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AIBU?

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Original poster

Breeder refusing to give me puppy or my money back

506 replies

Ownerofsmallpeople · 14/01/2020 18:30

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?

OP posts:
Bbyblu · 14/01/2020 21:11

This is utter nonsense, by 6 months the puppy should be toilet trained in a routine etc she has no right to be stalking you and if in 6 months time you have a baby it's really no diffrent from in 8 months time if you didn't no you whrre already pregnant what was she going to do come take it back because you didn't tell her, it sounds more like she has decided she isn't selling it or had a better offer is the puppy kc etc you can report her to the kc, I would get your deposit back and look for a puppy/dog elsewhere with someone who actually knows what there talking about

Annabk · 14/01/2020 21:13

The key point here is that you don’t know about the father of the puppy. The dog that mated her bitch in the park could have a genetic health issue (expensive!) or be aggressive, fearful, anxious. Taking on such an unknown quantity (as opposed to a KC breeder’s puppy with lineage and breed-appropriate health tests) alongside a new baby and toddler is madness.

LagunaBubbles · 14/01/2020 21:13

She sounds like a responsible breeder which is a rare thing unfortunately

Woyld people at least read the OPs posts and see she's not a breeder at all! Just some random person whose dog accidentally got pregnant!

SchadenfreudePersonified · 14/01/2020 21:16

You wouldn't get one of my puppies either - dogs the up much more energy than most people think.

However, she should return your deposit. She is the one who has stepped back from the contract and she can't keep your cash.

SchadenfreudePersonified · 14/01/2020 21:17

*take up, not the up

Indella · 14/01/2020 21:19

She’s well within her rights to say no but she needs to refund the deposit. It sounds like she discussing it with her partner and deciding and then I’m sure she will refund you.

Doghaven · 14/01/2020 21:32

After working with Dogs for over 25years it would not be a good idea for a puppy to go to a family with a new baby. It always seems like a lovely thing to do but in my experience the Puppy ends up suffering. It is very difficult to dedicate the right amount of time to a young dog and a new baby. I have seen so many given up to rescue because of this type of situation, and the breeder was right in being concerned. I would give her a chance to pay you back your deposit, then look to the future and get a young dog from rescue when your children are older.

Redred2429 · 14/01/2020 21:33

Op I think you should definitely get your deposit back it sounds like this lady will be difficult throughout the process

Genevieva · 14/01/2020 21:34

I missed the update about the park. I think I started replying then got distracted, by which time the thread had grown.

Personally, I think you would be foolish to accept a puppy of unknown parentage when you have young children, so maybe it has worked out for the best. Get your money back and pay for a pedigree dog that you know is healthy and child-friendly, or wait until your children are old enough for a rescue.

From a purely contractual perspective, the puppy is yours, but I wouldn't even pay £200 for a legal letter to that effect. I think you need to gather your paper trail - any text messages / e-mails... give her another day to get back to you, then take a firmer approach. Demand that she reimburses you in full or you will take her to the small claims court.

SmileyClare · 14/01/2020 21:35

There's a juxtaposition between the careless way she mated her bitch accidentally in the park and the responsible puppy breeder she is now.

It is possible this is just an excuse to scam you out of your deposit. she might have spent it and now has to wait for payday Time will tell I suppose.

Indella · 14/01/2020 21:36

FWIW I breed pedigree cats and wouldn’t sell you a kitten when you’re about to have a new baby never mind a puppy!

helberg · 14/01/2020 21:36

She's not a breeder. She's someone irresponsible whose dog got pregnant.
She is within her rights to refuse you a puppy if she thinks the family circumstances are unsuitable - ie. arrival of a baby in a few months' time.
She hasn't refused to give you your money back so the thread title is misleading. Of course she would be very unreasonable not to return the money but she hasn't refused to at all. She's obviously still deciding on whether to let you have the puppy at all.

Give it a couple of days before you start raising a stink about it.

Genevieva · 14/01/2020 21:38

PS I disagree with everyone saying babies and puppies don't mix. We got a puppy when our youngest was still a baby and they are inseparable. I am an experienced dog owner though and I don't know your circumstances, but it doesn't sound like you are...

LonginesPrime · 14/01/2020 21:49

How much did you pay as a deposit, OP?

namina · 14/01/2020 21:52

She needs to give u the money back if she doesn't want you to have the puppy.

LonginesPrime · 14/01/2020 21:53

I only ask in the context of whether it's a scam - running off with a deposit doesn't sound very lucrative, not least as you've seen that the puppies exist.

Personally, I think it's unlikely to be a scam as she's local and you've got loads of mutual friends. Plus, as a PP mentioned, you know where she lives, so it would be a bit of a stupid scam.

SafferUpNorth · 14/01/2020 21:55

Make sure you get your deposit back and walk away. You've dodged a bullet - with such a young family it's best to choose your breed very carefully. Nothing is known about the character and temperament of the dog who fathered the puppies. Perhaps she realises that and that's why she has second thoughts about selling to a home with baby and toddler.

GabsAlot · 14/01/2020 22:02

She wshould be giving them away not selling greedy fucker

get your money back or threaten small claims

Also as pp have said do you know anything about the two breeds-could be anything

Dullardmullard · 14/01/2020 22:06

She’s a breeder regardless if it’s 1 litter or 10 an irresponsible one
IF she sells them all she’ll do it again.

Give it 48 hours then ask for your deposit back.

I do a questionnaire, then phone call, then you come to meet the adults if drool doesn’t put you off you get to meet the babies. Mines a giant breed.

BecauseReasons · 14/01/2020 22:07

She wshould be giving them away not selling greedy fucker

She's right to charge- it's one way to dissuade unsavoury characters who may want to buy dogs for untoward reasons and those who haven't thought the decision through properly.

UYScuti · 14/01/2020 22:18

threaten legal action if she doesnt return the deposit pdq

k1233 · 14/01/2020 22:20

My experience.

People always comment they didn't realise how much harder it would be with two kids - one was so easy.

People complain about pups biting, scratching, being full of energy, jumping up on toddlers.

Young kids are major sooks when it comes to dogs and puppies and the squealing and carry on when the puppy jumps on them, scratches them, bites them with sharp puppy teeth is beyond annoying. The squealing makes pup think it's a game, so pup is all in romping around and getting stirred up and naughty - just like a toddler.

Add the three together and the pup gets the boot.

Branster · 14/01/2020 22:22

On the basis that you don’t know what breed of dog you’d end up with (accidental mating in the park - what responsible breeder does that??), if I were you, I wouldn’t want that puppy.
You clearly planned everything, so you’d benefit from getting a type of dog you want and is suitable for you in terms of temperament and behaviour.
A breeder is within their rights to refuse to give a puppy but should give back the deposit.
Tell her you expect a refund straightaway or you are taking legal action.
Good luck with everything, you’ll be fine.

GabsAlot · 14/01/2020 22:22

@becausereasons that wont stop dog fighting and puppy farms

fivedogstofeed · 14/01/2020 22:24

her dog got pregnant by accident during a park run
I actually can't get past this. Should be a thread title in Classics.