What should a puppy health guarantee cover?
Short answer
A fair puppy health guarantee should include a short window (often 3–10 days) to have your own vet examine the puppy, written cover for hereditary or congenital conditions for at least one to two years, a clear remedy (refund, replacement or treatment costs — your choice), and a take-back promise if you can ever no longer keep the dog.
Updated · By the PetBuddyHub breeding team
The four parts of a good guarantee
| Part | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Vet-check window | Days to have your own vet examine the puppy, with a remedy if they find a congenital problem. |
| Genetic guarantee | Cover for hereditary conditions diagnosed within a set period — ideally two years or more. |
| Remedy | Your choice of refund or treatment costs, not only a 'replacement puppy'. |
| Take-back | The breeder takes the dog back at any age, for any reason. |
Small print to watch for
- Replacement-only remedies that require you to return a dog you are already attached to.
- Exclusions for the conditions the breed is best known for (for example breathing in French Bulldogs).
- Conditions that void the guarantee for ordinary things, such as feeding a different food.
- No guarantee at all on 'pet quality' puppies.
Our guarantee
Every puppy we sell has three: a 10-day health guarantee (have your vet examine the puppy, and if they find a congenital problem you choose a full refund or treatment up to the purchase price), a 2-year genetic guarantee, and a lifetime take-back at no fee.
Common questions
- Do puppy lemon laws exist?
- Yes. Around 20 US states have 'puppy lemon laws' that give buyers rights if a puppy is sold sick or with a congenital condition. Rules and time limits vary by state, so check your own.
- Is a replacement puppy a fair remedy?
- Only as one option. A good guarantee lets you keep the dog you love and claim treatment costs or a refund instead.