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Can I Return a Puppy to the Seller?

By: Chris Nickson - Updated: 10 Feb 2024 | comments*Discuss
 
Can I Return A Puppy To The Seller?

Q.I know this sounds really awful but we bought a puppy from a store about three weeks ago. He has started biting and snapping when you take things away, he will snap at your face and he is just not settling in. We are even more worried because he is a rottweiler and is going to become too big to handle if we can't get the behaviour under control, we would like to know if we have any rights to return him or not?

(Miss Emma Higson, 13 September 2008)

A.

A Rottweiler puppy is a big thing to take on, in more ways than one. His behaviour sounds unfortunate, and understandably worrying. The store's website says all their puppies come with a six month guarantee, and they’re a well-established business. The first course of action is to read that guarantee and see what it says about returning the animal, and what conditions apply.

You can also consider obedience training for the puppy, which could well cure him of this aggressive behaviour. It’s a good idea for any dog, but especially when a breed is large and powerful, and noted for its aggressive tendencies in the first place. They need a lot of control.

Ultimately, though, this is a consumer rights issue. Under the Sale of Goods Act 1979 an item has to be as described, of satisfactory quality, and safe. Since the dog is showing aggressive behaviour, then he could reasonably be described as not safe, which means you could return him under the provisions of the Act. He may be an animal with a personality, but the fact that you bought him ultimately makes him an item.

Realistically, the best course of action is to contact the seller and describe the problem. They might well have suggestions that will help you to keep and train the dog so that he becomes a satisfactory pet. That’s worth a try, as you have a 'reasonable time' in which to examine the goods you buy for defects. A lot probably depends on whether you’re willing to make that attempt, or if the dog’s behaviour has scared you to the point that you simply want to return him. If the latter is the case, you’d be entitled to a refund or a replacement (the Act also specifies repair as an option, but obviously that can’t apply here!). All of this might well be covered under their guarantee, anyway (their site doesn’t give details on what’s in there), meaning you don’t need to stand on the Sale of Goods Act at all.

Quite simply, talk to the seller first, and the chances are that you’ll find this can be resolved simply and quickly.

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Bought cavapoo puppy 7 months ago he now has Luxating patella and vet bills are extortionate plus finding it hard to cope with Can I return to breeder as it’s an ongoing condition
Shelly - 10-Feb-24 @ 4:51 PM
Hi 4 months ago I sold a puppy from an accidental litter of 5. We received updates weekly from the buyer stating that the dog was doing great and was being really well set in. Now all of a sudden 4 months later we have received a message saying the dog isn’t trainable and she wants to return it. Can someone please help me and give any advice on this as she is now threatening us with solicitors but we know we do not have to accept return and haven’t done anything wrong.
Jos - 7-Mar-22 @ 10:43 AM
I sold a puppy in September 2020 and my vet passed all the puppies off as healthy followed by first injections / micro chipped. I am not a breeder this was a one off But they lady who owns her after 12 wks has to have an opp on her foot due to a deformed pad that was never picked up by my vet only there’s all notes have bin sent over from her end until now , I’ve offered a full refund but she’s wanting to take me to a small claims court as she thinks the dog is only worth 500 and wants the other half of the money back and to keep the puppy can she do this and keep the puppy . There’s no photo evidence of the paw before the operation only after the operation 12wks after owning the puppy .
Claire - 1-Apr-21 @ 9:43 PM
Hi, hopefully I can get some good news, recently Isold my loved dog and now realised how much we are missing him and would love to have him back, is there any law to help you to get your dog back? Many thanks??
Fra - 21-Nov-20 @ 8:52 PM
We have recently bought a “cavapoo” from a private seller, after getting him checked out we have been informed he is a Yorkshire terrier, we paid £2500 for him!! Contacted seller who gave us lots of abuse and refused to refund, what can we do?
Carter - 14-Jun-20 @ 4:08 PM
Hi there We recently rehomed a dog advertised on the UK site Pets4homes. He was advertised as a fit and healthy 4 year old Boston Terrier with microchip and vaccinations all up to date. I have lengthy text communication with the seller confirmed this also. We took him home and the same day I noticed issues with his eye, I contacted the seller immediately but was reassured...I booked him in for registration with our vet who confirmed an eye ulcer, ear infections, rotten teeth, no vaccinations and not wormed or defleed. I asked the seller for his previous vet for his medical history, she said he’s never been to the vet because he’s “always been fine”, this has all happened within the first 5 days. We want to keep him and look after him but I want to know if I am entitled to refund or compensation? I have told the seller I would be seeking this.
ML - 8-Jun-20 @ 7:50 PM
Hi, we bought a 9 months collie. It was advertised as very child and dog friendly and trained. On our first day she tried to bite all dogs she met (managed to get one), was threatening and snappy to my 4year old daughter. We rang the breeder straight away wanting to bring her back. She refused saying the dog needs more time to adjust, so we should give her another day. Next morning was even worse, she tried to get pretty much every passing person, my daughter had to spend half a day upstairs because she was being barked at all the time. Not to mention that the dog was not trained at all (at least she would not listen to us). But that was something we were willing to work with. We paid for her £1250, purply because we wanted a dog who is known to be child friendly and trained. Now the owner took the dog back eventually on the second day. But she doesn't want to give us a refund because her contact says that if we return the dog we receive "significantly less" and only if it sells again. The dog spent with us less than 24 hours. She was aggressive and not child friendly at all. Can she refuse to return the money?
Kas - 24-Dec-19 @ 12:20 AM
VIVEK - Your Question:
I PURCHASED A GSD PUPPY 28 DAYS FROM BREDDER, LATERON AFTER 3 MONTHS, THE DOG IS HAVING LEGS PROBLEMS IN GSD, VET DR INFORMED THAT DOG IS HAVING PROBLEM OF ED. SO HOW ICAN RETURN THE DOG AND TAKE REFUND THE AMOUNT UNDER INDIAN LAW

