Been sold a poorly puppy

[bluepuppy2026]

Would really appreciate some help / advice here please

We recently got a puppy. We bought from a licensed breeder (or so I think) but a hobbyist.

We travelled quite a distance and paid a little above many other available pups as we thought it would ensure a good pup. Cocker spaniel for reference.

We collected pup, with a clean vet check the day prior done by the breeder.

Within a few days it was clear that she had weepy eyes. They are also very narrow/almond shaped vs other cocker puppies. In pictures, it is clear that they were a little teary on collection day so not sure why this wasn’t further investigated by the breeders vet. We took puppy to our vet for a checkup and it looks like she has rolled eyelids, with a couple of lashes on the inner corner irritating her eyes. Hard to know how much as it is not clear if she’s squinting/just has slightly unusual eye shape and heavy brows. Dye test showed no damage to eye and anaesthetic drops didn’t cause the eye to open more which makes it more difficult to confirm squinting.

Vet gave us eyedrops and confirmed to monitor.

How could the breeders vet have missed this?

I’ve also noticed today a swelling on her tummy. A tiny red ish lump. Not painful for her. Looks like a histiocytoma but google tells me it’s an odd location for one.

We’ve bonded with her, and her with us but we’ve had more issues in her first 2 weeks home than we had our old dogs entire life.

Please any advice welcome.

To add she has amazing pedigree on each side.

Her ears are also very high set for a show girl but I think it could be related to the eye issues and a ‘tense’ face so she has this funny little alert/cross look constantly

I really feel for you on this, is the puppy already insured or if you do it later these will be pre existing conditions.

Something I have always wondered ... you can do all the checks possible but you wouldn't know that the puppy you took home was the one with all the paperwork or even the puppy you chose a few weeks ago. (I was shown a picture of a very posh Poodle supposedly the father when I bought my Cavapoo ... )

Although you have bonded perhaps talk to your vet about whether this is simple stuff or whether you are going to have a painful, expensive time if you don't relinquish the dog back to the breeder. In fact, have you talked to the breeder? I'm sure a good one would be helpful and even perhaps offer to exchange?

All the best

No advice but would also say make sure she’s well insured , if she’s kennel club reg, think they offer 4 weeks free if breeder has activated it . Fact you’ve already been to the vet will mean these ‘ problems ‘ have been recorded now though

She is already insured - the breeder activated the free kennel club one before I collected her and I have continued that for after the free period

And what does the breeder say?

@Sweetleftfood not a lot. Said the health check before leaving was clear and that’s about it.

on a human note, whatever happens compensation wise she’s yours now, she’s part of the family. Best of luck with her

Maybe pointless but I'd investigate further the dogs on the pedigree, maybe google the seller to find out if it is all dodgy, get them shut down and call police if the original story all lies.

@Morepositivemum thank you.

This is it - I don’t think we could give her back now as she’s settled here but should I ask for money back from the breeder? I just feel so anxious we’re set up for a doggy lifetime of health worries and cost!

@Tumbler777 any tips on what to look for? How we can do further investigation?

Google the Kennel Club name and get in touch with the breeders a couple of dogs back on the line to see if they have any information

What is dogs full name .. Friends chocolate lab kennel name xxx@curlyworlytwix ...

See if the people you bought from are Kennel Club breeders with feedback

In some respects none of this will help if you choose to keep the puppy, but it can also indicate whether you shouldn't breed him/her

Rolled eyelids aren't the end of the world. A surgery will fix it.

Sadly you bought a dog from a charlatan, so really you have two choices: give the dog to a rescue, or stick it out. That breeder clearly bred from unhealthy stock and clearly is not going to take the dog back or give you any money.

You can check the dogs pedigree on Kennel Club, but honestly you don't really have a leg to stand on if you didn't do your due diligence in purchasing the dog (checking health scores, pedigree, scoping out the breeder). There's no way to get 'feedback' on a breeder from the KC and there is certainly no way to contact previous buyers - that would be a huge GDPR breach.

And please stop googling. It's never right - it'll tell you a wart is a hemangiosarcoma if you give it certain details. If you're noticing issues with your dog then you take it to the vet, and if you're not able to afford that or unwilling to, then please give the puppy to a Spaniel specific charity (such as Spaniel Aid) so they can ensure it gets the medical treatment it needs.

