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Wicks Silver Labs

Wicks Silver Labs

What is your customer experience with Wicks Silver Labs?

Wicks Silver Labs Overview

The aggregated data is based on reviews and questionnaires provided by PissedConsumer.com users.

  • Wicks Silver Labs has 4.3 star rating based on 1 customer review. Consumers are mostly satisfied.

  • Rating Distribution
  • Review authors value the most Customer service and Diversity of Products or Services. The price level of this organization is low according to consumer reviews.

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Wicks Silver Labs sold me a genetically defective dog
Wicks Silver Labs - Avoid Wick's Silver Labs PLEASE!!Wicks Silver Labs - Avoid Wick's Silver Labs PLEASE!! - Image 2
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Shiri Dit
map-marker New Haven, Connecticut

Sad to hear...

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full

I got my dog from Wick's Silver Labs 6 years ago. I am very sad to hear about the passing of Pat & the decline in the quality of the breeding.

My dog has the best temperament of any dog I have come in contact with & is the light of my life. She sometimes has issues with her tummy but other than that... She is the light of my life. It makes me to sad to hear that people are regretting their decision to get their furry family members from these folks.

I am sure that Pat is probably rolling over in his grave. I wrote to him & spoke to him on the phone a significant amount of times leading to the birth of my dog & transport of my dog. He was kind, patient, and informative. I was on the phone with him when Maggie went in to labor with her litter & he was patient with my anxiety.

I am very sad to hear of his passing & I send my condolences to his family & anyone else who's life he touched.

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Pros:
  • Pat wickliffe
Reason of review:
Good customer service
Anonymous
map-marker Germantown, Maryland

Buyer beware, do your homework

When buying any breed of dog it is important to research what the breed is all about, Colors, ( there are no silver labs, they are a mix of Wheim at some point to create the gray color, there are no charcoal, or any other dilute color Lab) Black, Yellow with its many shades, and chocolate. Silvers are registered under chocolate because there is no such thing as silver and the AKC can't see the color of the dog.

I am glad your dog has grown a real black coat and think it will kept that just fine. I am sorry you were led to believe things that aren't true and really you were taken, suckered in. Inverted vulvas are common in little girl puppies and will fix themselves as they mature, no surgery needed.

The only girls that might get UTI's are little dogs that live close to the ground and rub on grass. Best of luck with your girl and do your homework next time, read breed standards, all breeds have one

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Reason of review:
Not as described/ advertised

Preferred solution: stop cheating people with bad information, become ethical or quit breeding dogs

1 comment
Guest

.... You seem like a very angry depressed person... I hope you have a good day and find happiness

Valjean Cct

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer

I have a silver lab that the father was from wicks.

I have a silver lab from ladys labs from hillsboro ohio area. the male was ballet from wicks silver lab.

My lab has had problem with hair loss but she is always chewing on the area. Does anyone elses labs chew and scratch the area that they have lost there hair. my vet thought it may be food allergies. so we put her on no grain duck blue food and it cleared up.

but now is coming back. My

lab also has had a problem urniating without knowing, most of the time when she is sleeping.

she is on meds for that and we give her a hydroxy for the itching.

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Maida Kvq
map-marker Owasso, Oklahoma

Avoid Wick's Silver Labs PLEASE!!

Wicks Silver Labs - Avoid Wick's Silver Labs PLEASE!!
Wicks Silver Labs - Avoid Wick's Silver Labs PLEASE!! - Image 2
Contains 1 confidential file for company representatives
Updated by user Jan 29, 2012

Approximately one year ago I paid a hefty price for a silver lab puppy from Patrick Wickliffe in Springfield,OH. Recently, my lab developed significant hair loss accompanied by lesions and sores. After several painful skin scrapes and two biopsies it was determined that she suffers from color dilution...

Original review Jan 29, 2012
alopecia, a genetic disorder directly caused by breeding these dogs for their color. I approached the breeder via email to no avail.

However, he quickly updated his website to include that "alpaca"(I assume he means alopecia) can occur but is not covered by the health warranty. Luckily, my dog does not suffer from alpaca!! I sent a second email andApproximately one year ago I paid a hefty price for a silver lab puppy from Patrick Wickliffe in Springfield,OH. Recently, my lab developed significant hair loss accompanied by lesions and sores.

After several painful skin scrapes and two biopsies it was determined that she suffers from color dilution he finally responded by copying and pasting the health warranty, alpaca included. When I was buying a pup from him he always responded to my emails. He must think I want my money back which I don't. I wanted him to know that my beloved pet suffers from a rare genetic disorder that inflicts pain for which there is no cure.

I also wanted him to know that the dermatologic veternarian,after receiving the pathology report(regarding skin biopsies) from the Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab Center for Veterinary Health Sciences from Oklahoma State University,recommended that my dog should never be bred. Additionally, she recommends "against further breeding of either the sire or the dam" from which my dog was produced. My concern is that there are other people out there buying this "fad" color without realizing the issues that accompany it.

I would hope that Mr. Wickliffe would stop breeding the dam and sire after I provided him with this information.
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98 comments
Guest

You people should have done your research before deciding on any of the diluted colored Labs, they all carry the DD gene,and that is what causes the alopecia, not to say all Diluted colors will come down with it, but they are more prone to it. Silvers, Charcoals, Champagnes are all considered Diluted colors and carry the gene that causes this.

Guest

My Silver lab just healed from something like this, it took months!! Cleaning it daily and spraying with analgesic topical. He keeps scratching the areas opening them up periodically- a cone doesn’t help, neither do socks.

Guest

I got a 7 week old silver lab today, and now I'm kind of worried.

Guest

I am sorry you are having troubles with your pup. Unfortunately the dilute gene that makes your dog silver is the reason for the disease. Dilute Labradors should not be bred

Guest

Hello my husband and I paid 900 for a silver lab and have been searching for the answer to her hair loss. Our vet told us it was a food allergy.

Problem is no matter what food we give her she still looses her coat. I was so happy (not happy for the poor dogs) to see your post saying what I asked the vet already hundreds of dollars ago. I think these breeders should be stopped and NOT allowed AKC reg. They are only hurting the breeds and breeding for color or to combine breeds for new ones without any concern about what it does to these poor animals (owners too).

Thank you so very much. Now we come to our vet it's quite possible he is just a small town vet only wanting to make money, we pay a lot of money for her to see him and the special diet he sells us because of her food allergy. If its ok with you I will show both the vet and the breeder your article.

Thank you again. Oh ya time for a new vet too!

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1119097

900? I paid $500 for the pure bred puppy that was only 6 months.

It was up to date on shots and nuetered. The reason he was cheaper was because the owner of the boy dog that bred the puppy, filled out his papers wrong, so it doesn't have.as much paper work, but I don't really care. Also I got him from a liter of about 10 of it's siblings, and one of their colors were not deluted, so there was one brown one. Although these dogs can have a lot of SK n and hair issues, they are very pretty and loving.

I'm glad I chose to get a silver lab! Your welcome!

Guest

This is what happens when you want some "designer" dog that was never meant to be . .

.

your dog's medical issues are your fault because it's people like you who create the demand for breeding. Adopt don't shop!

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-992605

The dogs already exist, *** hat.

Delores Klisiak

You should report this breeder to the proper authorities. Puppy Mills & people that buy from them really need to think about what they are doing.

Not all breeders are liars & thief's but the ones that are need to be shut down.

Guest

I will never feel bad for someone who paid $1000 for a puppy... There is something really wrong with that

Guest

Anonymous -- you couldn't be more wrong. Please do NOT lump all breeders into one category.

There is a small percentage of breeders out there doing things right. Improving the health and structure of the breed.

Not sure if you are aware -- that most dogs in shelters end up there due to behavioral issues. Granted, temperament is about 90% genetic.

REAL breeders know this.

I volunteer for a rescue organization and have seen this first hand. The early spay/neuter program has done its job, but is now killing our dogs. We now need to promote TRAINING!

In regards to the "Pissed Consumer".

You purchased a Labrador with a disqualifying fault. I am so sorry you were taken in by this person -- however, the first sign that something was wrong was that this "money grubbing puppy miller" was breeding a "silver" Labrador. There is no such thing as a "silver". In the early 20th century another less than reputable breeder crossed a Labrador with a Weimaraner and then registered the litter as purebred Labs with the AKC.