Our Response:
Unfortunately we are a UK based site and don't have any knowledge of laws in India. Here, it would depend on what checks you carried out prior to buying the puppy and what/if any information or assurances you were given by the breeder.
ConsumerRightsExpert - 1-Aug-18 @ 9:04 AM
i PURCHASED A GSD PUPPY 28 DAYS FROM BREDDER, LATERON AFTER 3 MONTHS, THE DOG IS HAVING LEGS PROBLEMS IN GSD, VET DR INFORMED THAT DOG IS HAVING PROBLEM OF ED. SO HOW ICAN RETURN THE DOG AND TAKE REFUND THE AMOUNT UNDER INDIAN LAW
VIVEK - 1-Aug-18 @ 4:04 AM
Hi I went on a miniture poodle site and found a little girl red puppy ready to go at 8wks mum an dad full pedigree 5 generations red's puppies will leave with pedigree certificates and 4wks free insurance they have been vet checked and will have first injection and microchip edI explained to the breeder that I suffer with panic attacks and Don.t travel well so would it be OK if my son travelled up to Blackpool to pick my puppy up on the 17-5-2018 when the puppy was 8wks she said this was fine I paid 200 pound deposit I asked quite often how she was doing and ask for photo witch she sent via text messshe also told me on phone and text puppies will leave with pedigree papers on the day my son went to collect my puppy he got there a bit early and the puppy was due to have microchip later that day and her vet apparently was not compatible with my vets injections and flea an wormer so I said I will take her to my vets tell next day and get everything done as I live in Ashford Kent it took my son 5hrs to get there the puppy was not at the adress I was given but a few houses down my son said the house he was showed the puppy at was appalling he asked to see parents and was only showed the mum he said the house was that bad he just wanted to leave so he was given a puppy bag and he gave the breeder the other 800 pound took the puppy an left when he came home I thought the papers and insurance doc were in the bag later that day when I looked there were no papers what so ever so I called the breeder and she said there in the postmy puppy is now 13 was old and after no end of calls and texts mess of being told there on there way and rudely being told to wait and saying I did not say they were pedigree regand not to go to her mums or her house well more or less threatening me with her an her dad in witch I have proof of all the mess and advert listing her a dress phone number but still no papers and now she.'s not answering my calls or text I think she has blocked me plz what can I do about this thankyou
Pearl - 25-Jun-18 @ 8:31 PM
I PURCHASED I PUG DOG BUT AFTER TWO MONTH WE KNOWS HE IS NOT A PUG BREED. PLS. GIVE ME SUGGESTIONS FOR HOW CAN TREAT WITH CHEATER SUPPLIER .
KOKO - 9-May-18 @ 7:54 AM
Vik - Your Question:
Bought a 20 month old labradoodle 3 weeks ago on Pets4homes website for a hefty price of £1500 which stated was trained to a high standard, Clicker trained, temperament tested and good with other dogs (I have the screen shots of the advert). As soon as we took him out on the first walk he tried to attack a dog and did the same on every walk after that. We had him for 4 days and had to return him because I have young children and couldn't walk this aggressive dog with a pushchair. We were assured refund would be made asap. We've contacted the seller every day for a week before we got a text essay about how he isn't in a position to give us our money back until he has sold puppies he purchased the weekend we bought the dog - they basically used our money to buy more puppies from a guy out of the back of a van apparently. We have driven 50 mins today to his address to ask him when our money will be refunded and he just fobbed us off saying he 'might be able to make payment next weekend' but said 'no concrete promises' it all sounds really dodgy and I'm panicking we've spent all our savings on an aggressive dog that we had to return and no guarantee of any money back.

