what are my rights

Question
QUESTION: In december I purchased what I believed to be an English Bulldog puppy.  He
is almost 8 months now and about 17 inches tall.  He weighs about 45 lbs.  I
believe I was sold an Olde English Bulldogge.  I know bulldogs go through
their ugly stages, but he doesn't look beefy like the other bulldogs his age.  I
want to know what my rights are?  I have a contract stating the dog I picked
up was an English Bulldog, but if it's not what can I do?

ANSWER: If you didn't get any type of registration papers, pedigree etc. which states conclusively what type of dog you're supposed to have, you're going to be in a very difficult position legally. This happens with these dogs all the time. Usually if you're looking for a less expensive Bulldog and find one, chances are it will be an OEB and not an AKC Bulldog.

If your contract simply says "English Bulldog" and not registered, or AKC or any registry information, like a pedigree, proving what you have is next to impossible. That is of course, unless the breeder is willing to tell you the truth.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: He did come with CKC papers where both the parents are registered under English Bulldogs.  The grandparents are stated on the extended family tree as well. I know from research that OEB are not recognized under AKC and CKC. He does look like an english bully, just a little taller than most.  Am I just expecting too much out of him at only 8 months old?

Answer
The CKC is a despicable registry IMO. If you send in 3 pictures of a dog that remotely resembles a Bulldog, they will give it CKC registration papers. You can send in fake names for parents and full pedigrees and the CKC will take it as fact without researching it to be true or false.It's a bogus operation. Generally people who were sold poor quality AKC dogs with no papers go to the CKC so they can breed their dog and have papers on the puppies.

Regardless, chances are your dog is from poor quality parents, and I'm sorry to be so blunt about it but it's the truth. If it doesn't look like an AKC Bulldog, I'm not surprised.