To those who are looking to buy Black Russian Terrier pups, let me tell you about my experiences with Helene Haldi from Russian Bear Kennels. 

I first contacted Helene in Jan. 2013. She said most of her litters were either $2000 or $2500, but if I got one that was $2500, she would help with shipping. When I asked her the difference in prices she said, "2nd litter is a repeat litter and current litter is the sires very first litter so I discount the puppies rather than up the other litters prices."  (I wish that would have been true)

Since she was an AKC Breeder of Merit, I thought she would be an honest, upright breeder. So I sent her a $1000 deposit. When we first spoke, she didn't mention the deposit being non-refundable. When I asked her about it (after I had sent the money and she sent the partially filled out contract,) she told me not to worry, she would make sure I got a great puppy. Unfortunately, that didn't work out. 

Six months later once she finally had a pup for me, I was all excited, counting down the days. When I asked her which price this pup was the $2000 or the $2500, all of a sudden there was a new price, $3000. When I told her I only had $2500 and couldn’t come up with more, she said she would pay for shipping and I would owe her a pup when I had a litter. Since I had already given her a deposit, I didn’t feel I had much choice.

July she sends “Pup 1” up after her vet cleared her of a mild cough she had. I brought her to my vet, who saw a problem in her eyes. My vet suggested I make an appointment with a veterinary ophthalmologist. When I told Helene, she suggested waiting, as pressure from airplanes can cause eye issues. My vet said, he’s never heard that, so I made appointment with the eye specialist, “Diagnosis: Cataract OU which should be considered hereditary.” I was quite upset that Helene’s vet had missed this, so I called them and asked if they did an eye exam on “Pup1” The person who answered the vet’s phone said she remembered the pup and said that their eye exam was simply to look to see if there was any matting or drainage of the eye, no scope was used. I then called Helene and said that it was too bad that her vet didn’t do a better job examining the pup, they may have caught this. She said, “My vet did a complete examination, including the eyes, there was no problem when we sent her up.” This was not true.

Surgery would be over $3000, and I wouldn’t be able to breed or show the dog. If I wanted to return this dog (who would be blind within a couple of years), I had to pay for shipping back to Helene as she refused to pay the $350 to return the pup.

Helene then offered me a pup from different line that she owned half the sire of. This pup was only 7 hours away from our house so we could drive to pick it up. I asked Helene if this litter was also $3000, and she told me it was.

The owner of the b***h (I will call her “A” as not to involve her), was very supportive and knew I was a bit nervous about getting a healthy dog, so she had an appointment set up for an exam with a vet near her house for whichever pup I chose. I picked “pup 2” and we took her to the vet. The vet gave his all clear and sent us on our way.

I had the pup examined once more by my vet when we got home. He picked up a severe heart murmur, said it was grade 3 of 6. The vet explained if it was a grade 1 or 2 she would probably outgrow it, but this was worse than that. He suggested I see a specialist for an echo.Helene again suggested my vet was just being over zealous and suggested I just wait until the pup is older, that the pup would just outgrow it. I explained, that my vet said it was past that point.

I had the “pup 2” examined by a specialist, and the echo revealed Severe sub-aortic stenosis (SAS), not only that, she also had a second heart condition of Ventricular Septal Defect. When I asked the specialist how long she thought the dog would live, she thought only 3-4 years.

“A” was devastated. She and I both called her vet, and he said, “Well I did hear a slight murmur, but thought she’d just outgrow it so I didn’t mention it.” “A” offered me her other female, “pup 3” but since SAS can be genetic, I didn’t want to take “pup 3” unless an echo was done to clear her. We could trade “pup 2” for “pup 3” when we came back down. “A” found that the echo could be done at a teaching institution by her house for only $170. I told Helene that since I had already put so much money into a pup, but I still didn’t have a breedable healthy dog, she should pay for it. To her credit, she agreed. “A” took time out of her schedule to take “pup 3” to get checked. She did have a grade 2 heart murmur, but she also was discovered to have a hernia and the vet said she shouldn’t be bred. So, we brought “pup 2” back down to “A” and left empty handed. 

So at this point we have spent: $2500 for puppy, plus giving 1 pup from a future litter

$90 vet bill for “pup 1” (with stool check)

$130 canine ophthalmologist “pup 1

”$350 shipping back to Florida

$160 gas and hotel for trip to pick up “pup 2”

$60 vet appointment for “pup 2”

$370 for echo for “pup 2”

$130 for return trip to return “pup 2”

Total price that we have spent is $3790 and we still don't have a pup yet. If I would have listened to Helene, I would either have a blind dog, or one with a severe cardiac issue.

I have told Helene that I just cannot afford to attempt to get another pup from her. I can’t afford the transportation back and forth if my veterinarian finds that yet another dog is unhealthy. I just want my money back. I’ve tried 3 pups, I’ve spent almost $4000. I just want my $2500 back and be done. I told Helene in the middle of November that she should return my money by December 21st, or I will be forced to bring this issue to the publics attention. 

I don’t know if I will ever get to be an owner of the wonderful BRT's I've read so much about but I felt I should warn everyone about my experiences I’ve had with Helene Haldi and Russian Bear Kennels.

Please feel free to follow this experience at http://kiksspam.wix.com/rbkwarning.