This is the health guarantee included in every puppy's contract. We want you to know exactly what's covered before you ever place a deposit — no surprises.
We guarantee that your puppy will be in good health, as attested by a licensed veterinarian's pre-pickup check, and free from illness and congenital conditions at the time of receipt. A health record of all shots and wormings is provided with every puppy. We recommend taking your puppy to your own veterinarian as soon as possible to get established and begin regular care.
If it is discovered within the first twelve months of life that the dog has a life-threatening or severely debilitating congenital or genetic condition, we will offer a replacement dog of equal value. Reasonably sufficient medical evidence (such as an echocardiogram, OFA report, or necropsy) and all veterinary records relating to the dog must be provided, and we reserve the right to have the condition confirmed by a veterinarian of our choice. Cash refunds are not offered, we are not responsible for veterinary fees, and a speculative or inconclusive diagnosis will not warrant a replacement.
Every puppy is examined by a licensed veterinarian before pickup, and you will be informed of any heart murmur identified. Grade one ("innocent" or puppy) murmurs are common in young puppies, are not considered a health concern, and are typically outgrown; these are not covered. If a puppy is found to have a grade two or above murmur or another serious heart condition at that exam, we will offer another puppy in its place — from the same litter if a suitable puppy is available, or from a future litter with all funds transferred.
If a life-threatening or severely debilitating genetic heart condition is suspected within the first year: notify us as soon as it's discovered; the condition must be confirmed by echocardiogram after six months but before twelve months of age; any murmur must be grade three or higher on echocardiogram; and the echocardiogram report (with microchip number) must be sent directly to us.
We guarantee your dog is free from congenital moderate-to-severe hip dysplasia as rated by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). If moderate-to-severe dysplasia of genetic cause is suspected within the first two years: notify us as soon as it's discovered; the dysplasia must be confirmed by OFA examination after 24 but before 30 months of age; the OFA report and X-rays (with microchip number) must be provided.
Hip dysplasia is approximately 50% genetic and 50% environmental, so this guarantee has care conditions: the dog must have been fed quality puppy food to its first birthday and premium adult food with glucosamine and chondroitin thereafter; must not be overweight (confirmed by a letter from your vet); and must not have started impact-prone activity — lengthy jogging, agility, jumping, or heavy competitive training — before 18 months of age. We may request a confirming second exam at our expense; a third, if requested by the buyer, is at the buyer's expense and is binding.
We guarantee your dog is free from severely debilitating eye disease causing blindness or near-blindness at receipt. If such a disease is suspected: notify us as soon as it's discovered and within the first thirty months of life; the dog's eyes must be examined by a Board Certified Canine Ophthalmologist associated with the Companion Animal Eye Registry (CAER) by thirty months of age; and the CAER evaluation (with microchip number) must be sent to us. This guarantee does not apply if the ophthalmologist determines the disorder resulted from injury, malnourishment, mistreatment, or a similar cause.
If, within the first year of life, your dog is discovered to have a genetic condition other than those above, we will replace the dog upon receiving a letter on your veterinarian's stationery stating that the dog has died, will encounter an untimely death, or will be severely debilitated for life due to a genetic cause, identifying the dog and describing its condition and treatments (with microchip number on associated reports). In the case of sudden or unexpected death, a necropsy (at the buyer's expense) must verify a genetic cause.
There is no guarantee against: base narrow canines (not uncommon in poodles and usually resolved when adult teeth come in); undescended testicles, innocent grade one murmurs, inverted vulvas, hernias, or any minor condition that is correctable or likely to be outgrown; cosmetic issues such as overbites, underbites, or missing teeth; fleas, ticks, ear mites, Parvo virus, Coccidia, Giardia, Bordetella, or other internal or external parasites; accidents, lack of training, or behavioral problems; and contagious diseases after 48 hours of leaving our home.
For a claim to be processed: the dog must not have been spayed/neutered before 12 months of age; must not have been bred (unless sold with breeding rights, and then not before the third heat); must not be overweight or have suffered trauma from accident, neglect, or excessive exercise; must be owned by the original owner; must be up to date on all vaccinations deemed necessary by a veterinarian; and the issue must relate to a genetic defect not exempted above.
Replacements work like this: no cash refunds; the original purchase price applies toward the replacement puppy; if the replacement costs more, the buyer pays the difference; shipping for the replacement is the buyer's responsibility; veterinary fees are not covered; and you may absolutely keep your original dog — diagnosis and treatment costs remain the owner's responsibility.
This guarantee is void if the dog is sold or transferred to a new owner, or if the dog is found to be neglected, abused, in poor health, or living in poor conditions. Puppies are at higher risk for Bordetella, Coccidia, and Giardia protozoans brought on by the stress of a new home; all of our puppies receive a preventative protocol, and treatment when needed is an easy, short course of medication.