Our Response:
Firstly, write to Pets4Homes about your suspicions regarding this seller's activities. Also, tell them that he has accepted the returned puppy but not made the refund. If the seller agreed to refund you but hasn't done so, you may have to resort to the small claims court.
ConsumerRightsExpert - 19-Jun-17 @ 12:14 PM
Bought a 20 month old labradoodle 3 weeks ago on Pets4homes website for a hefty price of £1500 which stated was trained to a high standard, Clicker trained, temperament tested and good with other dogs (I have the screen shots of the advert). As soon as we took him out on the first walk he tried to attack a dog and did the same on every walk after that. We had him for 4 days and had to return him because I have young children and couldn't walk this aggressive dog with a pushchair. We were assured refund would be made asap. We've contacted the seller every day for a week before we got a text essay about how he isn't in a position to give us our money back until he has sold puppies he purchased the weekend we bought the dog - they basically used our money to buy more puppies from a guy out of the back of a van apparently. We have driven 50 mins today to his address to ask him when our money will be refunded and he just fobbed us off saying he 'might be able to make payment next weekend' but said 'no concrete promises' it all sounds really dodgy and I'm panicking we've spent all our savings on an aggressive dog that we had to return and no guarantee of any money back.
Vik - 18-Jun-17 @ 3:18 PM
We purchased a Rottweiler puppy for £580 from a private breeder online. When I took her for her injections the vet said she was a bit small to be a Rottweiler. I did a DNA test and it shows the only bit that may be Rottweiler is her great grand parent thats possibly a Rottweiler retriever mix. No distinguishable breed is logged for her parents or her. Can we claim back any money from the breeder
Claire01 - 27-Apr-17 @ 5:50 PM
hello, We bought a dog from a private seller, this was the description - Loving Dobermann for sale. - He is just over 2 years old and is a loving and soppy boy. He is great with kids (we have 5!) he has been docked and just recently castrated. - We are selling him through no fault of his own, we rescued him 6 months ago and unfortunately he just isn't getting along with our other dog. - Kc registered but no papers and has been microchipped and vaccinations up to date. - We are looking for what we've paid for him £400 After we returned home with him & took him for his first walk, he went to attack two other dogs violently, fortunately we could hold him back with a collar. After this event we took him back the same day and the seller said we were allowed 'no refund or return'. Am i eligible for a refund as he was not described as violent & aggressive? Thanks
jg93 - 12-Mar-17 @ 11:00 PM
Bob - Your Question:
We bought a 3 yr old dog from a breeder with a clear health record. However, a couple of days later whilst getting her nails cut we discovered she has bad back teeth, rotten ones which will need a dentist with an estimated £300 charge, which is what we paid for the dog. Where do we stand to get a full refund? The seller has said they have to sell her again before we can get our money back!? Why should we have to wait? They also offered to take the dog back and give us an iou until it is sold. something we do not want to do as we fear it will never be received. Any advice please ? Bob

