What are (should be) the breeder's responsibilities
 

DISCLAIMER: Not me, just curious.

Let's say you purchase a puppy from a reputable breeder and about 4 - 6 months down the line this puppy is diagnosed with one of the common yorkie problems - ex. luxating patella, liver shunt, etc.

Obviously, at this point you do not want to give the puppy back to the breeder, so what should be the right thing, for the breeder, to do?

GOOD QUESTION!
I'm no breeder but I would love to see the answers to this one.

Depends on what the guarantee says. Some pay vet bills only up to the price of the dog, but still allow you to keep the pup. Some pay half of the vet bills (set limit, no limit, or limit to price of dog) and let you keep the pup. Most will have some sort of limit on how much they will pay. Some only offer a refund if you return the pup -- not a good guarantee IMO!

You can check with your state laws. Some have a pet lemon law that makes it clear what the breeder is responsible to pay. Big thing to look for when buying a puppy is a health guarantee that actually allows you to keep the puppy. Breeders know you will bond with the pup and not return it. So, they are really not guaranteeing if they have a return only policy.

Keep in mind that a luxating patella can be hereitary but it can also be caused by an injury or repetitive stress like jumping off beds/chairs. Sort of hard to prove that one.

In my guarentee I offer the opportunity to keep the puppy and recieve full refund or partial refund depending on the severity of the problem (up to the cost of the puppy). Either way, I plan to stand behind my puppies.

I think Sunnie has it right on...

I know that everyone's guarantees are different - and I'm not asking that. I am asking "What should the guarantee say". What should people be looking for in a health guarantee. Is it one year, two year, three year. And what should the cost responsibility be to the breeder.

If, let's say you purchase the puppy for $2,000; it is diagnosed with a liver shunt; vets, tests, surgery amounts to $3,000. What should the breeder be responsible for.

The surgeries you are talking about generally are for issues that breeders *should* make an effort to screen for beforehand. It *should* be the case that the breeder has done everything possible--knowing the histories of their lines and doing proper testing--to ensure that they are not breeding dogs that are passing on these issues.

With that being said, IF that is done, and the situation still arises, IMO a breeder *should* be responsible for medical costs up to the purchase price of the dog.
The exception, IMO, would be for LP on a case by case basis. LP can be inherited, or it can be the result of an injury. Generally the instances where it is from injury, it's a low grade diagnosis. When it's inherited and surgery is needed, it's typically higher. Most of the time, the cause--genetics vs inherited--can be determined with xrays. I don't think the breeder should be responsible for the issue if it is a result of injury, obviously.

That's a very difficult question. I think the extent of the guarantee differs with each breeder, some may cover all the expenses and some won't cover any. The question of whether a breeder SHOULD or shouldn't pay is an ethical one which the breeder must answer for themselves if there is no puppy lemon law in that state.

As I understand it, the optimal health guarantee should cover the dog for genetic diseases for the dog's lifetime and acute diseases up until the first vet visit. If the dog has worms or some acute condition, it will be picked up at the first visit and treated. Personally, I think it is the breeder's responsibility to make sure that their puppies are parasite-free and I think that the breeder should cover this cost, provided that the pup sees a vet within 48 hours.

Because some genetic disease only show up after 5 years, I think the breeder should cover hereditary issues for the dog's lifetime, with the exception of certain conditions which could also be caused by neglect or physical injury.

I actually think that the new owner should also sign a care guarantee stating that they will provide optimal care for the puppy for the rest of its life. This could help protect the breeder in cases of unscrupulous pet ownership. I know of one case where a yorkie puppy died from hypoglycemia after the breeder gave detailed instructions and printed information sheets to the owner. The owner neglected to follow these guidelines and the puppy died. In this case, I think the breeder should have some recourse for the neglect of the pup as well as a foot to stand on if the owner should decide to try and get money out of the breeder.

I'm sure the established breeders on YT will be able to give you exact answers on how they do things. I'm also speaking theoretically here.

Your state (New York) has pretty weak puppy lemon laws so you really must rely on the breeder.

New York Pet Lemon Law

A reputable breeder stands behind the health of her puppies. I have seen contracts with a five year health guarantee. A member on another forum I belong to Maltese was diagnosed with a liver shunt at about six months old. The breeder paid for the entire surgery.

Luxating patellas are a little more complicated as they can be genetic or caused by injury. The general cutoff is about a year. If diagnosed before the first birthday they are assumed to be congenital. After that, they are usually from injury like jumping on and off furniture. For that reason, it's very important to have your vet check your puppy's knees at the very first vet visit.

As Mardelin frequently says, "buy your breeder first".