{"id":5595,"date":"2022-01-17T16:57:05","date_gmt":"2022-01-17T22:57:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/?p=5595"},"modified":"2026-03-02T01:14:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T07:14:13","slug":"whats-in-your-puppy-contract","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/whats-in-your-puppy-contract\/","title":{"rendered":"What&#8217;s In Your Puppy Contract?"},"content":{"rendered":"<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-5595-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Whats-In-Your-Puppy-Contract_-2022-.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Whats-In-Your-Puppy-Contract_-2022-.mp3\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" rel=\"follow\">https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Whats-In-Your-Puppy-Contract_-2022-.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>Breeders frequently (but not universally) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.akc.org\/expert-advice\/dog-breeding\/whats-puppy-contract\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow external\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">require customers to sign a contract<\/a> when they purchase a puppy. For the buyer, it might seem unnecessary. But at the end of the day, a puppy contract is signed to protect the breeder, the client, and the dog.<\/p>\n<p>What is a puppy contract? Why do you need one? What should the contract include? This guide will answer all of these questions.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Why Do You Need a Puppy Contract?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>First-time buyers may balk at the idea of a contract for purchasing a puppy. After all, they\u2019re spending a substantial amount of money &#8211; shouldn\u2019t they have complete control over what they do with their new dog? Explain to <a href=\"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/how-breeders-screen-a-puppy-buyer\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" rel=\"follow\">potential buyers<\/a> that there are several practical reasons for signing a contract:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>It sets your expectations of the owner\u2019s responsibility towards the puppy\u2019s medical and financial obligations.<\/li>\n<li>It codifies everything you and the buyer discuss before purchasing the puppy. The puppy-buying process can be overwhelming for new buyers. The contract is a helpful reference, outlining the terms discussed prior to purchase.<\/li>\n<li>When the buyer follows the terms of the contract, it protects your reputation as a trusted and ethical breeder.<\/li>\n<li>It protects the integrity of the breed by barring the buyer from unethical breeding.<\/li>\n<li>It\u2019s an opportunity for you to impart advice and share your philosophy and expectations about raising the dog.<\/li>\n<li>It reassures the buyer that they\u2019re working with a reputable breeder.<\/li>\n<li>The contract serves as a legal guide in case of disputes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Remember, a puppy contract is not mandatory. For the reasons stated above, a contract is mainly used to protect the health and safety of the dog and your reputation. Be sure the buyer is made aware in advance that there will be a puppy contract. It shouldn\u2019t be a surprise for the buyer when they arrive to purchase the dog.<\/p>\n<p>Some experts recommend that you present the contract along with a <a href=\"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/how-to-build-a-puppy-kit-for-your-customers\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" rel=\"follow\">puppy kit<\/a>. The kit can include documents and paperwork, the pedigree certificate, the dog\u2019s registration certificate and identification, <a href=\"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/health-clearances-for-responsible-breeding\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" rel=\"follow\">health screening results<\/a>, and other medical-related information. It can also have fun gifts for the puppy and its new owners, like toys, treats, and food samples.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What Should Be in Your Contract?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>So now you understand why you\u2019ll have your customer sign the puppy contract. But what exactly should be included in the document? There are a few specific things that should be in every puppy contract.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>The Basics<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>There are a few items that should be in every puppy contract. These include the puppy\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.akc.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow external\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">American Kennel Club (AKC)<\/a> registration number, the name and registration numbers of the sire (male parent) and dam (female parent), and the purchase price of the puppy.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Return to Breeder Clause<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Most puppy contracts include a \u201creturn to breeder clause\u201d in case of something unforeseen like financial trouble, family issues, or health problems. The buy-back agreement gives you the \u201cright of first refusal\u201d if the buyer can\u2019t keep the puppy. This keeps the puppy from being sent to a shelter or resold &#8211; though some <a href=\"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/breeders\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" rel=\"follow\">breeders<\/a> allow the owner to transfer the dog to another loving family or close friend of the buyer. What&#8217;s important is that you as the breeder always know where the puppy is and who is taking care of it.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Health Guarantees<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>While it\u2019s not possible to be 100% sure that the puppy you\u2019re selling will be healthy, the best breeders provide a health guarantee. What does a health guarantee mean?