Unfortunately that was so many generations ago that it is impossible to prove with DNA at this point; however, you need to only look at the dog to see the Weimaraner characteristics.

Education is power.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-933554

Most dogs end up in shelters due to irresponsible owners. They don't spay, neuter, socialize or train them.

They think they are suppose to magically learn manners. Once they are not a cute puppy or are inconvenient they dump them.

Guest

Puppy mills should be abolished!

Guest

I have to comment because people who buy dogs from breeders should expect some kind of problem. Breeders in breed which causes all sorts of genetic problems as well as breed specific problems. With so many healthy unwanted animals in the world I wonder why anyone would pay alot for any pet

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-888982

People want "designer pets". Mutts are healthier and better balanced than in-bred pure-breeds AND, you're saving an innocent from a death sentence!

Guest

Alopecia (at least in humans) is treatable with steroids. I know, I had it as a child and they gave me hundreds of steroid injections.

Guest

Be careful when reading issues of alopecia in silver or dilute labs. Not all silvers or dilutes have this problem, in fact, most do not.

If you are thinking of getting a silver or dilute puppy, be sure the breeder from whom you are buying breeds back to the dominant gene. In other words your risk is greatest if a silver is bred to another silver -- very bad breeding indeed. On the other hand the best combination is a silver-factored black or chocolate bred to a silver or another silver factored black.

Breeding for strength, rather than weakness (recessive) is best. Alopecia risk is reduced considerably by breeding back to a dominant color.

Guest

Mr. Wickliffe's "illness" had nothing to do with the genetically defective dogs he peddled.

He knew what he was doing, selling dogs that carried the gene for CDA. You profess that he wasn't able to communicate with us, however he was able to banter back on "public forums" with dissatisfied customers. If his illness precluded him from conducting his business affairs, he should have appointed someone to carry out his responsibilities. Yes, he had a responsibility to breed sound dogs and honor his breeding practices by following his warranty.

He didn't provide buyers with sound dogs. So take your "illness card" and play it somewhere else.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-742286

Almost all dogs carry the gene, breeding for color and breading a "dd" in a breed that normally doesn't have the genetic variation causes the CDA.

Guest

Sick and absolutely discussed in reading this! Pat was an amazing man and loved his dogs cows horses and every living thing he came in contact with!

Maybe had you further investigated instead of throwing accusations on a public forum you would have found the reason why pay never responded is because he became very ill and is no longer with us!

Maybe in knowing this you will think before you open your fat mouth in the future! I'm sure pat is smiling down and praying for the health of all of his animals especially his very own that had to be so sadly rehomed!

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Gottakentoo
map-marker New Boston, Michigan

Wicks Silver Labs Continues to Pump out Puppies

Even though Pat Wickliffe has passed away his kennel continues to pump out puppies. For a business that advertises "1-2 litters a year" on its Better Business site there has been 7 litters produced in 2012 and Wicks Silver Labs is now taking deposits for future litters.

Taking deposits on puppies site unseen. There is no information or pictures of the parents on these prospective pups either. Buyer beware ! Don't buy anything, especially a puppy online.

We bought our puppy from a picture posted on that site. We had to have her put down at 13 months old due to escalating aggression towards our family and other pets in our home. We consulted our vet to rule out a possible medical condition causing the aggression. There were no medical issues that could explain her behavior.

We also consulted a behavioral therapist who advised us that her aggression was related to her breeding, or lack of quality breeding and that in all likelihood she would not respond to behavioral therapy. We were told just like there are people who are mentally unbalanced, there are also animals that are mentally unbalanced. Breeding puppies should be taken very seriously and great thought and effort should be exercised in this endeavor. When quantity is the goal, quality will go out the window.

Our puppy also had color dilution alopecia (CDA) and had lost most of her fur. Wicks Silver Lab did not include CDA as an excluded genetic condition at the time we bought our puppy. It was only after we attempted to hold Mr. Wickliffe to his health warranty that he added it as an exclusion.

Mr. Wickliffe never did honor our contract under the replacement clause. We lost our money, we lost our puppy and no one at Wicks Silver Labs has made any effort or shown any compassion for our situation. DON'T BUY A PUPPY FROM WICKS SILVER LABS.

YOU MAY LIVE TO REGRET IT LIKE WE HAVE.

The aforementioned is the sole opinion and/or experience of the writer. Any prospective buyer should thoroughly research any breeder that they may be considering purchasing a puppy from and come to their own conclusions/decision as whether to purchase from a breeder. There are many puppies and dogs waiting in local shelters for loving homes.

Consider adoption. We wish we had.

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Loss:
$1000
1 comment
Guest

Is this the breeder in Ohio?

skeeterboy
map-marker Cleveland, Ohio

Skeeter: my silver lab

My silver lab was purchased from Pat Wickliffe as well and we have had a ton of issues with his immune system. Pat said he was not getting the proper amount of milk from his mother so we took him at 6 weeks to get him help and get him out of there.

So far he does not have hair loose but he has had an intestinal infection 3 times due to the lack of his mother milk. Our vet bills would be horrific if we didnt have the insurance plan from them(Banfield). I have to feed my dog a grain-free food cause the first 3 months he had loose stool. Since we have switched to Taste of the Wild he has been doing better and the vet said hopefully he may grow out of the weak immune system with the proper care.

Knowing the issues is more reason to give him a better life with us and getting him out of that place. You should make wicks as a bookmark and see how quickly he post new puppies. It is sickening to see when you hear of all the issues people are having. I would not trade my boy for nothing tho.

We just give him all we can and love him tremendously. Good luck to all the folks out their who have gotten or will get their puppy from Wick's.

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12 comments
Guest

Does anyone have a good number for Pat?

Guest

There are so many good animals out there without homes already, why go to a breeder anyway?? smh...also most animals are taking from their mother to rehome at 6 weeks so there is nothing "shady" or off about that.

Guest

Thank you for the notification regarding Mr. Wickliffe's passing.

Although we had our differences, I would never wish death on anyone. May he sincerely, rest in the arms of the Lord.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-564398

This dude is such a coward he or his friends have posted that he has passed away. ***!!!!

The same guy is posting pics showing puppies in the next 2 litters on his site. I thought he said he skips a cycle?

If you are going to breed unhealthy puppies then be responsible enough to do the right thing and not go about it the cowardly way. Karma is a ***.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-579768

Mr. Wickliffe has passed away .

He was a wonderful man. He does have family that is picking up where he left off . If you would let them know your concerns nicely Mabe they will listen . I got a puppy from the family and he is a blessing.

R.I.P.

Patrick .

Guest

Pat has passed away.

Guest

Skeeter, it sounds like you dog is the brother to our dog (born 10/21/2011). wickli$$e also called us up when our dog was 6 wks old and said "she's ready to go anytime". We thought that he was pushing us to pick her up too early (red flag #1). We weren't able to pick her up until the following week when she was 7wks old. There were no other litter mates apparent and he did not let me meet her parents, when I went to pick her up (red flag #2). Too many other red flags to mention again.

My husband and I are so appreciative that you have shared your story on this site. We are sorry to hear of the issues you have had to deal with, but are not surprised considering the "breeder". You saved yourself a lot of aggravation by just dealing with your boy's health issues yourself and not trying to get wickli$$e to take responsibility for his poor breeding practices.

When we initially started noticing health issues with our dog (5 days after we brought her home)and wickli$$e wouldn't cooperate with us, we contacted the Humane Society in his county. They did make a home visit and said they didn't find any environmental issues. However, he DID NOT have a kennel license or tags for his dogs. Imagine that, wickli$$e not following the law! Apparently he had to get the license/tags and prove that his dogs were all up to date on vaccinations.

Q: Why wouldn't a so called "reputable br$$der" be in compliance with the appropriate licensing laws?!

A: It would have required wickli$$e to let go of some of his ill gotten $$.

The BBB closed our complaint as well.They said because wickli$$e is NOT BBB "accredited" they could not require him to make a good faith effort to resolve our complaint. wickli$$e told the BBB rep that he was going to work with us to resolve our complaint.

"BBB Accreditation

Wicks Silver Labs is not BBB Accredited.

Businesses are under no obligation to seek BBB accreditation, and some businesses are not accredited because they have not sought BBB accreditation.

To be accredited by BBB, a business must apply for accreditation and BBB must determine that the business meets BBB accreditation standards, which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints. BBB Accredited Businesses must pay a fee for accreditation review/monitoring and for support of BBB services to the public." (taken from the BBB official site)

He is not accredited by the BBB because in our opinion, he would have to pay a fee and open his business practices up for discovery.

