Dog breeder not disclosing dental issues

TELLIT01

Would it be possible to go through the Small Claims Court?  The original vet notes show there was a problem which the breeder didn't disclose.  The risk is that I'm assuming the breeder would have to be given the opportunity to correct the situation, and they could just offer to take the pup back, as has been said previously.

screech_78

Thanks for your responses everyone. 

I hadn’t really thought of the fact that I had bought “goods” and I absolutely would not return him, even if it cost me thousands to keep him well. In answer to a previous comment, if she had disclosed the issues with the teeth, I may still have gone ahead. I don’t know as I definitely was emotionally involved. My husband may have thought otherwise, however I think I’d just like to have been given a heads up. I made sure that I took out insurance that covered as much as possible and up to 15k a year. 

I’m just going to leave it and deal with the issues. Thankfully he is healthy apart from this and he’s such a good little dog and brought so much happiness to us so really, I think I’ll just stay grateful for that and hope we have many, many years with him. 

TELLIT01

Unfortunately, if you had know of the problem at the time of purchase it's unlikely that you would have been able to get insurance cover for the pre-existing condition.  On that basis, you are really in no worse a position than if you had been told in advance. 

screech_78

TELLIT01 said:

Unfortunately, if you had know of the problem at the time of purchase it's unlikely that you would have been able to get insurance cover for the pre-existing condition.  On that basis, you are really in no worse a position than if you had been told in advance. 

Yip, you’re absolutely right. My insurance only started on the day I collected him so it wouldn’t have made any difference. I suppose it would only have given me a heads up that I would have to put such a small puppy through a general anaesthetic a few weeks later. You would think a genuine breeder would be concerned about that, but she clearly was not as caring as she came across. I honestly always think I’m such a good judge of character and we looked for over a year before deciding on this breeder, so I think I’m more annoyed with myself than anything else. Thanks again. 

Jenni_D

I think the point is that if you had known prior to engaging the insurance then you would have had to declare it. As such it probably wouldn't have been covered by the insurance as it would have been a pre-existing condition.

In any event, insurance often has a deferral period before claims are accepted - it seems you have have got lucky that way too.  

Bradden

Just wondering assuming the breeder is registered with the kennel club then you may be able to complain through them.

Alternatively all breeders must be licensed by the council.. it might be worthwhile complaining to them.

Neither route will resolve your issue but it may encourage them to disclose issues in future.

sheramber

The OP hasn't said it is a pedigree pup, only that it cost a fortune which would imply a designer crossbreed.

You only need a licence if you breed 3 or more litters in a year and sell any of the pups. The OP referred to family pets so unlikely to be someone  breeding 3 or more litters.

screech_78

Jenni_D said:

I think the point is that if you had known prior to engaging the insurance then you would have had to declare it. As such it probably wouldn't have been covered by the insurance as it would have been a pre-existing condition.

In any event, insurance often has a deferral period before claims are accepted - it seems you have have got lucky that way too.  

Completely understood. Financially I would have been no worse off either way. Would just have been nice to have been made aware and then we would have had the option to go ahead or not (I probably would still have went ahead, hubby might have felt differently). We had paid a deposit when he was 5 weeks old and the balance was paid on the day we collected him. 

He isn’t a full pedigree dog. He is a cross breed (a Cavapoo to be exact). My sister in law has the same breed and we had completely fallen in love with everything about the breed. Biggest issue is that cavalier King Charles spaniels can have a lot of issues with their hearts so it was really important to me that I found a breeder that had performed full health tests to rule out certain conditions (specially mitral valve disease). This seemed to be her first litter from her family dog (although I’m questioning everything now) and she kept the only girl in the litter to presumably breed from again. 

apple267

It baffles me why Anyone would buy from a breeder, they're pretty much all in it for the money, or they wouldn't be breeding when they know full well there are 1000's of dogs and cats in Rescue Centres crying out-literally-for a loving home. Every breed has a Rescue Centre, all ages, and a good one will state if the dog has any health issues (also can tell you if the dog gets on with other dogs, kids, people and cats) They also give them flea treatment and vaccinate. I got 2 yorkies-both ex-puppy farm dogs- from Many Tears, and they were brilliant. They had puppies too, but I take in older ones as the pups get snapped up leaving senior ones in need of homes.