<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>You\u2019ll offer a replacement puppy of equal or greater value in the case of some genetic defects up to a certain age.<\/li>\n<li>Conditions that are usually protected by this guarantee include severe hip dysplasia and epilepsy.<\/li>\n<li>You can also include a clause that requires the owner to limit strenuous exercise on hard surfaces and jumping until the puppy reaches a certain age.<\/li>\n<li>Most puppy contracts include a temperament guarantee. This is another protection for the buyer and certifies that the puppy will have the temperament that is characteristic of its breed. This clause should include a time frame during which the puppy may be returned.<\/li>\n<li>Include a requirement for the owner to take the puppy to <b>their <\/b>vet within a few days of purchase. The vet will check everything about the puppy and confirm that it\u2019s healthy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The contract should also indicate that in the case of any legal dispute, it will be resolved in your jurisdiction &#8211; in the unlikely scenario you\u2019re dealing with multiple disputes, it\u2019s important that you can attend to them locally. It should say the buyer and seller have the right to pursue legal action and not just go through arbitration or mediation.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Other Items to Include in a Puppy Contract<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Other items that are often included in puppy contracts include naming requirements &#8211; new puppies must be individually registered with the AKC. There is a difference between the dog&#8217;s registered name and its \u201ccall name.&#8221; The registered name isn\u2019t what you call the puppy at home. Instead it\u2019s a longer moniker that incorporates the breeder\u2019s kennel name and sometimes even the names of the co-breeder or stud-dog owner. This name is only used at AKC events &#8211; the owner can come up with any \u201ccall name\u201d they want!<\/p>\n<p>Other less-common requirements found in puppy contracts include requiring a fenced yard, rules about small children in the home, and ensuring the future home doesn\u2019t have decks or steep railing from which the puppy can fall. Another clause found in many puppy contracts indicates that you cannot guarantee the color of the puppy as it ages.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Pet Dog Versus Show Prospect<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Whether the dog is considered <a href=\"https:\/\/www.akc.org\/expert-advice\/puppy-information\/difference-between-show-dogs-and-pet-puppies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow external\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">\u201cpet quality\u201d or \u201cshow quality\u201d<\/a> will significantly affect what is in the pet contract. When you\u2019re negotiating a sale discuss whether or not the buyer is looking to show or breed their new dog or if it will be a family pet.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Puppy Contract for Pet Dogs<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>If the dog is not considered show quality it\u2019ll be sold with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.akc.org\/register\/information\/limited-registration\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow external\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">limited registration<\/a> &#8211; meaning it\u2019s registered, but any litters produced by the dog aren\u2019t eligible for registration. The dog can participate in AKC events with the exception of conformation (the 25 cent word for dog shows).<\/p>\n<p>If you wish, include a clause in the contract that allows you to challenge the dog\u2019s pet status at a certain point when the dog has matured. There are times when a puppy that didn\u2019t seem to be show quality or breeding quality blossoms into a dog that is.<\/p>\n<p>If the puppy is of pet quality, the contract should also include a spay\/neuter requirement. The long-held practice is for the dog to undergo the procedure before nine months of age, but more recently there\u2019s been debate about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aaha.org\/your-pet\/pet-owner-education\/ask-aaha\/spay-or-neuter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow external\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">the proper timing to spay\/neuter<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Sex hormones play an important role in a dog&#8217;s development. Health issues may arise if a puppy is spayed\/neutered too young. Smaller breeds (under 45 pounds projected size) can undergo the procedure between 6-9 months but larger breeds should wait between 12-18 months.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Puppy Contract for Show Prospects<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>If the dog is deemed show quality and will participate in conformation and\/or breeding, the contract will look quite different from that of a pet quality puppy.<\/p>\n<p>First, you should find out whether the owner wants to show the dog themselves. If they don\u2019t, you can add a clause to the contract that requires an evaluation of the puppy at a certain age and if they\u2019re show-quality, you can show them yourself. Or you can stipulate that the owner has to hire a professional handler to show the dog. Another option is to only sell the show-quality puppy on a co-ownership basis.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Co-ownership Contract<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>While <a href=\"http:\/\/www.lawfordogs.com\/assets\/PDFs\/lmc%20coownership.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow external\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">co-ownership is a common practice<\/a> between breeders and owners, the AKC frowns on it because it can get messy. Despite this disapproval, the organization recognizes co-ownership but doesn\u2019t acknowledge one owner as primary. It\u2019s important to make a co-ownership contract as detailed as possible. Of course, it\u2019s impossible to imagine every scenario that could arise.