CONTRACT CONTENT

Expect to be asked to sign a contract which details the terms and conditions of the sale. If the breeder tells you that they don't believe in contracts, or that a contract is not necessary - WORRY! And, don't let friendship cloud your judgment - whether you are dealing with a stranger, a friend or a family member, you should still write up a contract to avoid any misunderstandings.

The following items may not be included in every contract, and there may be items we haven't listed that should be included, but these elements should serve as a guideline. If you don't understand the intent of an item in the contract - talk it over with the breeder. A clear understanding of the terms of the sale is important if you want to avoid unwanted hassles at a later date.

Expect a contract to contain clauses that address issues such as:

The selling price and who pays for "what" - such as, transportation costs.

Spaying or neutering.

Whether the dog is being represented as a "show quality" specimen, show prospect or pet quality.

What happens if the dog doesn't live up to his/her "potential"? In other words, if the dog is sold as a show prospect, and when it grows up it is not "showable", what happens next?

The terms and conditions under which the dog will live on a day-to-day basis.

What happens if the original buyer can no longer keep the dog?

What if the buyer wants to sell the dog to a third party?

What if the buyer gets sick or dies - what happens to the dog if that person (or their family) can no longer care for the dog.

What happens if the buyer or the seller (breeder) doesn't live up to the terms and conditions of the contract?

Importance of Contracts