Puppy adoption contracts vary from breeder to breeder, so it is very important to review the contract carefully: many contracts cover the circumstances in which a refund or replacement dog will be offered, what type of registration the dog will be given (limited or full—the latter being the only type in which owners are allowed to show and breed their dog), and what the buyer is consenting to (such as agreeing to spay or neuter the dog).
The adoption process includes a fair amount of paperwork. Here is some typical information you can expect to see in a Yorkie Adoption Contract:
The health guarantee is probably one of the most important parts of an adoption contract. Since Yorkies are prone to various medical problems, the breeder needs to be clear about which genetic diseases and issues he is prepared to cover in terms of reimbursement or replacement, and if a specific veterinarian is to be used in case of illness.
Return Policy. The majority of licensed breeders ask that if the owner no longer wishes (or is able) to care for the dog anymore, it will be returned to the breeder instead of being sold to another person.
Spay/Neuter Contract. The majority of breeders either spay or neuter puppies before letting them leave with their new families, or more commonly, have the new owner sign a spay/neuter contract. A typical contract includes the stipulation that the owner must spay or neuter the dog (usually within a certain number of weeks or months). Most breeders will not issue AKC registration forms until this requirement is met to ensure that the puppy will not be used for future breeding.
YA Statement of Intention. A typical contract might ask about the purpose of buying a Yorkie: that is, for competition, a show, or simply as a companion animal. Different types of registrations are given based on what the new owner plans to do with the Yorkie. For example, many Yorkies are given limited registration: meaning that the Yorkie itself is AKC registered and therefore purebred, but this registration does not allow the dog to compete in an AKC conformation competition, nor will her puppies be eligible for AKC registration.
Veterinarian Approval. A reputable breeder will allow the new owner to take a puppy to a veterinarian of his/her choice within 2-3 days of the sale and have the puppy is given a general exam and health check: if the puppy is not, in the veterinarian’s opinion, in good health, then the breeder will issue a full refund. With all the unscrupulous breeders out there, this is a very important factor in an adoption contract.
Initial Information: AKC registration numbers, litter number, AKC registration numbers, and the names and numbers of the dog’s dam and sire, the puppy’s date of birth, and gender. Adoption contracts may also discuss the estimation of the size, color, and coat of the dog. Usually, breeders will state that no guarantee can be made as to the dog’s adult weight, size or coat color, or texture since it is not possible to predict these features.
Responsible breeders should have a lot of questions of their own, including why the prospective owner wants a dog, where will the dog be staying during the day, plans for potty training and disciplining the new dog, and what veterinarian will be used.
Additionally, the breeder will typically supply the buyer with general advice. Usually given in the written form, this advice can range from the breeder’s recommendation that the puppy not receive injectable anesthesia or the type of food he is used to eating. Since breeders usually have years of experience with this toy breed, some are very particular about their recommendations.
Below, please see a sample contract to review; this contract includes common components that should be found in an adoption contract of a breeder who is running a legitimate operation that puts the health of the puppies first.
Download Sample Yorkie Adoption Contract
