-own the dog. Many dogs become finished champions out of this class and no breeder wants to show something that she/he has bred and is not proud of. I would assume that the puppy is quite nice.

It could be that she also wants to maintain control over who the dog is bred to and be identified as a co-breeder on the future puppies' registrations.

My recommendations as an attorney would be to completely spell out each party's responsibilities. Is the breeder going to pay the entry and travel fees for the dog? What happens if there is a show that she wants to enter and that don't want to enter (maybe you want to take the dog on vacation, etc.)? How many shows does she anticipate entering the dog in? Who will take the dog to the shows? Remember that if she is going to take the dog to shows the dog could be gone many days a month. Some Canadian shows are known as 'cluster shows' and can be three or more days of showing. Most Canadian shows are on the weekends and there are shows on both Saturday and Sunday. You could end up with the dog being gone more than at your house if she starts winning a lot.

If the breeder is going to maintain control of the dog for the first breeding: Who pays for the medical exams to ensure that the dog is healthy (i.e., hips, eyes, blood, etc.)? Who pays for the stud dog (remember that the breeder may pick a popular stud dog with a high stud fee -- not always the best match)? What happens if you don't agree on the stud dog? What happens if for some reason (perhaps one of the testings for genetic disorders was not satisfactory) the dog shouldn't be bred? Does the breeder get any of the puppies from the subsequent litter? If so, she certainly should be paying for all testing and half of the expenses in raising a puppy. If she is getting puppies, who picks them and how? Do you have the first, third, fifth, etc. picks with the breeder getting the second, fourth, sixth?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with co-ownership provided both of you understand what is required from each other and there are contingencies drawn up to deal with unusual circumstances.

You might want to click on my name and look at the URL in the profile to understand more about what can happen in breeding and the finances involved.