No puppy contract

[CottonPyjamas]

We went to visit a litter of border collie pups yesterday, and sat and spoke in depth with the breeder. Our own border collie passed away earlier this year.
This is a whoopsy litter that occurred when the owner was abroad and the bitch was being looked after. We were there quite some time and narrowed down the pup we're interested in according to character. I came away and realised I hadn't asked about a puppy contract, so messaged the seller. She wasn't sure what I meant at first (she's not British but her husband is), so I sent her information and even puppy contracts from The Puppy Contract and the RSPCA. The breeders are saying they've already given this information (true) but are refusing to sign a contract. This is a red flag and I should walk away, isn't it?
In case anyone asks, the pup's mum was there too.

This is a whoopsy litter that occurred when the owner was abroad and the bitch was being looked after

That was your first red flag.

So yes, walk away.

I had one litter of puppies from an excellent working bitch to breed a replacement. I didn’t bother with puppy contracts because they aren’t worth the paper they’re written on. Most of them are unenforceable and are just about breeders feeling that they are retaining an element of control over the pup. My pups were microchipped, vet checked and pedigree registered. They all went with free insurance, changeover food and information sheets but no contract.

I’ve bought pups from accidental litters before with no problems. Trust your gut. If the mum is there and is clearly the mother of the pups and they are clean and well cared for then that is a good sign. Pups should be microchipped and ideally vet checked. If they aren’t microchipped then walk away.

Who's the Daddy? Do they know? Have the parents had the relevant heath tests for their breed(s)?
I'd be more concerned about those things than by signing a contract.

Walk away. They aren't breeders, they are irresponsible owners.

Both mum and dad have had the generic checks they'd get at the vets. We've decided to walk away.

Thanks everyone. We're disappointed but have decided to walk away. I keep thinking that if everything they'd told us was true, why wouldn't they sign to say as much? What are they hiding?