Registration falsified? - Page 2

If this puppy was represented as AKC registerable, the breeder, at the time of the sale, is required to provide the names or the sire, dam, their AKC numbers and the DOB of the litter. If the registration papers are not available at the time of sale, the breeder is obliged to provide a written statement saying why they are not available and when they will be. If this is the case, contact the legal office of AKC and state your problem. One of 2 things will happen, AKC will either tell the breeder to give you the registration for the puppy or all of the breeder's AKC priviledges will be suspended. In the event that there is some sort of ownership dispute, ie the breeder might say you didn't pay for the puppy, AKC will then refer you to small claims court where the judge will decide who actually owns the dog. That decision will go your way if you have proof you paid for the dog since the dog is in your possession. If you do this, you should also ask for reimburement from the seller for any expenses incurred because he/she did not provide the registration when you got the puppy. Once the ownership is determined by the judge, you will have to submit his decision to AKC and you will get the registration papers. Bottom line, do not ever accept any AKC registerable puppy from any breeder, Am lines or otherwise, without the registration papers or a written contract stating all of the above. Buyer beware and beware and beware. Also, if this breeder happens to be a member of the GSDCA and a signer of their breeder's code, you have recourse there and can file charges within that club. The person to contact is on the club's website WWW.GSDCA.ORG. They will help you whether or not you also are a member of that organization. Been there, thought about doing that myself when a dog I bought from a breeder/judge was given to me with no registration, nothing in writing regarding the sire, dam and DOB. When I finally got the registration when the dog was 6 months old, some of the names had already been filled in by the breeder, another AKC violation and a stunt that an AKC judge should never have done. The GSDCA was more than eager to intervene.

Ortlinda, you are not the first and also not the last. But are you the Elizabeth of the other postings and just checking? I hope not because in my response I put alot of thought into the words. But I cannot imagine Elizabeth of the other postings reaching such a low level, so, I am again putting thoughts into my words. Because for someone going through this, it is hell and there are few that will stand at your side. Everyone throws out "Buyers Beware". But in the long run you are unprotected and care for the animal you paid for each day. There are so many people that are being damaged and the monies that are involved amount to alot but not enough to get major criminal investigation agencies involved. They have those big jobs to do with Corporate misbehaviour. What are a couple of hundred thousand dollars in the scheme of things?

Blitzen, you are wundervoll! I never knew that. And it almost seems that the AKC can be a good thing. LOL Your admirer, Sunny!

LOL, every now and then they mess up and do something good for the breed. Good luck in Nashville!!!

Start making calls and emailing. Contact AKC and ask questions as to the paperwork on the male and female. Ask if a Breeding Report has been filed. Ask if a Whelping Report has been filed. Ask if the Litter Registration has been filed. Ask if any pups from this litter are registered. Get the dates for all this information if available. Get the names of who you talk to on the phone. Keep copies of your emails. If the male/female is over seas and/or imported, contact the SV and ask the same questions. Contact anyone that you know has done business, good or bad, with the breeder and ask questions. Does the breeder advertise that you get the paperwork with the pup? Did you sign a contract on the purchase of the pup? Did you get a copy of the signed contract? Yes, paperwork can take time, but, if the breeder is reputable, it will be done on time or within a reasonable amount of time and they will keep in touch with you throughout the process. Otherwise, they may be more interested in raising and selling pups. (Puppy Milling) After you have gathered all the information, tell the breeder what you have and that you will be talking to a lawyer, who will be contacting them if you do not receive your paperwork. Contact the BBB and file a complaint. File a complaint with AKC and any organization that the breeder belongs to. Contact the Attorney General's office in that state and file a complaint with them also. Hopefully they will come through with your paperwork before you get through the whole process. Things do happen and people can get behind. I hope everything works out for you.

Elizabeth (Ortlinda), I hope you can get some info from the BBB. If it's the breeder I'm thinking of, according to their website, there is an unsatisfactory rating for this breeder. I replied to your post mainly because I think I know who you are talking about and may be able to help you. Info from a breeder such as Het mentioned might do a great deal of good in the way of communication, but also realize that their are two sides to every story. Also, Blitzen, one thing to remember is that the contract you request from a breeder may not be as good as the paper it's written on, especially if you are dealing with the "puppy mill" variety of breeder that Mnm mentions. Basically, the AKC paperwork in hand is the only thing I trust anymore.

Hi Ellie May, By contract I meant that AKC requires that any dog sold as AKC registerable MUST either go with the AKC registration forms or a written form stating names and numbers of both parents, the DOB of the litter, why the breeder is not providing the registration with the puppy and when it will be provided. Not doing that is in violation of AKC rules and regulations and the AKC legal department will enfore those rules. In most cases, puppy millers are not the ones who violate these rules, they know better, selling dogs is their bread and butter. It's usually a breeder who has not paid the stud fee so doesn't have the papers or another such reason. Anyone buying an AKC registerable dog from anyone would be negligent to not ask for that information, it's their only proof of the parentage of the puppy per the breeder's verbal claim.

You have a point Blitzen, but sometimes those same breeders are borderline to becoming a puppy mill type situation...for example, they have over 10 or 15 females (untitled) and a few studs they breed to. We, as educated buyers, have to raise our standards above that and really research before dealing with someone like that.

Oh, sure, I agree, Ellie May. Getting all the pertinent information is just another step toward keeping some honest. The dog I owned that didn't get his AKC registration papers til he was 6 months old was bred by an AKC judge and a former officer of the GSDCA. When the papers arrived, the name was partially completed with the kennel name and the letter "E". I knew this guy for 30 years, I really couldn't have done more homework. Thankfully, my dog was a longcoated pet so I wouldn't have been too upset if i never got his registration. BTW, it was not a limited registration either.

Oh boy, that was a doozie huh Blitzen. LOL