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Health Guarantee

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    Hickory Bluff Labradors believes in breeding dogs to AKC breed standards. We breed healthy, sound, intelligent even tempered dogs. All puppies sold come with a minimum of two rounds of vaccinations and one vet check.  We believe in guaranteeing our puppies health because we know our dogs are top quality.

The Guarantee

Hickory Bluff Labradors will replace a puppy that does not meet our health standards. If the puppy does not necessitate replacement the breeder will offer a future puppy at a discount. Please note ALL dogs and puppies are sold as-is. Replacement is at the breeder’s discretion.  Conditions and limitations apply. Please read the following for rules, requirements, and restrictions for more information. This health guarantee is a voluntary service offered by the breeder and can be rescinded without notice at any time.

The guarantee is valid until the puppy is aged 2 years and a day. To qualify for the guarantee the puppy is to be registered with the AKC (certificate in hand, not the application), have been evaluated by a licensed veterinarian, have had all 3 sets of their recommended shots in the appropriate time-frame including vaccination against Parvo within 7 days of purchase, and have had no alterations. You must provide proof of vet evaluation services for all household pets, vet contact information, proof of vaccinations including for Parvo for all household pets kept current from the day the (Kennel or breeder name) pet was purchased, and be willing to schedule a home inspection to be done, all proofs provided within 24 hours of the diagnosis. Below is a list of qualifying health conditions for the guarantee:

  • Dilated Cardiomyopathy – must provide EKG, echo/heart ultrasound or x ray, and lab results and the performing vet’s info

    • Lab testing required: full heart panel including but not limited to; Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Globulin (GLOB), Potassium (K), Troponins, Natriuretic Peptides (ANP, NTproANP, BNP and NTproBNP)

  • vWD (Von Willebrand's Disease)- only if the plasma vWF is tested by a licensed vet and analyzed by an OFA approved lab resulting in being diagnosed as severely affected (vWF:Ag values less than 15%), breeder reserves the right to test the dog by their preferred vet

  • Acute Unexplainable Death - must provide proof of autopsy, as well as provide proof of a quality dog food via receipt (date prior to death) and food sample for breeder’s choice vet to evaluate, breeder will perform a spontaneous home inspection to look for suitable living conditions as well as all poisons and chemicals secured out of reach, and a contaminate-free living environment

If your puppy is diagnosed with one of the following conditions please contact Hickory Bluff Labradors IMMEDIATELY – within 24 hours of diagnosis- to see if you may qualify for replacement or discount. Failure to provide AKC or UKC registration (not certificate), proof of diagnosis, to use an OFA/PennHIP participating vet, to allow a home inspection, etc. will result in immediate termination of the contract and the guarantee is void. Final decision is at the breeder’s discretion. 

PARVO DISCLOSURE: If your puppy is diagnosed with Parvo contact the breeder immediately. If more than 24 hours pass between the diagnosis and contacting the breeder the guarantee is void. If the puppy contracted Parvo during its time with the breeder then the breeder will replace the puppy after the claim is properly filed and evaluated. To claim a Parvo replacement the breeder will start by having their dogs tested. If the breeder's dogs are clear of Parvo the puppy will not be replaced and the guarantee is void. - Parvo has an incubation period of 7-10 days from point of infection. All Hickory Bluff Labradors dogs are vaccinated against Parvo upon leaving. Our Parvo guarantee is valid for 14 days from leaving our care if the puppy was vaccinated within the required 7 day period. Any puppy that contracted Parvo after the 14  days has done so in the new environment and not from the breeder. Parvo is

extremely contagious, spreads easily and is resistant to cleaners and temperature. It is crucial the puppy is vaccinated within 7 days of purchase to help prevent contraction.

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Conditions and Ailments Not Covered:

Associated changes which may occur with moving a puppy to a new home; including but not limited to;

  • Mental/Emotional stress

  • Low blood sugar

  • Loose stool/bladder

  • Vomiting, panting, pacing 

  • Running away/getting loose

  • Dying or injured during an accident

  • Coccidia (which can be caused by stress and can develop within hours in transport)

 

 

Common canine diseases, including but not limited to;

  • Parvovirus

  • Distemper

  • Adenovirus

  • Blastomycosis

  • Parainfluenza

  • Herpes

  • Coronavirus

  • Leptospirosis

  • Bordetella

  • Lyme Disease

  • Cataracts 

Common canine parasites, including but not limited to;

  • Whipworm

  • Roundworm

  • Hookworm

  • Tapeworm

  • Giardia

  • Fleas

  • Mites

  • Heartworm

  • Demodex (Demodectic mange)

Common canine physical conditions including but not limited to;

  • Fails to meet breed, show, working or competition standard

  • Underbite/Overbite

  • Recessed vulva/Hooded vulva

  • Undescended testicle(s)/Erectile Dysfunction

  • Dysplasia (hip, knee/patella, elbow, dentin/enamel,  etc.) 

 

Common canine ailments, including but not limited to;

  • Vaginitis

  • Bladder/Kidney Infection

  • Urinary Tract Infections

  • Incontinence 

  • Hernia

  • Food Allergies

  • Environmental Allergies

  • Sensitive Skin

  • Arthritis

  • Asthma 

  • Entropion

  • Ectropion

  • Laryngeal Paralysis 

  • Dysphagia

  • Cherry Eye

  • Cervical Spondylomyelopathy (CSM)

  • Heart Murmur, Arrhythmia, Ectopic Beat/Extrasystole

  • DCM

  • Organ Prolapse 

 

 

 

Common canine behavioural conditions including but not limited to;

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Skittishness 

  • Destructive behaviors  (chewing, digging, pacing, gnawing, etc.)

