I purchased a puppy from Debra Bourassa (AKA Debra Lyn) nearly 7 years ago. I had contemplated reporting this breeder over the years, but I thought my experience was unique and left it alone. But then, recently, I discovered that many others had similar experiences. As such, I decided it was time for me to do the same.
My experience purchasing my puppy from Debra wasn't entirely negative, per se—and especially not as negative as other people's experiences. Debra was extremely demanding when it came to the payments, and there was a lot of confusion about when payments were supposed to be made. However, in the end, the payments were made, and I received my puppy. He was wonderful, and I was very happy to have him.
The problems with my puppy came later on... Well after the initial emails that she's posted in response to others' complaints that occur within days of receiving the puppy (to be clear, my email in the days following my purchase was positive, because I hadn't yet realized the problem; which is typical when it comes to fraud). Those problems are detailed in the following:
1. Debra is a self-proclaimed breeder of "teacup" chihuahuas. She had projected that my puppy, like all of her others, would weigh between 2–3 pounds. When I got my puppy, Debra told me that he was 9–10 weeks old and .5 pounds. He was very tiny indeed, and I assumed that her weight estimates were correct. Well, when I went to the vet for the first time, the vet opined that the puppy may not have even been 8 weeks old (which explained why he was so small). I was told that there are breeders who sell puppies well before the 8 week point in order to defraud people into thinking they've purchased smaller dogs than promised. The vet told me that my puppy was not a teacup chihuahua, just a regular chihuahua. Even after hearing that from a professional, I hoped for that he was wrong because I paid almost $2,000 specifically for a teacup. Well, lo and behold... My puppy grew into a dog and he is now a full-grown 10 pound chihuahua. He is not overweight by any means. Debra did not sell me a teacup chihuahua—there is no doubt about that. She overcharged me for my puppy by falsely claiming that he was a teacup. I did not expect Debra to have been able to tell the future; of course, my dog's weight could expectedly vary. But there is a big difference between a pound or two, and 3–4x the expected weight. That said, if you choose to purchase a puppy from this breeder, do not be surprised if you end up with an average sized chihuahua after paying 3x the price for a teacup.
2. Debra also claimed that my puppy was potty trained when I received him. I believed it to be true, because he seemed to do fairly well with his potty mats at first—as in the first day. I quickly learned that he was not, by any means, potty trained within the coming days. It took almost a year to potty train my dog, and he still has accidents from time to time. Again, I know that this type of behavior can vary from dog to dog, but it was made very clear very early on that he was not potty trained as she claimed he would be.
3. I love my dog wholeheartedly and without question. But he has a very aggressive personality, and I believe that has to do with his genetics. We have three dogs in our house, and they were all trained by the same people (namely, myself and my parents). My puppy ended up hating other dogs, he has had a horrible temper, he nips and bites at people, and he barks all of the time. Again, I was told by Debra that her dogs were all even-tempered and gentle and that she had no problems with this kind of behavior. Based on the temperment of our other dogs, I've had to conclude that this was based on his breeding.
4. I have gone back over the years to see Debra's websites because I had a feeling that I had been defrauded. Expectedly, Debra moved from website to website to website; the reason being that there were many others reporting her fraudulent behavior on the internet. She's also changed her name several times over the course of seven years—Debra Bourassa, Debra D., Debra Lyn, and so forth. Clearly, her doing so evidences some significant issues on her end.
Evidently, the problems that I've had purchasing from Debra are different than what others have experienced. But I believe that I was equally as defrauded as other individuals out there—at the very least, in terms of paying a higher price for a dog that, without question, is not a teacup. If you're considering purchasing from her, or any other breeder for that matter, please make sure to do your research on the breeders themselves to make sure that you are making the right decision.
And Debra, if you decide to attack this post like you've attacked the so-many others who have reported you, be fully aware that I am an attorney, that telling the truth isn't defamation, and that I have documented all of this information over the years. I will gladly post or send you all of that information to verify what I've written here today.
She is a scammer..... if I could give no stars I would. Contacted her about a few puppies and then asked for proof that she was legit. It’s pretty sad that we have to do that, but it’s the world we live in and people make their livings on scams.
She refused to send me anything, said I was the scammer.... lol not sure what I was going to get out of sending her money and not getting a puppy???? So not to sure why she went off. Anyways any person out there that is a reputable breeder would have no problem sending the buyer anything they needed to make them feel secure. Don’t be fooled by this one!!! She is now using another number too
I bought a puppy from Debra almost two years ago and have been extremely satisfied with my dealings with her. She provided everything I asked for and more. Since picking my little girl up she has answered any questions I have had with knowledge and patience. She checks up on Annie almost weekly. I don’t know how to respond to the earlier post as It doesn’t represent my dealings with Debra. My girl was pee pad trained and very well socialized ( she squeals with joy playing with my wife, son and grandson). She likes me best because I feed her. I asked for the puppy to be in the neighborhood of 5 pounds, she is almost two and weighs 4.9 pounds.
My vets at Hanford Veterinary Hospital gave and continues to give my girl a clean bill of health..
she doesn't even deserve one star. Such a flaky person! My baby has luxated patellar and she told me that she would grow out of it. Really??? I ended communications there because she is not a nice or honest person.
