Breeder requires use of their food and vitamins

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

I am wanting to get a puppy from a breeder that requires I continue to use a particular brand of dog food and vitamins that he uses.

This is necessary for his warranty to be valid for two years. The brand seems to be a decent quality.
I will need to give his code number when I order so he can track it ( and get a cash incentive).

Is this a normal practice? Should I be concerned? I am a little suspect and wonder what you guys think.

Thank you all, I am a rookie puppy buyer!

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

I agree Sandy!   ?????

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Do a search on Life's Abundance and you will find plenty of discussions on this subject. I am assuming that is the name of the food. I would find another breeder, too, and please make sure you read these guidelines. Good luck. Plenty of food and vitamin discussions are found in The Food Group.

http://www.doodlekisses.com/notes/What_To_Look_for_In_a_Breeder

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I would not under any circumstance agree to those terms. This is a way for the breeder to continue to make money after they have sold the puppy for a further two years.  I am betting there  is a kick back to the breeder on the food and vitamins. There are plenty of great breeders who don't go down that particularly cynical route.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Funny, I just responded to a discussion in the Food Group asking about the same vitamins and food sold through the same Pyramid Scheme marketing company. 

The products are mediocre and way overpriced due to all those commissions paid on every purchase, the company's claims are misleading and unfounded, and the sourcing of ingredients is shrouded in secrecy. You can buy much, much better products for less money from much more transparent and honest companies. 

I feel so strongly about this, and have done so much research on this company to verify those feelings, that I would not agree to taking a puppy under these conditions if they gave it to me for free. 

To not have control over what your dog eats for the first two years of its life? No way. My advice is to find another breeder.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You may be interested in this discussion: http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/thefoodgroup/forum/topics/vitamin...

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Perhaps this is a subject that should be added to the guildelines?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

If I were buying a puppy, I would look very closely at what the breeder is feeding the puppies and dogs, but I don't think you can really make that a guideline, because whether Beneful, Orijen, FillintheBlank or a homemade diet of any type is a good or bad for the dogs is somewhat subjective and a matter of opinion, unlike health testing or certain other criteria. 

Certainly, not having control over your own dog's diet would be an absolute deal breaker for me. And what happens if the dog can't tolerate grains or chicken? 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I think you could make the requirement that people continue the same food something to avoid regardless of what kind of food. IF enough people refused to buy under those circumstances maybe greedy breeders would think twice.

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

I have been waiting for your reply Karen!  I thought this sounded like deceptive practice.  I suppose people can enter into contracts for just about anything, but this one would seem to be unconscionable to a reputable breeder and merely profit motivated   

[F, Calla & Luca]

Amen. One of the reasons I decided I could not be a guardian for a breeding dog.

[Carol and Banjo]

Perfectly said Karen.    I stupidly got Banjo from just such a breeder....and would not make the same mistake twice.....Thanks to DK!     We never did feed Banjo the "required" food or vitamins...by the time he came to us I was well on my  way to knowing the best foods to choose from....THANKS to you!!!!

Run, don't walk from this scam deal.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

definitely stay away from it. if the food is wholesome, you shouldnt need to add vitamins to the food! its a way of making money. find another breeder for sure! my breeder feeds raw and recommends it, but does not require it.