Sticky situation, need advice & need to vent - VERY LONG, sorry

[Cheryl & Matey & Checkers]

Thanks in advance for reading this and for offering any advice or tips on how I should handle this situation. We have a 2 1/2 year old ALD that we adopted from a wonderful breeder and had a terrific experience. Matey has a great disposition and passed his CGC at 1 1/2. Our family decided to add to our pack and get a puppy. The price of a ALD was a bit high for us, and we also loved the personality of the Goldendoodle (which was also about $1000 less) and decided upon this breed. I did my research (but not nearly to same the degree as with the ALD) and thought that I found a reputable breeder. I filled out the application, we spoke on the phone (she is not local) and I had believed that this was all good so I put a deposit on a puppy that was a standard F1B with and estimated adult size of 60lbs (the perfect playmate for the ALD who’s best friend weighs in at 100lbs). From the beginning I told the breeder that I would not be able to get the puppy until it was almost 12 weeks old because I was taking a few weeks off (even though I work from home) to put all my attention to making sure that the introduction to our home went smoothly and comfortably for the puppy. I had asked for updated photos and the puppies weight on 2 occasions but the breeder did not give me either, only an excuse about the lack of photos. I was beginning to feel uneasy about the breeder but then a friend said that because our previous breeder was so great at communicating and providing information that it would be unfair to compare the breeders. The day before he was to be shipped the breeder called and said that one of his paws was shaved by the vet because he had a little scab and the vet wanted to make sure that it was nothing more. When he arrived he not only had the paw shaved but was growing out his fur from his two front leg being shaved as well. He was tiny too, much much smaller than I had expected for 12 weeks old. When I brought him to the vet 2 days later he was found to have coccidia. He was treated and brought back with another stool sample which then came back for round worms, hook worms and giardia. The vet had also asked me at the first appointment what had happened to the fur on his front legs, she felt that it appeared that he had been given an IV treatment. I called the breeder and was told that the puppies had gotten into bubble gum and it had to be cut out. (I wondered why she hadn’t told me this when she informed me about the shaved paw?) I also updated her on the puppy’s health again and she insinuated that this must have come from our home. I asked the vet about this and was told that because of the short time of him being with us it was not possible that he got any of this here, and my other dog was and always has been very healthy. At a 4 month vet check he weighed in at only 12lbs. The vet said that he would perhaps get to 35lb at the very most. I emailed the breeder with a few photos and asked her about the other puppies in the litter. She replied that a puppy she kept from the litter was on the small side also. I emailed back asking how much she weighed and received no response. In the meantime our puppy has had great difficulty holding his urine and is always thirsty. I spoke to the vet about it and were monitoring it. When he went in to get neutered at 5 ½ months I asked for blood and urine tests because I didn’t feel that he should still be having accidents in his crate at night and sometimes during the day. At night he is in for 6 hours and often wakes me to let him out or let me know that he has already wet the crate. During the day he was only in for less than 3 hours. Well the urine test came back positive for a UTI and the vet said that he had probably had it for a while. He went on antibiotics for 2 weeks and they wanted to retest in 2 weeks after he finished the meds. Well he is still wetting the crate occasionally and will be retested early next week. I think that something is just not right. The upside of all of this is that we love this little guy and our ALD loves him as well. He is part of our family. The breeder recently sent out an email to the families from the litter (I could not see the other names though) asking for updates and photos. I do not want to provide them for I think that perhaps this breeder may also be a broker. My puppy seems to have many issues that would be similar to a mill puppy. I would love to talk to other people who have adopted puppies from the same litter to get information on their health etc but am hesitant to post on the doodle sites. I have seen her in the breeder area of another site. I just want more information so I can make sure that my puppy is as healthy as can be. We thought that we would be getting a puppy that would develop into healthy 60lb adult. We paid $1600 for him and have spent many more hundreds so far. If there was a hereditary problem with the litter I just want to know so we can get him the treatment he needs and deserves. We love the little guy and want him to be a healthy mini sized (he is only 21 lbs at 6+ months) adult. Thanks so much for letting me vent and any advice that you might have.

[2m42srv7vi6sq]

My Gosh, our guys weigh 20+ at 9 weeks!

It sounds to me as if this person either is running a puppy mill or is a broker. That is why I will NOT ship any of my puppies! I want to meet the people and have the people see our parent dogs and the conditions in which these puppies have been raised.

