We found Dorian and Chelsea Steinfeld of D&C Royal Dachshunds on Good Dog and adopted a puppy from them in February 2025.
At the puppy's initial veterinary appointment after pickup, he was diagnosed with giardia after presenting with diarrhea. Treatment lasted approximately two months due to the persistence of the infection. During that time, we incurred approximately $1,000 in veterinary expenses, had to keep our dogs separated for two months, and followed an exhausting extensive daily sanitization protocols to prevent reinfection and spread.
Under the breeder's health guarantee, we requested compensation related to the puppy being sent home ill. The breeder initially declined responsibility or full reimbursement but later agreed to contribute approximately half of the related veterinary expenses.
The sales contract also stated that the puppy would be sold with AKC registration papers. We did not receive the papers until approximately eight months later despite requests. This delay impacted our ability to obtain preferred AKC pet insurance, which we had communicated to the breeder was important due to the puppy's ongoing medical concerns.
Following the giardia treatment, the puppy continued experiencing health issues. Shortly after the giardia he required emergency hospitalization and a blood transfusion after severe anemia was discovered. Over the following months, he underwent weekly vet visits for ongoing diagnostic testing and treatment under the care of multiple internal medicine specialists.
By 10 months old, the puppy had received four blood transfusions and a bone marrow biopsy, with veterinary expenses totaling approximately $16,000. According to evaluations from three internal medicine specialists and related diagnostic testing, he was diagnosed with myelofibrosis and non-regenerative anemia. We were informed by the specialists that, in their professional opinion, the condition was congenital and he was born with these health issues.
The puppy now requires ongoing stem cell injections multiple times per year, currently costing approximately $1,300 per treatment.
We requested compensation from the breeder related to the medical condition and prior contractual issues. The breeder disputed responsibility on the basis that there was no definitive test that exists proving the condition was present at birth.
We later retained legal counsel in an attempt to resolve the matter through mediation. After negotiations, we accepted a counteroffer presented by the breeder; however, the breeder later withdrew from that legally binding agreement before compensation was paid, resulting in additional legal expenses and no compensation.
Our experience involved multiple disputes regarding breeches in contract for the health guarantee, AKC registration paperwork, and separately the attempted settlement resolution.
In effort to continue keep this factual and free of emotion, we sincerely do not recommend this breeder. read more