Is this a scam?

[handinpocket]

I was looking for a Chow puppy in my state. I found a puppy and replied to the add (it was a reputable breeder by the add). The breeder then sent me an email asking questions. Fine. Answered them all. They sent me an email back saying they were in TX, not the state they proclaimed to be in and wanted to know all my info, like full name, address, email, phone, cell.

I'm probably just paranoid but thought I would ask here if this could be a scam, thanks.

 

[handinpocket]

Nevermind, I definitely think it is a scam. He just sent me an email telling me he wasn't going to charge me anything for the dog, just for me to pay the courier and they would call me at 9 am. Just stinks to high heavens. My common sense says NO.

 

[PixieDust32]

You can rescue a dog instead of buying from breeader. That ad it does sound like a scam. Good Luck.

 

[golfgal]

Somewhat off topic but check with your homeowner's insurance, Chow's are on most companies dangerous dog list and you could lose your insurance.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Lots of online breeder scammers. If I couldn't go and see the place myself, I wouldn't get a dog there. If the price is too good to be true, it is. If they don't list their phone number on their website, beware. Compare pictures, scammer breeder sometimes copy reputable breeder puppy pictures and you'll see the same ones on more than one site.

 

[minnie56]

Somewhat off topic but check with your homeowner's insurance, Chow's are on most companies dangerous dog list and you could lose your insurance.

Whaaaaaaaaaat??????? I have had 3 Chows and never had one problem! Brought home babies during the first 2 and rescued the 3rd while they were still young. They were wonderful pets..loved and loving in return.

 

[golfgal]

Whaaaaaaaaaat??????? I have had 3 Chows and never had one problem! Brought home babies during the first 2 and rescued the 3rd while they were still young. They were wonderful pets..loved and loving in return.

I don't make the list. Chow's are very protective dogs and have a history as a bread of attacks. Insurance companies do a lot of research into these matters, it isn't like they just pick these things randomly. If we want to go on personal experience only my cousin has 2 chows that are just nasty. They have to lock them in their room whenever they have company because they bark and are very aggressive. My cousin claims it is because they are scared-um right.

 

[PixieTopaz]

http://www.edgarsnyder.com/dog-bite/dangerous-dogs.html

Here is an attorney's list of dangerous dogs , re: Homeowners insurance

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Whaaaaaaaaaat??????? I have had 3 Chows and never had one problem! Brought home babies during the first 2 and rescued the 3rd while they were still young. They were wonderful pets..loved and loving in return.

Chows are on our homeowers no no list.

Chows have a serious potential to become possessive to one member of the household which is just part of the breed.

I am glad you have good luck or you knew how to socialize them well. They are not for everyone.

 

[NikiM20]

On the insurance note, I have Great Danes and they too are on the list. While mine are not at all dangerous, I have to look around for insurance because of them. I also have an insanely high liability limit just in case, because you never know.

 

[Piecey]

I mentioned I had a dog to my insurance agent and she stopped dead in her tracks and went... "What kind?"
She is an Erie and Progressive agent and we have Erie for our house/cars. Apparently they're very strict on dogs.

I have a Shih-Tzu though so no big deal!

Hopefully your agent doesn't have a problem and you can get your Chow, OP! I know someone here locally who breeds them. I worked with their daughter in banking and her mom used to bring 2 of her older Chows in to see us all the time. They were both very sweet and lovable dogs.

 

[wdwmom2]

I have personal experience with the "dangerous dog" list.

A little over 20 years ago I had filed a homeowner's claim for wind damage on my home. An adjuster came out to inspect the damages. At this time I had 4 dog runs attached to an indoor kennel. I bred, trained, and showed German Shepherd Dogs.

The adjuster never mentioned the dogs, but a few weeks later I got a letter from the insurance company that I had 1 month to find new insurance. I honestly never knew this was against the policy, didn't even own a dog when I bought the house.

It didn't matter to the insurance company that my dogs had earned their Canine Good Citizenship test, were certified therapy dogs, and had won numerous obedience titles. Despite their perfect temperment, their breed was on "the list".

Actually, it turned out for the better. I found a better policy, with a better rate!!!

 

[wdwmom2]

I mentioned I had a dog to my insurance agent and she stopped dead in her tracks and went... "What kind?"
She is an Erie and Progressive agent and we have Erie for our house/cars. Apparently they're very strict on dogs.

Erie must have changed, they are who I had switched to when my other company had dropped me due to having GSD's.

 

[golfgal]

I have personal experience with the "dangerous dog" list.

A little over 20 years ago I had filed a homeowner's claim for wind damage on my home. An adjuster came out to inspect the damages. At this time I had 4 dog runs attached to an indoor kennel. I bred, trained, and showed German Shepherd Dogs.

The adjuster never mentioned the dogs, but a few weeks later I got a letter from the insurance company that I had 1 month to find new insurance. I honestly never knew this was against the policy, didn't even own a dog when I bought the house.

It didn't matter to the insurance company that my dogs had earned their Canine Good Citizenship test, were certified therapy dogs, and had won numerous obedience titles. Despite their perfect temperment, their breed was on "the list".

Actually, it turned out for the better. I found a better policy, with a better rate!!!

I am sure your dogs are fine but the issue is that insurance companies can't discriminate-meaning they can't say one German Shepard is ok while another isn't so they have to eliminate all German Shepards. Just like an insurance company can't raise your rates randomly, they have to raise them by class (most use zip code) so if your zip code had a lot of hail damage, for example, you will get a raise in rates even if you didn't have a claim. That is federal law.

 

[wdwmom2]

I am sure your dogs are fine but the issue is that insurance companies can't discriminate-meaning they can't say one German Shepard is ok while another isn't so they have to eliminate all German Shepards.

Believe me, I do understand this. It is stereotyping an entire breed because of the poorly tempered, bred, viciously trained ones that are out there. I do understand the insurance companies can't pick and choose.

 

[golfgal]

Believe me, I do understand this. It is stereotyping an entire breed because of the poorly tempered, bred, viciously trained ones that are out there. I do understand the insurance companies can't pick and choose.

It is not stereotyping, it is based on research, completely different. Actuaries spend a lot of time researching this information.

 

[Mellie2162]

That list makes me chuckle. My sister had a golden retriever and the only thing you were ever in danger of around her was getting her cold nose stuck to your legs or up your behind. She would literally lift you off the ground when you came in as her way of saying hello.

 

[wdwmom2]

It is not stereotyping, it is based on research, completely different. Actuaries spend a lot of time researching this information.

My opinion, from my experiences, stereotyping. Actuality, research, you are right.

And, from my experiences, I have seen much worse behavior from smaller dogs. Again, that is my experience, from many years of working around dogs. Fortunately for small dogs, the damage from an attack is usually less than a larger breed. Not dissing anyone's small breed of dog, I them all!!!

 

[minnie56]

I have a Bull Mastiff and a Jack Russel next door..the JR is much nastier than the BM! Can't tell you the poor animals he has attacked. The Mastiff is a gentle soul..though she's the one that people back off from!

 

[DMRick]

THese are the breeds our insurance company has a problem with. It is also the breeds that several of the campgrounds we camp at will not allow unless you can show you have speicific insurance for them. Other than one list on line, I've not seen goldens on any insurance list, just this law firm: edgarsnyder.

Pit Bull
Wolf-dog,
Rottweiler,
Chow Chow,
German Shepherd,
Doberman,
Husky,
Saint Bernard,
Malamute,
Great Dane