There are still other avenues that can be explored.

The aforementioned is the sole opinions and thoughts of writer. Any prospective buyers should research any breeder they wish to do business with and make their own conclusions as to the reputability of such breeder.

Guest

Pat i got my puppy December 2011 with the same litter as the ones that are having issues. The reason I have said nothing is because it is my problem now because you obviously only care about the money as I have read in previous complaints about you.

You looked shady from the beginning but I was so love struck that I didn't care because I knew I would give him a better home than where he came from. As for the mother's milk you absolutely know that you told me and my wife that the mother was not producing enough milk so you started the litter on dry food. I bet you know what I'm talking about now. Makes sense!!!!!

You should have given them a milk replacer to help but that would take away from your profits. All I can say is karma is a ***. It will come back to you and I hope the puppies don't suffer from it. I hope I don't have to read any more bad post about you.

Id hate to get in touch with the Humane Society or the Animal Protective League. I hope you don't take this as a threat, but as a new start on doing the right thing.

Guest

LOL MORE LIES, mr. wickliffe ?

Guest

LOL More lies! :grin

Guest

That's funny I have heard nothing about your PROBLEMS!! Nor does your story even make sense.

I have had no mothers that were not making milk. When did you buy this pup?? And to GOT TAKEN...

You had the chance to make things right, you failed to do so... GET A LIFE!

Guest

I am sorry to hear about your boy's health problems. Hopefully he continues to make progress. I understand first hand the extreme stress of bringing a puppy home, only to have a multitude of health problems and seeing your pup suffer. Our pup is a year old now and continues to have alopecia, sores on her neck and canine acne. Her coat is so thin and sparse. I feel so sorry for her. She has been to a dermatologist and had genetic testing that confirmed that her alopecia is genetic. Wickliffe denies that fact.

My questions are: Why would a so called reputable "breeder" call the buyer to come and pick up their puppy that is obviously sick? As a reputable, experienced "breeder" can't Wickliffe manage a sick puppy himself and see to it that the pup gets proper vet care (at his cost? Shouldn't he have held your puppy back until it was deemed healthy by the vet? Why is he passing off a sick pup that is obviously far too young to leave its mother, whether it is nursing or not. Puppies learn and are socialized by mom and sibs. NO, he is more than willing to sell any pup to anyone who has $1000 in hand. He doesn't care about the puppies he breeds only the cash he is making from doing so. A reputable "breeder", which he is not, will not pass off their problem (a sick pup) to a prospective buyer. A reputable "breeder" would let the buyer know that there is a problem with the puppy and either hold the puppy back until it is healthy, offer another pup from a future litter or refund the buyer's money. Wickliffe doesn't stand behind his useless "health warranty" either. He did not stand behind our dog and her health issues. I doubt that he ever will. Perhaps if he did stand behind his breeding practices he would have so many returned puppies it would look like 101 dalmations (labs) at his house! LOL. He told me that I was the first person to ever claim to have a problem with one of his dogs in his "11 years of breeding". Fat chance! BUYER BEWARE!!!

The aforementioned is/are the sole opinion(s) and personal thoughts of this writer. Any prospective buyer(s) should do their own research and come their own conclusions before buying a puppy from any breeder they decide to do business with.

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Alice G Ngk
map-marker New Boston, Michigan

Wicks Silver Labs sold me a genetically defective dog

Wicks Silver Labs sold me a genetically defective dog

We bought a "silver" lab puppy from Wicks Silver Labs (Pat Wickliffe-breeder) in Dec 2011. Five days after having her home she started losing the fur on her face.

We had her tested for manage at our local vet, testing was negative for manage ($75) . The fur loss progress in patches over her entire body. We notified Mr. Wickliffe regarding the hair loss.

He replied that he had contacted all the other owners of our pup's litter mates and none were having any problems with fur loss.Mr. Wickliffe stated that in 11 years of breeding our pup was the "first" puppy that had ever had fur loss. He recommended using an ointment that is used on horses and Nu-Vet vitamins. Mr.

Wickliffe advertises Nu-Vet vitamins on his site. He has a designated code that you use to order the vitamins with. By using this code, Mr. Wickliffe gets a commission for the sales.

Not to mention these vitamins are extremely expensive. As the fur loss progressed (keep in mind we had only had her about 3 weeks), we decided to take our pup to Michigan State University Veterinary Clinic, which is considered the best possible place in Michigan to take your pet with difficult health issues. At our first visit at MSU vet for the fur loss, we also found out that our pup has an inverted vulva. This condition can cause chronic urinary tract infections and usually has to be corrected surgically ($?).

Mr. Wickliffe professes that he has been breeding for over 10 years and he didn't know that our pup had this vulva defect. Any quality breeder would know and should know about this defect and either not sell the pup or at the very least inform the buyer. Shortly thereafter our pup started urinating blood, we had to take her to urgent care and was treated for urinary tract infection ($347).

Keep in mind that this is still within the first 3 weeks of owning our pup. At our first visit at MSU vet another set of skin scrapings for manage were taken and found to be negative. MSU vet recommended that we take a "watch and see" approach and if the hair loss continued to return in a month and have skin biopsies done ($157). The fur loss continued at such a rapid rate we returned to MSU vet and saw a dermatology specialist vet.

Three punch skin biopsies were taken under local anesthsia with stitches to close each biopsy site ($200). The skin biopsies were positive for genetic-color dilution alopecia. Prognosis was that the fur may grow back completely, however she may lose her part or all of her coat in the future and if she does it will be permanent. The good news is she has grown her coat back with the exception of one of the biopsy sites.

The bad news is that now we sit on pins and needles wondering if she will lose her coat in the future. Mr. Wickliffe was emailed throughout this whole process. He stopped responding to us after the second email was sent.

We called the Clark County Humane Society to see if Mr. Wickliffe had ever had any complaints against him. We were so frustrated that he would not respond to us, we paid $1000 for a "healthy" pup and he wasn't going to honor his health warranty. Well Mr.

Wickliffe finally responded to me by phone, when the Humane Society showed up at his door. He called me screaming at me about the Humane Society. I found out from the Humane Society that he did not have a kennel license. He did not have a vendor license-which is required in Ohio so he can pay sales tax to the state.

If he isn't paying sales tax, one would have to wonder if he pays state and federal income tax on his inferior puppy profits.? Mr. Wickliffe was finally reached by phone and agreed to replace our pup- but that our pup would have to be "put to sleep most likely". Mr.

Wickliffe further stated that he didn't know when he would have a "replacement" puppy. ??? We should return our pup (which we have bonded with and spent a lot of money on already), so he can have her euthanized and we can wait for him to provide us with a new pup! He doesn't even return emails let alone a new pup!

The last email that Mr. Wickliffe sent to us stated that he knew that I was "going to be nothing but trouble" after I picked up our pup at his house. Why because I asked questions? Because I had a gut feeling that this guy was a scammer.

I should have followed my gut and walked away from the transaction. I wasn't impressed with him or his "breeding" dams and sire (one male to six females). One dam had completely lost her entire coat. He told me that "she always blows her coat after having a litter".

He did not allow me to have any contact with the parents or litter mates. He further stated that my husband and I are not welcomed on his property and if we come to his house, we will be considered "trespassers and the proper authorities will be called". Seriously, trespassers! I wasn't a trespasser when I had that cold hard $1000's of cash in my hand.

He stated he would only communicate by email (that's funny dude, you don't even return emails )! Mr. Wickliffe treated us disrespectfully and worse yet he could care less about our pup's health and well-being. In his last email he stated 4 times about our pup being put to sleep.

He plays on people's emotions and counts on that to solve his poor breeding problems. Mr. Wickliffe use to have the buyers name, city and state by each puppy he sold on his website. I emailed one of these buyers to let them know our problems and all of a sudden the names and addresses of buyers disappeared off his site as did his address.

He then added "alpaca" (which should have been "alopecia" and any quality breeder would know that) was not covered under the health warranty.

Interesting to me. I would NOT recommend that anyone buy a puppy from Pat Wickliffe at Wicks Silver Labs or Blue Jean Bullies.

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65 comments
Guest

We bought a silver lab 3 years ago. Don't waste anymore money on testing.

