Breeder refusing to give me puppy or my money back

[Ownerofsmallpeople]

I’m not sure if I’m being u or where I stand on this.
DH and I have decided to get a puppy early feb. We have a 2 year old and another on the way but not due til summer. We have wanted a dog for ages and decided now is the best time as my DC has just started full time nursery, I’m not in work so I have plenty of time during the day to train and spend time with the puppy. For a few weeks after I give birth DH will be taking over walks but I will still be doing the training during the day and newborn will be joining me on school runs etc so my routine doesn’t change really. I’ve raised puppies before so I know what it entails and also obviously had a newborn before so I don’t see any great issues.
We went to view some puppies a couple of weeks ago with DC, chose a specific puppy, breeder was happy discussing diet and training etc and then asked for a deposit. I paid the deposit via bank transfer the next morning. She has now text me last night and said she had one of her friends (who is also friends with me via Facebook) to have a look at my Facebook profile and show her what was on it and she has seen that I’m pregnant and now is telling me I’m “deceitful” and she “can’t trust me with her puppy”. I didn’t think it was a huge deal and I was required to tell her I was pregnant? Obviously the puppy is going to a good home with us so I don’t see an issue. I completely understand wanting your puppies to go to a good home that will look after them but I wouldn’t have thought having a baby 6 months after purchasing a puppy was a big deal.
The conversation went on for about 20 minutes of her basically patronising me and saying that in 6 months I would be calling her to take the dog back. I eventually said to her to either tell me she’s happy for the puppy to come to us or she’s not happy for the puppy to come to us, she replied “I’ll speak to my partner and decide”. I have not heard from her yet so I text her again saying she needs to let me know or send me my money back, she has read the message and ignored it.
Am I in the wrong? What would you do?

Re Small Claims Court. Do people realise the court doesn't actually give you any money if you win? You still need to get the money from the person who owes it to you. So you are £25 down and no better off.

The only ones I feel sorry for here are the dogs. Why on earth is now the right time to get a dog when you have a toddler already and a baby on the way.

Zombie thread.

the 2 year old is at least 3 and the baby is here

Dear Puppy breeder

It is now XX since I requested you return my deposit. However I have not yet heard from you or received the refund due to me for breach of contract. In order to prevent further action in this matter please ensure that these funds are deposited in my account by XX.

After that you can proceed to a stern "letter before action" plenty of examples on google.

I wouldn't mind knowing if she got the rest of the money in the end!

ZOMBIE THREAD

But I did laugh because I bet the OP is glad she didn't get the puppy after all with Covid.

I think she’s right but you need your deposit back

Have you had a puppy before???

I’m sceptical that she is really concerned about the pregnancy, because I would expect a breeder or rescue Center with genuine concerns to ask you questions about the children you already have and be worried about your 2 year old.

Having not mentioned pregnancy at the time she should return your deposit.

old thread!

I know it’s a zombie but @Ownerofsmallpeople did you get the rest of your money?

The way she’s spoken to you is disgraceful. I would say it’s very unprofessional to stalk someone’s Facebook and call them deceitful. She doesn’t seem sensible to me in the least, she could have asked about you expecting and say to you she thinks it’ll be too much with an adult conversation and return the money.

She sounds like a money grabbing scammer.

Omg. She’s not a breeder at all!

Don’t wait for her ‘decision’. I don’t know how much she’s charging you and how much you’ve paid but just text her and say:
If you’re not happy with us having the puppy, please just return my deposit and that’s the end of it. You didn’t ask me about pregnancy or have any other conditions when you took the deposit. So if you have changed your mind now, please return it as soon as possible. Thanks.

And if she tries to say you ‘hid’ it from her you say no I didn’t - I had no idea it was a condition as you didn’t mention it. Say you’re not going to argue about it but she’s changed the deal so give the money back.

If she refuses, absolutely take her to small claims. So from now on be v careful what you say. Never once say ok you don’t want her puppy now. If you text her, be super polite and don’t say anything ambiguous.

She’s an idiot.

Having said that, she has a right to be genuinely concerned - but it’s her choice and so she must return the deposit.

The thread is over a year old, suspect it's been sorted now one way or another...

@Parkerwhereareyou

That’s interesting you say ‘don’t say you don’t want the puppy’ anymore. Do you think the breeder is angling on what OP says from now on to say she’s not entitled to refund?

@OnlyheretovoteonAIBU oh no!

Newborn humans and puppies do not mix.

She should give you your money back.

Any reputable rescue would also refuse a puppy {Or any animal} going to a pregnant woman or one with young children.

Oh gawd...a ZOMBIE THREAD.

ZOMBIE ZOMBIE ZOMBIE ie an old thread not worth replying to. That's 5 minutes of my life I won't get back.

@Thewolfsjustapuppy

Statistics are against you here, if I was a breeder I would be very cautious about letting a pup go to a house with a toddler and a baby on the way. She should give you your money back.

I wouldn't sell a puppy to someone pregnant or with very small children either. A baby takes up so much time and attention that I don't think the dog would get enough, and toddlers don't have the control to be gentle etc with a puppy, to leave it alone when it's sleeping and to be careful about what they let it get hold of and so on.

I think most vets have a tale to tell about carrying out surgery on dogs that have eaten Lego or other small toys.

I got my puppy about a month before I conceived, it all worked out brilliantly - mind you, my eldest dog (this puppy) is a real steady type who if anything assisted me with child rearing! My son is now twelve and has had our dog all his life, it’s been lovely. Won’t be great when she does though.

Whatever this breeder decides she should give back the cash if you’re not having the puppy.

She isn’t actually a proper breeder she’s someone I know through mutual friends, her dog got pregnant by accident during a park run and now she is obviously selling the puppies.

There is your problem. She is not a reputable breeder, she is someone whose dog accidentally got impregnated. She may well be trying to scam you, and you may well not get your money back.

If you want a puppy, do not put money into the hands of someone like this. Do your research and choose a reputable breeder, or a rescue centre.

I agree with the breeder than you are not in a position to take on a new puppy. But that is the breeders decision so you should get a refund

That sounds like a scam.

@ChangeInTime

She should give you the deposit back but she's right not to give a puppy to someone who is expecting a baby imho. I've lost count of how many people underestimate how much work it'll be juggling the two and get rid of their pet when they're expecting or soon after a baby arrives. It's sickening.

I agree with Change.

Puppies and newborns are not a good mix - absolutely exhausting! You see so many of them on websites ""X" month puppy - lovely nature, but I had a baby two weeks ago and can't give him the time he needs" Dozens of the poor little things.

Yes - you know about dogs; yes, you coped wonderfully with your first baby - but now you will have TWO young children and a young, energetic, puppy which will pee, poo, chew, and get into all sorts of mischief.

What happens if your baby is a poor sleeper /colicky and you can't get a moment's rest and you are too exhausted to make yourself a cup f tea, never mind clean up after and train a dog?

What happens if your 2-year old accidentally (or deliberately if s/he's jealous of the baby, and wants to get attention) hurts the puppy, and you can't protect it because you are feeding/ changing nappies/ etc?

What happens if the puppy soils in the house and your two year old picks it up and smears it everywhere (or eats it!) before you have a chance to clean it up?

What happens if the puppy (whose teeth will be like needles )starts biting at your two-year old in play, and really hurts them, because you aren't there to properly supervise?

There are a million "What happens ifs" in this scenario.

Or were you planning on keeping the puppy in a crate for most of the day? Which is just not fair on the dog at all.

I wouldn't sell you a dog either - TBH, I wouldn't have considered you with a child under 7, but that's just me.

HOWEVER - you are fully entitled to your deposit back.