In the past, I have sold puppies that I had believed would be suitable for breeding in the future and in the main, these sales have worked out reasonably well.
No veterinarian and no breeder can be aware of all latent defects, how genes will combine in a mating or how environmental factors may affect the result. Despite careful selection based on experience and breed knowledge there is always a degree of uncertainty, just as with human parents who are fit and healthy can produce a handicap in a child that is not identified in the first months of life.
Such factors are simply not predictable or controllable and can result from environmental or management situation following sale.
If you were to perform every available health test on the parents before you bred, you would STILL not be able to guarantee that the pups you sell would be clear of the problems the parents had tested clear for.
A dog that proves suitable for breeding in my opinion, is not likely to be a perfect dog. I have yet to breed a perfect Anatolian and I have yet to meet a perfect Anatolian.
All my dogs that I have purchased for breeding have been chosen at the time, in conjunction with the breeder. Yet not one of these dogs has turned out perfect. Every single dog that I have owned has had faults or problems of different natures and degrees. The same as I myself have physical faults. It’s life.
In recent times, it seems that the general attitude of “It’s everyone else’s fault but mine” has pervaded the ranks of puppy buyers and wannabe breeders. Sometimes the dog you buy really isn’t good enough to breed with – it’s life, suck it up.
As a result of this buyer attitude, and the obvious inability for anyone to breed a physically perfect dog that can absolutely be guaranteed good enough to breed with in 2 years time, I am no longer selling puppies for the purpose of breeding. My pups will be sold on Limited Registry for pet, family or guardian duties.
If the pup turns out fantastically well in your opinion and if I agree (my opinion), I may consider upgrading the papers to Main Registry so the pup can be used for breeding. If the dog does not end up good enough to breed from, then there will be no upgrading!
If the dog develops a problem later in life that was not detectable as a puppy when it left me, I would like to know about it so I’m aware of the issue and can do some research. However, in the short term, I am providing life time support where possible but not a warranty or guarantee of any sort.
Most problems, that are quickly blamed by vets on “genetic” or “congenital” actually require an environmental trigger or are exacerbated by environment. These problems include things like: Dysplasia, HOD, OCD, and Thyroid.
Some things though, do appear to be totally genetic like entropian.
Skeletal issues such as OCD have no proven genetic link at all. They are caused by environment such as untreated injuries (rough play and accidents), slippery floor surfaces, incorrect diet, over exercise, etc.
However all giant breed dogs are genetically predisposed to skeletal problems simply because they have to grow big fast, so then a poor environment will cause the above problems.
Buyers should understand that I will send you a sound, healthy pup when it goes into the crate but that I have no control over any subsequent events or management . What happens to it after it leaves me is entirely your responsibility. If you’re not comfortable with that, it is far preferable that you take the time out to drive to me and pick the pup up yourself.
A Sad Story
A breeder in the USA once said that it is completely possible for a new owner to destroy a puppy within 24 hours. I haven’t had it happen yet in 24 hours but I’ve had it happen in 8 weeks. To have a stunning happy healthy pup physically destroyed and disabled within 8 weeks of leaving me is soul destroying.
In the case of this particular pup, I did something that I was under no moral or legal obligation to do, which was to repurchase her.
It was either that or know that she would die slowly but surely in agony and from the ensuing skeletal, urinary and blood issues under the “care” of a vet, who in my opinion and that of other experienced breeders and consultants, is not only incompetent but dishonest.
On another note, I’ve been very happy to assist in rehoming my pups as adults when family circumstances have changed and their loved pet can no longer be kept. I’ve also had to rehome on occasion when the buyer has not been diligent in training (as per my 30 page puppy manual) and has been unable to manage their pup as adult. I am happy to assist in these circumstances if I’m able, frustrating as it may be, but accept no responsibility for outcomes where owners have caused the problem
Ultimately, if you damage your pup, by accident or sheer stupidity, then that’s your problem.