!YOU ARE DEALING WITH AN EXPERIENCED BREEDER!! The Laws in Mass. don't protect breeder dogs or the Buyers.CAREFULLY read the paperwork they make you sign and its up to you to decide if you want to go forward. Get the "written" detailed health guarantee, that details what is included and what is not. If you decide to pay and rescue a dog from this breeder, be prepared to take the dog to the vet the same day you pick it up (fecal and blood tests are a must). Also, be prepared if the dog is sick this breeder will most likely blame you, so document everything! If genetic issues are suspected, be prepared to spend a lot of money for that test just to prove its genetic...Did you know that breeders can administer their own vaccines, except rabies? Certain vaccines can be purchased at feed stores. So your trusting the breeder to ensure the vaccines where stored properly, not expired and injected properly to protect your new puppy. As of this date, do you also know this breeder is the Town Animal Control Officer? So if you purchased a sick dog (kennel cough,multiple parasites- some humans can contract, etc), how can you complain to the ACO/breeder?? You must report it to the Dept. of Agriculture, which the current laws give them very limited enforcement powers.I would suggest before you purchase a dog from this breeder, do your research, ( FOI request with the Dept. of Agriculture). Yes, Winterhill has sold some dogs without health issues (genetic or diseases), hence the positive reviews, but they have also sold many sick ones as well. Many people don't report the sick dogs either. Its up to the Buyer to make an informed decision on the risk you want to take. These dogs are not cheap & vet bills amount very quickly (read the contract )!! Breeders aren't regulated like pet stores ( Im not advocating for pet stores but consumer protection laws apply). I hope this breeder would change her practices, clean up her kennel and stop over breeding.
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