BELIEVE THE BAD REVIEWS!
I found a puppy on the Lonestar Doodles site and contacted them. I was told she was spoken for and they tried to interest me in a litter mate at a lower price, sending me videos and photos of another dog. I was only interested in the one. A few days later, they contacted me stating that she was available and they were selling her at a discount. I thought nothing of it. I've noticed that some breeders lower prices for older (i.e. 3-4 months) previously reserved puppies when the original party backs out. Lonestar Doodles also commonly puts lines through their original prices and posts "discounted" prices for a vast majority of their dogs. Nevertheless, I asked if the dog was healthy. The breeder responded in writing that they "would never sell a dog with known issues".
I signed the contract and paid a deposit plus half the balance that they invoiced me for in advance. This is not a stated practice on their website and probably should have been red flag #1. After I paid, I asked for the vet records and DOB in order to make a vet appointment as required by their contract. They refused, saying I could get that upon pick up. (red flag #2) I drove to Weatherford to pick up the puppy and reviewed the paperwork - which was on their letterhead and not signed by a licensed vet (red flag #3). I noted that she was actually 17 weeks old and hadn't had her rabies vaccine yet as required by Texas law. I planned on handling it at the first vet appointment, but still (red flag #4).
My son picked the puppy up out of the enclosure. I scratched her head, paid the balance, and left quickly since the next pickup was arriving. When we got home, my puppy pooped before she even walked in the door. There was obvious blood in her stool. (red flag #5) I took a picture and send it to the breeder. They said it was normal and due to stress. The poop quickly advanced to diarrhea.
Twelve hours later, while rubbing her belly, I felt a lump and discovered an umbilical hernia. (red flag #6). I called the breeder who claimed to know nothing, blaming her lack of knowledge on "a new employee". She said she would cover the cost of the repair. I told her that I was going to take the puppy to the vet the very next morning and have her checked out. She snickered and said, "well that's really soon" - despite their contract stating to take the dog to the vet within 72 hours of pickup (#7). I told her I also planned to get the rabies vax since it wasn't listed on the paperwork. Her response was "we never vaccinate our puppies this early". When I pointed out that it was the law in Texas to vaccinate for rabies by 16 weeks, she said "it absolutely is NOT the law". It absolutely IS the law. (RF #8).
The vet confirmed the hernia and Giardia as the cause of the diarrhea. The hernia repair was quoted as a $250 add on to the spay. I let the breeder know that due to the undisclosed hernia, the cost of the repair, and her undisclosed illness, I would like a partial refund. She said she would give me $100 toward the cost of the hernia repair rather than honor her original promise to cover it (RF #9). She said that because she heavily discounted the puppy by $2400 compared to her litter mates and she wouldn't pay any more than $100. I quickly reminded her that she originally tried to sell me one of my puppy's litter mates for a lower price than I paid for my puppy. (RF #10).
The takeaway lesson is that they sell sick puppies with birth defects and will not disclose it - even when you ask. While honesty is always the best policy, it isn't their policy. AVOID LONESTAR DOODLES! read more