would appreciate an opinion.........

[Sosa'sMom]

I have a "nottweiler" code of ethics question. This situation has been bugging me!

A while ago my husband asked me if he could get a dog for hunting. Since I have my dogs and have been know to sneak a few rescues through the back door, there was not way I could say NO. He decided that he wanted a Lab. He got several referals and ended up talking to a breeder here in Iowa. Both the male and female had Master Hunting titles and the sire was actually in the state so we could go and meet him. It seemed like a good situation. The first time we met the breeder, the puppies were still tiny. The enviroment for the puppies and the Momma dog were outstanding,(inside, clean, nice welping box, ect.)He gave us a copy of his healty guarantee for hips and eyes. I was not thrilled about not having a spay neuter contract but, in some ways I felt that this was my husbands project. Anyway, several weeks later we got our puppy. He had his shot record and a health letter from there Vet. I called the vet office and the doc told me that the puppy did not need to be seen for 3 weeks because he was up to date and had been seen there the day before we brought him home. When I did bring the puppy in for his exam to my VET. he told me that our puppy has only one testicle. this is where my question comes in. We paid fulll price and got 2nd pick of this litter. We were going to neuter him anyway. But I feel, since he is NOT geneticly correct, that we are entitled to some type of refund. I am very familiar with one testicle puppies. I know why he must be neutered, and I have first hand experience on the additional cost of the procedure. I feel somewhat responsible because we waited 2 weeks before getting him examined. I really trusted there vet and the breeder reguarding his health. I purchased a Rottie puppy from a friend 2 years ago that had one testicle descended. He was purchased under a pet contract and limited registration as well as a $200 refund once he was neutered. We also paid about half the price of the rest of the puppies of that litter. We have contacted the breeder. It has been 5 days and he has not called us back yet. When or if he does, what do you think we should ask for?

Please help.....


Lisa

[Carol Burke]

I don't know anything about Labs, but I used to have GSDs and it was sometimes very difficult to tell on an 8 week old puppy if both testicles were descended. It sometimes took awhile for an undescended testicle to come down. I have not seen this problem in Rotties. You were sold pick or whatever for hunting I assume and whether the testicle comes down or not really will not affect your dog's ability to hunt. If you were sold the dog as a breedable animal thats a different story.

[MARYDVM]

I examined a litter of Labs once that had one puppy with no testicles down at 8 weeks. The area was completely flat - no visible scrotum. By six months of age both were down. It's too early to tell if he will be a monorchid or not.

[rottmommie]

imho....which really doesnt mean squat, but anyway...
I think the breeder should pay for the amount of the neuter that is above and beyond the customary cost, I sure dont know how his vet could miss an undescended testicle....maybe you should ask your vet if this could have been missed. If it was an honest mistake....well, I probably wouldnt be so harsh.....