Underbite is a flaw?

Hello, everyone. I'd like to hear your opinion!

I bought a Bichon Frise female puppy from a breeder a month ago. She was eight weeks old. I paid $1,200 for her. I don't make much money, but I really wanted a healthy, beautiful Bichon puppy for my long-term companion and had saved money for the expensive puppy. I once thought about adopting a pup/dog from a shelter, but I live in an apartment ALONE - I am a single mom of my pup, and I was so afraid of getting a dog that barks a lot here.

Anyway, I have found out that my pup has an underbite. One of my friends, who is a dog walker, just pointed that out. I think she is right - I am going to speak to the vet soon to make sure of this problem. I've heard there is a breed that is supposed to have an underbite, and I suppose Bichon should not have it, correct?

My pup is beautiful, and that doesn't change my love for her, but to be honest, I am upset a little with the fact that the breeder charged me that amonut of money for a puppy with an underbite. I am sure the breeder knew that. The friend now tells me I should get some discount for the flaw.

Do you think I am entitled to ask the breeder for a discount? Is it reasonable or unreasonable for me to do this? Or underbite is regard as a flaw?

I need your opinion, and I'd appreciate it.

Thank you so much in advance.

your dogs Bite is scissors. Meaning even, no under or over bite! Depending on how old the dog is this can change. This is a flaw will only count against the dog in a conformation show. If your not showing the dog you don't have to worry about it. I doubt the breeder will refund you any money. But you can always threaten to ruin their ruputation. Good luck
www.bluewhippet.net

For 1200$, you should have a show quality puppy from parents who are both show champions and are health tested against any genetic problem inherent in this breed.

I once thought about adopting a pup/dog from a shelter, but I live in an apartment ALONE - I am a single mom of my pup, and I was so afraid of getting a dog that barks a lot here.

I don't understand this part. Puppies from breeders bark just as much as puppies from shelters if they are left alone all day...:confused:

Dear downloader,

Thank you so much for your quick response. My dog will not be a show dog, so like you say, I do not have to worry abou it. I think my pup has a minor underbite, and it may not be a big deal. This is something I didn't expect to happen, so I am a litte disappointed. I just read a web page written by a Poodle breeder, and it says that if "the puppy has an underbite, the breeder should be aware of it, the price should be reduced". It also says the registration should be "limited". My pup is supposed to be registered with CKC, according to my breeder...., but I haven't received the pedigree paper yet although the breeder told me she would send it to me by mail later. Whether or not my pup is registered doesn't matter, but I felt like I paid more money than I was supposed to, which just upsets me.....

I do not intend to ruin the breeder's reputation even though she wouldn't refund me any money.

Thank you for your opinion and advice. That helps a lot!!!

1200 $ is indeed a price for a show quality dog... and if your dog really has an underbite, well you paid too much... however, since I assume you did not specifically ask for a show quality dog, the breeder did not have to provide you with one of that quality. She just charges A LOT for her dogs...

About the registration papers: I would not worry. The breeder had to send the forms for each pup and wait for the CKC to issue the registrations, then mail them back to the customers. It takes a bit of time.

Dear Lucky Rescue,

Thank you so much for your response. I also think that I paid $1,200 for a show-quality dog even though I am not going to show my dog.... The breeder has given me one-year health guarantee, but I doubt an overbite is considered as a health problem.... Maybe I should speak with the breeder.


I don't understand this part. Puppies from breeders bark just as much as puppies from shelters if they are left alone all day...:confused:

Actually my pup has been doing great. She used to cry when she was left in the crate, but I bought a play pen for her. She barks right after she notices I am gone, probably for a minute or so, but she seems quiet after that. Whenever I come home, she is very relaxed lying down in the pen and patiently waiting for me to come to get her out without barking. I believed a young puppy would learn and adopt a new lifestyle quickly if it doesn't know any other lifestyle than its life with the breeder......

However, I have already decided to adopt a dog from a shelter if I have a change to get the next or another dog - I have learned a lot about dogs in shelters/pounds since I started gathering info on dogs. Lots of stories I have read made me sad...and also made me feel like helping even one of them.

Dear Inverness:

Thank you for you reply. Oh, and thanks so much here again for your reply to my old post regarding my puppy's first walk. I started walking her right away, and it went very well! Now she is fine with lots of noises, cars, huge buses and so on. It was truly good I didn't wait for her third shot.