My puppy too was the only puppy who loses her fur. She had a poor coat when we purchased her from another breeder. She has never had an under coat and from doing a lot of research it Appears she has CDA color dilution alopecia. There really isn't a protocol but to give apple cider vinegar, fish oil, vitamin a and melatonin.

I have been doing this for almost a year and her coat has been great until the shedding season and she is bald again. It is so upsetting! From what I have read, this is prevalent in diluted colors.

Wish I had known. Google color dilution alopecia...good luck!

Guest

Why don't people research anything before they get pets? Or adopt a perfectly good dog from the shelter-skelter for way less than $1000??

Guest

Thank you for your information.

Guest

There is NO SUCH THING AS A SILVER LAB!!!! Black, Yellow and Chocolate only!

These poorly bred Designer Dogs have these problems due to having Weimaraner genes in them, alopecia is common in that breed. Purebred Labradors DO NOT have the gene that cause dilution naturally! It comes from cross breeding! Buyer beware, don't let what happened to these uninformed people happen to you!

No such thing as a silver lab! True Labrador people will and always will uphold this fact!

Guest

Sorry but what do you expect when buying from a puppy mill?

Guest

It's "mange", not "manage".

Guest

Finding a reputable breeder is huge when looking for a lab. Any breeder that makes you uneasy is probably a scam.

Also, please remember, there are three colors of labs, black, yellow and chocolat, not silver or red, or anything else. Sorry you got scammed, but even sorrier for the poor dogs being bred wrong!

Guest

Thank you Dustin and/or friends for your 35 bu@@sh@@ votes. Facts don't lie and I have the medical records from Michigan State University Vet Hospital to prove it and many pictures of the genetic train wreck you bred.

The only reason that you don't honor your so called "warranty" is because so many people have or are having health issues with a dog they purchased from your "kennel". It would bankrupt you if you actually did the right thing and refund buyer's money. Wicks Silver Labs also "breed" English Bull dogs, under the name of Blue Jean Bullies Kennel.

Which they sell as high as $5K. Do not buy a dog from this puppy mill operation.

Guest

I owned a chocolate for only 11.5 years , after the first year he started to lose his coat. My vet said it was a meat allergy.

I fed my dog Iams fish and potatoe dog food for the rest of his life and he never lost his coat again.

It was very expensive, because it is a perscribion dog food. Hope this helps someone.

Guest

Wisebuyer- If you "did research" and got such a wonderful dog (4 years ago) from Pat Wickli$$e,

THEN WHY DIDN'T WE GET THE SAME THING????

Your comment makes NO SENSE which isn't surprising.

Guest

Thank you Jeff for your compassionate words.You brought up some enlightening perspectives that I had not consciously identified, I know see that Willow was struggling everyday no matter what I provided her with. I racked my brain so many times trying to figure out what I was missing, what did I need to do different. I know now that there wasn't anything I could do to change Willow's behavior or how she understood her environment.

I am not going to feel guilty about having to make the humane choice, the choice that would bring Willow final peace.

Pat Wickliffe is responsible for bringing Willow into this world by irresponsible breeding, with no regard to the quality of her breeding rather only to the opportunity to fill his greedy pockets with money. Pat Wickliffe is responsible for Willow having to leave this earth and her family that loved her so much, far too early in her innocent life.

I have posted on this site since Feb 2012 after seeing a post from another owner of one of Pat Wickliffe's dogs that had color dilution alopecia like Willow.I have tried to stay current on posting so that perhaps other potential buyers would see Willow's story and not buy a puppy from Mr. Wickliffe. I will never know if I accomplished this goal or not, but I have to think I did help prevent at least one person from having to go through a year of what we have.

Our house is quite now, too quite. I am so use to keeping tabs on Willow constantly that I caught myself looking for her. I expect her to come around the corner or to find her sleeping on the couch. This is so very hard. I miss her so much.

Guest

i have a silver lab from pat she is 4 yrs old and never had any problems I did research before I spent any cash

Guest

I am responding to a post on ripoffreport.com regarding my lab that I had to put down due to excessive aggression.

I am very sorry to hear that you had to make the dreadful decision to put Willow down. My lab Ruger has been gone over a month now, and I still get teary eyed typing this response.

I really understand your comment about the feeling of failure, as I have used the exact same wording as how I felt about Ruger, I feel that I failed him in having to put him down at 3 years of age. But you are right, you did the right thing.

The one thing that I have learned now that Ruger has been gone a while, was that he was not at peace, every day was a struggle for him and it wasn't until they put Ruger down, that I ever saw him relaxed. After they gave him the shot and he was gone, I then saw my dog the most relaxed he had ever been. He actually looked like a different dog lying there, he looked younger, relaxed, and at peace for once in his life. The guilt of failing Ruger has been immense, but in retrospect, deep down I know I did the right thing too and especially for Ruger's sake which I did not see until after he was gone for a while.

You mentioned Riley, our other two labs are entirely different animals now that Ruger is not present, they are more relaxed and seem happier as well. My point is that I know you and your family are in a lot of pain right now, but I hope that eventually you can find some positives that you did not realize were not there due to Willow not being able to control her aggression.

We both bought from different breeders, but our dogs sounded similar in nature. The wired wrong from the start as you mentioned really hits home, as did much of what you wrote.

I am sorry for your loss, and I hope that you, Riley and your family can capture some sort of peace knowing that Willow was struggling and what you feel as failure actually offered Willow the first true form of relaxation in her short lifetime.

I can tell from your post that Willow will be deeply missed, just as Ruger has been missed by our family. All we can hope is that they are relieved of their struggles that was so unfairly and so wrongly dealt to them by these uncaring breeders.

All the best to you and yours !

Alice G Ngk

Yet another litter (born 10/28/12) from Wicks Silver Labs. Two litters in October 2012 alone.

The seventh litter this year.

And they say it's not a puppy mill...... :sigh

Guest

At the rate my dog is losing her fur, she will be bald by Christmas. Such a sad fate for such a precious creature. And Wicks Silver Labs is still selling puppies, what a sad fate for an unsuspecting buyer.

Guest

Color dilution alopecia (CDA) is a genetic disorder. If you want a definitive diagnosis for the alopecia you will have to have skin biopsies done.

The dermatologist that tested our dog told us that there is really nothing that can be done for the alopecia,other than to manage the symptoms. Our dog's coat is so thin that you can see her skin right through her fur. She also has many areas of baldness as well. Hopefully Mr.

Wickliffe's breeding dogs will be retired. I knew through all of this that my dog was not the "only" dog with CDA.

This is all very sad for the innocent victimes- the puppies and dogs. Wishing you the best with your dog.

Guest

I got my puppy fom Pat Wickliffe in May 2011. She is 19 months old and her fur is wirey and thin.

She doesn't have the undercoat that a lab should have.

I accidently stumbled upon this site while trying to email Wickliffe about her. I was very shocked to see that people are having the same issues and that wickliffe has passed away.Meanwhile I am researching alopecia, she may have a mild case...

Guest

I have read that there are a few complaints on here about their dogs and the breeder Mr. Wickliffe.

I seem in one complaint that someone informed of Mr. Wickliffes passing. In fact he did.

I know his family. Just thought I would get it out there if you didn't see it in the one review.

Guest

I am confident that the essence of the problem(s) contained within these pissed consumer complaints , is the refusal to value and use basic, effective customer service skills on the part of Mr. Wickliffe.

The success of any business is:

1. to provide the highest quality product(s)/service(s) possible

2. stand behind the product(s)/service(s) offered when a customer has a concern/complaint

3. treat the customer with respect and be genuine in your interactions

4. answer phone calls and emails in a timely manner

5. work with the customer on arriving at a mutually agreed upon resolution of the complaint

6. honor warranties that the customer has abided by

7. follow up with the customer after resolution of the problem.

8. actually do what you say you will do

Customer satisfaction is paramount to any business’ success. Problems will arise in any business from time to time. It is how the business owner views the importance of resolving a customer complaint and the negative effects that ignoring the customer can have on his business through loss of referrals, negative feedback by word of mouth , and on social media sites, all of which cost him on his bottom line-his profit.

