I have gone back & forth whether or not to include this page, but I believe that it is important that the more informed you are about the pedigrees, policies, & health issues the less chance you will be scammed.

Please advise every breeder has different policies.

1. Research the pedigree -- is a pedigree important?  YES

2. OFA -- Make sure parents are Hip OFA certified

3. Read their puppy policy & guarantee CLOSELY

Why research a pedigree?  When you are buying a puppy for a hunting companion you are buying more than just a cute lab puppy.  The reason we emphasis in the pedigree is that you want a dog with natural retrieving desire & most importantly intelligent. 

    For example...Football terms...If you have a scout that is looking for the next pro Quarterback player.  If I have 3 boys & Pro football player (let's say Peyton Manning) has 3 boys which do you think will have a better chance of being the next pro Quarterback player.   Not to say my boys couldn't be a star pro football player, but look at Peyton Manning's "pedigree"  he comes from a line of football greats, not to mention his own brother is a quarterback.  When you are looking for a specific trait (hunting or quarterback player) you will have a better chance of getting the hunting dog you desire from a proven pedigree. 

Below is a list of AKC/UKC Titles you want to see in a "hunting" pedigree.

What's an OFA?    OFA -- Stands for Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.  It's a society that rates & screens animals for different genetic defects. The OFA rates Hip, Elbow, Thyroid, & other items.  Each breed may have different genetic problems & one genetic problem seen in any large breed is Hip Dysplasia.  Without getting into to much detail, Hip Dysplasia is basically the way the ball joint fits into a dog's pelvic bone (hip).  If the ball joint is not set into the socket correctly then the dog will have many problems from early arthritis to even having problem running & doing normal day to day activities.

    For a dog that laying around the house, this may not be as much as a problem.  But a hunting dog will be running, jumping, & be very active during hunting season.  Also many people invest countless hours & money into training their hunting dog.

There's not a "genetic test" to screen for Hip dysplasia.  Therefore the OFA rates the hips that are submitted.  The chance of you getting a dysplasia puppy is very slim if for 3 to 4 generations back the parents are all OFA certified.  It's still possible (this is why breeders have guarantees.)

There are other tests that breeders have done on their dogs.  CERF (Eye exams), Thyroid, Elbows,  CNM.  Not to say these are important because they are important.  But you need to have a standard.

READ the Guarantee & policy.  Some breeders have listed their guarantee others do not.  But don't be afraid to ask to reed their policy before you purchase the puppy.  If you want to know if a breeder is really legit, then ready their policy.

Some breeders may have a policy that you can't exercise your dog. No jumping, running, etc.   I've read where you have to feed a dog a certain brand of food.  (Yes, I have read this before.) Some breeders may limit a dog's registration, which I've seen in the show lines.

What you want to watch for is something like above, where a breeder can get out of giving you any money back.  I know by the time a dog is 2 you have invested time & money into your puppy & probably will not give the dog back, but at least you have an option of getting  some money. Maybe put it toward another puppy or help with the surgery cost if needed.

Why do breeders ask to alter the dog?  (spay or neuter) This way you are not passing on the genetic trait.

Below is our guarantee.  Like I said all breeders have different policies, just know what you are getting into.

Cross Creek Kennel’s Puppy Guarantee

Cross Creek Kennel, Inc. guarantees your puppy health for 10 days from the time a puppy is transferred to the buyer.  The buyer has 10 days to have the puppy examined by a licensed veterinarian.  If upon examination the veterinarian finds a health defect, we will refund the puppy’s purchase price.  The buyer must provide a letter from the veterinarian explaining the problem and return the puppy back to us at the buyer’s cost.

Cross Creek Kennel, Inc. also guarantees a puppy’s hips up to 26 months of age.  If a licensed veterinarian or the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals finds a defect (hip dysphasia) in the hips, please read dog/puppy replacement options below. We do not recognize Penn-Hip Evaluations at this time. The buyer must provide documentation (OFA documentation or letter from vet & x-ray if possible) of the defect.  Cross Creek Kennel, Inc. does hold the right to require either a second submission to OFA or second veterinarian’s opinion, at buyer’s expense, if we believe there is valid reason. 

Cross Creek Kennel, Inc. guarantees a puppy’s eyes up to 26 months of age.  If a licensed Veterinary Ophthalmologist or the Canine Eye Registration Foundation finds a defect in the eyes (Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Congenital Cataract, Retinal Dysplasia), please read dog/puppy replacement options below.  The buyer must provide documentation of the eye defect.  Cross Creek Kennel, Inc. does hold the right to require a second veterinarian’s opinion, at buyer’s expense, if we believe there is valid reason.

Exclusions: Injury/illness/death caused by neglect/abuse after receipt of puppy by the buyer will not be covered by guarantee. If the dog/puppy is sold or transferred to a new owner this guarantee is voided

Dog/Puppy Replacement options (if your puppy develops an eye or hip defect as stated above. The buyer has a choice of ONE of the following options

1)      We replace the dog with a puppy of equal value from a future Cross Creek Kennel, Inc. litter. (dog must be delivered back to Cross Creek Kennel, Inc. at buyer’s cost.)

2)      We refund puppy purchase price once the dog is delivered back to Cross Creek Kennel, Inc. at buyer’s cost & papers are transferred to Cross Creek Kennel, Inc.

3)      If the buyer opts to keep the dog, Cross Creek Kennel, Inc. will give the buyer half of the purchase price upon receipt of dog’s registration papers (includes all registries.) and knowledge of dog is altered (spay or neuter).  The papers must be transferred to Cross Creek Kennel, Inc.

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