I am going to speak to the vet to make sure my dog really has an underbite. I do not remember whether or not I told the breeder that I was not going to show my dog. The price was already asked for even before the litter was born, but depending the puppy's condition, I think the price should be changed. I should speak to the breeder, not expecting her to get me some refund, anyway.

About the registration papers: I would not worry. The breeder had to send the forms for each pup and wait for the CKC to issue the registrations, then mail them back to the customers. It takes a bit of time.

Oh, I see. I didn't know this at all. It is very good to know. Thanks a lot. I know I just have to wait.

Thank you so much for your opinion!!!!

My parents just bought a poodle puppy.both parents were shown to championship male in US and Canada.The breeder kept back four puppies as possible show prospects.My parents puppy was one of them,she is show quality,but not as on in the breeders opinion so she let her go to a pet home.She went with a spay/neuter as well as a copy of her litter reg.The breeder now must furnish the final individual application before the age of six months.Your breeder would have been aware of any bite problems since it is a common fault and any good breeder will be up front on bites.As far as price no good breeder decides on a price for the whole litter before they are born,unless they are churning out puppies with no thought to qualty.You were charged way too much for pet.My parents paid 1000 for a show quality.

If you bought your dog with a show contract, then you are entitiled, but as a non breeding contract/ pet dog, they do not have to do anything. 1200$ I do not find too outrageous. IF the parents, and history have been shown to championship, health checked. OFA/OVC, hearts, eyes, elbows. But with most small dog breeders, they do not do all the genetic testing.
Call your breeder, let her know what you found. But depends on the age of the puppy, because an under bite, or over bite can correct itself. I say can, not always, but has happend many times.

OH ya, just to let everyone know, Many breeders sell there pet/show dogs at the same price. They only want what is best for there dogs, which is pet first, then show....That comes from a breeders mouth exactly. They want there dogs happy formost. And then if you decide to show to championship, get OFA and elbows, cardiac done, they give you a rembursement of some money.
This is coming from a breeder of rottweilers that has been breeding, and showing for 20 some odd years....And someone I really respect.

If you just bought a pet quality pup then unfortunately the breeder may owe you nothing but if you bought show quality, that is a different story.

As for the reg papers, she has 6 months to get them to you. Did you pick part of the name.

I also think you can call the CKC to make sure that the litter was indeed registered and papers are pending.

Dear Lise,

Thank you for sharing the story of your parents' poodle. When I met the breeder, I thought she was very knowledgeable and taking good care of their dogs. So I decided to buy a puppy from her. I blindly believed she would provide me a best quality puppy... I just feel kind of deceived (am I exaggerating?) by her not telling me the bite problem... I am not sure whether she should have or not.... Yeah.... $1200 was a lot of money for me... I did work hard to save this money......, therefore, I am very disappointed. However, my dog is wonderful..., and I love her... Maybe I shouldn't make a big deal out of this...., should I?

how old is your puppy? as I said the bite can correct itself

Dear Rottielover,

Thank you so much for your reply and the useful information.

If you bought your dog with a show contract, then you are entitiled, but as a non breeding contract/ pet dog, they do not have to do anything.

The latter is my case - yes, my contract is a non-breeding, so I am not entitled to get some refund or something like that....

But depends on the age of the puppy, because an under bite, or over bite can correct itself. I say can, not always, but has happend many times.

I now feel better to know this, even though it will probably not change. My puppy just turned 13 weeks old. I spoked to the vet, and she also said my pup's overbite COULD change... All I hope now is that will happen, but the most important thing is that she is healthy and happy.

I will absolutely contact the breeder and tell her what I have found, yes! - even though I don't get any money back.... I will probably just say, "It wis a real shame you didn't inform me of the pup's bite problem....." or something like that. I know this won't give her any impact....

Thank you a lot here again for your message, Rottielover. It helps a lot.

Dear Stacy,

If you just bought a pet quality pup then unfortunately the breeder may owe you nothing but if you bought show quality, that is a different story.

Yes, I just bought my pup as a pet... Well, I agreed to pay that amount of the money, so I am probably not entitled to get any refund for that flaw of my puppy. I just feel disappointed...

As for the reg papers, she has 6 months to get them to you. Did you pick part of the name.

I see. My pup is still 3 months. I think the breeder will pick up the name(s) for the registration, and I do not really care about it - I just hope she picks/picked up a nice name for my pup!!!

Thanks for your reply. I've started feeling I should forget about the underbite..... At least, I will tell the breeder about it though..

Dear BMDLuver,

Thank you for your advice. I will absolutely do that, although I might wait a little more or contact the breeder at first...

Thanks again!!