For
the last few years Cairn Terriers with docked tails
have been sold to an unsuspecting public as Norwich
Terriers at highly inflated prices. Some have been
imported from Russia and Eastern Europe ( primarily
Hungary), others have been bred in the United States.
Some are registered with one of the many registries
that the puppy mills have created for themselves and
are sold with meaningless papers and pedigrees.
None were registered with the American
Kennel Club (AKC).
When the buyer discovered the fraud there was little
he or she could do about it. Proving in court that
the puppy they purchased is not a Norwich Terrier is
expensive and close to impossible. Returning the puppy
to the seller (if that was even offered) is out of
the question for these buyers.
In 2005 a bolder type of puppy mill operator appeared
on the scene and we began to find Cairn’s or
mixed breeds with docked tails, who ARE registered
with the American Kennel Club as purebred Norwich.
Because these dogs were registered with the AKC, the
Norwich and Norfolk Terrier Club could do something
about this fraud. Trying to prove to the AKC that these
imposters were not purebred Norwich took months of
work, but we finally were able to do so. A bonus for
us happened when the AKC updated it’s computer
system, to find dogs by their name, instead of just
an AKC registration number.
In a single day 23 litters, which included 53 individuals
were removed from the Norwich Terrier Registry. This
allows buyers who have been duped by unscrupulous breeders
to sue for fraud and recoup their losses. Imposter
Norwich are being removed from our Registry on an on
going basis.
Whether these puppies were AKC registered or not,
they have one thing in common...THEY WERE BOUGHT SIGHT
UNSEEN OFF AN INTERNET WEBSITE.
How Can I Be Sure The Puppy I Purchase
Is A Purebred Norwich Terrier?
By doing your homework and finding
a responsible breeder. You have taken the first step
by coming to this website and reading the information
that is offered here and then going to our Breeder
Referral section.
Of course there are responsible breeders,
who are not members of the NNTC and the best place
to find them is your local dog show. To find a dog
show in your area go to the American
Kennel Club website and
click on Events. Then choose the State(s) you are interested
in and the time frame.
You are purchasing a puppy who will be a member of
your family for many years to come. Choose the breeder
you buy your puppy from carefully and be sure the puppy
is registered with the American
Kennel Club (AKC).
An American Kennel Club DNA number
simply proves who the sire and dam of an individual
are, it DOES NOT quarantee that the puppy/dog is a
purebred Norwich Terrier. |
