I’m not particularly fond of the look of her dogs, but the fact that she doesn’t do traditional puppy grooms, even for puppies, make it hard to see the dogs’ features. I generally don’t have a good feeling about breeders who don’t take the time to get puppies used to being groomed at a very young age. Poodles need to tolerate grooming.

There is no mention of genetic testing either, and she seems to decide on the price of the puppy based on looks, which would be a red flag to me.

Unless there is something I’m missing, I would pass.

 

Great point Dechi! I appreciate your comment- I will make genetic testing and grooming in my future criteria.
Do you happen to know reliable breeders in the US west coast? We are looking for a toy poodle since we live in an apartment. I appreciate any lead!!
Best

 

I just wanted to say I had the same feeling regarding Sara Jane. She seems to use the term "Teddy Bear" like it's a variety of poodle, like a buzzword. I find that highly distasteful. It's a haircut. I'm not a fan of marketing dogs like they're stuffed animals.

But also it's hard to find things to criticize when there's not much info there. More the lack of info is concerning! There's some great info in these forums (see the pinned posts) about choosing a good breeder/puppy that should steer you in the right direction.

 

Thank you, Dech and Raindrops! It is quite a journey to find trustworthy breeders!

I am getting more educated with the help of the forum - In the beginning, I was thinking about getting a puppy from PuppySpot.com, then learned about puppy mills and all the bad stories about online pet stores. It feels a bit daunting task, but I believe I am heading in the right direction!

 

Thank you, Dech and Raindrops! It is quite a journey to find trustworthy breeders!

I am getting more educated with the help of the forum - In the beginning, I was thinking about getting a puppy from PuppySpot.com, then learned about puppy mills and all the bad stories about online pet stores. It feels a bit daunting task, but I believe I am heading in the right direction!

Good for you! I went through that same journey when I got my pup. There is nothing like a well bred dog from an ethical breeder that you know has done everything they can to ensure the best chance of your dog living a long and happy life with you. Even if you have to wait months and drive or fly to pick it up!

 

Why not reach out to https://redstandardpoodles.net That is Arreau standard poodles perhaps they can helper guide you in the right direction.

 

I never hesitate to ask a good breeder if they have any recommendations. They may be extra competitive in the show ring, but those I’ve contacted have been generous with names of other breeders they admire. They may know who has a litter on the ground or even those contemplating a new litter. I’m glad you’ve concluded that a companion dog from a conformation line is the way to go. Don’t be discouraged if there’s a waiting list - people drop off for many reasons. Best wishes on your search.

 

Thank you Mufar42 and Mfmst! I will go ahead and ask for breeder recommendations. I really appreciate generous help from everyone here!

 

I think you dodged a bullet, seadog

I would look into Cindy Barker if you can travel to Utah. She has received the highest recommendations from one of my poodle friends for having beautiful dogs and having extremely high ethics. https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.p.barker.9

Also Martha at Custom Toy Poodles in Montana/TX comes very highly recommended by a friend who has two of her dogs. https://www.facebook.com/martha.carrolltalley

 

I think you dodged a bullet, seadog

I would look into Cindy Barker if you can travel to Utah. She has received the highest recommendations from one of my poodle friends for having beautiful dogs and having extremely high ethics. https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.p.barker.9

Also Martha at Custom Toy Poodles in Montana/TX comes very highly recommended by a friend who has two of her dogs. https://www.facebook.com/martha.carrolltalley

Really appreciate getting some specific breeder recommendations, especially from your personal network MaizieFrosty!!! I will reach out to Cindy and Martha. Thank you very much!?

 

Great! You are most welcome

 

I am puzzled MaizieFrosty. I went to both of the sites you linked. Maybe I am missing something, but I do not see any information about health testing their poodles, or other recommended things to look for in an excellent breeder. Are there more official websites perhaps?

 

https://custompoodles.com/. This is the website for the second person MF recommended

I couldn’t get her first link to work or find a website for Cindy Barker with poodles.

 

https://custompoodles.com/. This is the website for the second person MF recommended

I couldn’t get her first link to work or find a website for Cindy Barker with poodles.

And here's Cindy's poodle page. I found the link on her personal Facebook page. No mention (at a glance) what health testing she does, but that doesn't seem like a red flag to me. I'm sure there are lots of great breeders out there who rely on word of mouth rather than maintaining a detailed online presence. In fact, a slick website can in itself be a red flag.

https://m.facebook.com/ChevanneyPoodles/

 

Hi, I am interested in some of the puppies posted to AKC by Sara Jane.

