About Buying a Dog

Thinking about buying a dog?

So you've decided to purchase a dog. Owning a dog can be the beginning of years of happiness as the special bond between humans and canines exceeds even the greatest of expectations. However, to ensure the best relationship with your dog, you must be prepared for some important responsibilities. Keep the following questions in mind as we go along.

1. Have I found the right breed to fit into my lifestyle and home?
2. Will you have enough time to spend training, grooming and exercising a dog?
3. Am I willing to spend the resources to ensure the best future for a dog?

The Breed For You

Is there a breed you have had your eye on, or are you confused about how to select a dog? In either case, you should do some homework to make sure that you select the right dog for you and your family. The bonus of selecting a purebred dog is their predictability in size, coat, care requirements and temperament. Knowing what your cute puppy will look like and the kind of care he will need as an adult is a key in selecting the breed for you.

You and Your Dog

Too frequently, common sense goes out the window when it comes to buying a puppy. This seems to be even truer when the purchase is by a family with children. Buying a dog is like buying anything else; the more you know before you buy, the better off you will be. This advice applies to all aspects of buying your dog, from selecting the breed to deciding where to obtain the puppy. We strongly recommend that you spend enough time investigating before buying. Remember, dogs are for life.

The AKC's Complete Dog Book can help you begin your research with its pictures and descriptions of each breed recognized by the AKC. Your initial research will help you narrow the field when it comes to selecting the breed for you and your lifestyle. Remember to consider your dog's lifestyle, too. And for extended research, consult the resources at your local library.

While investigating, always be honest with yourself. The Bearded Collie you fell in love with because of his lush coat is indeed beautiful, but are you going to be able to brush this coat every day as it requires? Maybe a short coated dog better suits your busy lifestyle. Think about the size of your house or your apartment. Will that Golden Retriever be happy in your studio apartment? The Golden Retriever is a larger sporting dog who requires a lot of exercise. Do you have a fenced yard so he can go out safely? If not, can you afford to install a fence? These are crucial questions regarding the safety of your dog and being a responsible neighbor. Always remember, it is okay to change your mind about which breed you want or if you want the responsibility of owning a dog at all. Owning a dog is a big responsibility! Talk to breeders. Ask them lots of questions; we all know there are no stupid questions. A responsible breeder will eagerly answer your questions and share his or her experience and knowledge with you. Where can you find breeders and see dogs? At dog shows (conformation events). Also contact AKC clubs in your area for their recommendations.

Selecting A Breeder

Buy your puppy from a responsible and well-respected breeder. This cannot be stressed enough. Responsible breeders are concerned with the betterment of the breed. For example, they work on breeding healthier dogs with the appropriate temperament for their breed. Your AKC breeder referral contact will direct you to a breeder who is concerned with the future of the puppy. Once you select a breeder, screen the breeder. Ask to see at least one of the parents (the dam or the sire) of your puppy. See how the dogs in your breeder’s home interact with your breeder. Are they friendly and outgoing or do they shy away? The responsible breeder will be screening you, too, looking for the best home for each puppy.

How Much Does A Puppy Cost?

This is not the time to hunt for a bargain. Your new puppy will be a member of your family for his lifetime, so you'll want to make a wise investment.

Can You Afford A Puppy?

The purchase price of your puppy is not the only cost you have to consider. Be aware that the puppy you bring home will need proper care: food, health care, (a dog needs annual shots). Your puppy will also need little things like a collar with identification, a bowl, and a leash. Evaluate your budget; ask yourself if you really can afford a dog. Dog Ownership = Responsibility.

Being a responsible owner means considering your dog's lifelong health care needs, whether for preventive care or for unexpected accidents, injuries and illnesses that could happen at any time, however well you look after your dog. It is sensible to consider planning for these.

Caring for your dog

All dogs must be cared for daily. This means proper diet, exercise, grooming and veterinary attention. There are many excellent guides on all facets of dog care. AKC’s own books, The Complete Dog Book and AKC Dog Care and Training Book, contain information on proper dog care. We recommend you have these or some other authoritative reference source available. Do not attempt to be your own veterinarian! All dogs should be regularly examined by a veterinarian and inoculated against the major infectious canine diseases. Pet health insurance offers options for coverage toward these essential items, as well as toward preventative costs.

