Health Guarantee-Puppy Contract


 All puppies and their parents are registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC).

Purchase Price & Deposit
 Cost of Puppy: $700 for Black and Tan and $800 for White and Sable
 Non-Refundable Deposit: $250

 A non-refundable deposit of $250 is required to hold the puppy. Deposit applies toward the purchase price. We do not refund deposits under any circumstances. The remaining balance is due prior to or at the time of puppy pick-up.  If a deposit has been paid and the buyer cannot pay the entire amount, pickup the puppy, or other situations arise, the deposit can be applied to a different litter in the future.

Health and Veterinary Examination/ Health Guarantee
Health Guarantee (Lifetime). You must have your puppy examined by a licensed veterinarian within 5 days.  This guarantee covers congenital or hereditary conditions diagnosed that significantly impact quality of life.
 If a covered condition is diagnosed, provide the written report(s) within 7 days, we will refund up to the purchase price of the puppy
 The lifetime guarantee excludes parasites, minor/temporary conditions, illnesses due to injury, neglect, or inappropriate care. Buyer agrees to provide routine veterinary care, vaccinations, and a proper diet. Liability is limited to the purchase price.

    1. Buyer agrees to have the puppy examined by a licensed veterinarian within 5 days of pick-up.

    2. Any health concerns must be documented with a written veterinary report.

    3. All veterinary expenses for this examination are the Buyer’s responsibility.

-It is up to the Buyer to get a Vet examination, if not done within 5 days of receipt of the puppy then the Breeder is free from any health obligations (Except Hip Dysplasia-see Hip Dysplasia Addendum below)

Hip Dysplasia Addendum
  German Shepherds are predisposed to hip dysplasia, a developmental condition in which the hip joint may not form properly, potentially leading to arthritis or lameness. It typically presents between 5–12 months of age, though early signs can occur as young as 4 months.  If Hip Dysplasia is confirmed within 18 months of age by a licensed Vet and proper documentation is provided by the buyer, the breeder agrees to refund the entire purchase price of the dog.  We do not take the dog back or offer a replacement puppy because we believe at the point where Hip Dysplasia is noticed that the dog has become a part of the buyer's family and can be managed with diet, weight, and exercise changes for most cases.

  – Our Record: Over 20 years of breeding German Shepherds, Lightning Ridge Kennel has had no reported cases of hip dysplasia in our lines.
  – Buyer acknowledges awareness of this breed risk and agrees to maintain proper weight, exercise, and veterinary-recommended hip evaluations.

Vaccination Schedule
 Breeder administers the 5-way (DHPP) vaccine at 5 weeks of age and wormer every 2 weeks (4 doses), if the puppy cannot be picked up at 8 weeks (Must be communicated) then we will administer the 8 week vaccine. Records of vaccines and wormer will be provided upon pickup of the puppy. Buyer agrees to continue the following vaccinations (at Buyer’s cost):
 – 8 weeks: DHPP booster
 – 12 weeks: DHPP booster and Rabies vaccine
 – 16 weeks: Final DHPP booster (if recommended by vet)

Spay/Neuter & Breeding Policy
 The breeder does not require but strongly recommends that the puppy be spayed or neutered within the first year

 – Breeding Exception: All Puppies are registered with the AKC as “Limited Registration.”  This restricts litters from the sold puppy being registered with the AKC in the future, If the Buyer changes their mind at any time the breeding fee can be paid and the limited registration changed by the breeder.  Breeding puppies are sold at 2X the current sale price.

 We reserve the right to waive any fees for puppies sold for breeding.

Registration Papers
 AKC registration papers will be transferred to the Buyer upon receipt of full payment and completion of all contractual obligations.

Puppy Pickup and Boarding
 Puppies become available for pickup upon reaching eight (8) weeks of age. The Breeder will accommodate holding each puppy for up to nine (9) weeks at no additional charge. Should the Buyer require extended care beyond nine (9) weeks, the following boarding fees shall apply:

●      Weeks 10 – 12: $100 per week

●      Weeks 13 – 15: $150 per week

If a puppy remains unclaimed after fifteen (15) weeks of age with no communication, the Buyer forfeits all rights to that puppy and any of the purchase price already paid. The Breeder may rehome the puppy, and no refund or credit will be issued to the Buyer.

Delivery and Travel Policy
 The Breeder offers in-person delivery within a 90-mile radius (one-way) from the kennel, at a rate of $0.75 per mile, calculated on a round-trip basis. For distances exceeding 90 miles one-way, the Buyer may arrange ground transport via a professional, climate-controlled puppy carrier at the Buyer’s expense. Puppies will not be transported by air unless accompanied by the buyer. (We have had buyers fly in to XNA (Bentonville, AR) Pickup their puppy and fly home-we will drive the puppy to the airport to meet their buyer at no additional cost)

We reserve the right to waive delivery fees on a case by case basis.

Seller’s Guarantee
  -The breeder guarantees that the puppy is in good health, free from contagious disease, ticks, parasites, and fleas and has received age-appropriate vaccinations and deworming prior to transfer.
 -This guarantee does not cover sickness or injury resulting from accident, Buyer neglect, lack of proper care by the Buyer, or failure to follow routine veterinary care.