Sara Jane - Poodle Puppies for Sale in Los Gatos, CA | AKC Marketplace

Sara Jane Has Puppies For Sale

marketplace.akc.org

Does any of you have feedback? I appreciate your info!!!

Too late, I'm sure, but I DO have feedback that I have acquired very recently. We learned the hard way--and after what happened to us, I found out that many people in our little town have been scammed by this so-called breeder. You may note that Sara Jane WILL NOT provide her last name, and that is b/c she does not want you to conduct an online search. But actually, she is Sara Werp and she is not trustworthy.

 

Sara Jane is a dishonest woman who lies through her teeth and omits important information. She charged me $3800 for a toy poodle. At the last minute in the airport parking lot she told me the mother is 20% cavalier. The puppy came with a cough that is costing me a fortune to get healed. A month later she still has it.
I don’t think she is a breeder. I think she’s a broker. She couldn’t even tell me the puppy’s birthdate. She told me she was taking her to the vet a week before I got her and she didn’t. She said she’d bring the father and she didn’t.
She said she’d have two sets of shots and she only had one.

Sara insisted I pay with PayPal friends and family so I would have no protection of my money. The name it went to was not Sara Jane. She told me the name was her dead sister’s name and she used it to remember her.

The picture she sent of the puppy as a baby wasn’t even the one she sold me. She said she’d be red, but she’s apricot.

this woman took advantage of me when I was grieving the loss of my one year old puppy. I could go on and on. She has no scruples. I highly discourage you from purchasing from her.

 

Sara Jane is a dishonest woman who lies through her teeth and omits important information. She charged me $3800 for a toy poodle. At the last minute in the airport parking lot she told me the mother is 20% cavalier. The puppy came with a cough that is costing me a fortune to get healed. A month later she still has it.
I don’t think she is a breeder. I think she’s a broker. She couldn’t even tell me the puppy’s birthdate. She told me she was taking her to the vet a week before I got her and she didn’t. She said she’d bring the father and she didn’t.
She said she’d have two sets of shots and she only had one.

Sara insisted I pay with PayPal friends and family so I would have no protection of my money. The name it went to was not Sara Jane. She told me the name was her dead sister’s name and she used it to remember her.

The picture she sent of the puppy as a baby wasn’t even the one she sold me. She said she’d be red, but she’s apricot.

this woman took advantage of me when I was grieving the loss of my one year old puppy. I could go on and on. She has no scruples. I highly discourage you from purchasing from her.

I'm so sorry! We had a terrible experience with this woman. Her real name is Sara Werp, but she has many aliases. (Who goes by just a first name in the first place--other than Prince or Cher? Someone who does not want to be researched online!! ) I live in Los Gatos, close to SJ, who lives in Campbell, and she has a horrible reputation. She has cheated and scammed so many people, and I have talked to many of them. I filled out paperwork for small claims court to get our $1200 deposit back. This was a deposit for a dog she claimed was a toy poodle (price $5400). As I thought about everything she told us at the one meeting we had, I got 'that feeling' in my stomach that Sara Jane was a fraud and the dog was NOT a toy poodle--and not a poodle at all. She did not answer my emails or phone calls asking the numerous questions I had. I knew she was trying to wait out 3 days we have to cancel a contract (I found out later that most of what she told us was untrue or was suspect). I cancelled he contract in writing the very next day. She tried to give me some non-sensical reasons for all the discrepancies in her claims to us. When I sent SJ the court paperwork for small claims, she quickly refunded our deposit. (Turns out, she has MANY other cases that have been filed against her.) We were lucky! We got out before we took the puppy home and became attached to him. Another woman I spoke to bought a dog for her mother from SJ believing it was a purebred poodle. As the dog grew up, it was clear the dog was not pure poodle so they had it DNA tested and found it was 50% Australian Shepherd! Can you imagine the energy level and size of that puppy for a senior citizen-age person? This woman's mother was heartbroken and could not bear to part with the puppy b/c she was attached to it emotionally, but she got most of her money back after filling out the court papers. I could go on and on. I have reported SJ to every agency I can think of. Yet the AKC website still allows her to advertise, even though there are examples on their website of SJ alleging the same parent for a toy poodle and a standard poodle. How flagrant! There are so many sad stories about the fraud SJ has perpetrated. If you search up her name on this forum (or my name) you will see many complaints. I posted our sad, horrible experience --and I have persuaded several people from this forum and locally NOT to deal with her. MY ADVICE - Fill out the small claims paperwork for Santa Clara County and send it to her. (The paperwork is not hard to fill out.) I think she may refund a good portion of your money--and some more for your vet bills. It will not cure your puppy's kennel cough, but you may be able to recover some costs. If you need more information about this woman, please let me know.

