Knox Family Goldens & Doodles

Seller has endeavored to breed and raise the puppies following known best practices. Buyer understands that puppies are babies and no matter how well-raised or trained should be expected to cry, bark, and have accidents, often at very inconvenient times and places. They need attention and love and work. Buyer is prepared to spend time frequently during the day caring for and working with the puppy. Buyer further understands that the Seller offers lifetime support, however, that is limited to brief and limited online/telephone support and Buyer understands that a professional trainer or behaviorist may be required to be contracted to assist with issues that aren’t amenable to online/telephone assistance. Buyer acknowledges that lifetime puppy support cannot and does not replace actual training, and that the Buyer will need to train and maintain his/her puppy on a regular basis and contract a professional trainer as needed.

 

Initial Wellness Warranty Period

The Puppy is warrantied to be in good health, to the best of Seller’s knowledge, at the time of delivery. 

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The Buyer shall have the Puppy checked by a licensed veterinarian within 72 hours of purchase. Failure to obtain this veterinary check within 72 hours or receipt of the puppy voids the health warranty for the puppy. If the veterinarian finds anything that is life-threatening or substantially threatens the quality of life of the Puppy, it will be exchanged for another puppy of equal value, if available, or a puppy from another litter will be given as soon as is available and within one year, provided a letter from the examining veterinarian is offered as evidence of the Puppy’s illness, and the Puppy is returned within the applicable warranty period. The Seller reserves the right to request a second opinion from a veterinarian of their choice in the local market area of the buyer or via telemedicine or distance medicine by a veterinarian in any location, if suitable. If a replacement puppy cannot be provided within one year, a refund up to 50% of the price of the puppy will be given. Common puppy ailments, such as but not limited to giardia, clostridia, coccidia, worms, mites, fleas, ticks, urinary tract infections/stones, puppy vaginitis, are not covered in this warranty. The puppy has been examined at approximately 6-7 weeks of age by Seller’s vet and all common puppy illnesses/issues have been addressed and preventative measures taken. If any of the above-mentioned veterinary expenses are covered by any insurance policy, Seller is not required to reimburse for any covered amounts.

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Any signs of depression, lethargy, lack of appetite or desire to drink water, diarrhea (particularly with blood and/or mucous), or vomiting must be reported to your vet immediately and must be reported to the Seller within 24 hours. 

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Four-Month Puppy Protection Period

Buyer understands that Seller has instructed Buyer not to take Puppy to public places (including, but not limited to, parks, neighbors’, pet supply stores, puppy classes/training, etc.) frequented by other puppies or dogs until the Puppy has received its final rounds of shots (to be determined by a licensed veterinarian, usually 16 weeks of age). This is for the health of the Puppy and to avoid contact with areas where infected or unvaccinated dogs may have been or may be present with such illnesses/bacteria/fungus causing parvovirus, distemper, giardia, clostridia, coccidia, etc. This is to protect the Puppy, and could save the Puppy’s life. Any illness contracted from Buyer’s decision not to strictly follow these guidelines will void this warranty. 

 

Twelve-Month Warranty Period 

Seller performs health clearances on breeding dogs to help reduce the risk of disease and conditions in puppies that negatively impact health and quality of life. Health clearances are risk reduction, not lifetime prevention, and no guarantee that puppies will never have any illness or health condition. Buyer understands that puppies are living beings, and, as such, there is no guarantee that a puppy will avoid illness or adverse health conditions. 

If the within-described Puppy is diagnosed with hip dysplasia with severe clinical signs or a heritable disorder that is life-threatening or greatly diminishes the dog’s quality of life as specified below and that is identified within 12 months from the Puppy’s date of birth, the Buyer will have the option of receiving one of the following: 

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• If available, a replacement puppy from the next available litter of comparable size/breed or a puppy of similar size/breed under the terms of the Seller's current purchase contract; or, 


• Monetary reimbursement, up to 50% of the purchase price of the Puppy, for all veterinary expenses related to treatment (does not include reimbursement for food). Paid vet bills are to be provided by the Buyer to the Seller within thirty (30) days of charges incurred. Said refund to be paid no later than from the next subsequent litter bred by Seller, at Seller’s discretion. Seller reserves the right to refuse payment for veterinary services the Seller deems non-standard or excessive or for prices that Seller deems excessive. Buyer should note that some veterinary chains or offices often add more services and charge more than locally-owned veterinarian practices and Seller has the option to reimburse at the lower local lower rate for comparable services and to deny payment for services deemed to be excessive by the Seller. If any of the above-mentioned veterinary expenses are covered by any insurance policy, Seller is not required to reimburse for any amounts covered by insurance. 


 

Hip dysplasia is multigenic and multifactorial. Moreover, dogs can have signs of osteoarthritis or hip dysplasia on an x-ray, but those dogs may never have clinical signs of either condition even if they are produced by parents with no radiological or clinical signs. This warranty only covers severe clinical hip dysplasia within the state period. 

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You will not typically be asked to return your Puppy for any reason. Shipping fees will not be refunded, and if it becomes necessary to travel for pick up or ship a replacement Puppy, those fees are to be paid by the Buyer. Request and submission of documentation shall be submitted to Seller by Buyer within thirty (30) days of diagnosis. Proof of spay/neuter by 12 months old must accompany any request for warranty reimbursement.