Our Response:
The seller could argue that this might be something you could have reasonably checked before the purchase. Presumably yougot to see the dog and had the chance to examine her health record yourself?
ConsumerRightsExpert - 21-Dec-16 @ 11:14 AM
We bought a 3 yr old dog from a breeder with a clear health record. However, a couple of days later whilst getting her nails cut we discovered she has bad back teeth, rotten ones which will need a dentist with an estimated £300 charge, which is what we paid for the dog. Where do we stand to get a full refund? The seller has said they have to sell her again before we can get our money back!? Why should we have to wait? They also offered to take the dog back and give us an iou until it is sold... something we do not want to do as we fear it will never be received. Any advice please ? Bob
Bob - 20-Dec-16 @ 3:10 AM
Deb23 - Your Question:
I picked up my new dog 3 days ago and agreed to pay the sum of 600 pounds for her. Her advert stated she was fully house trained. Good with other dogs. When we collected her she looked underweight which was explained by the fact she was taking a growth spurt. The seller told us the dog was eligible to be kc registered as her parents where which isnt the case as only the father is which means our dog cannot be registered. We were again told she was friendly will all other dogs and fully house trained and that she wasnt food aggresive. The dog has consistently done the toilet in our home since we got her despite being lwt out in the garden hourly and walked 3 times daily. She attacked my other dog at fiod time also. Ive contacted the seller who has threatened me with a solicitor even after I explained the issues we are having. She refuses to take the dog back which we have offered. Where do we stand can we keep the dog? Should be pay for the dog? Should we let the seller take it down the legal route. Thanks. Debbie

Our Response:
If you were given misleading information about the dog being fully house trained, eligible for kennel club registration, not aggressive with other dogs etc and none of that information was true, you have every right to return it for a refund within 30 days. Legislation states that a trader must offer a full refund if an item is faulty, not as described or doesn’t do what it’s supposed to.We're assumed that the seller is a registered trader and not a private seller.
ConsumerRightsExpert - 19-Dec-16 @ 10:55 AM
I picked up my new dog 3 days ago and agreed to pay the sum of 600 pounds for her. Her advert stated she was fully house trained. Good with other dogs. When we collected her she looked underweight which was explained by the fact she was taking a growth spurt. The seller told us the dog was eligible to be kc registered as her parents where which isnt the case as only the father is which means our dog cannot be registered. We were again told she was friendly will all other dogs and fully house trained and that she wasnt food aggresive. The dog has consistently done the toilet in our home since we got her despite being lwt out in the garden hourly and walked 3 times daily. She attacked my other dog at fiod time also. Ive contacted the seller who has threatened me with a solicitor even after i explained the issues we are having. She refuses to take the dog back which we have offered. Where do we stand can we keep the dog? Should be pay for the dog? Should we let the seller take it down the legal route. Thanks. Debbie
Deb23 - 17-Dec-16 @ 1:27 AM
Hi.We purchase a 12 week old puppy from a good breeder.The breeder said the puppy would be quiet for a few days until she adjusted.We noticed within 2 hours of taking her home, a whitish mucus build up in her eyes.We called the breeder and she said it was probably from swimming earlier and to clean the eyes gently and watch it for a couple days. Within 2 hours of that call, the puppy started to go down hill, having trouble breathing and wouldn't stand.We rushed her to an emergency vetWe kept the breeder informed..After numerous tests it was determined that thepuppy had a defective heart and was in the throes of congestive heart failure. We notified the breeder who was extremely upset as she has a wonderful reputation. The vet notifed her and us later that night that the dog had passed away.The breeder offered us a new puppy.My question is should the breeder at least split the 1500.00 vet bill with us since we only had the dog for about 6 hours?She hasn't offered any compensation other than a free puppy.This is in NH.
Che - 28-Apr-13 @ 8:02 PM
I bought a pup and 2 days later when i brought him to the vet as he was scratching mad it turns out hees wriggled with ear mites. What are my rights as the seller wont answer my calls.
zoviea - 22-Sep-12 @ 10:28 PM
I purchased a puppy for £950 and had to sign a contract. It stated that I had to get it vet checked within 48 hrs but I said to the seller it would be checked a few days later as it was already booked into a vets for its 1st injection and would be checked anyway on that visit, she agreed this was fine. Also on contract states can get refund if there was a defect with the puppy and it was returned in 7 days with a report off a vet. 6 days later took it to the vets and found it to have abnormal jaw likely to cause health problems(this devastated us as it was already a member of the family but had to think about the future problems and it would be un-insurable for that condition) Vet wrote a report and after several conversations the breeder told us to bring the puppy back the following day. Didnt have the kennel club paperwork with me but told i would get a refund when she received it. Posted the paperwork back special delivery to which she has received it. Breeder now saying no refund as her vets say it is healthy although it has a over shot jaw and its canines will need removing. The contract just states return within 7 days with vet report and have a refund. Taken pictures, printed off emails and letters I have sent her. What are my options. She now has the dog, all the peperwork and my £950!
Rich - 8-Apr-12 @ 11:32 AM
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