COMPANION PUPPY CONTRACT 

        Sire of Litter: 

Dam of Litter: 

Date of Birth: 

AKC Litter Registration:

Sex of puppy:  Male/Female

The terms of the companion contract agreement are as follows:

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1) All puppies are 1,700 and will be paid by the owner to the breeder, Jo Meister; in full at the time the puppy is received by the owner. A reservation of $850 ($250 deposit to hold desired sex then $600 when puppies are 4 weeks) will be part payment of the puppy adoption and will place a hold on the sex desired.  If the puppy is being shipped or transported by means other then picked up by the owner directly from the breeder, payment is due in full before the puppy will leave the breeders possession. The owner will receive limited registration papers on the puppy after the necessary paperwork is completed by the new owner and received from the AKC.

2) The owner will take the puppy to a Veterinarian of their choice within 5 business days upon receipt.  If the Veterinarian finds any underlying medical issues with the puppy that are either hereditary or can be attributed to the breeder, the owners will have the option of returning the puppy to the breeder within 48 hours. The return of the puppy will be at the sole expense of the owner.  The owner will have the option of receiving a full refund for the purchase price of the puppy or a replacement puppy if one of comparable value is available. If there are no comparable litter mates available for adoption, the owner may have the option of reserving a puppy from an upcoming anticipated litter if one exists. 

3)  Buyer agrees to use the Breeder’s kennel name, River Run, in registering this dog with the American Kennel Club.

4) The owner agrees not to use the dog to produce offspring (breed) and understands that under AKC limited registration, progeny are not registerable.  The owner will have the dog spayed or neutered by 18 months of age and no earlier than 12 months of age.  Written documentation from the Veterinarian who completed the altering should be sent to the breeder. If this documentation is not provided to the breeder by the time the puppy is 18 months old, all guarantees originally provided by the breeder are null and void.

5) Reasonable precautions have been taken to prevent this puppy from acquiring hereditary faults such as hip dysplasia and hereditary cataracts and heart murmurs. The sire and dam have hip, elbow, eye and heart clearances. Due to the unknown hereditary and environmental causes of such faults no guarantee for the puppy will be given against them. Clearances on both the sire and dam help reduce the risk of progeny developing problems in the future but there is no guarantee. Should this dog develop Hip Dysplasia (moderate or severe) and be confirmed by an OFA x-ray taken at the age of 26 months and surgery preformed to correct the genetic defect the breeder will apply the purchase price of the original puppy towards a replacement puppy when one is available. The owners are not required to return the original puppy.  Please be aware that it is important how you raise your puppy.  Hip dysplasia can be caused by injury, poor nutrition, obesity or abuse. We would encourage you to consider the wholesome and beneficial all natural diet along with adding the all natural probiotic and enzyme supplement (Total-Biotics and Total-Zymes) that we start the puppies on and maintain our adult dogs on. We are always available to provide you with accurate information and recommendations regarding your puppies nutritional needs.

 6) The owner is responsible for all costs associated with puppy ownership.  The owner agrees to place the puppy on heartworm and flea prevention, a schedule of routine physical examinations and vaccinations as well as any other routine and preventative treatments recommended by his/her Veterinarian.  If the dog dies and a hereditary problem is suspected, the owner will ask the Vet to hold the dog for a possible autopsy.  The breeder will be contacted ASAP (hopefully within 12 hours) and given the option for the dog to be autopsied at the breeders expense. River Run Goldens wants to be aware of any medical problem, especially hereditary, that occurs.  It is only with complete and accurate information that River Run Goldens can continue to produce healthy dogs.

7) The breeder recommends taking the puppy to kindergarten or socialization classes and completing a minimum of basic obedience with the puppy. We extend great effort to socialize and provide the puppy with a strong foundation. Your efforts to continue what we have begun will be rewarded with the pleasure of having a solid companion capable of handling him/herself in diverse situations. We are of the philosophy that what you invest in the socialization, nutrition, training, and attention paid to your companion, will be generously returned to you by the quality companion he/she will aspire to be.

8) Golden Retrievers strongly desire and NEED human interaction to thrive. It would be emotionally abusive to deny this puppy that much needed socialization both now and as an adult.  For this reason, we only place puppies with families that intend to allow the puppy to be a true family member and an inhabitant of the family residence. Semi permanent or permanent caging, kenneling, or tethering of any kind both indoors or outdoors is strictly prohibited. We understand that this puppy/dog may need to be crated or otherwise safely and humanely confined for its own wellbeing while you are preoccupied or for training purposes. There is a major difference in these two scenarios and we ask that you recognize that before entering into this contract. In addition we also prohibit the practice of allowing this puppy/dog to be transported in any type of unenclosed vehicle, or the open bed of a truck for the safety of the dog.

9) If the owner ever decides they are unable to provide a proper environment for the puppy, the breeder will be contacted and given the option of assisting with proper placement of the puppy. We may also have the option of taking the puppy into our care until a suitable home is available. We want to be responsible for the dogs we produce and never want any of them to become a part of or contribute to the unwanted pet population.  The breeder has the right to reclaim the dog if it is found in a shelter/pound or abandoned while the owner is either temporarily or permanently unavailable.

10) If the owner does not abide by this contract then the breeder is released from abiding by this contract. 

11) Any changes to this contract shall be in writing and agreed to and signed by both parties.

12) Any changes in the owner's location of residence or contact information should be made available to the breeder for the duration of the dog's life. The breeder also agrees to provide the owner with current and reliable means of contact as well.

Breeder’s Signature: __________________________________ Date_____________

Owner’s Signature: ____________________________________ Date_____________

Owner’s Printed Name: __________________________________________________

Street Address: ________________________________________________________

City, State and Zip: _____________________________________________________

E-Mail:_______________________________________________________________

Phone #:______________________________________________________________