Your dog and your neighbors

All dog owners must be aware of their responsibilities to their neighbors, both those who live in the area immediately around their residence and their neighbors in the broader sense of the community as a whole. Dogs, for all the pleasure they are, can be a nuisance to your neighbors if not trained. Remember, excessive barking can be annoying. And, always keep your dog on a leash or inside a fenced yard when exercising. Remember to pick up after your dog. Forestall problems for yourself and your dog and all dog lovers by being a good neighbor.

Obedience training for everyone

One way to make your dog a good neighbor is through obedience training. A poorly behaved dog is a problem for everyone. Nothing is more frustrating than attempting to corral a dog that will not "come" when you call. A well trained dog is not only a pleasure to own, he is a goodwill ambassador for the entire canine community. A well-behaved dog is the result of the dog's owner being willing to work with the dog regularly in a systematic manner. Obedience classes are available in most communities. Time spent training your dog is time well spent.

Puppy Contract

              Little Harpe Trails Aussie-Golden

                  Puppy Purchase Agreement

  The following sale and agreement is made and entered into by and between the following persons

And is effective this          Day of   ,     2009.

Please make all checks payable to Charles Coleman.

The Seller hereby accepts a non-refundable deposit of $ 300.00 (to be given/mailed with contract to Seller) toward the purchase of the puppy identified below.

The Seller upon receipt of the above mentioned $ 300.00   deposit acknowledges that the Buyer is purchasing a puppy with Full       or Limited        Registration. This deposit is non-refundable if not enough puppies are whelped to supply the Buyer, and then it would be applied towards the next available litter.

The full purchase price (including the $300.00   non-refundable deposit) is $              for a Female        or Male    , plus shipping $ 350.00 for a total of $          Balance of $          is due in full Two Weeks before the puppy is delivered by the Seller to the Buyer, Crate, Shipping, and any additional Handling expenses will be paid by and are the responsibility of the Buyer. Full payment is to be sent by Certified Bank Check two weeks before puppy is ready to go.

The consideration of this sale shall be the sum of $            .  All applicable terms and conditions below will apply, except that this puppy is being sold with Full        or Limited          Registration.

Puppies Sold With Limited Registration is sold with no breeding rights and AKC papers are marked limited registration.

Buyer agrees to Spay/Neuter by 6 months of age:  Yes        (Buyers Initials)

The registration papers will be given once shown proof from vet, that the puppy was spayed/neutered.

2 YEAR GUARANTEE

BUYER AGREES:

1. To have puppy examined within 72 hours of purchase by a licensed veterinarian to validate this guarantee.

2. The puppy is not being purchased for resale and will never be sold to a pet shop, puppy mill or agent of same.

3. To provide all annual vet exams, to continue all required vaccine shots as recommended by their vet and proper vet care. It is important the puppy has all puppy shots, and their yearly boosters. Failure to comply with and provide documentation of these requirements voids all guarantees.

4. The value of the pet for the purpose of this guarantee is solely the original purchase price of the pet, and does not include any additional prices declared by the buyer, such a value of show dog, breeding or shipping fees.

5. To use the prefix LITTLE HARPE TRAILS at the beginning of the dogs registered name along with any other specific themes or words requested by the Breeder.  If LITTLE HARPE TRAILS is not on the AKC registration papers, then the guarantee is void.

6. That this dog will not be used for any purposes of research or vivisection and shall not be sold or given to any wholesale establishment, chain store, catalog sales house, pet store or puppy mill.

7. That this dog will never be surrendered to any humane society, animal rescue group or animal shelter.

Breeder Agrees:

1. Breeder guarantees that the puppy has had proper care to date, and has been checked by a veterinarian. Puppy has received its first shots and wormed. Records of puppy’s first shots and worming dates will be provided when puppy is picked up or when shipped.

2. Breeder is not responsible if puppy contacts a communicable disease after leaving breeder's possession that also includes worms, fleas, mites, coccid, Guardia, or any other parasites as they are common in dogs and puppies.

3. Breeder offers a two year hip guarantee on any puppy found to have moderate or severally affected hip dysphasia. The puppy must be x-rayed by your veterinarian to confirm the diagnosis and it must be documented by an official OFA preliminary consultation.

4. Upon receipt of a letter to breeder from a reputable veterinarian stating that in his/her opinion this condition is congenital, puppy will be replaced by a puppy of equal value at breeders convince. We reserve the right to acquire DNA to determine the dog or puppy as one of our lineages.