Deb's Chihuahuas Reviews
I purchased a puppy from Debra Bourassa (AKA Debra Lyn) nearly 7 years ago. I had contemplated reporting this breeder over the years, but I thought my experience was unique and left it alone. But then, recently, I discovered that many others had similar experiences. As such, I decided it was time for me to do the same.
My experience purchasing my puppy from Debra wasn't entirely negative, per se—and especially not as negative as other people's experiences. Debra was extremely demanding when it came to the payments, and there was a lot of confusion about when payments were supposed to be made. However, in the end, the payments were made, and I received my puppy. He was wonderful, and I was very happy to have him.
The problems with my puppy came later on... Well after the initial emails that she's posted in response to others' complaints that occur within days of receiving the puppy (to be clear, my email in the days following my purchase was positive, because I hadn't yet realized the problem; which is typical when it comes to fraud). Those problems are detailed in the following:
1. Debra is a self-proclaimed breeder of "teacup" chihuahuas. She had projected that my puppy, like all of her others, would weigh between 2–3 pounds. When I got my puppy, Debra told me that he was 9–10 weeks old and .5 pounds. He was very tiny indeed, and I assumed that her weight estimates were correct. Well, when I went to the vet for the first time, the vet opined that the puppy may not have even been 8 weeks old (which explained why he was so small). I was told that there are breeders who sell puppies well before the 8 week point in order to defraud people into thinking they've purchased smaller dogs than promised. The vet told me that my puppy was not a teacup chihuahua, just a regular chihuahua. Even after hearing that from a professional, I hoped for that he was wrong because I paid almost $2,000 specifically for a teacup. Well, lo and behold... My puppy grew into a dog and he is now a full-grown 10 pound chihuahua. He is not overweight by any means. Debra did not sell me a teacup chihuahua—there is no doubt about that. She overcharged me for my puppy by falsely claiming that he was a teacup. I did not expect Debra to have been able to tell the future; of course, my dog's weight could expectedly vary. But there is a big difference between a pound or two, and 3–4x the expected weight. That said, if you choose to purchase a puppy from this breeder, do not be surprised if you end up with an average sized chihuahua after paying 3x the price for a teacup.
2. Debra also claimed that my puppy was potty trained when I received him. I believed it to be true, because he seemed to do fairly well with his potty mats at first—as in the first day. I quickly learned that he was not, by any means, potty trained within the coming days. It took almost a year to potty train my dog, and he still has accidents from time to time. Again, I know that this type of behavior can vary from dog to dog, but it was made very clear very early on that he was not potty trained as she claimed he would be.
3. I love my dog wholeheartedly and without question. But he has a very aggressive personality, and I believe that has to do with his genetics. We have three dogs in our house, and they were all trained by the same people (namely, myself and my parents). My puppy ended up hating other dogs, he has had a horrible temper, he nips and bites at people, and he barks all of the time. Again, I was told by Debra that her dogs were all even-tempered and gentle and that she had no problems with this kind of behavior. Based on the temperment of our other dogs, I've had to conclude that this was based on his breeding.
4. I have gone back over the years to see Debra's websites because I had a feeling that I had been defrauded. Expectedly, Debra moved from website to website to website; the reason being that there were many others reporting her fraudulent behavior on the internet. She's also changed her name several times over the course of seven years—Debra Bourassa, Debra D., Debra Lyn, and so forth. Clearly, her doing so evidences some significant issues on her end.
Evidently, the problems that I've had purchasing from Debra are different than what others have experienced. But I believe that I was equally as defrauded as other individuals out there—at the very least, in terms of paying a higher price for a dog that, without question, is not a teacup. If you're considering purchasing from her, or any other breeder for that matter, please make sure to do your research on the breeders themselves to make sure that you are making the right decision.
And Debra, if you decide to attack this post like you've attacked the so-many others who have reported you, be fully aware that I am an attorney, that telling the truth isn't defamation, and that I have documented all of this information over the years. I will gladly post or send you all of that information to verify what I've written here today.
Horrible
She is a scammer..... if I could give no stars I would. Contacted her about a few puppies and then asked for proof that she was legit. It’s pretty sad that we have to do that, but it’s the world we live in and people make their livings on scams.
She refused to send me anything, said I was the scammer.... lol not sure what I was going to get out of sending her money and not getting a puppy???? So not to sure why she went off. Anyways any person out there that is a reputable breeder would have no problem sending the buyer anything they needed to make them feel secure. Don’t be fooled by this one!!! She is now using another number too
Best experience!
I bought a puppy from Debra almost two years ago and have been extremely satisfied with my dealings with her. She provided everything I asked for and more. Since picking my little girl up she has answered any questions I have had with knowledge and patience. She checks up on Annie almost weekly. I don’t know how to respond to the earlier post as It doesn’t represent my dealings with Debra. My girl was pee pad trained and very well socialized ( she squeals with joy playing with my wife, son and grandson). She likes me best because I feed her. I asked for the puppy to be in the neighborhood of 5 pounds, she is almost two and weighs 4.9 pounds.
My vets at Hanford Veterinary Hospital gave and continues to give my girl a clean bill of health..
If anyone has questions my email is available..
Don't deal with deb
she doesn't even deserve one star. Such a flaky person! My baby has luxated patellar and she told me that she would grow out of it. Really??? I ended communications there because she is not a nice or honest person.