How do I report a bad breeder?

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Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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Hi everyone,

I’m new to the forum, so here’s a quick introduction 😌

I live near Paris and my partner and I are the happy owners of two dogs and a cat.

I’m writing to you today regarding the adoption of one of our dogs, a little Japanese Spitz, who we got at Christmas in 2016.

When we arrived at the breeder’s place, I was so caught up in the excitement that I didn’t pay enough attention to the fact that the dogs' living area was filthy and overcrowded with all sorts of different breeds. (I’ll post more about that later as it goes even further than that).

Even though I was meant to see several litters, the lady only showed me two puppies from the same litter, along with their mum. I immediately noticed huge physical differences between the two little ones, from the size of their eyes to the texture of their coats. I asked to see the other puppies, but she claimed she didn’t have any. Perhaps a bit too hastily, I confirmed by email that I’d take one of the girls, the one she’d recommended.

Once I’d paid for the puppy, I went to collect her on the agreed date.

And when I arrived, what a surprise—I found a whole other litter of five puppies the same age as mine. This was despite her saying there weren't any others.

The breeder, without any shame at all, then told us straight out that our Maru wasn’t "pretty", that her eyes were too small, her snout too long, and her coat non-existent. She even said the mum didn’t produce nice pups and never had.

A MONTH LATER, SHE POSTED AN AD TO GET RID OF THE MOTHER!! Since then, she’s also got rid of the father.

It’s now a year later and I’ve never received any Kennel Club registration papers, nor even any proof that the litter was ever declared. The breeder has gone completely silent despite my many follow-ups. I love my dog because she’s my dog, obviously. But being objective, I’ve been ripped off and paid a premium for her. My dog looks nothing like a Japanese Spitz (either physically or in terms of temperament).

She has very little fur, very irritated skin, she barks constantly (a serious fault for the breed), is nervous and aggressive, destroys everything at home, and isn't house-trained. What breaks my heart the most is that she also has tummy troubles: she has poor digestion and is constantly being sick. She really struggles to put on any weight.

Obviously, I have my share of the responsibility (and if you have any advice, I’m all ears).

But I adopted my other dog a few months later and he doesn't have any of these issues...

I’d like to know what my options are for reporting this breeder and perhaps getting them sanctioned. I just want this abuse to be flagged so that other people don’t get conned as well.

Thanks a lot, and sorry for the wall of text...

Translated from French
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30 answers
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    Letete Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi, there’s a multi-breed breeder in Gouy-Servins. They’ve got Yorkshire Terrier types tied up all day long... it’s an absolute disgrace. What can I do?
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    Toni 57 Icon representing the flag French
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    We’ve got a two-and-a-half-year-old Newfoundland with Grade E hip dysplasia. We’ve informed the breeder about the problem, but we’ve heard absolutely nothing back from them, and we’ve just found out they’ve had another litter. What can we do to warn prospective buyers of these little teddy bears?
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    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Just a heads up—now that you’ve named the breeder, they could try to sue you for libel, even though you’re completely right to speak out about your case. She’s stating facts, not gossip. So yes, she should definitely name and shame them as much as possible: they aren’t exactly in a position to kick up a fuss given all the laws their "breeding business" is breaking. The only way to stop them from doing any more harm is to tell the truth everywhere. Thanks for your message! My partner sent an email yesterday, so let's see if we get a reply. If not, I’ll be sending a registered letter, and if I still don’t hear anything, I won’t hesitate to expose this "breeder" far and wide!
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    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Absolutely, Docline 👍
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    Docline
    Docline Icon representing the flag French
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    Just a heads-up, now that you’ve named the breeder, they could try to sue you for libel, even if you’re completely right to speak out about your situation.

    She’s reporting facts, not gossip.

    So yes, let her name and shame them as much as possible: they aren't exactly in a position to kick up a fuss given all the laws their "breeding business" is breaking.

    The only way to stop them from doing any more harm is to spread the truth everywhere.

    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    I’ve been in the same boat as you, and I often think that if you’re going to get a dog that isn’t KC registered, you might as well get one from a rescue. So yes, paying that kind of money and encouraging those sorts of breeders to keep up their dodgy trade is enough to make anyone feel outraged.

    Anyway, you have all the tools you need to put a stop to it.

    As for registration and agility, it depends on the clubs. But I’m fairly sure that to enter competitions, the dog needs to be registered with the Kennel Club.

    Translated from French
    Tania28
    Tania28 Icon representing the flag French
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    Get in touch with the Kennel Club and explain your situation, and ask if the litter was ever registered. If it wasn't, I’d personally send them a recorded delivery letter to force a reply via post or email (so you've got a paper trail) and demand they hand over the missing papers; then, depending on the outcome, report them.
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    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Unfortunately, you’re far from being the only one. But if this breeder is ever going to be stopped, it’ll be thanks to the people who’ve been affected by them. So please, for the sake of all these pups, don't look the other way – don't let them get you down.

    Wishing you all the strength in the world!

    I won’t give up, thanks to you!

    To be honest, I’m not planning on breeding, so that doesn’t really matter to me. But it’s the principle of the thing. And besides, I think you need Kennel Club registration to do agility, don’t you?

    Thanks a lot :)

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    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    You’re far from being the only one, unfortunately. But if this breeder is ever shut down, it will be thanks to the people who have been affected. So please, for the sake of all these little ones, don’t turn a blind eye and don't lose heart.

    Wishing you all the strength you need!

    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    After all this time, if you still haven’t received the registration papers, it means she hasn’t even been provisionally registered.

    There are very specific timeframes for registering a mating and a litter. A one-year delay is far too long; the deadline passed ages ago. She’s leading you a merry dance, just trying to stall you so you’ll get off her back. It’s disgraceful.

    Keep us posted on how you get on with everything 👍

    Yes, I think you’re right. And even if what she says is true, it’s completely unprofessional. She must think we’re a bunch of mugs...

    Thanks for all your advice and support! I’ll definitely keep you updated.

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