 

I am so sorry for your loss of your one year old puppy, and for what you and your current puppy are going thru. I hope your puppy regains full health and you both have happy lives together.

 

Thank you! I will do as you say. I was thinking I should get a lawyer, but maybe I can just do this myself. I appreciate your information.
I also sent an email to American Kennel Marketplace and haven’t received a response. Thank you.

 

Thank you! I will do as you say. I was thinking I should get a lawyer, but maybe I can just do this myself. I appreciate your information.
I also sent an email to American Kennel Marketplace and haven’t received a response. Thank you.

Hi Joc -
I spoke to someone at AKC today. Her name is Mary Johnson (Mary.Johnson@akc.org). She listened to my story, as well as the stories of others I have talked to in our town. She looked at the bogus AKC Marketplace ads placed by Sara Jane, and she promised to send the ads to her supervisor.

She also asked that all other people who have been scammed by Sara Jane contact AKC. If Sara sold you a dog that is not a purebred poodle, Mary Johnson asked that you send pictures of your dog (front view and side view) to impure breeding@AKC.org. (For some reason, the AKC puts more by legitimacy in their visual inspection of photos than they do in DNA testing?) Or feel free to contact Mary Johnson at her email address listed above.

My purpose in tracking down all people scammed by Sara Jane is to ask them to submit their stories and evidence to AKC so they will ban SJ from advertising on their website. She does not have the right to hurt and scam people.

Thank you
Karee Weber

 

I don't think the AKC Marketplace will respond. They did not respond to me. I think anyone who is willing to pay the listing fee can place an ad, and can claim whatever they want.

I got the idea to file a small claims case from one of the other people Sara Jane scammed who lives here in town. That person told me that SJ refunded their $ as soon as they sent her the court paperwork. (To be clear, Santa Clara County Small Claims Court requires that you send the defendant your claim BEFORE submitting it to the court.) I feel confident that you will get your $ back. I am pretty sure she does not want another small claims case. Be sure to make copies of all expenses, vet bills, any paperwork she sent you....

When we met Sara Jane, we put a deposit on a male puppy, and we told her we wanted another puppy--a female-- in the near future. She offered us a female Cavapoo on the spot, stating that the mother was a Cavalier and the father was a poodle. She said she had 2 female pups that would be old enough to go home in 3-4 wks. (That was May 30, 2021.) When did you get your pup? I am wondering if you have one of those pups?

Here is another bizarre thing - When we looked at the litter of pups, SJ would not allow us to see the mother of the litter, telling us that the mother would be sad if she knew we were looking at her pups. (I was paying $5400 for a pup and I wanted to see the parents.) So I asked to see the mother away from the pups, and SJ immediately said the mother was 'not on the premises.' She claimed the father was "Miles," a large, miniature male that was running around with the pups. This was the name of the dog listed as sire in the AKC ad, so I believed he was the father of this litter. (Later SJ claimed that he was not the father.) We became concerned that the six-week old pup we were contracting to buy was not a toy poodle. At 6-weeks, the pup seemed large for a toy, and I became more concerned when I saw how large the father was.

Another red flag was that Sara Jane gave us a contract that listed her as the breeder and the contract specified only her first name. After I signed the contract, she took the paper and pretended to sign it. Then she asked me to scan the contract with my phone "so you will have a copy." Weirdly unprofessional, I thought! However, I did not notice at the time, but SJ never actually signed the contract. Apparently, she is savvy enough as a scam artist that she knew better than to sign her name to the fraud she was perpetrating.

Again, I am so sorry for your trauma and heartache. It sounds like you are from out of town. If I can help you in any way, please let me know.

 

The only requirements to advertise on the AKC Marketplace are that the breeder not have their AKC privileges suspended or revoked, and that the dogs advertised be eligible for AKC registration or already registered. You will find everyone from "high volume breeders" to casual backyard breeders to to parent club members advertising there.

 

Well, how on earth does a breeder lose AKC privileges? Sara Jane Werp is a scammer who never should have had AKC privileges in the first place. She has sold dogs as AKC purebred when those dogs were DNA tested and proven to be of mixed breeds.

 

Were the results submitted to the AKC?

Most suspensions are three months to five years, depending on what the violations are. To get suspended for life usually takes a felony animal cruelty conviction.

