The most important thing to do first is to be prepared to care for a dog and educate yourself about what that means.
We all have a moral responsibility to care for all the creatures we share this planet with, however, as far as the law is concerned dogs are 'property'. Property law applies to their sale and purchase, in addition to any additional contracts entered into.
Dogs can be fragile, especially puppies. At the time of writing this most breeders offer no warranty to protect your purchase.
Many things are out of our hands however Mopsland puppies are backed by a limited warranty against genetic abnormalities which adversely affect quality of life. Subject to the conditions of our written contract we will either refund the full purchase price or provide a new puppy.
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There is plenty of literature available on the internet concerning un-scrupulous dog breeders. Please don't just take our word for it, read a wide selection of material to help inform yourself and to protect yourself and your dog and apply a good serving of common sense.
It would be nice to assume that someone who loves dogs will therefore be an honest person. Unfortunately the ethics of some people leave a lot to be desired and your desire to have a wonderful little puppy could lead you to make decisions you would not otherwise make, or avoid asking questions you would otherwise ask. Think twice and be careful.
We have learnt a few things ourselves the hard way.
Perfection
Be immediately suspicious of claims of perfection.
While we all like to think of our dog as ‘perfect’ a breeder who offers
'perfection' is dangerously deluded and probably unable to pass objective
opinion on the subject. Dogs are living creatures and subject to a range of
health problems, trivial and fatal.
Evolution has improved the human species however we are not perfect, nor could we be in a changing world. The 'Eradication of Genetic Breed Faults' is
a ludicrous claim. Be very wary if someone claims they have!
Evolutionary processes, including planed breeding programs are intended to improve the species. 'Perfection' is a fictional destination used as a sales pitch. Ethical evolutionary improvement is the goal.
Do you know what happens when you buy a car and it turns out to be stolen? It can be seized and returned to its owner with you left to take your own action against the thief, if you can find them. The same goes for dogs.
Canine Councils like Dogs NSW register pedigree dogs, and an issued pedigree document will list the owner as recorded on their register, but beware, this does not prove legal ownership.
NSW law requires ownership to be registered with the Companion Animal Register through local councils. The law in NSW requires any dog over six months of age to be microchiped and placed in the Register.
Be sure that you check that the Companion Animal Register certificate confirms the seller is the legal owner of your puppies mother, because if the breeder does not own the mother you may not legally own the puppy either.
Check that the microchip number recorded on the Canine Council pedigree is the same as the Companion Animal Register records and insist on receiving a signed C3A transfer form at the time of purchase. If you don’t you may find you don’t own the dog and that you have breached the law. Both could cost you money and possibly the puppy.
The old adage 'get it in writing' definitely applies to purchasing a dog. If any promises are made, get them in writing. A breeder who offers a written contract will most likely have been breeding long enough to have learnt the hard way. We strongly recommend contracts and do not sell our dogs without them.
What does fully mean? There are a wide range of vaccinations and worming treatments, and an even wider range of infectious agents and parasites to protect your dog from. Breeders sometimes use this terminology to wrap a warm blanket of confidence around you (or 'pull the wool over your eyes').
A reputable breeder will be specific. They will be able to tell you exactly which vaccinations have been given and what products have been used. They will also back any vet treatments up with certificates.
Something that any qualified vet will tell you is that vaccinations cannot stop a dog from becoming infected by a virus such as Canine Cough (sometimes called kennel cough). Routine vaccination is however thought to reduce the severity and length of the illness.
Don't
be fooled, be informed. Have a look around the for information from sources
you trust. Speak to the vet you intend using. They can advise what will best
match your environment and circumstances.
Remember, no one can backup a 100% health guarantee, but an ethical breeder will offer certain time framed guarantee's about specific health issues.
A decent breeder will never knowingly sell you an ill dog, and will be quick to take the dog back from you, full refund or exchange, as long as they are informed promptly.