There is an additional and very important responsibility to the dog breeding business. The“products”(puppies) are living, breathing , creatures and the “services” is quality breeding practices. Puppies are totally dependent on caring humans to provide for their needs, both physically and socially. Humans tend to bond very quickly to their new puppy and want nothing but the best for them. Mr. Wickliffe has had a choice to either view this responsibility with respect or he can capitalize on the fact that the owner will not want to return the puppy. I believe that he values and counts on the latter. (What I call the “puppy factor”) Thus relieving him of any responsibility or financial cost. It is evident by his callous and purposeful disregard for this emotional component to his business, that he must not view the puppies as living, breathing creatures but rather as a true “products” for sale. ( A product that he can command a sizable price for.) By not replacing genetically defective dogs he is able to protect his profits. It is not and never has been about the money I paid for my dog, Rather it is about a dog that has multiple health issues and suffers due to those health issues. I don’t mind paying for what I was told I was buying but the bait and switch is unforgiveable. This all would have been avoidable if Mr. Wickliffe would have used some customer service skills and not shirked his responsibility as a breeder in all of this. We had a contract, he should have abided by it.

Customer Service, the key to a successful business.

Guest

To \"Some people\": AKA wickli$$eIn reference to your statement \"Get a life\"I have a life and a part of my life is caring for my dog that has multiple health issues related to her GENETIC condition of Color Dilution Alopecia. You are the breeder, you are responsible for her genetic makeup, and you sold her as a healthy dog.

YOU are responsible for her existence. How long does the average lab live? 10-14 yrs? You can be sure, that YOU will be a part of my life as long as my dog IS a part of my life.

I\'m NOT going to shut up, walk away or stop advocating for my dog. She is the real victim here and so are all of the other poor, ill bred puppies you allow to be born. So you better get use to \"my life\".

The aforementioned is the sole opinion(s) of the writer. Any prospective buyer(s) should research any breeder and come to their own conclusion(s) if a breeder is someone they wish to do business with.

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Alice G Ngk
map-marker Saginaw, Michigan

Promised a "replacement" puppy in January, still waiting!

We bought a puppy from Wicks Silver Labs in December 2011. Our puppy began losing her fur after being home for only 5 days.

She was diagnosed with a genetic disorder, color dilution alopecia, in January 2012. Our puppy's genetic disorder is covered under the health warranty we were given in December 2011. Mr Wickliffe has since precluded "alpache" (alopecia) as a covered condition. Mr.

Wickliffe, owner of Wicks Silver Labs, agreed to replace our puppy in January. He stated that he didn't know when he would be having another litter arriving and would have to let us know. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Wickliffe told us we "voided" our warranty.

Mr. Wickliffe has yet to give us an explanation as to how we allegedly "voided" our warranty. We have made multiple request to Mr. Wickliffe for an explanation regarding the warranty.

In March Mr. Wickliffe informed us via email that he would have no further communication with us on the advice of his "attorney". He stated we would be hearing from his attorney "soon" We have yet to hear from his "attorney" or Mr. Wickliffe!

Now Mr. Wickliffe has two litters available from which to provide us with a "replacement" puppy from. Mr. Wickliffe had a litter arrive March 24 and April 3.

He professes to only have "1-2" litters a year, just an occasional breeder. He also had a litter advertised on his website born Feb 22. In our opinion, Mr. Wickliffe knew full well when he would be having future litters available when he promised us a new puppy but couldn't tell us when one would be available.

In our opinion, Mr. Wickliffe sells puppies with a health warranty that he has no intentions of honoring if need be. He is not concerned about the quality of the puppies he sells or the people who unwittingly buy from him. He is ONLY concerned about making his money, a $1000 per pup with an additional $250 for breeding rights.

In our opinion Wicks Silver Labs is a Puppy Mill.

Unfortunately, Ohio does not have very effective legislation regarding dog breeding or breeders. In our opinion, we were SCAMMED.

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19 comments
Guest

I "purchased" a puppy. I did not "adopt" a puppy. When you purchase any goods or services, there are implied expectations. When a warranty is offered with your purchase, it is meant to signify that the merchant or service provider is agreeing to provide you with what you thought you where purchasing or hired them to do.

I do not call my dogs my "babies" or look at them like my "children". The love I have for my children can not be compared to my dogs. My dogs and cats are well cared for on a daily basis. They receive regular veterinary care and care for health issues that come up. I make my own dog food with the same quality ingredients that I use for my family. They are vaccinated, given flea and heartworm preventatives, have been taken to specialists when needed, have microchips, toys galore, and sleep on the couches. We have our home professionally treated every three months to prevent flea infestation. This care all comes at a considerable expense. We give our pets the very best care and they enjoy a loving place in our home. One of our dogs is a stray that we found in a thunderstorm. After two failed months of trying to find her owner, she has become a member of our pack. She has severe hip dysplasia and will need hip surgery in the future. She is currently on two pain meds with good results.

I have no problem having to deal with or spend unknown amounts of money on a dog (stray or adopted) that came with no warranty or known health history. But if I purchase a dog, I want what I was promised, nothing more, nothing less. A stray or adopted dog is a game of chance. A dog that you purchase has a known genetic background. It should be healthy and have a good temperament.

Guest

Yes, this is a very terrible thing to be happening, it seems like he's constantly breeding his dogs. But you shouldn't be asking for your money back just because your dog isn't perfect.

They are there for you to love them for whatever they turn out to be. You should have really researched them before you bought them; because it's not just the Wicks breeding place that has dogs that are losing their hair or other serious infections, dry skin, poor immune system, almost all silver labs have this. I have two silver labs and each of them have had one litter of puppies. Our first had a litter of silver, our second was bred with a chocolate so they're only silver factored (hopefully no serious problems with this set) our new puppy from this litter she is only a few months and she has a beautiful soft coat, as her mother's fell out, but is slowly coming back in.

I really love my dogs and wouldn't leave them, or ask for my money back. I can't just fail my babies like that; I can't leave my dog that is either in pain, or suffering from an illness just because she wasn't what I thought she would be, or that she's not worth the money. Because she is worth so much more than a thousand dollars to me. I would never leave my girls behind even if my life depended on it.

If you don't want your dog then maybe you shouldn't have gotten one, or maybe you should have researched them a little bit more; because almost all silver labs have a skin, or coat defect. This problem is not the dogs fault, they were not supposed to be this color; that's why they're so rare. So either don't get dogs anymore, or tough it out and love them. Even though it's hard to see them in pain, you give them the best life they deserve and treat them as best as you can.

They deserve a good life.

And I bet you are all adults on here complaining, well this is a sixteen year old girl that has to see her eight and four year old everyday without their hair. So just stop complaining and start loving them!

Guest

We didn't buy our Jade from Wicks but another breeder in Kansas. She is almost 3 now.

Sadly this Silver also has Color Dilution Alopecia. We had our vet do a punch biopsy when we got her spade ( we knew we couldn't breed her for whatever was wrong with her coat). Report came back from Penn State to confirm the CDA. She has no fur on her one side about 5 inches across and the same on the other about 4 inches.

She has dry skin and is prone to skin infections. My husband doesn't hunt with her too much expense treating skin infections. She wears a coat in the winter. We did get our money back no problem.

We sent a formal letter and accompanied it with a copy of the lab report. I do think this is a problem in dogs with the color dilute gene. Fawn and blue dobermans as well as others are prone.

I've checked this breeders website and I don't see Jades Mother in his breeding program so he may have had others as well affected.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-636590

Wicks Silver Labs does not use dogs from other "breeders" in there "breeding program". They have 6 females to 1 male.

And they breed the *** out of those poor females. They are no more than another Puppy mill operation. They know that there dogs carry the CDA gene, that gets passed on to their puppies, and they keep pumping out litters every time one of their females goes into heat. Sadly I thought after Mr.

Wickliffe passed away, that this puppymill would be out of business. Mr. Wickliffe's life partner, Dustin is continuing to run this scamming puppy mill. If you want a bald, partially bald and/or a dog with skin lesions, this is the puppy mill for you.

Anyone who is looking for a well bred, strong, healthy dog, don't buy a silver lab and definitely don't by a dog from Wicks Silver Labs. :(

Guest

Thanks for your input. We agree that "silver labs" should not be bred and would not recommend anyone to purchase one.

You are correct, we do not want a replacement puppy from Wicks Silver Labs.

Whenever we are out in public with her, people ask us what kind of dog she is. This gives us a great opportunity to educate people about the health issues and reasons they should not buy a silver lab.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-520521

We also take the opportunity to tell anyone that will listen about Jade and her Coat condition. Our kennel we use when we vacation knows about it and have also let others know about the risk of these diluted colors from a variety of breeds.

