Hi, I have pick of litter that I used my stud dog for, which the other owner fully agreed to. Only 1 pup was born c section, I was told this is not classed as a litter so my choice is void and I could buy the pup for £625 with no stud fee discounts, I contacted the kennel club they said 1 pup is still classed as a litter. I did say that I would help towards the vet bills even though Im not obliged to.  Does anyone know what course I should take. Also she isnt breeding the bitch again.

Thanks Vicki

Friend of mine used a dog on a pick of litter basis & the bitch only had one puppy the stud dog owner took the puppy & it became one of the best dogs in sheepdog trialling locally & the owners best ever stud dog

The Kennel Club will not become involved in personal disputes, take the contract to your solicitor and ask them to write a letter demanding the contract commitments are upheld.

Guest.  Did you sign the KC form when the bitch was mated in order for the pup(s) to be registered?  If not then I doubt the puppy will be worth very much at all.  If you did then I doubt you will have a leg to stand on this time. 

Hi Vicki, If I were in your situation, I would be insisting as far as possible that either I was entitled to the puppy under the terms of the stud arrangement (contract). Or, I be paid a reasonable stud fee if the breeder wants to keep or sell the puppy. I think that's only fair.
Dawn R.

Hi Vicky,
This shows the value of getting all the details down, in writing, before or at the time of mating.  You have to think about the possible ramifications of "only 1 pup" "only 2 pups" etc, if C Section is needed, if no pups survive, subsequent matings, and any other circumstances which might probably occur.  A verbal contract just does not do it, if that is what you had, as it is only your word against the other sides.  As advised above, if you havent signed the KC form, this is likely to be your only leverage in the situation, but the best I think you cold hope for is a stud fee, you wouldnt be able to force them to hand over the pup.

This subject, with slightly different circumstances keeps cropping up.  It is important to remember that different breeders work by different rules, and what may be the norm in one breed would be unacceptable in another.  And even then, just because lots of breeders do a particular thing does not mean you have a right to it (if you see what I mean).  We often waive a stud fee for singleton pups (or even 2, as I am sure Dawn will verify :) )however, each is offered on terms which are individual to that particular mating.

Whilst it must seem terrbily unfair to you, I can see the bitches owners point of view too, they are left with no litter and a big bill for the vets! 
bye
Gwen

Hi Vicky it is unfortunate that the BITCH has had problems but when breeding problems are to be expected.
Ultimatley the stud has done his job,so you would be entitled to the stud fee agreed.
Most people would settle for a reduced fee in a case like 1/2 the price of the puppy or in circumstances where it is possible a free return mating
The vets fees are the bitch owners responsibilty ,if they couldnt afford the unexpected then they shouldnt have bred in the first place,there are far to many people out there who think breeding is easy and a qick way to earn cash,personally if i was the bitch owner i would be counting my blessings ,she still has her bitch! many breeders loose much loved bitches during whelping leaving them heartbroken as well as bankrupt!!
I would take legal advice in this situation and in furture use a stud owners contract signed by both parties and witnessed.
good luck :)

Hi Vicki.....in these circumstances i wouldn't take a stud fee for a single puppy, & i only take half the fee if there are only 2 pups, but that's just the way i do things. You say the breeder won't be having another litter from this female, so i presume she would want to keep the puppy to carry on the bitches' bloodline etc.....I personally think it's unfair to take the one surviving pup. hope you can work it all out amicably.