Health Guarantee
• Signature Boston's guarantees the puppy is in good health, is up-to-date on immunizations appropriate for the puppy’s age and has had appropriate de-worming at the time the Buyer takes possession. The Buyer has three (3) business days to take the puppy to a veterinarian for an examination. If the puppy is found to be in poor health, the Buyer has the option of returning the puppy to the BREEDER, at Buyer’s expense for a full refund (minus any shipping expenses), or keeping the puppy.
• Signature Boston's provides this warranty for 24 months after the date of sale against any debilitating congenital defects. In the event the puppy exhibits symptoms of a suspected debilitating congenital defect, the Buyer must supply any requested veterinary records to the Seller
• This warranty does not include viral illnesses, ear infections, improper bites, narrowed snares (common of the breed), hypoglycemia, worms, entropion/ ectropion, Giardia or Coccidiosis. It also does not include any illness due to the ingestion of foreign objects, food, chemicals or physical injury.
• If it is determined the puppy does have a genetic disorder that is identified within 24 months of purchase, the Buyer has the option of (1) either a replacement puppy from the next available litter of equal value Or (2) reimbursement (up to the purchase price of the original puppy)
• Your puppy need not be returned to us. Shipping fees will not be refunded, and if it becomes necessary to ship a replacement puppy, those fees are to be paid by the Buyer.
• If the puppy should die from a suspected congenital defect within 24 months of its date of purchase, an autopsy must be performed at the purchaser’s expense by a veterinary teaching hospital or state licensed DVM acceptable to Signature Boston's own veterinarian. If the autopsy shows a congenital defect as the reason or the death, the Seller will provide another puppy of equal value to the purchaser. A written statement from the veterinarian must be provided. This warranty is void in the event of an indeterminable or inconclusive diagnosis
Why No Breeder Can Guarantee Perfect Health:
Ethical breeders work hard to stack the odds in favor of healthy puppies, but it’s important to understand that dogs are living beings, not products. Just like people, they are influenced by a combination of genetics, environment, and life experiences.
Even with careful health testing and responsible breeding practices, it isn’t possible to eliminate every disease, disorder, or condition. In the same way that two healthy human parents can have a child who develops asthma, allergies, ear infections, cancer, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, or other medical conditions later in life, two fully health tested dogs can produce a puppy who encounters health challenges at some point. This is why health guarantees exist.
Some factors that are beyond any breeder’s control include:
* Conditions influenced by multiple genes, not just one testable gene
* Growth, nutrition, exercise, weight, and injury, especially during puppyhood (in new home)
* Health issues that appear later in life
* Health issues that are not linked to a genetic cause
* Health issues that have no available genetic testing currently available
* Normal genetic variation that can occur in even the most carefully planned pairings
Health testing allows breeders to reduce risk, not promise perfection. Responsible breeders focus on making informed decisions, being transparent, and supporting their puppy families for the life of the dog. If a breeder claims they’ve never had a health issue in their lines, they either haven’t been breeding long enough or they’re not being fully transparent. The reality is that dogs from all living bloodlines will, at some point, encounter some form of health concern, despite what health testing parents have completed. It’s simply the reality of working with living animals and genetics. What truly matters is transparency, accountability, and how a breeder responds when those situations arise.
Understanding this helps set realistic expectations and encourages a true partnership between breeder and owner, one centered on the long term health, care, and well being of a living, breathing family member.
Health in dogs is influenced by a combination of genetics, responsible breeding practices, and lifelong care. Ethical breeders invest in health testing, thoughtful pairings, and transparency. Owners play an equally important role through proper nutrition, appropriate exercise, grooming, weight management, and regular veterinary care.
Being informed allows owners to advocate for their dogs and address concerns early, often making a significant difference in long term outcomes.
Breeders are not God, nor do we have a crystal ball to predict the future. We can make informed, thoughtful decisions based on health testing, pedigree research, structure, temperament, and the information available to us at the time, but no breeder can guarantee that a living animal will never experience a health issue.