All we can do is pass,the word. Always document everything and never get a replacement puppy. Money back only. Spread the word as much as you can!

If you keep one person from not choosing a silver lab at a much higher cost, I might add.

Then your making progress.

Guest

Unfortunately, Our opinion is that silver labs should not be bred at all for their color. They are wonderful dogs, but their recessive, color-dilute gene leaves them susceptible an breeders know th owners will be attached to their pet before symptoms begin to show (usually 6 months to a year).

You do not want a replacement from this breeder!!! If you need a treatment resource or your pup, you can go to Color Dilution Alopecia page on Facebook.

Guest

Really, FYI to any prospective buyers. A "rare silver lab" is really a dilute chocolate.

A recessive gene causes their haircoat to be a silvery brown.

Color dilution alopecia is very common in this color labrador. Do yourself a favor, spend less money on a better bred lab of a "normal color".

Guest

There is now a 3rd person who has posted that they have a silver lab from Mr. Wickliffe and it has alopecia as well.

I am wondering how many more people who bought puppies from Mr.

Wickliffe have dogs with alopecia.? The 3rd owner's comment is posted under " Wicks Silver Labs sold me a genetically defective dog" (posted by "Dana".

Alice G Ngk

In our health warranty /contract, alopecia was not even mentioned as an excluded condition. Mr.

Wickliffe added the alopecia exclusion after we and another buyer informed him that our dogs had this genetic condition.

How very convenient. Would not recommended this breeder.

Deadgumbit

Puppies are not objects like appliances. They are living, breathing beings.

This kind of selling stuff like this for puppies or kittens needs to be outlawed. Adoption only.

Guest

BTW, I'm not sure if this is new or not, but I checked out the Wick's website and in their warranty information they state that alopecia is not covered under their warranty. Big warning sign, if the breeder has a clause to specific genetic disorders that they won't cover under warranty, you can almost be assured that it runs in their line.

Guest

I guess I didn't make my point clear.

You have one of his puppies and it has a long term health problem. Most likely it runs in his line. If he would give you another puppy, it could potentially have the same problem as your first puppy. My suggestion would be to have monetary compensation only and not get another puppy frm this breeder. I'm not sure how the puppy lemon law works in Michigan, but in Pennsylvania the breeder has the right to have the original puppy returned to them when the replacement puppy is given to the buyer. The breeder can then do whatever he/she deems appropriate with the returned puppy.(including euthanasia if the puppy is considered unsellable)

I do understand your frustration, but even if the breeder does give you a new puppy that hopefully is healthy, you still have a dog at home that will need continued veterinary care. And, possibly you get a second puppy from the breeder with the same problem.

No one said you did anything wrong, I'm just saying that maybe you should just try to get monetary compensation from him and look elsewhere for a healthy puppy.

Guest

Mr. Wickliffe has sold 4 puppies from his 2 current litters. He has not contacted us regarding arrangements to receive our replacement puppy, as he has promised us verbally and in writing. We are still waiting. Does his "health warranty" really mean anything or is it just to give the buyer a false sense of security? He states he only breeds "1-2 litters a year", so we are concerned that we will have to wait until 2013. Mr. Wickliffe will have several more litters of "rare silver/charcoal labs" this year but, we will not be provided with a new pup as he has promised.

The aforementioned is the sole opinion of the writer(s). Each buyer will have to research this breeder and come to their own conclusion as to whether this breeder is someone they want to purchase a puppy from.

Greetings from Hilton Head, SC.

Guest

That was weird! Why did it post the same thing three times?

Guest

We have never had any intentions of breeding our dog or any other dog we may own.

We can appreciate your comment about letting go.

However we are not sure why you would say we "have" to wash our hands or just let go.? When you purchase a dog it is a 12+ year commitment. If you bought a car and it was a lemon would there be a point that you would walk away or wash your hands of it and just keep making the car payments. No you would see it through until you are given the car you paid for (either by repair or replacement).

We will see this through to the end, whatever that may be. We have done nothing wrong. Mr. Wickliffe is in breach of his contract.

He got his money and we SHOULD have gotten a healthy puppy.

Mr. Wickliffe has three options regarding this case, he can either provide us with a partial refund, he can provide us with a replacement puppy, or he can see us in court.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-469673

I don't understand how this is going to fix your dog you purchased the first time... Do I have to spell it out for you?

ALMOST EVERY SINGLE SILVER LAB HAS A HAIR DEFECT! Getting a new puppy, or asking for a half price refund is not going to help. You go to court and either try to make it against the law for breeding silver labs; or you go to court and instead of asking for half price refund you make him pay all your vet bills. It's not that hard, I mean come on, I'm sixteen and even I know this.

If he is still able to breed his silvers, well he sure is going to find him in a tough spot if he has to pay every single vet bill for the puppy that is suffering. So stop being pissed at him and your dog for how they look, and start loving them as much as you can in their life time. Because if you don't give them at least a half way decent life, you're not only see them suffering from pain inside their body but all suffering from a broken heart from not being loved. A dog, or any type of animal can die from a broken heart, trust me my dog was with her sister twenty-four seven and when she was only two years old she passed away from getting into rat poison and eating plastic that used to be used as her water dish, and when she passed away her sister got to say goodbye.

She stopped eating for awhile and was sad, two years later she still is. But I try to make her life better each day by loving her more and more. So don't take their life from them just because off their coat defect. They won't only eventually die from that or being too old, but from not being loved.

If you don't trust me, then go look up depression in dogs.

Now please.... just give them a good life, like they deserve.

Guest

If I were you I'd either ask for monetary compensation or wash your hands of this whole thing. I hope you weren't planning on breeding the dog you purchased.

Even if he does give you another dog, you should realize that it may be a carrier of the same genetic disorder your current puppy has.

Should you decide to breed it, it will likely pass it on to offspring and you will be the one dealing with unhappy new owners.

I understand your frustration, but sometimes you just have to let things go.

Guest

FYI to any prospective buyers: "rare silver labs" are not silver in color. In actuality,they have a mousy brown color to their coat.

Our puppy does not have a "silver" colored coat. Don't be fooled by the photos of the puppies advertised for sale on Mr. Wickliffe's website (Wickssilverlabs), they appear to be color "enhanced" to accentuate the gray color.

Buyer beware.

The aforementioned is the expressed opinion of the writer.

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Maida Kvq
map-marker Chicago, Illinois

Wicks Silver Labs 2

I have posted a prior complaint as Avoid Wicks Silver Labs Please. I wanted to post another picture of my silver lab's most recent hair loss due to the genetic condition bred within Wick's Silver Labs and could not add another photo to the intial complaint.

Mr. Wick finally responded to my complaint saying that it is my responsibility as a consumer to research the problems that can occur when buying a rare colored dog.

Therefore, I believe it is my duty to help potential buyers to understand what can happen when dogs are bred for "rare" colors. Sores did not accompany the hair loss in my dog this time, thankfully.

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9 comments
Guest

It is very common for any female dog to loose a significant amount of her coat after whelping a litter. This is due to the demands of pregnancy, whelping and lactating on her body.

Her coat will usually return to a normal state as her body returns to it's non-pregnancy state.

This hair loss should not be a permanent condition.

Guest

I did not purchase my dog from the same people as you did, but I've had my dog for eight years now and she had a litter of puppies when she was four, then all her hair fell out. Problems with her still continue, such as: constant vaginal bleeding that never stops, small scabs (not as bad as your dog).

But these problems are serious and my parents do not have the money to take my silver lab Misty to the vet. It's really sad for me because she is the most important person in my life and I am afraid with her bad condition that it might shorten her life. We kept one of her puppies from her first and only litter and bred her three months ago; her hair fell out, but is now growing in slowly. My family bred her with a chocolate lab and now we have a new puppy from that litter.

I am hoping for better results in my new puppy Luna, now that she is only silver factored. I love my three girl dogs that I have and all my puppies that we had to sell (I couldn't stop crying) and I hope that they don't have any bad conditions throughout their lifetime. Even though I love silver labs extremely, I would never wish this on a dog. I hope that the color gets banned from breeding.

Because now that people know, they shouldn't be doing this.

It hurts me to see my babies so sick. I hope all silver labs are doing okay, and if you're wanting to breed them, PLEASE just breed them with a really good akc lab (chocolate, black, yellow, ect..) PLEASE!