Separately, ears being a bit high are nothing and a 'cross look' on her face is just a bit odd to describe? Unless you're planning on showing the dog, it doesn't matter if she doesn't conform perfectly - even dogs bred from champions can be outside the breed standards (my boy is technically outside breed standards due to his colour, and his father has a JW and grandfather on both sides is a Multi Ch. Uk Sh. Ch). Her appearance is a separate issue to the health issues - and you won't have a leg to stand on, even if you got a puppy from the best breeder in the UK, if you want to quibble her appearance. You can never be sure with genetics when it comes to appearance.

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks I did check health scores/pedigree etc I’m not sure why you think I didn’t.

My question was more how / why was this not picked up at the vet check literally a couple of days prior.

She has already been to my vet and will be going again - I’m not an irresponsible owner.

Regarding the cross face and ear placement this is not about meeting breed standards. More that I am worried her face is tense due to discomfort.

I’ll be honest, both the issues you describe seem incredibly minor and not something the breeder can or should be held responsible for.

@jamandcustard thank you for the sense check. My anxiety over the poor thing is definitely getting the better of me and I don’t want to overthink stuff!

@bluepuppy2026 because you have made it sound like you think you've been given a defective puppy by a dodgy breeder. So based off what you said, it's very easy to assume not much effort went into finding the healthiest puppy with generationally health tested parents (particularly as you said it's a 'hobby' breeder). Apologies if you did do your due diligence (generational health checks, vetting the breeder, home-checks etc).

Rolled eyelids typically don't show themselves until the dog is a fair bit older. Unless the vet was specifically looking for issues with the eyes, they almost certainly wouldn't have automatically assumed rolled eyelids - puppies (and dogs more broadly) can have incredibly watery eyes when they are young for a variety of reasons.

Most vet checks aren't worth the paper they are written on (and I say this as a breeder). Half the time, unless the breeder properly pushes for it, the vet just weighs them, gives them their vaccination, and does a cursory check - just like an annual check up. I've seen entire litters of 9+ puppies be in and out in under ten minutes.

And to be cynical - who's to say it wasn't picked up by the vet and the breeder failed to mention it?

Have you checked with the KC that they will cover it? I know Petplan don't cover health issues found within the first 14 days of the start of the policy.

@bluepuppy2026 My question was more how / why was this not picked up at the vet check literally a couple of days prior

Vet checks can be very hit & miss depending on the vet nurse and how many puppies to get through in the allocated time.
Also, was the puppy sold with a contract? Were you advised to take puppy to your own vet within a week of purchase? How old is the puppy now?
What's the breeders stance on this?

I think if you are finding fault with the puppies appearance beyond the obvious health issues, maybe you are not the right person for this dog. She will definitely pick up on your questioning vibes towards her...

@Ylvamoon please read my other response. The issue with her appearance is not aesthetic purposes - is that it’s hard to ascertain if she is tense / squinting or if it’s just her facial structure

@SpanielsGalore i have a copy of the vet check where it says eyes checked no concerns

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks thank you. I’m hoping she will grow out of the eyelid issue a bit as it seems minor and she still has lots of loose skin

Unscrupulous breeders and puppy farmers fake vet checks, vaccinations and everything else. Licenses don't really mean much, puppy farms have them.

Do you have the details about where the vet check was done. I assume that's included on the certificate, or contact the breeder and ask. Then contact them and see what they say.

Of course the breeder should be responsible for selling you a healthy puppy and of course you should be questioning these things! I think you bought from a dodgy as hell breeder though, high cost is not an indication of someone raising better pups.

A decent one would be very concerned about the health of any of their puppies and dogs with rolled eyes that require surgery should not be bred from as it is genetic and can be passed on to puppies. But they don't sound like they give a shit unfortunately.

@bluepuppy2026 you do mention the ears not being in the right position for breed standard & showing... some Spaniels can have a tight face when they are exited, scared, overstimulated.... the question would be how does your dog look when sleeping?

Was the puppy sold with a contract? Were you advised to take puppy to your own vet within a week of purchase? How old is the puppy now?

Honestly it’s totally normal to be anxious! Try not to let it ruin your time with your puppy though 🥰

Lose skin where the eyelash go into the eyes is called entropian ( I think that’s how it’s spelled )
my old Bulldog had it
very common in dogs with excess skin wrinkles

it can cause weepiness and irritation in the eye
it can be operated on in the worse cases

mine had two operations to remove the excess skin and it cost a fortune 10 years ago to do this