Hello Everyone,

Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I am having a problem with a breeder. They weren't registered with the USDA, but I am starting to think that I have been dealing with a puppy mill.

I made a mistake and bought a puppy sight unseen. Where I live, they are not too many people with havanese puppies for sale and if they have them, they might only have one or two. I have another havanese puppy that I bought the same way and I was extreamly happy with her, that I thought, why not get another one.

I bought a puppy online last week. The breeder sounded very caring about the pup. She was so convincing that it sounded like it was breaking her heart to sell him. She told me he was 4 months old, 6lbs (it was even stated in the ad for him), fully akc registerable, and up to date on his shots. Things about him sounded great, so I bought him.

Once he arrived, he wasn't what I was lead to believe he was. He was huge!!! 14LBS! I thought I was scammed. He appears to be an adult to me. He was very dirty, all his hair was badly matted, even around his rear and genitals. He looked sickly. The breeder sent no akc papers nor his shot records with him. I called the breeder and asked what was going on.

I was upset and I called her up. She avoided my first two calls. Finally when I did speak to her, she changed her story. She claimed that she never said what his size was and that she sends all the paperwork sepertly. Her website states that the paperwork is suppose to come "with" the dog. At one point she threatened that she wouldn't send his papers at all.

I was left with no choice but to file a dispute with paypal. Now that I have done that, she is threatening to put a hold on my AKC rights for him.

I am worried that if I close the dispute, she will block me anyway.

Does anyone have any advice on how I can protect myself? Is it possable for me to contact AKC?

The sadest part of this story is that for all she said about loving him, she never asked for him back. Not that I would give him back, because I DO love him, but it's sad that she wouldn't fight for him.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Gosh, I'm SO sorry to hear you are having a bad experience

I just learned recently that some breeders won't send the AKC paperwork until you prove the dog has been spayed/neutered. Was that in the contract? Was the dog flown to you w/o papers?

I think you may have a point of recourse w/ Paypal, I don't know though.. I have never filed a dispute with them, so maybe someone else knows.

Does the vet think the dog is older than what was 'claimed' by the breeder? 14 lbs is pretty big for a 20 week old pup.

Hopefully, someone with more knowledge on what to do can help you, I just thought I mention the S/N contract for papers? It sounds like it is much more than that, though.

hugs,
Kara

I'm not sure that you can do much, but if you can, I think you'll need a few pieces of information:
- Do you have documentation of where she states his size?
- Does your vet give an estimate of his age?

I'd call AKC and see what they have to say. Did you take him to a vet for documentation and an age estimate?

Thank you all for responding. I did take him to the vet. The vet said he was about the age the breeder claimed him to be. I didn't have a spay/neuter contract. I don't mind that he's bigger, I would just like to register him. I plan neutering him and I would never send him back there. He's got a much better home here!

I will try to call AKC meself and explain the situation to them. I'll keep you posted. Thanks

Wow, what an experience. I'm sorry you had to go through that. Your vet said he did appear to be 20 weeks old? Fourteen pounds at 20 weeks?

Kimberly, Jan, etc, is that possible for a Hav to be that large at such a young age?

At any rate uptownbabe, he's much better off with you. No matter what his size, he's in need of loving care. I do hope you can get some resolution to the false advertising though. You definitely didn't get what you paid for (as six pound pup)

Your puppy is 4 months old and weighs 14 pounds?

At that age, and fourteen pounds, I suppose anything is possible, but I wouldn't think it is likely. I'd suspect it is a Hav mix at the very least, but the only way to prove that is through DNA. If the breeder isn't going to send papers, she/he probably won't allow you to verify the DNA either... but if the sire has had four litters, AKC requires DNA on file anyway, so I think you probably could get it done. It all depends on how far you want to push it.

What a bad experience you have been through and a good warning for others. Since you did not receive the dog that you expected, I would not be surprised if there are no papers.

Your baby is a cutie, though, and I am sure you will provide a great home for him. How does he like his sister?


I look forward to hearing those great stories of 2 pups together.

I agree with everyone else. Fourteen pounds at four months doesn't seem to add up, unless he's a mix. When I was looking for my pup, I almost bought from a woman online who had the cutest puppies, but red flags started waving in the breeze so I decided against it. I was truly sad for months, but I wound up with the right dog for me.

Whatever this woman did to you at least your baby got a better home than he might have, given the circumstances. So glad he's in your loving care.

BTW, does he still have all his baby teeth?