Guest

I just bought a puppy from theese people who lie out their teeth just to sell a dog or puppy. my puppy came to my house from ohio to illinois and had real bad diaherria and vomiting.

i took her to the vet she was sick and full of parasites. Dustin the "breeder" lol says its my fault and the puppy was fine when it left his house. if you look on their guarantee page you have 3 days to take the pup to the vet and if anything is wrong with the pup you will be given a full refund, i tell Dustin about and he cusses me out. what can i do?

sue him?

Im a really pissed customer!!!!!!!!! a thousand bux is way to much to spend on one of his dogs

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-638826

I have never dealt with Dustin regarding the health problems my dog had, I only had the displeasure of dealing with the late Mr. Pat Wickliff.

Sounds like Dustin isn't any nicer than Mr. Wickliffe and is continuing the practice of running a very profitable puppy mill. Unfortunately, from my year long experience in dealing with this puppy mill, I never got one dime of my money back and spent more for advanced vet care. Ohio is notorious for being one of the top "puppy mill" states in the US.

I would suggest that you start your own complaint if you haven't already done so. And continue to post on all the other complaints for Wicks as well. Also complain to BBB of Springfield OH. You probably won't get anywhere with the BBB,but its worth the chance that it will get listed as a complaint "resolved" status.

It lets others know that something is amiss. I went to Mr.

Wickliffe's house, I saw his dogs and what a bunch of ratty dogs they use as "breeding" stock. Absolutely correct, NOT WORTH THE $$$$$$$$ :(

Guest

Nadine- Glad you are so happy with your puppy. Hope you don't get a "lemon" on your next purchase.

A $1000 is a lot of money to pay and then end up with a dog like the one we got. We are not concerned about Mr. Wickliffe's "livelihood", because he is not worried about his reputation as a so called "breeder". If he was, he would stand behind his breeding practices and his health warranty.

We expected to get what we paid for- A QUALITY LAB DOG! We did not get A QUALITY LAB DOG. Sorry but your "lemon" rational is ridiculous. If we wanted a "lemon" we could have found one at the pound.

For that matter, we probably would have gotten a better dog at the pound for a lot less money and aggravation. Perhaps in your spare time you should take an English class and learn how to write an intelligent sentence/paragraph.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-541382

It wont let me reply to "gottaken2" but people like YOU make me SICK!!! Saying if you "wanted a lemon you would of went to the pound" a LOT of good animals are at the pound and get put to sleep on a regular basis because of breeders.

So what your dog has some hair loss, get it some steroids and move on. yOu most likely thought you were going to breed it and make thousands off it, and i for one am glad you cant!!!

Guest

I love my puppy I bought from wicks! Best dog I ever purchased!

Looking to purchase another one. I am saddened to hear all the negativity that you are exposing... Do you not realize you can ruin someone's livelyhood for what oh are writing. If you are a true dog lover and have had pets in the past, you should be knowledgable to the fact that any animal purchase; whether from wicks it somewhere else could be what some would call a " lemon" .

I and friends gave purchased animals in the past that have not always been what we wish to expect, but that is what comes with any animal!

If you have a child that is born with a disorder, are you going to blame the parents all the time or the doctor who delivered the baby! Grow p and find something positive to do in your spare time!

Guest

There is now a 3rd person who has posted that they have a silver lab from Mr. Wickliffe and it has alopecia as well.

I am wondering how many more people who bought puppies from Mr.

Wickliffe have dogs with alopecia.? The 3rd owner's comment is posted under " Wicks Silver Labs sold me a genetically defective dog" (posted by "Dana".

Guest

I am sorry to hear that your dog is again experiencing further hair loss. I was really hoping things would improve and there would be no more CDA issues.

I believe it is a matter of when, not if my dog will have further hair loss problems again. I have had difficulty posting pictures and comments, on this site in the past. I have continued to try to keep this topic available myself so people can have information regarding the CDA in "rare" silver colored labs.

It is a shame that Mr. Wickliffe is allowed to continue, in my opinion, his unethical breeding practices and scamming buyers.

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Alice G Ngk
map-marker Saginaw, Michigan

My 5 month old puppy is losing her fur AGAIN!

Updated by user Mar 30, 2012

Pictures were submitted with this complaint. Evidently they did not make it to this site. ???

Original review Mar 30, 2012

Please read my complaint entitled: Wicks Silver Labs sold me a genetically defective dog. As previously stated my puppy has a genetic disorder Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA).

This disorder has been diagnosed by genetic testing via skin biopsies at Michigan State University Veterinary Clinic in January of this year. We where told in January, by Dr. Peterson (dermatologist) that Willow would regrow the fur she had lost, however if Willow lost her fur again, her fur loss would be permanent. Willow has started losing her fur for the second time (this will be permanent).

She is losing fur on the backs of her hind legs, abdomen/sides, under her front legs, her rear end, base of her tail and has small patchy areas in various places. My husband and I have attempted to hold the breeder, Mr. Wickliffe of Wicks Silver Labs, to the health warranty contract which states that if a genetic defect is diagnosed within one year of purchase, a replacement puppy would be provided. We have made several unsuccessful attempts to resolve this with Mr.

Wickliffe. Mr. Wickliffe promised us, in January, a replacement puppy, but has not done so nor has he told us when another litter will be available. Mr.

Wickliffe then told us we "voided" our warranty, however he has yet to give us an explanation as to how we specifically "voided" our warranty. We sent Mr. Wickliffe an email approximately 2 weeks ago requesting an explanation about the "voided" warranty" and received a response from him that he had sent all "saved documentation to his attorney" and that we would be hearing from his attorney "very soon". Mr.

Wickliffe further stated that he was advised by his attorney not to have further contact with us. We have not received any communication from an attorney representing Mr. Wickliffe. Mr.

Wickliffe has breached the health warranty contract. We believe that he has no intention, nor has he ever had any intention of honoring the health warranty that he advertises on his website. This is deceptive advertising. Mr.

Wickliffe shows lack of regard for the puppies he breeds and the unsuspecting customers he sells to. All we wanted was a healthy puppy. What we got is a puppy that will be bald or partially bald when all is said and done. Mr.

Wickliffe of Wicks Silver Labs has no intentions of making this situation right. The aforementioned is the exclusive opinion of this writer.

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Loss:
$1000
11 comments
Guest

There is actually a cure to your dogs condition. My mini foxie has the same 'color dilution alopecia' and he lost all his blue coat.

Now.

He has it back! Home remedies

Guest

Get the dog some steriods and move on..there is no such thing as a "sliver lab" and if you wanted such a "rare" dog common sense tells you to get these "rare" dogs breeding wise there will be some gentic issues because these dogs are not supposed to have this coloring.

Guest

There is now a 3rd person who has posted that they have a silver lab from Mr. Wickliffe and it has alopecia as well.

I am wondering how many more people who bought puppies from Mr.

Wickliffe have dogs with alopecia.? The 3rd owner's comment is posted under " Wicks Silver Labs sold me a genetically defective dog" (posted by "Dana".

Guest

I understand your frustration with this breeder, but, as I have posted on another of your blogs... sometimes it its better to just cut ties and be done with it.

Do you Really want another dog from this breeder. My suggestion would be to ask for some monetary compensation and leave it at that. I don't know what your plans were for your pet, but if breeding was one of them... I certainly would not consider breeding any dog from this person.

Most likely, many of his dogs carry this genetic disorder and would likely be passed on through any puppies.

If I were you, I would try to get some sort of compensation from the breeder and just enjoy the dog that you have.

Guest

I understand your frustration with this breeder, but, as I have posted on another of your blogs... sometimes it its better to just cut ties and be done with it.

Do you Really want another dog from this breeder. My suggestion would be to ask for some monetary compensation and leave it at that. I don't know what your plans were for your pet, but if breeding was one of them... I certainly would not consider breeding any dog from this person.

Most likely, many of his dogs carry this genetic disorder and would likely be passed on through any puppies.

If I were you, I would try to get some sort of compensation from the breeder and just enjoy the dog that you have.

Guest

you are ignorant lady!

