Oh DD u certainly haven't let the owner's down. U didn't know he had a brain tumour. It wasn't ur fault. It must have been very upsetting for u.

How very unfortunate for all concerned. Poor little boy - but you made the right decision for him. The personality disorder must have been very confusing & frightening for him.

My sincere sympathy to you & his owners.

DD I do not think you should reproach yourself in anyway,you did your best to help and advise the purchasers and although it is a horrible thing to have happened there is little more you could have done I do think the purchasers were a bit slow off the mark in firstly not recognising what was unusual and extreame behaviour in the puppy and then not seeking help. Sadly horrid things do happen to our children and our dogs at times..we can gain some small positive thing from each encounter in that we will be more aware of a similar situation should it occur again and be able to use our experience to help others.

(((((( Big hug DD )))))))))))))

Sorry to hear that DD

DD, I'm so sorry to hear that This is terrible news, but you are not at all to blame, and you didn't let the owners down at all. You gave your input based on what they told you and that's all you could do. Don't reproach yourself over this, you sound like an excellent breeder and mentor to people who purchase your puppies.

Azz, I agree 100%. I've been saying their should be a test for people that buy or adopt dogs that could be potentially dangerous in the wrong hands. As for doing this with all dogs, that would be okay, but each breed would need it's own test IMO.

Jeannette, you are an excellent and devoted parent to Luna and I KNOW you would pass any test with flying colors.

Thanks for all your words of support.

I am going to ring Boycie's owners today and see how they are, we are still numb so I dread to think how they must be feeling, although they were bringing him back none of us expected this to happen. I would like to offer them a puupy from my next litter as I now know that his behaviour was not completely caused by them but OH say No.

What do you all think?

I suppose it is a guilt thing with me but I also know they loved that boy to pieces and with tighter guidance from me things will turn out better.

I agree with your OH based on the fact that, very early on, you were concerned that these people were not giving Boycie the correct socialisation & training, and that they completely ignored your advice regarding the inadvisability of early castration and your recommendation that they should seek professional help with Boycie when behavioural problems first became apparent..

You say that his behaviour was not entirely caused by them. Even if they were only partially to blame I would be hesitant to allow them another of my puppies.

I am sure that, like you, they are saddened beyond description by his death, but I do feel that they should have had him assessed by you or by a professional behaviourist much earlier. Abnormal/idiopathic aggression should have been recognised or, at least, they should initially have consulted a veterinarian with their concerns. "Loving a dog to pieces" is not enough, and would they really accept more input from you?

Do not feel guilty. It was a very unfortunate thing but not one that you could have predicted or could have done anything to remedy once you found out the full extent of the problem.

If giving a full or partial financial refund will ease your mind do so, but think very carefully about giving the life & wellbeing of one of your precious pups to people who perhaps are not fully aware of the needs of this particular breed.

Hi DD I hope you are feeling a little easier in your mind today. As to your question.. as always I ask what would I do? I still have a very uneasy feeling about this..the behaviour that poor puppy displayed was not normal by anyones standards, had I been the purchaser even an inexperienced one I would have had enough concern to persue the matter earlier with first the breeder then the vet. As SB has said, if you feel better offering a refund that is fine...and I would do the same myself although you are not obliged to do so...but not another puppy ..walk away from this DD. I say this for a number of reasons. First my concerns about the purchaser and the first puppy, secondly you will always be looking over your shoulder to see if there is a problem with the new puppy as will the purchasers. The decision of course is yours and you have to do what makes you feel the most comfortable with this sad situation. You can't change what happend..but I would tell the people I would not be having a litter for a while and let them go elswhere Best wishes, Mini