With my knowledge of medicine, I responsibly breed poodles with more integrity than some human beings take with themselves. I do not knowingly breed any poodle that carries a genetic defect. My founding father stud dogs have been tested for PRA (progressive retinal atrophy) which is a rare but inherited disease, and so far, none of them are even carriers of that disorder. However, statistically genes can pair up unpredictably causing other medical defects.
Our guarantee is as follows:
1. Vaccination Schedule: Our pups get vaccinated at 8, 11, 14 and 20 weeks and then yearly with Distemper, Adenovirus type 2, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus and Coronavirus. I suggest that poodle puppies get their first rabies vaccination when they are around 6 months of age (unless they are flying on a plane when it should be sooner), as the rabies shot is harsher on their little systems. We do not release our poodles until they have at least their first vaccination and discourage all pet owners from exposing their puppies to the public until their first three shots are given.
2. With regard to any congenital defect, I guarantee all puppies for one (1) year (from date of birth) to be free of but not limited to grade III/IV Patellar Luxation, Leg Perthes, Hip Dysplasia, Cataracts, Epilepsy/Seizures, Tracheal Collapse causing death, or heart or liver ailments. Unless a male puppy is approved by me to be used for breeding purposes with my written breeding contract, undescended testicles are not covered under my health warranty. When my poodles are released from my care at 10 weeks of age, due to their size and age testicles are very often unpalpable.
3. Any inherited, life-threatening medical illness experienced by any puppy is warrantied from one (1) to five (5) years of age (from date of birth).
4. Poodles older than one (1) year of age who have been taken back into my home according to my lifetime guarantee (see that on my Home Page), are no longer covered under my health warranty in a new, second home as they lived away from me for an extended period of time. (I cannot be responsible for them while they were away from my care.) However, I am always available to triage and discuss their care and also continue to offer the lifetime warranty, that is to take the poodle back should the new owners choose.
5. Physical injuries and trauma occurring outside of my custody are not warrantied under any condition.
6. The untimely death of any puppy up to 5 years of age will always require a death certificate and autopsy by a competent Veterinary Pathologist prior to any assumption of liability.
7. All toy poodle puppies are extremely susceptible to hypoglycemia. This is especially true for those puppies that may be smaller than a typical toy such as a teacup (less than 4 pounds as an adult) or tiny toy (less than 6 pounds). Each and every puppy I place is accompanied by explicit instructions relative to the prevention of and treatment of hypoglycemia. For this reason, I cannot accept any liability for any losses of any nature as a result of this condition. Please be diligent and aware of this condition. I also make myself available any time for questions about your new puppy, so don't hesitate to ask.
8. Should a settlement relative to any of the conditions listed in my warranty become necessary, I reserve the right to resolve any problem by the following means and with the stipulations listed below:
a. Replace the poodle based on the findings of MY local veterinarian following his/her consultation with the client's veterinarian. b. Any puppy replacement or refund should never be determined unilaterally; it can only occur after both seller and buyer agree with the decision. c. In the event that surgical or medical procedures are performed prior to consultation with Valerie Stanol, all prior warranties and guarantees are null and void. d. Provide surgical intervention to resolve the medical defect under the following conditions: (1). Any needed surgery will only be performed following consultation with MY local veterinarian who will determine whether the procedure is truly indicated, or if he/she would normally perform the procedure. (2). Should surgery be required and agreed upon by the various consulting veterinarians, I will pay up to half of all medical costs up to the original purchase price of the poodle. (For example, if the poodle was purchased for $800 and a surgery was $1200, I would pay $600. If the surgery were to be $4000, I would pay a maximum of $800.) (3). Under no circumstance or condition will I assume any liability for any surgery or medical procedure unless said surgery or medical procedure is performed only after consultation and concurrence with Valerie Stanol.
Revised June 1, 2007
**Every breeder should have a health warranty. They are only a "reputable breeder" if they stand behind it. Please be wary of what you read on other breeders' websites. Ask for references of people who have actually used that breeder's health warranty, and confirm that the breeder truly stands behind their website.
So many of my clients stay in touch with me, thoughtfully sending me pics of their poodles - this just tickles me to no end seeing my kids out there in bonafide loving homes. Months after someone took home their puppy that they named Mako (as in shark!), they sent me these pics. I can't stop looking at them. I can see that Mako is so happy in his home. Check them out: