Puppy Sales Contract

The price is the amount agreed at reservation. A deposit of $500 holds the puppy and is applied to the purchase price. Once the litter is born, the deposit is non-refundable — see the exception below. The balance is due in full at pickup, before the puppy leaves, by cash or certified funds.

If the litter the Buyer has reserved from is not born — because the dam does not conceive, the pregnancy is lost, or the litter is stillborn — the deposit is refunded in full. This is the only circumstance in which the deposit is refunded. Once the litter is born, the deposit is not refundable for a change of mind, a change in the Buyer’s circumstances, or because the Buyer declines the puppy offered to them.

If the Buyer has not paid the balance and collected the puppy within 14 days of the agreed date, and has made no other written arrangement, this Agreement ends, the deposit is kept, and the Seller may resell the puppy.

Sire and dam are health-tested. Puppies are raised in-home and wormed before going home.

At 7 weeks of age, or before the puppy leaves our premises, it receives its first vaccination. This is the first in a series — the Buyer continues the schedule with their own veterinarian. The vaccination record is handed over at pickup, and the puppy is believed to be in good health at that time.

The Buyer must have the puppy examined by their own veterinarian within 3 days of coming home. If that vet certifies in writing that the puppy is unfit for sale, the Buyer may return it, in the same condition as sold, within those same 3 days, for a refund of the purchase price less the deposit. Travel and other costs are not covered. After that window the Seller is not responsible for conditions that develop later, except under the guarantee below.

Before the specifics below: we do everything within our power to send you home with a healthy puppy. Every parent is health-tested before breeding, every puppy is raised in our own home under daily watch, and every puppy is vet-checked and vaccinated before pickup. No breeder can promise a living animal will never develop any issue over its lifetime, and we won’t pretend otherwise — which is exactly why the guarantees below are specific, written, and backed by a real remedy rather than a vague promise.

The Seller guarantees the puppy against debilitating genetic hip or elbow dysplasia for 24 months from pickup. To qualify, the dog must have written veterinary proof, must have been kept at a sensible weight and activity level, and must not have been bred. The Seller will replace the puppy from a future litter when one is available. There is no cash refund. Injury, diet, exercise and non-genetic conditions are not covered.

Separately, the Seller guarantees the puppy against life-threatening congenital defects — conditions present at birth that are not caused by injury, accident or environment — for 12 months from pickup. To qualify, a licensed veterinarian must certify the defect in writing within that period. The Seller will, at the Seller’s choice, replace the puppy from a future litter when one is available, or refund the purchase price less the deposit.

Neither guarantee covers parasites, coccidia, giardia, kennel cough or other conditions typically contracted after the puppy leaves the Seller’s care; injury or accident; conditions caused by poor diet, inadequate exercise, obesity or lack of veterinary care; or any condition arising after the puppy has been bred. To keep either guarantee in force, the Buyer must keep the puppy current on vaccinations and have it examined by a veterinarian at least once a year.

The Buyer will keep the dog safe, well fed, properly exercised and under veterinary care, and will not neglect or mistreat it.

Before pickup the Seller worms, vet-checks and vaccinates the puppy as described above, and provides AKC papers showing Limited Registration unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Once the Buyer takes the puppy home, the Buyer is responsible for the dog and releases the Seller from liability for anything the dog does to any person or property.

This Agreement is governed by Maine law. If either party goes to law to enforce it, the losing party pays the winner’s costs. If any part of this Agreement cannot be enforced, the rest still stands.

This is the entire agreement between the parties, binding on their heirs and successors, and may be signed electronically.

There is nothing to sign here. Read the agreement, ask us about anything you are unsure of, and we will sign a copy together when you come to collect your puppy.