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angelacc
01-20-2008, 08:46 AM
I'd like to get some advice from dog owners and breeders alike. We purchased a puppy from what we thought was a quality breeder back in 2006. Within a few months of bringing the pup home, we discovered a tumor on her elbow. It was removed and came back cancerous. Another appeared several months later--also removed and cancerous. Unfortunately, it continued to spread and we just had to put her down -- she was only 16 months old.

Our breeder has a written health guarantee for all "genetic" problems up to 2 years. Now after we've spend thousands on health care for the pup, the breeder is only willing to give 1/2 our purchase money back. My argument is that cancer by definition is genetic--a malfunction of the genes. She says by genetic, they only mean something that can be attributed to the breeding.

What are your thoughts? How much should we pursue this? We don't care much about the money, but would hate to see someone else go through this same experience with one of their pups.

kinderwood
01-20-2008, 05:08 PM
angel, I think both you and the breeder are right- as strange as that may sound. Cancer is not always genetic but, at the same time, I believe it CAN be. So, that being the case (and not actually knowing or being able to prove whether it's genetic or not), I believe receiving half of your money back is probably the right course. It's not about "making sure someone else doesn't have to go through this" as many who happen to get that one problem pup believe (I'm very sorry for your loss, btw:(). It's about what's right in this individual case, and I believe she is attempting to do that. I'm sorry if my opinion seems harsh in any way (I mean no offense), but I have seen way too many good breeders "blackballed" because of situations like this (which they will fully admit to if asked as well as research further to avoid in the future if they can- as they should for their part in the equation).

smoky
01-28-2008, 02:01 PM
I agree with kinderwood. Cancer is a hard subject to decide which way it goes. Sorry for your loss!!