AKC Pedigree...am I being scammed?

Hi, all.
I recently made a deposit on a lab puppy. I was introduced to the puppies parents, the mother being black and the father being yellow. When I later downloaded the research pedigree from the AKC, it listed the mother as chocolate, and the father as black. Could there be any reason for this discrepancy other than some type of fraud? I'm not very familiar at all with the AKC pedigree chart, but I would certainly assume the color listed under the dogs name and registration number IS the color of that particular dog, not of any other lineage. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hi—

How well had you researched the breeder before making a deposit? This is a bit odd. I would first contact the breeder, as they should have the pedigrees easily available (if not already online), and make a polite inquiry.

I think it's odd.

Where did you learn about the breeder from?

AKC registration should not be considered an automatic indicator of a responsibly bred, quality Lab. What you are stating is very odd. There are plenty of reputable breeders in Ohio, so there is no reason to settle for a puppy from a breeder that you have suspicions about.

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Originally Posted by dxboon

AKC registration should not be considered an automatic indicator of a responsibly bred, quality Lab. What you are stating is very odd. There are plenty of reputable breeders in Ohio, so there is no reason to settle for a puppy from a breeder that you have suspicions about.

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x100
AKC is STRICTLY a registry. You could (politely) ask them to explain the discrepancy. but if you are having doubts, best to move on and search for a breeder you trust (even if it means loosing the deposit). The breeder shouldn't just be a person you deal with once when you pick up the puppy and pay, but someone that can help and guide you (as needed, not in a "watching over you way") over the years.

I'd ask more questions about if both parents having passed all their health clearances (and see the proof) and how they raise the litter and temperment/care of the parents. here's just a little bit on picking a breeder/puppy: Selecting A Puppy - The Labrador Retriever Club, Inc.

what are health clearances? the breed is unfortunately plagued by many horrible health issues due to willy nilly breeding of any "pure bred" dog. Luckily there are test (clearances) a good breeder does on dogs prior to deciding to breed them or not (and to what dog to breed to). here is more info: Clearances For Labs

Listing a dog as chocolate when it's really silver is common and the only way to get a silver appear to be legitimate, since Labs don't come in silver. The same is done with black for charcoal and yellow for champagne. These latter dilutes are not as common and this will not be seen as much. But to have chocolate instead of the correct yellow is peculiar. A flag raiser to be sure. I agree a polite query to the breeder (assuming you did your due diligence in checking the breeder out before plunking down money) is in line, to start. It could be a weird mistake. Or not.

Also agree, you want to see parents with AKC registration but that alone does not speak to the reputation of the breeder.

I would politely ask why the discrepancy, and ask for proof all clearances have been done. If either can't be provided, I'd politely ask for my deposit back and start searching for a reputable breeder. This "breeder" seems to be a typical back yard breeder who care nothing about the breed, and only about the cash they can generate from selling puppies to unsuspecting people.

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Originally Posted by barry581

I would politely ask why the discrepancy, and ask for proof all clearances have been done. If either can't be provided, I'd politely ask for my deposit back and start searching for a reputable breeder. [...].

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Absolutely—and I'd be prepared to lose the deposit. The more I think about this, the more like fraud—and less like probable error—it seems. I doubt this is a mistake w/ the registration, but possibly the breeder claiming parentage other than (that is: better) what they are actually offering. I'd say that's a *huge* red flag. Further, if the parents are not the dogs indicated as the parents, then any claims that these dogs have health clearances is impossible to determine. How frustrating.

But the relationship with a breeder is crucial. I began contacting mine 8 months before we brought our girl home. I had planned to get a pup from an earlier litter, but I was overseas, and when I learned that the take-home date occurred before I would be back, I wrote to her to cancel (she was relieved, as all the dogs had sold, and she had a waiting list); there was no talk of asking for a deposit back, because I knew I wanted one of her dogs and trusted her. When the next litter was born (in June), she let me know immediately; when the pups were born, she let me know the genders. When one of the boy pups died, she let me know that. We were in pretty consistent contact, and I trusted her (and vice versa) completely. When our pup threw up on her second day home, I called her before the Vet—and learned that all of the pups had a small stomach bug, and it passed in 24 hours (and she was right: our pup was feeling fine within 8).

I take her advice on food, on trainers, on weight, on spaying. We fully expect to have an ongoing relationship with the breeder (we'll take our dog to visit them, and they are invited for a visit any time), and our next dog will come from them. This is the kind of relationship I think you want. It's much more important than a deposit.

None of which makes it any better, if this ends up being fraud. I am truly sorry.

Before you jump the gun, ASK the breeder. If you don't like what you hear, then ask for your deposit back. But in reality, you should have the correct registration #s, it's not that hard of a thing to keep in order unless the breeder is breeding TONZ of litters, and that would be an indicator to NOT get a pup from them.

Agree with the above posts. Cannot add anything else. Do politely question the breeder.