<\/p>\n<p>What are the reasons for co-ownership? Sometimes the new owner needs a mentor for grooming and showing, for breeding a stud dog, or for raising its first litter. You\u2019ll be expected to provide half of the labor\/costs of tending to the new litter if the buyer is paying full price.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Pros of Co-Ownership<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>The benefit for the owner is a reduced cost &#8211; often with the stipulation that they&#8217;ll provide you with stud services and\/or a puppy from the new litter.<\/li>\n<li>Protects the puppy from being bred in an unethical manner.<\/li>\n<li>Can also be beneficial towards furthering a top show dog&#8217;s career. You may be required to help the owner pay for dog show expenses or even handle the dog. Grooming instruction, handling instruction, training instruction, etc.<\/li>\n<li>Breeding mentorship for the new owner.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><strong>Cons of Co-Ownership<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>The owner may not want the input\/mentorship of a breeder<\/li>\n<li>The owner\u2019s actions have even more impact on your ethical reputation<\/li>\n<li>Owners may decide after the fact they don\u2019t like stipulations in the contract, which can be legally messy and expensive<\/li>\n<li>The owner has to complete the requirements in the contract in order to get full ownership.<\/li>\n<li>If the owner is given a reduced price they&#8217;ll likely be required to give puppies back.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Breeding Rights<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Before the puppy goes home with its new owner, you\u2019ll need to decide if it will have breeding rights. Some breeders require new owners to show the dog if they wish to breed it. This can result in some lost sales &#8211; though high-performing show dogs attached to your kennel can help improve your reputation. The contract should include the following if the show dog is going to be bred:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Outline the requirements for breeding approval because owners will need mentorship from an experienced breeder.<\/li>\n<li>Indicate if the owner is purchasing the puppy intending to breed it with one of their own dogs.<\/li>\n<li>What breed-appropriate health screenings the dog must undergo and the required results.<\/li>\n<li>The agreement should designate who will decide on the breeding match.<\/li>\n<li>Any puppy-back arrangements.<\/li>\n<li>Other financial details around breeding.<\/li>\n<li>The contract should indicate that no dog can be bred until they\u2019re at least 18 months old.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>How Will You Deliver the Puppy?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Another issue that often pops up during negotiations is the matter of getting the puppy home happy and healthy. As a professional breeder, you do everything to ensure you\u2019re selling the highest-quality puppies; if the owner can\u2019t come to pick up the puppy, you have to trust a third party to get it past the finish line. It\u2019s important to <a href=\"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/breeders-guide-to-puppy-shipping\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" rel=\"follow\">find a professional pet transporter<\/a> you can trust.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s why CitizenShipper is such a beneficial resource for breeders. Its top-rated online marketplace has hundreds of transport professionals. The profiles feature thousands of reviews from previous customers as well as photos of themselves and their vehicle. The instant messaging feature lets you discuss the terms of the trip and feel comfortable with the transporter you select.<\/p>\n<p>Plus, you\u2019ll save money because the drivers on CitizenShipper compete for your business. <a href=\"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/dog-transportation\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" rel=\"follow\">Post a listing for puppy shipping<\/a> today and get your puppies through the last mile to their forever homes!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Breeders frequently (but not universally) require customers to sign a contract when they purchase a puppy. For the buyer, it might seem unnecessary. But at the end of the day, a puppy contract is signed to protect the breeder, the client, and the dog. What is a puppy contract? Why do you need one? What<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":76,"featured_media":5597,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"custom_post_schema":"<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@graph\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n      \"mainEntity\": [\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"What is a puppy contract?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"A puppy contract is a legal document that breeders frequently require customers to sign when purchasing a puppy. It is signed to protect the breeder, the client, and the dog. It codifies everything the buyer and breeder discuss before purchase, sets expectations around medical and financial obligations, protects the breeder's reputation, and serves as a legal guide in case of disputes.\"\n          }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"Why do you need a puppy contract?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"A puppy contract protects the health and safety of the dog and the breeder's reputation. It sets expectations for the owner's responsibilities, codifies the terms discussed before purchase, protects the integrity of the breed by barring unethical breeding, reassures the buyer they are working with a reputable breeder, and serves as a legal guide in case of disputes.\"\n          }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"What should be included in a puppy contract?