12/08/2025
Some good information, especially about folks being afraid of the term co-owner.
A contract should also outline what specific registration is included with the puppy and when/how the breeder will deliver it. All of my pups come with UKC and AKC-FSS as well as one "other" registry (AKIHO for JA, but it could be NIPPO or DOKENHO or FCI for Hokkaido). I do the registration myself so I can be sure that it gets done and that the names and details match in all registries. Having broken or mismatched records is bad for breed and pedigree research.
Okay let’s expand on point 2… Contracts.
Here’s the thing: an ethical breeders contract shouldn’t be scary. It’s literally just the “here’s how we keep this dog safe for its whole life” document.
Here are some of the key points to a contract:
First, the spay/neuter agreement.
A responsible breeder will tell you exactly when they want it done and why. For me personally, I like them to stay intact until they’re 18-24 months old.. but for me, the most important part, is that they’re responsibly maintained while intact and that no puppies are produced.
Then there is the health guarantee.
This should talk about what the breeder is willing to cover if it pops up. Responsible breeders are still working with live animals, so no matter how hard we try, things can and do still pop up even with fully health tested parents. Common things to find in a guarantee are genetic things that can be tested for, hips and elbows. Watch for breeders who ONLY GUARANTEE their dogs remain healthy if you feed a food or supplement that they receive a kickback on. Breeders who hide behind MLMs are definitely a red flag and it’s super common among BYBers!
What about if you can’t keep your puppy?
Life happens. People move, people split up, schedules change, stuff goes sideways. A responsible breeder will always take their dog back at ANY age and for ANY reason.
And let’s address the one that sounds way scarier than it actually is: co-ownership.
People hear that and immediately think I’m going to show up at their house and tell them what brand of treats they’re allowed to buy… or simply to come take your dog away because I decided I miss them.. idk lol. Personally, I stay on as a co-owner for ALL my puppies solely so that if something ever goes wrong, I can legally step in and get the dog safe. I’ve been in situations where that little line on paper made all the difference. It’s not about control, it’s about protection.
At the end of the day, a contract should feel like clarity. “Here’s what I promise you, here’s what you’re promising me, and here’s how we handle things if life doesn’t go perfectly.”
We put things in writing because the dog deserves stability and everyone deserves clear expectations. Contracts shouldn’t be scary or taboo, but I totally understand that they can be when you’re considering purchasing your first well bred dog!