LIMITATIONS OF GUARANTEE:

1. Under no circumstances will money be returned for the purchase price of a puppy or dog.  Only a replacement of equal value of puppy or dog will be given.  Upon this agreement the original puppy or dog is to be returned to the breeder at buyer’s expense.

2. This guarantee is non-transformable; the puppy must be in good physical condition. No replacement will be given if female has been bred or if male has been used for breeding. The buyer/owner is responsible for all transportation cost to and from the breeder. The breeder is not reliable for any and all veterinarian expenses accumulated on returned or replaces dog/puppy.

THE FOLLOWING 1-6 WILL VOID ALL GUARANTEES:

1. Allowing your dog to become obese or under fed at any time.

2. Evidence of neglect or abuse.

3. Previous related trauma (broken bones, related injuries, etc.)

4. Dog has been bred or sired a litter.

5. Feeding this dog anything other than a premium quality dog food such as Purina Puppy Chow or Sensible Choice Large Breed Puppy Food.

6. Evidence of Strenuous Exercise. For example: no treadmills, no jogging, no extensive standing on hind legs, or excessive jumping until the age of two years old.                                                                                                         

As any of the above can cause hip dysphasia if over feed, not the proper diet, or too much exercise at a young age.

Those reasonable precautions have been taken to prevent this puppy from acquiring hereditary defects. However, due to unknown hereditary and environmental causes of such defects, no guarantee will be given against them. That however, should said puppy be diagnosed by a board certified specialist as being affected by hip,eye,heart defects, the Sellers will at their discretion take the puppy back and replace it with a puppy from another breeding within two years for hips and one year for all other genetic defects.

THE FOLLOWING APPLIES ONLY TO THE ORIGINAL BUYER:

Dog/puppy is to be kept in a safe and secure enclosure such as a house, fenced kennel or crate when unattended, and when out of this area will be kept on a leash and under the supervision of a competent person. Dog will not be allowed to run at large. Puppy's area will be kept clean and fresh water available at all times. Protective shelter will be available as needed. Puppy will be given necessary medical care and kept current on vaccinations. Dog/puppy will be kept in proper weight and coat.

In case of dispute buyer gives up all rights to a jury or civil trial and agrees to binding arbitration, at buyers expense, in the county dog/puppy was purchased from.

This contract has been read by the undersigned buyer and seller and their signatures affixed herein attest to their complete understanding and agreement of the contents herein. This shall be considered a legal and binding agreement entered by consenting adults of their own free will. There are no verbal promises or commitment offered buyer on this dog/puppy and only those guarantees offered herein shall be honored.

        EMAILcharlestanya@bellsouth.net

Puppy Information

PLEASE FEED THE PUPPY PURINA PUPPY CHOW DRY DOG FOOD.

PUPPIES WILL NEED TO HAVE THEIR 8 WEEK SHOTS ASAP.  THE PUPPIES TURNED 8 WEEKS OF AGE ON .   OUR VETERINARIAN RECOMMENDED HE NOT GIVE 8 WEEK SHOTS BECAUSE OF THE SHIPMENT VIA AIR…AS THIS COULD CAUSE THE PUPPY TO HAVE A HIGH TEMPERATURE AND MAKE THE PUPPIES STOMACH UPSET DO TO THE ADDED STRESS OF FLIGHT.

THE PUPPIES HAVE BEEN WORMED EVERY TWO WEEKS SINCE BIRTH.

BORN  

THE FOLLOWING SHOTS WERE GIVEN @ 6 WEEKS:

SIGNATURE RBR

DISTEMPER

HEPATITIS (CAV)

PARVOVIRUS

PARAINFLUENZA

LEPTOSPIROSIS

THE VACCINATION RECORD WILL COME IN THE MAIL WITH THE OTHER PAPERWORK.

TAKE THIS TO YOUR VETERINARIAN SO HE/SHE CAN BE AWARE OF THE MEDS THAT HAVE BEEN GIVEN.

IF YOU ARE RECEIVING A PUPPY WITH LIMITED REGISTRATION…THE PUPPY WILL NEED TO BE NEUTERED/SPAYED AT LEAST BY SIX MONTHS OF AGE.  PROOF FROM YOU D.V.M. WILL NEED TO BE SENT TO CHARLES COLEMAN…AFTER WE RECEIVE THIS, WE WILL THEN SEND THE AKC PAPERS FOR THE PUPPY TO BE REGISTERED.