2. The Australian Shepherd that this document pertains to is
described as follows:
Date of Birth: ______________ Sex: ____________
Color: _______________________ Markings:_____________________
Sire: _____________________________________
Dam: _____________________________________
Price: $____________
3. Sellers have, to the best of their knowledge and ability,
represented this dog honestly in regard to its structure, temperament, and
working instincts. However, both Sellers and Buyer are aware that it is
sometimes difficult or impossible to tell at an early age how a puppy will turn
out.
4. Buyer has been furnished with a 5 generation pedigree,
health record, and general breed information. Registration papers will be
furnished upon receipt of proof of this dog being spayed or neutered (see Items
13 and 14 below). Buyer agrees to furnish the Sellers with a copy of
registration papers (if this is a puppy), and to inform the Sellers of any
titles or awards this dog earns.
5. Sellers will continue to provide support and help, if
needed and wanted, to the best of their expertise, regarding the care and
training of the dog. Feel free to contact us any time. If we don't know the
answer to your question, we'll find out.
6. Sellers have, to the best of their knowledge and ability,
made sure that the personality and capabilities of this animal are suited to and
compatible with the needs, personality, and life style of the Buyer. We made
this decision based on our evaluation of the dog, what you have told us you want
in a dog, and how you have told us it will be used. It is our understanding that
this dog will be used as: _____________________.
7. This animal was in good health at the time of delivery. It
has been socialized, temperament evaluated, treated for internal and external
parasites, and given applicable vaccinations. Health is guaranteed for a period
of 3 days (72 hours) from the time of delivery.
8. Buyer may (at your expense), at any time, return the dog
for any reason whatsoever, should it not be compatible with the Buyer and the
Buyer’s lifestyle. We will replace it with another Australian Shepherd of
equal or better quality as soon as one is available. We do not give refunds.
9. Sellers and Buyer realize that sometimes situations change
and unforeseen circumstances arise. If at any time you find that you are unable
or unwilling to properly care for the animal, you agree to return it to us. We
have the right to rescue this dog if we find that it is being mistreated,
neglected, or abused and you do not voluntarily return it. Also, any
mistreatment, neglect or abuse of the animal automatically voids all guarantees
given by the us.
10. Buyer agrees that if this dog is offered for sale at any
time in the future, it will first be offered to us at a price not to exceed the
original purchase price.
11. This animal is sold with limited registration. It is
understood that the ASCA and AKC registration applications and registration
certificates for this animal will be "Limited, Not for Breeding"; and
will be marked as such. No off-spring produced by this dog will be eligible for
registration. This dog may compete in all events (herding, obedience, agility,
flyball, etc.) and earn titles, with the exception of conformation (breed ring).
12. Buyer agrees that this dog will be spayed/neutered at
approximately six months of age, if not before. Buyer will assume responsibility
for all medical expenses involved in this procedure. Buyer purchases this dog
with the understanding that spaying/neutering is a condition of this sale, and
that Sellers are not responsible for replacement of dog should injury or death
occur during the surgical procedure. Upon being furnished written proof that the
animal has been spayed/neutered, or being allowed to make a personal examination
of such, the Sellers will promptly forward registration applications to the
Buyer.
13. If prior to being spayed/neutered the Buyer feels that
the animal is of outstanding quality and wishes to acquire full registration,
the Sellers will make a personal or video examination of the dog. If they agree
that it is breeding quality, Sellers have the option of notifying the registries
and requesting that the registration status be changed from "Limited"
to "Full". If Buyer desires this to be done:
a. Buyer will pay to the Sellers an additional
sum of $__________.
b. Sellers will provide Buyers with an addendum to this
Contract guaranteeing this animal against any physical defect which renders it
unfit for breeding; e.g., hip dysplasia, hereditary eye problems, abnormalities
of the reproductive system, etc.
c. Buyers will be responsible for any charges required by the
registries in order to change the registration status.
14. This animal is guaranteed against the following defects:
1. Genetic diseases such as cardiac anomalies, bleeding
disorders, etc. which would render the animal unfit for its purpose.
2. Unsound Temperament
- According to the A.S.C.A. breed standard, the Australian Shepherd is
"...intelligent, primarily a working dog of strong herding and guardian
instincts. ...He is reserved with strangers...."
We breed for the true Aussie temperament according to this
breed standard. Strong herding instincts are sometimes misinterpreted as
aggressiveness ("herding" groups of people together,
"heading" or "heeling" to stop or start motion while going
for walks, playing, etc.) While nipping of people should never be permitted,
Buyer should be aware of behavior that is unique to herding breeds. Aussies
normally become protective of their territory and family, particularly any
children in the family. Some are more protective than others. They usually make
excellent watchdogs. Buyer is aware of the guardian tendency and understands
that normal precautions should be taken when introducing strangers to the Aussie’s
territory and family. Also, if there are children, Buyer is aware that the
Aussie may exhibit its protective nature when "its" children play with
other children, particularly if the play involves running and rough-housing.
"Reserved with strangers", in our interpretation of the breed
standard, means that the Aussie does not normally greet every strange person
with a smile and wagging tail, begging to be petted. They are ordinarily solemn
and would rather not be directly approached or touched until properly
"introduced" to the stranger and allowed sufficient time to accept
them. Usually very affectionate toward their master and family, Aussies may not
desire affection from other people.
It is very important that your Australian Shepherd be
properly socialized, beginning at an early age. We recommend taking the dog with
you as much as possible - to friends’ or relatives’ homes, when you go on
errands, and that you expose it to as many different people and situations as
possible. This is even more important if you plan to compete with your dog in
the future. Obedience and/or conformation classes (even if you do not plan to
compete in the breed ring) are excellent ways to socialize your dog. If after proper
socialization the dog described in this contract exhibits a temperament
problem that makes it unsuitable for the use for which it was purchased
(Examples: excessive shyness or aggressiveness toward people or other dogs,
untrainability), we will replace it.
After being furnished proof that such a genetic problem
exists, Sellers will replace this dog with one of equal or better quality as
soon as one is available. We have the option of requesting that the defective
dog, along with its registration papers, be returned to us.
15. The Sellers disclaim any and all other warranties and
guarantees, whether expressed or implied, except those described above. The
liability of the Sellers shall not, in any case, exceed the purchase price of
this animal.
16. This Contract is void unless properly executed by all
parties. Buyers must sign and return to the Sellers one (1) copy of the Contract
within fifteen (15) days of receipt of the dog, or all guarantees are
void. Any additions, deletions, or corrections to this contract must be
initialed by all parties in order to be valid.
17. The guarantees given in this Contract will be honored only
to the Buyers listed in this Contract, and are not transferable to subsequent
owners.
(Dated signatures of all parties)