 

Genetic composition of the puppy. Seller performs due diligence in breeding dogs that are from AKC registered original breeding stock and/or are tested through currently available breed identification services, such as Embark Vet. If a breed identification service is used, the testing will be performed once during a dog’s lifetime, usually in puppyhood, and not performed later in life, as breed composition does not change as a dog ages. Due to the nature of the testing for breed identification it is possible for different services to provide differing results. Since not all breed identification services produce the same results, and Seller uses the service she deems to be most appropriate at the time. Seller does NOT warranty breed composition beyond this.

 

What is Covered

Basic warranty: Seller warranties your dog for 12 months from the date of birth for: 

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• Genetically caused hip or elbow dysplasia, providing the puppy has not been overweight, exposed to unhealthy environmental conditions, trauma, abuse, or had any physical injury or issues whose cause is unknown or may have an environmental link. At a minimum, radiographic evidence of hip-dysplasia-associated osteoarthritis must be shown to be considered severe dysplasia along with evidence of severe clinical symptoms, with a second opinion provided at Buyer expense by a Seller-approved veterinarian or certification authority (eg, OFA or PennHip). Buyers must show proof of healthy weight by having their veterinarian evaluate the puppy’s Body Condition Score at all veterinary visits, with a minimum of an annual visit that records Body Condition Score. 

• Eye Disorders. Genetic defect of the eye causing progressive blindness in one or both eyes and/or requiring surgery to prevent blindness, as diagnosed by a Veterinary Ophthalmologist. Proof is to include copies of diagnosis and treatment documentation from a Board Certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist with a second opinion provided by a Seller-approved veterinarian.

• Cardiac (heart) disorders of clearly genetic origin requiring surgery or that after treatment is life-threatening or greatly diminishes the dog’s quality of life diagnosed by a Board Certified Canine Cardiologist with a second opinion provided by a Seller-approved veterinarian.


• A clearly genetic disorder that is life-threatening or greatly diminishes the dog’s quality of life, diagnosis to be verified by the laboratories UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, Paw Print Genetics, or another Seller approved laboratory using a DNA test, and proof submitted to the Seller. Genetic conditions covered are autosomal recessive disorders that have available genetic testing through a commercially available laboratory at the time of the puppy’s breeding. Genetic samples for verifying diagnosis must be taken and submitted by a licensed veterinarian and may not be conducted at home by a layperson; microchip number must be verified by the veterinarian at the time of sampling and noted on the DNA test application. Results from Embark Vet, Wisdom Panel, or Origen are not acceptable for warranty claims.

 

What is not covered

This warranty does NOT include viral illnesses, infections, improper bites, cryptorchidism, hernias, hypoglycemia, worms, giardia, coccidiosis, innocent or low-grade heart murmurs,  seizures, Addison’s disease, or portosystemic shunts. It also does not include any illness due to the ingestion of foreign objects, food, plants, chemicals, or other items, physical injury, issues whose cause is unknown or may have an environmental link, or illnesses from unknown causes that are not preventable by genetic pre-screening commercially and readily available at time of breeding, including, but not limited to, cancerous growths. Not included in this warranty health problems arising from trauma, abuse, or failure to maintain general health care of this dog, including allowing the dog to become overweight (overweight is defined as a body condition score over 5 on a scale of 10). Also not included is injury to joints or bones from over-exercise. Since current veterinary science shows that dysplasia/osteoarthritis is more a product of nutrition and environment than genetics, dogs that are at any point overweight or that incur injury to bones or joints from over-exercise or exposure to improper or harsh environment are explicitly excluded from warranty of hip or elbow dysplasia.

 

Veterinary records showing regular (annual, at minimum) veterinary wellness visits, including weight, body condition score (BCS), and use/implementation of recommended vaccines, preventative medications, and lifestyle changes (such as but not limited to, weight loss, exercise, living arrangements). BCS must be noted at each veterinary visit with a minimum of annually. If more than one veterinary visit is needed in a month, only one BCS score per month is required. Complete veterinary records must be provided to the Seller if requesting a refund or replacement. If any of the above-mentioned veterinary expenses are covered by any insurance policy, Seller is not required to reimburse for any covered amounts. Under no circumstances shall the Seller be liable to the Buyer or to any third party for a dog that has been subjected to abuse, accident, negligence, or misuse. This warranty does not cover any puppies spayed or neutered prior to 6 months of age or after 12 months of age. Warranty claims also require dogs be fed quality dog food that is Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) compliant and includes meat as the first ingredient (as defined by the AAFCO) and that contains no corn, wheat, soy, or their derivatives, no artificial colors/flavors/preservatives and is manufactured in the United States from materials not sourced from China or India by a company with no history of recalls. Receipts for food must be retained as proof of food for warranty claims. Properly formulated raw food diets are also acceptable when overseen by a licensed veterinarian. ALSO, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL THE SELLER BE LIABLE FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR SPECIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM OR IN ANY MANNER RELATED TO THIS DOG. 

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While we place many puppies in homes as service dog candidates, mobility/stability work can exert too much stress on the joints of a dog and this agreement expressly prohibits the use of our puppies for mobility/stability work or other work or activities that place stress on the joints and musculature of the dog. This warranty and any and all guarantees made by the Seller in this agreement are null and void for any dog that is used for mobility/stability work or other work or activities that stress their joints and musculature. While warranties are null and void, the Owner will still be responsible for maintaining all responsibilities and requirements under this agreement. 

All refunds are cumulative and once 50% of the purchase price of the Puppy has been refunded to the buyer, for whatever cause, the warranties expire and the Seller has no further monetary obligation to the Buyer. 

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