Hi all, i'm new to the forum and just wanted to ask for some advice. I also posted on the Dachshund thread, but didn't get any replies, so thought i'd post here instead where more people may see it.
My partner and I have been looking for a mini dachshund pup for months. We eventually come across a breeder who had a little fawn/isabella female available that we liked, so were very excited about that. We found the breeder listed on dogzonline, so thought there shouldn't be any issues being a registered breeder etc.
I emailed back and forth a few times, asking some initial questions and all went well there. But then was suddenly told another party was interested and that a deposit would need to placed to secure her. As we didn't have much time to think about it, and didn't want to miss out on her, we put down $500 of the $2000 about 3 weeks ago (the puppy is ready on the first weekend in September). I asked if this was refundable, and was told only $250 was refundable if we change our minds, or 100% refundable if the puppy didn't pass her vet check for whatever reason.
Being an excited new mum i'd posted up the initial photo i'd received to facebook etc. Another breeder ended up contacting me about her, and informed me that the Isabella color can actually have skin/hair problems as they age. However ever since I put down the deposit 3 weeks ago i've had hardly ANY contact from the breeder. I'd asked some more questions, plus was promised weekly photo updates. After sending multiple emails I eventually heard back from her yesterday with some more photos. Overall she hasn't really asked me anything about myself, which is a bit concerning, as I know i'd be finding out as much as possible from buyers if I were a breeder.
The issue is that the breeder never once said anything about the linked colour condition to me. If we had of known this originally we probably would have moved on and looked for something different, instead of putting down the deposit. I've emailed her again since finding this out, so now just waiting on her reply. But what happens in the case she refuses my refund?! I'd like to give the benefit on the doubt, but since doing some more looking around i've heard some not so good things about this lady.
Here's the pup in question, and assuming the adult is either mum or dad.
Is this actually an isabella, what are your thoughts? Any help or advice would be much appreciated.