Guest

Actually, let me educate you a bit. I know perfectly well what a hair coat is and its function. It certainly serves a function, but by no means is going to cause a dog to have a miserable life in its absence. Some dogs are bred to be "hairless." In addition, we've covered not only this particular genetic disorder in lecture, but I've seen it in clinic rotations as well. This disorder generally causes only mild discomfort, with itching due to dry skin being the primary concern. Other concerns are sunburns and bacterial infections, but with proper care these symptoms can be managed. I'm sorry your dog (a LIFE, by the way) didn't live up to your "expectations." Despite YOUR intentions of USING her to retrieve for duck hunts, she is still capable of leading a happy life. I'm sure she doesn't mind that she can't participate in duck hunts. Dogs are like children, you can raise and train them to perform according to YOUR expectations, but in the end, they may or may not meet your expectations. Even a perfectly healthy dog that is trained from an early age may not "perform" according to expectations. That's sort of the gamble you make when adopting a puppy.

It's my opinion that pets should be treated as companion animals, not as investments (with the exception of service animals). It's perfectly fine for dogs to retrieve ducks and do other recreational activities. It provides them with stimulation and exercise. However, as I've already stated, there is never any guarantee that a dog will live up to your expectations. Sometimes adjustments need to be made in life, without requesting a "replacement puppy." Even if you never said you would send the original back, obviously that is what several other readers implied based on what you had written. The word "replace" is defined as "to substitute, to take the place of." Obviously, that implies one puppy taking the place of another. I suggest being more clear in your diction next time.

With that being said, I believe the breeder is just as misguided and wrong. His behavior demonstrates a lack of ethics and acceptable level of customer service, in addition to likely breaching his own contract.

And Sterler, I've been in the real world. I was a vet tech for years before going to vet school. i'm in my 4th year on rotations. Obviously, I've been very successful in dealing with clientele. Ignorant, misguided owners come in all the time. It's my job to educate them so they can provide the best possible life for their pets. If you, Sterler, are going to pretend that an internet website is the same kind of forum as a hospital, you are grossly mistaken. Obviously, they are two different arenas. Here, I can address misguided owners openly and honestly, which isn't possible in a university run hospital. For your info, my reviews have indicated excellent bedside manner and client-doctor relationship.

And YES, there are partial refunds. A lot of the breeders I work with will a) cover vet bills and/or b) refund part of the purchase price if the owner elects to keep a dog with a chronic condition.

Thanks for the wishes of good luck, though. I already have a job lined up after I graduate this June!

leslie Nhh

To ASH...

You Sound like a naive veterinary student. When you get into the real world and actually have to deal with real life situations let me know how slamming your clientele works out for you.

If you had any clue as to how things work, you'd know that there is no such thing as a partial refund or discount when it comes to purchasing a puppy.

In addition, at no point did the person state that they wanted to get rid of their dog Willow, they just said that they were entitled to a dog that shouldn't have come with so many problems at such a young age.

Good luck in the future, but with your attitude.....

Guest

You are a disgusting human being and people like you should not own pets! As a veterinary student, people like you make me seriously sick.

You want a "replacement puppy"? You should be ashamed. So what, your puppy has bald spots. Does that mean he doesn't deserve a happy life with a good family?

Is it any less lovable because it isn't as cute? How dare you. I hope you do give the dog away so it has a chance to have a decent home with a loving family. I understand your frustrations with the breeder, but if anything you should have asked for a discount or partial refund, not a replacement!

That is a life, not a piece of damaged merchandise. Yuck.

This is why I NEVER buy from a breeder. Shelter pets all the way!

Nytrostarss

I'm sorry for your issues with your silver lab. I did some reading on the breed before recently buying our chocolate and found warnings regarding silver lab specific breeders. Being that the AKC only acknowledges yellow, black, and chocolate as being part of the "Breed Standard", there were warnings that any breeder specializing in "Silver" labs, are probably not in the breeding scene for the right reasons.

When a breeder is in the breeding game for profit, they often forego the in depth testing(of the parents)that is crucial for producing a more healthy dog. I've come to learn it is hard to be profitable in the breeding business(if doing it right) because there are many expenses to raise a litter from 0 to 8 weeks.

I would pursue this in small claims court, you might be able to recover your cost for the dog while being able to keep it. I would spread the word on this breeder as well on sites like yelp, yahoo reviews, etc. People often google a breeders name to for reviews before making a decision to buy.

Good luck!

Guest

So you bought a puppy from a breeder, a pure breed breeder, I assume? And the puppy is losing hair because of a supposed genetic problem?

And you had a WARRANTY out of the life of this puppy? As if because it has a health problem, you can just return the puppy for a "new, healthy model?"

Excuse me, but this is a LIFE. A LIFE you promised to support and provide for.

You do not get refunds, exchanges or replacements for children born with or who delevelop health issues.

If you adopted a child who developed a genetic disorder, would you demand a refund and replacement because they suddenly lost their hair or had bad skin?

NO. You would report the place you adopted them from but no way in *** would you demand a replacement.

By adopting/buying the puppy/child, you made a life long promise to provide shelter, love and medical support.

Real, caring people do not have a "warrenty" on a life. Be it human or animal. And it sickens me to think that because your puppy has some genetic health issues, most of which are curable, that you would demand a "replacement". You do not replace a child.

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Alice G Ngk
map-marker New Boston, Michigan

More pictures of fur loss

Updated by user Feb 19, 2012

Our pictures don\'t seem to want to load.

Original review Feb 19, 2012

Here are some additional pictures that did not load on my original complaint. We think it is very important to share the pictures because they speak for themselves.

We have tried to include pictures that best show the fur loss and thinning of fur. In the areas where our pup didn't completely lose her fur it was very,very thin. As we said in the previous post, our pup's fur has grown back in. How long her coat will remain "normal" is anybody's guess.

Bottom line is that any fur loss that results in bald spots is not normal. Another thought we wanted to share was originally Mr. Wickliffe had said that our pup would be ready to go home with us at 8 weeks, which is the norm. When our pup was 6 weeks old Mr.

Wickliffe emailed us and said she was "ready to go at anytime" ? Why the hurry to get rid of her? Maybe because he was afraid she would start losing her fur and wanted to get his money before the fur loss started.?? Obviously he has had unsatisfied customers before us and he has had to find ways to manipulate people to still make is money.

In our situation it was two weeks before Christmas and he played on that. Buyer Beware!

Stick with the traditional chocolate, black and yellow labs. Stay away from designer dogs.

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SST
map-marker Bluffton, South Carolina

Breeders and Rescue

I am so sorry you had such an ordeal with this 'breeder.. notice, unquote..

If you really want to find out about breeders, I suggest that anyone contact the parent Club rescue group, as I am involved in rescue for another breed and we get to know who all the backyard breeders and puppy millers are.

These so called breeders and pet stores that sell dogs and cats, ( who buy from puppy mills), depend on you falling in love with the sick animal and you don't have the heart to have it destroyed. The guarantee only covers so much medical care and many of these animals don't show genetic signs of illness until almost a year or two of age. Many of us in rescue started out by buying from a puppy mill or backyard breeder, have gone through similar issues you are going through and we decided to help the rescue group. There is nothing wrong with buying from a reputable breeder, but keep in mind, a knockout website doesn't mean the breeder is good !

Generally if they specialize in several breeds, you can bet they are a puppy miller.

There is a site called: www.nopuppymills.com visit it and you can see firsthand what happens there. Again,good luck !!

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3 comments
Guest

There is now a 3rd person who has posted that they have a silver lab from Mr. Wickliffe and it has alopecia as well.

I am wondering how many more people who bought puppies from Mr.

Wickliffe have dogs with alopecia.? The 3rd owner's comment is posted under " Wicks Silver Labs sold me a genetically defective dog" (posted by "Dana".

SST

I'd like to suggest a product that may help grow back the hair. It is called Vetericyn. It is about $40 for a small bottle. It actually mimicks the body's immune system and fools it into growing back hair.

I've seen it used , but only on small areas and the hair comes back the original or close to its color it was. The product can be bought at most pet supply stores or online. When you have time, research the site and you may want to try it. It has been used on humans as well and appears to be safe in content.

Please keep us posted on your dog's skin. Thanks for the nice comments also !!

Guest

Your comments are right on. You bring up very valid points.

We appreciate your concern. We have a Lab/Golden mixed that we bought for $50 and you couldn't ask for a better dog. I wanted a rescue dog but my husband saw the silver lab online and was really taken (no pun intended). She's a great dog other than the coat issue.

We can only hope that she will maintain the coat that has grown back in. We did note new fur loss on her hind legs today. One day at a time.

It's great all the good works you are doing with the rescue. Keep it up, we need more hard working people like you that give their heart for the good of unwanted animals.

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