Saddle Hill Farms
Puppy Contract and Puppy Information
Saddle Hill Farms
Limited Health Guarantee
We strive to provide families with healthy puppies that they can enjoy for years to come. We are here to answer questions and guide you into new puppy ownership to the best of our ability. Please note that your own trusted veterinarian is the best source of health information.
Your Responsibility as the New Owner
We like to believe that nothing will ever go wrong when you bring your new puppy home. However, when the puppy leaves our home, we know there are things we cannot control. It is imperative that you take your new puppy’s health seriously and continue the recommended health maintenance set forth by your vet. We will provide a voucher for 30 days of free health insurance through Trupanion. This policy has a $250 deductible,but can be applied to unforeseen accidents/illnesses. This is a layer of protection that MUST be activated within 24hrs of pickup. We recommend keeping insurance on your puppy for the first year of life if possible as puppies are well known for their mischievous/inquisitive nature.
Necessary vaccinations, parasitic preventatives, proper diet, exercise, living environment, recommended veterinary visits, and the love you provide your puppy are all key to having a happy healthy puppy. Your new puppy should be taken to see your vet within 3 business days after leaving our premise or the contract is null and void unless another agreed upon date has been established between us and the buyer. Please provide the vet with the paperwork given at pick up so they can devise the best care plan for your pup and not repeat vaccinations or worming unnecessarily. Please keep your puppy’s records in a safe place and keep a file of all vet checks. Failure to provide your puppy with timely vaccinations or proper vet care will void this guarantee.
What to Expect from Us
Our puppies will be vet checked and up to date on recommended wormer and vaccinations before leaving our home. We provide you with a copy of this paperwork when you pick up your new puppy. We warranty the puppy free from genetic defects that would lead to an early death in the first year of life. In the event that the dog is deceased in the first year of life due to a genetic inherited disease, the buyer must agree to fund a postmortem examination to be completed with a licensed veterinarian of their choosing. The report must be sent to the seller’s veterinarian within 72 hours of the examination. If our veterinarian determines the death was due to a genetic inherited disorder, the buyer has the option to replace their animal with another puppy (any breed, size, or gender they so choose) that is of equal or lesser value from Saddle Hill Farms Puppies according to when a puppy is available. The buyer has 14 days to decide if they would like a replacement and must notify the seller to be placed on our puppy list. We recommend applying for pet insurance trial period through Trupanion if you choose.
Veterinarian costs after a puppy leaves our care are not covered by this guarantee. Owning a pet involves not just feeding and watering your pet, but also veterinary care along with other expenses. Now should be the time to think about spaying or neutering costs, the possibility of injuries, and cost of pet care/maintenance. Please research the breed you are considering purchasing as different dog breeds have varying needs such as exercise, training, health maintenance, grooming, etc. Some of these needs require more time or care depending on the dog.
Physical Characteristics
We try to project how large our puppies will be, their hair texture, color, and personalities but there are no guarantees as to size, color, adult hair, or temperament especially in designer breeds. We cannot guarantee a puppy will conform as expected, only provide you with estimates from past litters or via the parents size, hair and temperament. We will not be held liable for variations in said physical characteristics.
Exceptions to our Guarantee
A diagnosis of hip dysplasia, ligament tears, luxating patellas, or any other orthopedic diagnosis is not covered by this guarantee/contract. When no longer in our care, we cannot monitor or regulate the exercise, agility, or activity that our puppies are involved in, which could lead to an orthopedic diagnosis. We do not cover undescended testes, hernias, blindness, or loss of hearing. Show quality is not guaranteed, nor is adult size/weight, temperament, color/markings, or conformation. Although your puppy has received its first set of vaccinations and recommended wormer, that does not guarantee prevention of such illnesses/diagnosis. A diagnosis of cherry eye, coccidia, giardia, parasites, kennel cough, parvovirus or any other type of bacterial/ viral infections is not covered by our health guarantee. These items/germs can live on the ground, in water, and other public places. Your puppy’s immune system is not mature until all vaccinations have been completed. Please be advised of the following recommendations to keep your puppy safe and sound:
1. When visiting the vet NEVER place your puppy on the ground outside or on the floor of the office. Make sure to carry your puppy in your arms or a sanitized pet carrier. Make sure office staff have disinfected exam tables prior to your puppy touching the surface. This may sound like an overreaction;however sick animals are brought in daily for exams and could be carrying something deadly for your new puppy.
2. New environments such as dog parks, stores, puppy “daycares”, or places where the health of other dogs is unknown should be off limits until your puppy completes their vaccination series.
3. If you own other pets, please make sure they are up to date on all vaccinations and parasitic preventatives before introducing them to the new puppy. As discussed earlier, germs can live in the ground, water, and unfamiliar places for many years if not disinfected. Please make reasonably sure there have been no infected pets in your yard. If so, disinfecting precautions may need to be taken in order to ensure the safety of your puppy.
4. Please keep any dangerous chemicals, small objects, or other possibly dangerous items away from your puppy as they like to chew/ investigate new surroundings.
5. Monitoring your puppy/s behavior is crucial. Any changes in playfulness, appetite, bowel movements, etc. should be something to take note of. Puppy’s can have abnormal bowel movements due to stress, diet changes, or pathogens/parasites. If behaving normally other than abnormal stools, consult with your vet about possible stool check and exam needs. Having some medications such as Albon, Panacur, and probiotics on hand can reduce your risk of emergency vet visits for stool related problems. Talk to your vet about this at your first visit.
Breeding Rights
We work very hard to provide healthy, sound puppies. This is expensive and time consuming, the equivalent of another full time job we have dedicated much of our lives to. We miss vacations, family events, and reduce the number of activities we do outside of the home because of our dogs.
Breeding your puppy in the future is not something to take lightly. That is why we will now sell breeding rights for a higher fee on some of our litters. If you know you are interested in breeding rights, you must tell us prior to placing a deposit. Breeding rights fee varies according to breed and will not be available for all puppies we sell per our discretion.
If you are not interested in breeding rights, spaying or neutering your dog between 6months- 1 year of age is best to prevent pregnancy. We ask you consult your veterinarian about this at your first well puppy check.
If the BUYER breeds the dog without purchasing breeding rights, seller shall be entitled to the immediate return of said puppy/dog and entitled to the sum of Five thousand dollars($5,000.00) for each puppy produced against this contract due to damages incurred to Saddle Hill Farms LLC. Buyer would also be responsible to cover all legal costs associated with violating this contract.
Buyer:___________________________
Seller:___________________________
Breeding rights ____yes ____no
Date:____________________________
Litter____________________________
Vet appointment date:_____________
