Buyer Education
What Is a Lifetime Genetic Health Guarantee? What It Means and What to Look For
Every breeder claims to have a health guarantee. But what does it actually cover, and what loopholes let breeders off the hook? Here's the buyer's guide to reading guarantee language.
April 15, 2024 · 6 min read
What a Real Guarantee Should Cover
A genuine lifetime genetic health guarantee should cover: (1) Hereditary conditions caused by genes present at the time of breeding that were, or should have been, detectable with available testing. (2) A meaningful remedy — replacement puppy, partial refund, or vet bill coverage — not just 'we're sorry.' (3) A coverage period of at least 2 years for non-degenerative conditions and lifetime for degenerative conditions (PRA, DM, etc.).
Red Flags in Guarantee Language
- 'Healthy at time of sale' — this is not a health guarantee. It's a statement that the puppy was alive when you picked it up.
- 'Environmental conditions excluded' — some exclusion is reasonable, but language that excludes anything the vet can't prove was 100% genetic effectively excludes everything.
- 'Puppy must be returned to receive replacement' — many families can't emotionally return a sick puppy even if legally entitled to. This clause primarily protects breeders, not buyers.
- 'Guarantee voided if fed anything other than [specific brand]' — a legitimate health guarantee does not hinge on brand-specific feeding.
How Our Guarantee Works
Star Struck Puppies' lifetime genetic health guarantee covers hereditary conditions caused by genetic conditions testable at the time of breeding. If a puppy develops a covered condition within the coverage period, we work with the family individually — we don't demand puppies back. We believe the relationship with a family doesn't end at pickup.
Questions to Ask Every Breeder Before Signing
- What specific conditions does your guarantee cover?
- What documentation do I need to make a claim?
- Do I have to return the puppy to receive a remedy?
- What is the remedy — refund, replacement, or vet bill coverage?
- Is the guarantee transferable if I need to rehome the dog?