  • Submissive peeing

  • Marking

  • Barking, howling, screaming, whining, growling, snarling, etc.

  • Hyperventilating 

  • Excessive energy 

  • Hyperness

  • House manners complications 

  • House breaking complications 

  • Biting

  • Injury sustained under the new owners care (ingesting foreign object, ingesting poisonous item/food/liquid, broken/fractured/dislocation/subluxation of bone/limb, bowel obstruction, heat stroke, heat exhaustion, burn, laceration, etc

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Congenital Defect Clause

Congenital defects are considered on a case by case basis. As with any living being defects can happen regardless of parental health, pedigree, history and genetics. There is no test available prior to birth to determine if a breeding may produce a congenital defect. Most defects can be surgically corrected or managed with appropriate veterinarian care. Most congenital defects are a rare, unexplained, unpredictable occurrence. Congenital defects are a risk when buying any breed/species/animal at any age. Congenital defects can range from benign to terminal.

We do not cover congenital defects not leading to loss of life. Non-life threatening defects may qualify for a one time, limited, vet  care reimbursement. Reimbursement is at the breeder’s discretion and subject to the breeder’s opinion of the situation. The reimbursement would be no less than $200 USD and no more than $500 USD. Each situation is considered individually. Reimbursement is not guaranteed. 

Life threatening or terminal congenital defects are subject to qualify for replacement of the dog if we feel the defect was due as a result of the breeding. Life threatening and terminal are to include defects severely affecting the quality of life for the dog as well as its ability to perform normal tasks such as eating and voiding/defecating. The dog must either be returned to Hickory Bluff Labradors or euthanized humanely. If euthanasia is the recommended course of action we require the dog be returned to us or we speak to the diagnosing vet prior to euthanizing. 

We will not replace a dog or offer partial reimbursement for vet care if the owner decides to take a different course of action than is recommended by the breeder. Should the owner/buyer decide to take a different approach than what the breeder recommends the guarantee is void. *We do not refund the purchase of an animal (adult, puppy, or senior).*

 

Slander in any form against Hickory Bluff Labradors LLC or Sarah Paea will be prohibited and will be direct violation of this contract. Any purchaser found to slander Hickory Bluff Labradors LLC or Sarah Paea will be required to pay Hickory Bluff Labradors LLC a $2000 fee per incident. Slander will be considered any written or spoken words that will cause a loss of business to Hickory Bluff Labradors LLC. It is our desire that any potential issue would be resolved respectfully and with class should one arise.

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Voiding and Disqualifying Conditions

The guarantee is void if the puppy; has not had all required vaccinations, has not been evaluated by an OFA/PennHip participating vet, examined  by a licensed vet within 2 days of the purchase date, has not been vaccinated against parvo within 7 days of the purchase date, fails to meet age appropriate weight and health marks, and has any post purchase alterations done (alterations include spaying, neutering, ear cropping, tail docking, dew claw removal, and any non-emergency surgery or procedure). The guarantee is void if the puppy is brought into a living environment/home with another household pet that is not current on species appropriate shots (including Parvo) and is not current on its annual evaluations prior to the aforementioned puppy’s purchase date. Household pets include, but are not limited to, dogs, cats, rodents, rabbits, birds, and reptiles.. 

Only a family pet: The guarantee is immediately void if the puppy/dog is being raised or used for any other use besides a companion pet. (Exception; if the puppy was purchased on a breeding contract it qualifies for the health guarantee. If the dog was bred prior to 2 years old the guarantee is void.)

Home inspection: The breeder reserves the right to schedule a spontaneous home inspection, but will notify the owner of the month, week, and estimated time-frame the inspection will take place. If the breeder shows up and no one is home or no one answers the door the guarantee is void. The breeder reserves the right to take pictures of the living conditions to discuss with their vet of choice to help determine if the claim is valid or void. If the owner denies a home inspection the guarantee is immediately void. If the home inspection fails to meet the breeder’s standards then the guarantee is void. To pass a home inspection the home must be clean, free of excessive mold, no household cleaners in easy access, have a minimum 4 ½ foot tall fenced yard or use an underground fence, the dog is obviously kept as an indoor pet, no unsecured trash, a clean dog crate/kennel, obvious access to food, and constant access to fresh, clean water. 

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Because of the verity and quality of dog foods available (and canine illness are not covered by vaccination) we ask that all our puppies sold be kept on "NuVet Joint Plus Canine." For the Hip/Elbow Guarantee All Puppies must be kept on NuJoint Plus only ordered through our link for 13 months. NuVet sends us a monthly list of all the families that order. This way we can have proof of who does and doesn't order. If your puppy is not kept on NuJoint Vitamins the Hip/Elbow Guarantee is

Voided. This Nutritional supplement is only available through breeder recommendation. The order line phone number is

1-800-474-7044. Your order code number is 385992.

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~Additional Notice~

All puppies are sold as pet quality only; no guarantee is made as to disposition, conformation, size, weight, color, markings, or hunting or breeding abilities. We will also not guarantee undescended testicles or micro-chips that have "traveled", or any other non-genetic situation/disorder. 

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