Should a dead puppy be considered a litter?
 

I recently posted a thread about whether I should be able to negotiate my female's stud contract (after being hung up on a stud owner after I suggested a lower stud fee since their stud had not been proven). Anyways yt members let me know that is O.k to discuss contract details. Thanks. Not being able to find a stud in this area, I have found a stud owner in B.C., Canada that is providing chilled semen. In her contract she had a few clauses that I wasn't comfortable with and approached her cautiously (remembering how I was hung up on last time I had done this). Linda was wonderful and fair and we came to terms that we were both comfortable with.

One clause she had was "one puppy born alive or DEAD constitutes a litter".
I remember in my last thread that yt members had different views on this. I expressed my concerns to Linda: how devastating it would be to have only one dead puppy born (and then lose your money and no chance for a return stud service), and in all fairness how could it be argued that a dead puppy is a litter? Anyways she discussed this with the co-ower of the stud and they decided that I had valid points and that it is not fair to label a dead puppy a litter-- they have changed their contract (and tell me they will leave it like that for others) to now read "one puppy born alive constitutes a litter".

Anyways I thought I would mention this for consideration for those who have contracts or come across contracts that view a dead puppy as a litter.

In the past when I have used someone's elses stud or when someone used my stud - we always had in the contract that a repeat breeding would be conducted if no live pups. It is just common courtsey and best practices.
T.

I am so glad that you were able to work things out with the breeder regarding your contract. I cannot imagine a reputable breeder who would consider one dead puppy a litter. I know that things can go dreadfully wrong during whelping, but it is hard to imagine a breeder who would not offer a second breeding at the cost of collecting and shipping the semen.

Is the stud you are using actually proven? If not then there is a risk that he might not be fertile.

In my stud contract a litter means more than one puppy, if her first breeding didnt result more than one puppy the second breeding would be at no charge.

hope this helps

a litter is more than one pup but my hubby (beagle breeder) only guarantees one live pup or a repeat breeding.

no a dead puppy shouldn't be considered a littler and it's quite disturbing that someone would consider that to be true i wouldn't use that person personally! sorry but that just creeps me out..why would anyone even put anything like that on a contract!

In the breeding books that I have read, it states that one puppy is not considered a litter, dead or alive, and you should be able to get a retake.

Now I know some of the breeders on here disdagree with that, and it is their right to put what ever they want into their contracts, but I personally, would never go with a stud who would not guarantee at least two live puppies.

I'm glad that you took the time to read the contract an negotiate with them, that way there should be no disappointments.

Good to know that some of you consider a litter more than one puppy (I would prefer that).

I actually found this breeder's contract on the internet - I was searching for dog breeding contracts to see what was out there and came across the "one dead puppy is a litter" in several contracts on the internet !!! This breeder I am using appears to have just taken the contract off the internet, but at least when asked about the contract clauses she is willing to discuss them and change as needed. So far she's been great -- I hope that continues.

In my last thread there were several yt members who stated that they have a "one dead puppy is a litter" clause in their contract. I hope that they consider changing their clause as well.

Hi...I know a woman who owns a stud. She says in her opinion, that one puppy is not a litter, nevermind one dead puppy. If any of these were the results, she would offer a second breeding or refund a percentage of the stud fee. I also believe she said that if the second time things didn't work out, she would refund the rest of the percentage and not allow her dog to breed with the female, as there may be a situation with the female...since her male is proven and since the female is the one who decides how many puppies (eggs etc) If I remember correctly. Still learning myself, so if I'm a bit off, forgive me. I guess everyone is different. That's why agreements from both the dam's owner and stud's owner should be made WAY in advanced. That way a mutual agreement can be made ahead of time and just in case of "this" or "that"...Thanks!

I personally would not consider "one dead puppy" as a litter. I would consider "one live puppy" as a litter. I personally have signed a contract that stated one live puppy was considered a litter.

Yorkykisses

i would not consider one dead puppy as a litter but say in poms the average litter is one to three pups so who could garuntee more??