To refuse to sell this lady a puppy?

[ensete]

I have a litter of working golden retrievers, i collated a waiting list before I had our bitch mated and I spent a long time speaking to interested parties to find the best homes I could do - this is how I have dealt with previous litters.
Both parents are working gundogs and I stated that whilst I didn't need working homes I would only consider active homes with the space to accommodate a large working breed.
One of the families who is on my list contacted me today just to say "hi, my husband and I have decided to split up, I will still be wanting the puppy but my address will now by Flat4a XYZ Town"
I messaged back to enquire what sort of set up it was and she confirmed it's a flat on the top floor with no garden or outside space. I've confirmed with her that I'm not happy to sell a puppy to a home without any outside space and I will refund her deposit immediately and advertise the puppy. She's refusing to give me her bank details and says she wants the pup and will take legal action if required. My argument is that the home I vetted is no longer the home she's offering and therefore I'm not willing to sell her the puppy. To me, changing the home on offer isn't dissimilar to her changing the amount of money she is willing to pay for the pup. The homes I find for puppies are very important to me, I'm not a big breeder, I've just had a litter for my own purposes to keep the next generation and I need to know my puppies are going to the right sort of home.

[IDrinkFromTheKegOfGlory]

I completely agree with (nearly) all the PPs, no way would I let the puppy go to her. We have a 2 year old working golden retriever and a flat is absolutely no place for a big, high-energy dog like that. We walk him for a good two hours every day and, even in the depths of winter, there's nothing he likes more than to lie flat out on our patio afterwards! They're not the right dog for a flat.

[Eaststreet]

YANBU at all!
I know someone who got a dog last year - a working cocker in a top floor flat and I wish to god the breeder had been as responsible as you!! I’ve felt nothing but sorry for the dog. You’re doing the right thing.

[IDrinkFromTheKegOfGlory]

But they are definitely the best dogs EVER!

[Wegobshite]

I would be wary of her getting someone else to buy on her behalf so I would send her a cheque and tell her that you are either selling the puppy or keeping him for yourself

[mumsiedarlingrevolta]

@ensete well done to you!!

Absolutely do not send a working golden to a top floor flat.
Of course lots of circumstances change in life but this time OP has a chance to do something about it-I applaud you for you actions.
And agree-post her her deposit cheque and block her.

[DrinkFeckArseBrick]

YANBU but do you have a contract after you have received the deposit? Does it state you can cancel the arrangement?

[ConfusedAdultFemale]

Puppy in a top floor flat with no outdoor space would be rehired in a matter of months, and most likely not back to you.

[ConfusedAdultFemale]

Rehomed, not rehired sorry.

[MangoBiscuit]

@spiderlight

Stick to your guns! She's understandably disappointed but your priority is your pup's welfare.

YABVVVU, however, not to post a photo of the puppies....

This! On both counts.

[Welshcakes03]

She hasn't got a leg to stand on. You offered the refund she didn't want it.Stop all communication.

[Welshcakes03]

She's crazy if she thinks having a retriever in a flat is going to work.

[Viviennemary]

I dong reallh approve of this commercialised breeding for money.

[Wafflewombat]

The lady who sold me my latest pup cancelled a sale of one of his litter mates, as she found out that the pup would be left alone for long periods. I think you're right to say that the change in circumstances means that the sale is void.

[magicstar1]

You're right, she's changed the terms now so you can't give her the dog. I'd try a couple of things.
Contact your bank and ask them is there any way they can reverse the cheque.
Did you keep a photocopy of the cheque? The account no. etc. would be on the bottom of it.

[Grumblesigh]

YANBU, even though of course any family could have a change in circumstances. This is one reason why reputable breeders will take a puppy back at pretty much any stage and search for a new home.

You don't actually need to give her the money - don't mess around with trying to send a cheque.

Offer to refund her money, both by post and by email. Ask for bank details. Save the messages/emails with her refusals.

If it does come to court, and it won't, the court is simply going to point out that you repeatedly offered to refund and she refused to accept the money.

[NotTerfNorCis]

I can't see any legal action working. It will just cost her money.

[Thelnebriati]

YANBU and she is lucky she is getting her deposit back. They are often non refundable.

[emmathedilemma]

@Kpo58

What is the area like around this woman's flat? If it's a 5-10 mins walk to a large park or countryside and and is retired or works at home, then it's probably not a problem.

you've clearly never run and down 2 flights stairs with a puppy about to pee a couple of times in the night!

[Grumblesigh]

Just to clarify - if she does provide a way for you to pay her, of course you should do that! I don't mean you don't need to pay her ever, just that you do not need to unilaterally find a solution.

[RottieMum21]

@Viviennemary

I dong reallh approve of this commercialised breeding for money.

Then it's a good job OP isn't some unscrupulous back-yard breeder

OP clearly stated I'm not a big breeder, I've just had a litter for my own purposes to keep the next generation

But you carry on as you were...

[AntiBlueVelvetStars]

We adopted a Labrador from a rescue centre and they wouldn’t even consider our application until we could provide proof of having a secure/well fenced garden.
Also I understand that she paid a deposit but was it ever discussed what would happen if there wasn’t a puppy available for her to have? My colleague got a puppy last weekend, had been extensively vetted by the breeder and was told that she was 8th on the list. Bitch had been scanned and was expecting a litter of 8 but on the day the bitch had a litter of 10 although 1 later died so my colleague was told she would be getting a choice of 2 to choose from.
My point is even though a deposit was paid there is no guarantee of a puppy and if there had been less puppies than expected then she may have missed out anyway even if she lived somewhere with a massive garden. The deposit doesn’t guarantee her a dog and as the circumstances have now changed, returning her deposit is the right way to go.

[Thelnebriati]

@Viviennemary

I dong reallh approve of this commercialised breeding for money.

For various reasons, giving away puppies isnt recommended by animal welfare organisations.

Apart from that, reputable breeders have to pay for genetic testing and the increase in food and vet bills for the gestation, delivery, and 8 weeks raising the litter.

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

I think you are doing exactly the right and responsible thing, @ensete - and the advice to send her a letter and cheque (recorded delivery) is good.

But please can we have some puppy pictures?

[DoneAdulting]

YABU to not give us any puppy photos!