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"Every puppy contract should include the puppy's AKC registration number, the names and registration numbers of the sire and dam, the purchase price, a return-to-breeder clause, health guarantees covering genetic defects, a temperament guarantee, and a requirement for the buyer to have the puppy examined by a vet within a few days of purchase. Contracts may also include naming requirements, spay\/neuter requirements for pet-quality dogs, and breeding rights terms for show-quality dogs.\"\n          }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"What is the difference between a pet dog contract and a show prospect contract?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"A pet dog contract typically includes a limited AKC registration and a spay\/neuter requirement, usually between 6-9 months for smaller breeds and 12-18 months for larger breeds. A show prospect contract is more complex and may include clauses about who will show the dog, requirements for a professional handler, co-ownership arrangements, and detailed breeding rights terms including health screenings and breeding approval requirements.\"\n          }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"What is a co-ownership contract for a puppy?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"A co-ownership contract is an arrangement between a breeder and a buyer where both parties share ownership of the dog. It is common when the new owner needs mentorship for grooming, showing, or breeding. The benefit for the owner is often a reduced purchase price, sometimes in exchange for stud services or a puppy from the dog's first litter. However, co-ownership can become legally complex, and the AKC discourages it because it does not recognize one owner as primary.\"\n          }\n        }\n      ]\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"HowTo\",\n      \"name\": \"How to structure a puppy contract for breeding rights\",\n      \"step\": [\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"HowToStep\",\n          \"name\": \"Outline breeding approval requirements\",\n          \"text\": \"Include the requirements an owner must meet to receive breeding approval, since owners will need mentorship from an experienced breeder before proceeding.\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"HowToStep\",\n          \"name\": \"Specify required health screenings\",\n          \"text\": \"List the breed-appropriate health screenings the dog must undergo before breeding and indicate the required results for each screening.\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"HowToStep\",\n          \"name\": \"Designate who decides on the breeding match\",\n          \"text\": \"The agreement should clearly state who has the authority to approve or decide on the breeding match between the dog and its mate.\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"HowToStep\",\n          \"name\": \"Include a minimum age requirement for breeding\",\n          \"text\": \"State in the contract that no dog may be bred until they are at least 18 months old.\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"HowToStep\",\n          \"name\": \"Detail puppy-back arrangements and financial terms\",\n          \"text\": \"Outline any puppy-back arrangements and all other financial details related to breeding, including how costs and litter proceeds will be divided.\"\n        }\n      ]\n    }\n  ]\n}\n<\/script>","_wpscp_schedule_draft_date":"","_wpscp_schedule_republish_date":"","_wpscppro_advance_schedule":false,"_wpscppro_advance_schedule_date":"","_wpscppro_dont_share_socialmedia":false,"_wpscppro_custom_social_share_image":0,"_facebook_share_type":"","_twitter_share_type":"","_linkedin_share_type":"","_pinterest_share_type":"","_linkedin_share_type_page":"","_instagram_share_type":"","_medium_share_type":"","_threads_share_type":"","_google_business_share_type":"","_bluesky_share_type":"","_mastodon_share_type":"","_selected_social_profile":[],"_wpsp_enable_custom_social_template":false,"_wpsp_social_scheduling":{"enabled":false,"datetime":null,"platforms":[],"status":"template_only","dateOption":"today","timeOption":"now","customDays":"","customHours":"","customDate":"","customTime":"","schedulingType":"absolute"},"_wpsp_active_default_template":true},"categories":[640,623,522,23],"tags":[706,534],"class_list":["post-5595","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-for-breeders","category-for-shippers","category-pet-shipping","category-pets","tag-old-blog-posts-before-100-project","tag-shippers"],"acf":{"internal_custom_json-ld":"","custom_atf_banner":{"image":null,"url":""}},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.2 (Yoast SEO v28.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What&#039;s In Your Puppy Contract?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you&#039;re a veteran breeder or new to the industry you should understand why a puppy contract is important and what it should include.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/whats-in-your-puppy-contract\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What&#039;s In Your Puppy Contract?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Breeders frequently (but not universally) require customers to sign a contract when they purchase a puppy. 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But\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/whats-in-your-puppy-contract\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"CitizenShipper Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CitizenShipperLLC\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/matt.matasci\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-01-17T22:57:05+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-03-02T07:14:13+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/31547532_puppy-dog-ripping-ball-apart-beagle-dog-purebred-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1707\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Matt Matasci\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" 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