Why we would never buy an eBay dog again

The decision to get a dog came to us very spontaneously. I had known for a long time that I wanted a dog, but not that it would happen at this exact moment. We looked on eBay for Aussie puppies and quickly found what we were looking for. But was it a good idea to buy a dog on eBay? I'll tell you how the story unfolded in this article.

How we got to know Falko

One Thursday we made an appointment with the seller and drove over two hours to look at the puppies. In the living room we met nine little Aussie puppies - all so cute and tiny. One of them, Falko, immediately stood out. He was only three weeks old and walked for the first time during our visit.

The saleswoman asked if we needed papers, which would cost an extra €400. As we didn't want to breed, we decided against it. We found out that Falko's litter was an "accident": her young bitch, just nine months old, had been mated by a neighbor's dog.

Although the circumstances gave us pause for thought, we decided to go with Falko and left a deposit straight away. On the way home, our anticipation was great, even if there were still some doubts.

Waiting for Falko

The next five weeks dragged on like chewing gum. At first we received regular photos and videos, but they became fewer and fewer. The footage showed the puppies in a barren basement room covered with litter. It was clear to me: Falko had to come to us as soon as possible.

Shortly before picking them up, the seller sent us pictures of the vet visit. The puppies were transported in a laundry basket - neither secured nor in a box. That was the only time the puppies were taken outside.

The big day: Falko moves in

On November 21, 2020, the time had finally come. As soon as we entered the house, or more precisely the cellar, we were hit by an unbearable stench. The conditions there were appalling, but we were happy to finally be able to take Falko with us.

Falko was anxious in the car, peed several times and could only be calmed on my lap. When we arrived home, he was tired but happy. After a long bath, which he didn't like, he seemed to settle in slowly.

The challenges with Falko

Falko was a loving but fearful dog right from the start. Everyday noises such as the kettle or the vacuum cleaner frightened him. Looking back, it is clear that the lack of socialization in the first few weeks of his life left its mark.

House-training was particularly problematic. It took almost ten months for Falko to understand that wee-wee does not belong in the home. His first time in the dirt had left its mark on him - he didn't know a fixed place to sleep or use the toilet.

The health problems

A year later, we learned of illnesses in Falko's litter, including patellar luxation, HD and epilepsy. Falko also showed symptoms and was eventually given the same diagnosis. Through targeted physiotherapy, exercise and the right diet we were able to spare him an operation.

Research into Falko's parents finally brought us certainty: the information provided by the saleswoman was largely fictitious. It is frightening how little responsibility some people take when it comes to breeding.

Why I share our story

Buying dogs on eBay often sounds harmless, but there are many risks involved. Our Falko is a great dog, but the circumstances he came from are anything but acceptable.

My appeal to you: only buy dogs from reputable breeders or adopt a dog from an animal welfare organization. This will prevent breeders from continuing to profit from such schemes.

Feel free to share your experiences in the comments or on Instagram. See you soon,
Wiola and Falko

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