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!

[DJ & Chance]

My guess is that this breeder will earn some sort of commission based on your purchase of the pet food and vitamins.  If this is right, then it is unethical not to disclose this to you and certainly not in the best interest of your dog.  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That's a real good guess. Actually, it's a fact. The company that sells the food and the vitamins is a well-known pyramid scheme multilevel marketing program that pays layers and layers of commissions to a whole bunch of people, (that's the way MLMs work) which is why the prices are way too high for what you are getting. 

[Adina P]

Works out great for the breeder because they continue to make money off you after you've paid for your pup.  For two years at least!  But it's a little ridiculous considering the food isn't much better than many other foods out there and costs more than equivalent foods.  It is kind of common though, but I would say find another breeder.

[William]

Hello there,

My advice - Find another breeder(they are out there!!) with a little due diligence you can find one without these "ridiculous" requirements!!

[nate]

Our doodle previously belonged to a couple who bought him from a "breeder" with this requirement.  I put that in quotes, because I think he came from a puppy mill posing as a breeder.

We bought the Life's Abundance food for 3 months.  The price wasn't bad, but the stools were continually loose.  The vet was constantly worried and suggested a prescription diet at one point.

On recommendations from friends, we switched to Orijen.  Suddenly our guy's stools were solid and perfect.  When they're out, we've used Taste of the Wild, and another actually premium brand.  Same, wonderful poop.  One weekend my mom had our boys, and she bought a random store brand.  The boys did not handle that well.

Anyways, if you look at what the breeders guarantee for using the food/vitamins -- it's that they'll exchange or replace the pups if a congenital defect appears within 2 years.  It doesn't cover medical or any of your costs.  its nothing that is helpful.

That being said, from what i've read... this type of request doesn't come from a reputable breeder and is a general warning sign.