There are just too many people, out there, selling HEARTBREAK!

I feel that the "breeder" should refund your money. This puppy is NOT what she represented, to you.

I am so sorry that you have had all this trouble...your poor little guy!

At least he is in a home where he is loved and getting the health care he needs.

Personally, I would report them to the Fish & Wildlife Bureau, in their state. There are laws governing the breeding and selling of puppies, in most states.

[Ladd Hill Labradoodles]

Oh Cheryl, I am so sorry you got put in this position! My daughter got a Westie like that. Just like you, our family came to love that little guy, but we felt so wronged and cheated. My poor daughter had to spend thousands and thousands of dollars on the many health complications that developed over his 9 short years. It started very similarly to you with him having an extreme case of coccidia. It was so bad that most of the lining of his stomach was gone. By 6 months, he was diagnosed with IBD. That was actually a blessing because they first had thought it Addison's. By 3 years old, he couldn't walk and they discovered a tumor in his spine. By a miracle, we found an amazing vet that blended Eastern and Western medicine so that after 6 months of prednisone, antibiotics, chiropractic, acupuncture and an array of homeopathic herbs and medicine, he started getting better and lived another 6 years (unfortunately with many other health problems developing every few months). Our family doesn't regret one dollar we spent on him because each minute was such a blessing. None of us had ever met a dog with more character and personality. It is just such a shame that people don't take the time to properly care for the pups and then aren't honest about their problems. The vet believes that poor little Bo had been locked in a crate probably stacked up on top of others and only had other animals feces to eat and that was how the coccidia developed and became so bad. I do know that giardia and some of the worms can be common to get in new puppies because a lot of breeders live in rural areas and it is in the well water. Usually a simple week of medicine can do the trick as long as it is treated. I am so glad that you want to keep your little guy and give him the best life possible. Enjoy every minute with him and remember that love truly is priceless.

[Kendra K. Rhoton]

My heart breaks for you... HUGS!

[Denise, Winnie, and AngelAbby]

I definitely would post the name of the breeder - so others may not end up in your situation. And I would contact the SPCA or Humane Society in their area to see if they know anything about this person. Is there any kind of guarantee that came with the pup? That poor little thing - he's gone thru so much already in his short little life.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Post that breeder!!!!
I am so, so sorry. This is the place to vent, so keep on. My big advice is post the breeder and you may find siblings...and can compare notes. And report breeder as suggested by others.

[Chris & Boys]

Oh, that poor little baby! So sorry you got ripped off, but so happy for him that he got YOU! Lucky little guy got a second chance. Absolutely post the breeder! Help this from happening to someone else.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

First of all bless you for loving this little guy. I am so sorry you must go through this and I think you were misled.

The breeder should be posted so that others are not misled. You may love your puppy and you have obviously done right by him, but what will others do if they get a puppy they can never bond with because they feel cheated. Others may not be so kind to the puppy :( Sad, but true.

[Cheryl & Matey & Checkers]

I didn't want to list the breeder because I have seen things get ugly when others (not necessarily this site) have posted negative things about a breeder. I just wanted to avoid that problem as I have enough to deal with trying to get my puppy healthy. However, I do believe that you are all correct saying that I should post the breeder so others are aware of potential problems. My Checkers came from FourPawsDoodles in Kansas. I was told his parents were Sweet Pea and Boomer and that he was one of the biggest puppies in the litter. He was supposed to be a standard F1B but will most likely never reach 30lbs.
I posted a picture of the the 2 pals, Checkers is 5 1/2 months and sitting with his 44lb pal Matey

[Sue]

I have always thought that Holly's dogs were some of the cutest around. She's been on the forum's for a long time, so I am surprised to hear this. Your two are darling!!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

He is Beautiful :) Has that Puppy Face

[Julie Savolt]

Your dogs are beautiful and your situation breaks my heart. We get so attached and would do anything for them, wouldn't we? I'm glad you posted the breeder because maybe it will help you find siblings or others in the same situation. I really hope you find some answers!

[Robyn, Greg and Snickers]

Are they recommended by goldendoodles.com or anything like that? if so I would report your experience not to start trouble but they may want to investigate further.

Your little guy is really cute and lucky to have a good family and what looks like a big brother that loves being with him.