What Health Guarantee Does Canisphere Kennels Offer on Its Puppies?
Updated
Canisphere Kennels offers a written guarantee against hip and elbow dysplasia, plus a broader genetic-health replacement guarantee. If a licensed veterinarian determines that a puppy has a genetic problem that would prevent it from living a normal, healthy life, the kennel will replace the puppy with another of equal value. For hip and elbow evaluations specifically, the condition must be confirmed by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) before the puppy reaches 28 months of age. The guarantee applies to puppies purchased after 2007; dogs bought in 2007 or earlier are excluded from the written guarantee.
What the Guarantee Covers
The guarantee addresses two related but distinct situations:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia. This is the explicitly named condition. The kennel's site states that puppies come with a guarantee against hip and elbow dysplasia, and that an OFA evaluation is the accepted proof.
- Other genetic problems. If a veterinarian determines — and clinical research proves — that a puppy has a genetic condition that would preclude an otherwise normal and healthy life, the same replacement remedy applies.
In both cases, the remedy is a replacement puppy of equal value, not a cash refund. The site does not describe a refund option, so buyers should plan around replacement rather than reimbursement.
The Conditions You Need to Meet
The guarantee is not automatic in every circumstance. Three conditions stand out from the kennel's own description:
| Condition | What it requires |
|---|---|
| Veterinary confirmation | A veterinarian must determine the genetic problem; for hips and elbows, OFA must make the determination |
| Timing for hip/elbow claims | OFA evaluation must occur before the puppy is 28 months old |
| Purchase date | Puppies purchased in 2007 or earlier do not qualify for the written guarantee |
The 28-month window is the detail most likely to matter in practice. OFA hip and elbow evaluations are typically done after a dog reaches two years of age, which leaves a relatively narrow period — roughly from age two to 28 months — in which a qualifying evaluation can be completed. If you are considering a claim, scheduling the OFA evaluation as soon as the dog is old enough is the practical step that keeps the claim inside the window.
What Else Comes With a Puppy
The guarantee sits alongside other stated practices that are worth knowing when you evaluate the purchase:
- Puppies are home raised.
- Puppies are vaccinated, dewormed, and vet checked before shipping.
- The kennel advertises shipping anywhere.
- Lifetime breeder support is included.
- A non-refundable deposit of $400.00 is required to reserve a future puppy.
The deposit detail matters for the guarantee question because it is non-refundable — if you reserve a puppy and later change your mind, the deposit is not returned. The guarantee's replacement remedy is separate from the deposit terms.
Practical Steps Before You Rely on the Guarantee
- Ask for the written guarantee text before placing a deposit. The website summarizes the guarantee but directs buyers to contact the kennel for more details. Get the actual document so you can confirm the claim process, who pays for the OFA evaluation, and how "equal value" is determined.
- Confirm the purchase-date rule applies to you. If you are buying a puppy now, the 2007 exclusion is not relevant — but if you are inquiring about an older dog, ask whether any guarantee applies.
- Plan the OFA timing. Note your puppy's date of birth and mark when a hip and elbow evaluation can be completed, so any claim falls before 28 months.
- Keep veterinary records. The guarantee depends on a veterinarian's determination and, for hips and elbows, OFA findings, so retain all documentation.
One Thing to Watch
The kennel's site notes that the website is moving to canisphere.carrd.co and asks visitors to update bookmarks before October 20, 2026, along with a new contact email. If you are researching the guarantee or trying to reach the breeder, use the updated contact details rather than older pages, since the guarantee terms and contact information may be maintained on the new site.