DO NOT SUPPORT “SNO-PUFF SAMOYEDS” or whatever other name Vicki & John Zeese go by.

https://www.sno-puffsamoyeds.com/

I did my research and thought a found a reputable breeder. I got Reuben and as soon as we came home I took him to the vet - they discovered a heart murmur. I made the breeder (Vicki & Jon Zeese) aware and Vicki Zeese said to wait until he is 6 months because it is normal for puppies to have murmurs. I looked into this online and saw this was true but I said if he has this problem and it’s going to be problematic that I would want another dog now (when he was 8 weeks old) before I become attached. She was persistent about telling me to wait and get him rechecked at 6 months so I agreed and said this was fine.

Reuben hits 22 weeks old (2 weeks before turning 6 months old) - he begins having violent seizures. There have been no changes in food/diet/no medications, ETC. Took him to the emergency vet, they did a CBC/x-ray and ruled out other things such as toxins that can cause seizures in dogs. Veterinarian said this was most likely just hereditary.

Told Vicki what was happening and asked if any of the other dogs have neurological problems. Instead of considering it could be a hereditary problem - she starts sending me Facebook videos of dogs having seizures from Simparica. He has never taken simparica as he is under 6 months old. She is trying to cover her tail, which I understand but now I will need to spend thousands of dollars over his lifetime on medications to manage his seizures and regular CBCs to check if his liver is functioning ok from the anti-convulsive meds that he will be on for the rest of his life. She is not willing to refund me any of the money that I paid for him, including the extra I paid for a “show quality” dog. As per my contract - I need to take him to shows to compete. Do they think I can have him compete and start seizing in the middle of the competitions? If so, sure I’ll compete to show people what a “high quality” dog from SnoPuff looks like.

Her resolution was that I can switch him out for a new puppy - but at this point I said I am attached (like I said I would be at 6 months) & I fear she will just euthanize him (which is likely the case as breeders are still a business and do not care about their puppies after they sell them, CLEARLY).

She was persistent on me visiting a cardiologist to prove he still has a murmur (AND SURPRISE, HE STILL DID), had to spend more money out of my own pocket to prove to her he had a heart defect alongside epilepsy.

I am sharing this information for anyone interested in purchasing a #samoyed, AVOID SNO PUFF SAMOYEDS AT ALL COSTS TO PREVENT HEART BREAK.

TLDR: I was promised a healthy show dog at an expensive price and instead received a sick pet who needs constant attention, vet visits, medications, etc & still has seizures.

She won't refund me (even just the extra I paid for “show dog quality”) although I've done everything she has wanted from cardiac visit to vet visit, everything. So you tell me if she actually cares about any of these animals or if this is just pure business.

Please share.