Nicker Barker Farm TM       

A unique co-ownership option -

    We offer a unique opportunity, in limited number, for certain of our puppy buyers - co-ownership.  In summary, this entails your signing over certain rights to us, such that we can breed your female dog, and, in return, you will have the right to either a low cost puppy from such breeding or a fee for each sizable litter the dog generates.  Specifically, for every successful whelping (i.e. 3 or more live births), we will provide to you, at your choice, either the 2nd pick of the litter, at approximately 1/2 the normal cost of a puppy, or a payment to you of an equal value. 

The specifics of this opportunity are described below...

We retain the right to accept or reject an application for co-ownership.  In addition, we retain the right to determine the acceptability of a dog for breeding, based on our evaluation of the results of testing noted below, and our evaluation of the dog's health, conformation and personality.  If accepted, the buyer will agree, in writing to the provisions below.

 A.  The buyer agrees

      -    to maintain the health of the dog, including normal veterinary care, and to train the dog, such that the dog is well behaved, and potty trained to go outdoors;

        -    to inform Nicker Barker Farm of all heats and the associated dates, starting from the first heat; and

        -    at an age of no earlier than 12 months and no later than 18 months, to submit the dog to official OFA heart testing/ certification and for a preliminary OFA hip clearance (we will reimburse the buyer for the normal veterinary and registration fees); if the dog does not pass these tests, at our discretion, we will require the buyer to spay the dog (at buyer's cost) and will transfer full ownership to you.

B.  Our intention is to breed the dog a minimum of three times (maximum of five) from roughly 24 to 48 months of age.  To support this, the buyer will be required to do the following:

            -    at age 18 months and older, you will

                    -    inform us of the start of all heats;

                    -    if we find that our schedule will support a breeding on this cycle, deliver dog to us no later than 5 days after heat started for mating;

                    -    pickup the dog (on our notification) approximately 14 days after start of mating;

                    -    deliver dog to us approximately 7 weeks later (exact date per our direction);

                   -    dog to remain with us for approximately 7 weeks for whelping and nursing of the puppies;

                   -    pickup the dog after weaning at our notification.

            -    The dog will be mated for a minimum of 3 deliveries (maximum of 5; the number of deliveries will be at our discretion) of 3 or more puppies; at the completion of this commitment, you will have the following rights and responsibilities:

                    -    the dog shall be spayed (upon receipt of a copy of the spaying certificate, we will reimburse you up to $150 to offset the cost of this procedure); no further breeding will be allowed;

                    -    we will issue you a letter transferring ownership entirely to you upon completion of your responsibilities.

Failure to fulfill your above responsibilities will result in a $2000 penalty paid immediately to Nicker Barker Farm.  While we anticipate no issues as the result of this breeding program, and will pay for all veterinary care incurred during the time the dog is in our care as a result of the breeding program, you will, at your expense, maintain all inoculations and provide for the care of the dog while in your care.  In the event of the loss of the dog during whelping, our liability will be limited to providing a replacement dog at no cost to the buyer.