From various editions of the AKC Secretary's page:

The AKC’s Management Disciplinary Committee has suspended Ms. Christy Cunningham (Monroe, VA) from all AKC privileges for five years and imposed a $1,000 fine for refusing to make her dogs and records available for inspection when requested. (Multiple Breeds)

The AKC’s Management Disciplinary Committee has suspended Ms. Linda Johns (Wellington, NV) from registration privileges for one year and imposed a $1,000 fine, effective April 15, 2020, for the submission of an online registration of a litter on behalf of the co-owner without written permission. (Chihuahuas)

The AKC’s Management Disciplinary Committee has suspended the following individuals from all AKC privileges for life and imposed a $10,000 fine, for conduct prejudicial to purebred dogs, purebred dog events, or the best interests of the American Kennel Club based on their violation of the AKC’s Judicial or Administrative Determination of Inappropriate Treatment Policy: Effective July 12, 2021: Mr. Barry Freidline (New Oxford, PA) Multiple Breeds Ms. Deborah Freidline (New Oxford, PA) Multiple Breeds Ms. Wanda Watson (Bredford, NH) Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers

The Management Disciplinary Committee has suspended Ms. Cathy Lewandowski (Croghan, NY) from all AKC privileges for three years and imposed a $1000 fine, effective July 9, 2019, for creation, falsification or alteration of an official AKC document. (Multiple Breeds)

 

I am so sorry to hear these stories. There are many recommendations and excellent breeders listed on Poodle Forum. I am forever puzzled that people do not use those to find their poodle. I hope that others who are looking for an excellent poodle of any size will read follow the recommendations and read this entire thread:
🐩 Breeders Listed by Location 🐩 Plus Additional Resources 🐩

 

When we were scammed by Sara Jane, I did not know about Poodle Forum. Stupidly, I thought the AKC website would vet their members / those who advertise. It was only after being scammed twice--once by a 'rescue' in Orange County, and a second time by Sara Jane--that I found Poodle Forum and a member (Baby Scout) pointed us to Gail Zamora in Grass Valley.

 

I wrote to AKC when we were scammed--NOTHING! No response. I live in the same area as Sara Jane and when I suspected she was a con artist, I reached out on Next Door (a neighborhood website) and asked for people to contact me privately. The replies came pouring in--and everyone had a heartbreaking story, not dissimilar to what we were experiencing. That is when I knew my 'gut feelings' were accurate, so I cancelled our contract in writing and started the small claims paperwork.

After our deposit was returned and I had recovered emotionally, I dug through AKC Marketplace and found numerous ads Sara Jane had placed for puppies--many ads had the same pictures as well as the same sire or dam listed FOR TEACUP AND STANDARD POODLES. (Even I knew that a dog that sired a teacup could not sire a standard poodle.) This was all sent to the AKC and they never responded. In fact, Rose n Poos, another member of this forum, also found Sara Jane's bogus ads on AKC Marketplace. If Rose n Poos and I can find scam ads without looking too hard, why can't AKC? Isn't that their job?

I will send my info. again--and I will urge Joc to do the same. But frankly, how many people have to be scammed before AKC takes action. Joc stated that Sara Jane admitted that the mother of the puppy is 20% Cavalier. Again, I'm not an expert, but I'm pretty sure that renders the dog to be a mixed breed. Isn't that a violation of AKC policy???

 

Im so sorry for everything you’re having to go through. 😭 Los Gatoan went through a lot as well 😭 I don’t know how much akc really vets the listings. When I was deciding where to get a puppy from, I went through all the akc listings. The buyers from one of the breeders seems to have similar issues like what people here describe with Sara Jane. When I actually went through the Yelp and Google comments for “karina” listing on akc some said that puppies don’t come with papers and are also not purebred but sold as they are. (I don’t have any evidence of this or know anyone who has purchased from this breeder, but that is what some of the reviews imply).

I had a great experience with Gail.

I hope your little one is ok...

 

Never, NEVER, believe in a membership in anything to show that one is a valid worthwhile member! Anything! Any Forum, Any Organization, the Stock Exchange, any club / organization / business. I am so sorry you had to find out the hard way.

 

I think/hope🤞 I did it correctly to send my email address.

 

Hi and Welcome to PF!

Until Los Gatoan responds, I hope you don't mind a couple of questions.

What is the size/weight limit you're constrained by? (the conversation about the marketing term "teacup" is for another thread).
I ask that because no breeder can guarantee height or weight of any dog they breed. The parents, if you saw them, are an indicator, but there's generations behind them. Genetics is a dice roll in some instances.

Re your concern about the deposit, was it in a form that you can cancel/stop payment on, if that's what you're sure you want to do?

 

Stef, I'm so sorry. I hope everything turns out ok for you and the pup.