FirstBark
As a dog trainer I’m sure Donnie’s skills come across to most everyone. However he also breeds German shepherds and sadly this is where the problems began. He informed me that he was selling his older females as they had been having pregnancy issues. Not keeping a dog after its f…Read full reviewClose full review
As a dog trainer I’m sure Donnie’s skills come across to most everyone. However he also breeds German shepherds and sadly this is where the problems began. He informed me that he was selling his older females as they had been having pregnancy issues. Not keeping a dog after its financial benefit is a red flag that happens with puppy mills. Below is a copy of the last text between the owner and myself as he has since been silent for 2 months at this point. “Hey Donnie. After our last conversation I've been reflecting and I don't feel comfortable going forward with you. In the beginning I was optimistic and you seemed like a great guy with quality dogs. When I was eager in the beginning and the first litter didn't have enough males you offered me a refund on my deposit, but I wanted to stick with you. You also offered to get a puppy from someone you knew in Florida whose dog miscarried. I was still super excited to continue to wait and work with you on your next litter. Then that litter only had one single male and it went to the stud breeder, again I was understanding and was eager to wait the next litter. Only one litter did I refuse and it was a dog you explained that had never been bred and she was young and not proven. You continued to offer young dogs not puppies and eventually, penny the female puppy. The biggest deal breaker from the beginning was I wanted a well tempered and well bred male puppy. I started getting skeptical at this point but stuck it out, then these last two breedings had one male you thought had too high of a drive so it went to someone else. But what really bothers me is you offered to sell me both older females as you stated you were going to be selling them. I view my dogs as family. I can't see how you just sell your dogs you've had for the majority of their life span. By selling the older females as they had pregnancy issues and getting too old to breed it makes you come across as a high end and high dollar puppy mill. The old females had no more value to you so you simply get rid of them to make room for new ones. You provided some great insight and knowledge that shows you care about the breed and its health. You don't just breed dogs with health issues etc. However after waiting 3.5 years and having been extremely patient I didn't like the attitude you gave in our last phone call, I didn't like you're refusal to offer a deposit refund after you've offered it 3 years ago. It seems from an outside point of view after a couple small litters and pregnancy issues you were likely out a lot of money with vet bills and simply were in a bind financially. I have done more research and have decided to go with Vom Zeder Haus German Shepherds. He has a much higher loyalty to his dogs including those of which that are older and no longer applicable to his breeding program. He told me he has been breeding German shepherds's for 40 years and had never heard of you. I'm sure you mean well, and you are knowledgeable about the breed however, I think the business and customer service side of your passion overshadows the skill and experience you have. I don't want to argue, I don't want drama. I just simply feel that I cannot in good conscience move forward in supporting your business. I would like to see the stand up guy that I first spoke with in 2021 do the right thing and refund the deposit and go our separate ways.”