Noah's Little Ark
reviews and complaints

We purchased our puppy from Duane in December of 2018 at age of 3 months. He said he did not want anyone to show or breed the dogs, that sounded strange to us. Therefore we were told in order to receive papers on her she must first be spayed, and present him with proof that she had been spayed. We had her spayed in March as requested and called Duane with info, at this time asked for paper work in order to have the dog registered. It has been 5 months of me calling asking for the paper work, and still to no avail. The last two of my phone calls have been ignored, I do believe now he is selling puppies stating AKC registered when they are not please be aware when considering purchasing. Also when we had our little one to the vet the first time it was brought to our attention that she still had DECLAWS, and it was to late to take them off.
I dont think these little ones every see a Vet until they are sold. Otherwise we have a beautiful little girl we love dearly.

I have just found this website. After reading the complaints, my worse fears have been confirmed. In February of 2011 I drove to Duane's house south of Chattanooga to purchase a pup or a retired female. I wanted to see the dogs in person and definitely did not want a pup or dog put in a crate on an airplane. I think this should be illegal. He first brought in a 6 y/o silver female who was a beautiful dog so I didn't ask to see puppies. She rode quietly with me in the car on the 5 hour trip back to KY. Within 2 days she got out the door and wouldn't come back to me. I live on a lake in a wooded area (snakes, fox, coyotes, hawks and eagles) and could not catch her. I tried food, no food, even a trap (only to catch a raccoon which I freed). I couldn't get close enough to catch her. I called Duane to see if he would come and try since she would know him. He refused. (I wonder why!). The only reason I still have her is after 10 days one of my neighbors found her in cold water at the bottom of his pool. Thank goodness he was keeping it drained for the winter & just happened to go out to check the water level. She has been with me for over 7 years now & is the most precious thing in the world. However, she doesn't know what a toy is, shakes if around new people or in a new place, still won't come to me, and does not like to cuddle. And she NEVER barks—only 3 times in 7 years. I have always been skeptical of her past but believed she was not mistreated, just not socialized. I thank the Lord I found her and can give her the love and attention she never had. I have accepted the fact she is who she is (because of her first 6 years) and love her more because of it. She has the run of the house, a heated bed, groomed regularly, walked daily, has a fenced in yard (which I go out with her because of the eagles) and has traveled with me to Florida, Alabama, New Orleans and to St Louis where my children live. She LOVES to walk and "go" in the car. And she has the best of health care — my son and daughter-in-law are both veterinarians! I don't understand how Noah's Ark stays in business. And why puppy mills still exist. I don't want to see NA puppies not sold (I want them saved from a despicable environment) but I want him shut down and put out of business.

I purchased what I was told was an 8 year old retiring mother. I had talked to Duane and told him I wanted a laid back, sweet lap dog. He recommended the one I purchased. I paid to have her delivered to us. I asked that he bring her crate and anything like toys or blankets etc. that would make her feel more comfortable once she was here. She came with nothing but a harness. Well let me tell you this poor dog is terrified to be touched. She runs behind me, or away from me. She does not know what a treat or toy is. She has never wagged her tail or licked me. She would prefer to be left alone. She does want to see where I'm at but not get close to me. OK. That is hard but I am working on all that. Our first vet visit brings on more problems. She has arthritis and needs her teeth clean. That bill was 200.00. When she went to get her teeth cleaned she had to have seven teeth pulled.$500.00 this is when I called Duane and asked him to pay the vet bill. Originally I paid 600.00 for this dog. I have not heard back from him. I e-mailed him first and gave him a week to reply. Than I called him and gave him 4 days to reply. I feel I was sold a lemon and he knew it. He could have just been upfront with me and told me the dogs problems.

I purchased a puppy from Noah's little ark in October a week before Halloween to be exact. I wanted a companion for my 2 yr old Havanese.
The breeders website had a page that said reduced priced puppies. They were older dogs that hadn't been adopted. Since my dog was older I wanted her to be able to play with the puppy without having to worry as much about accidentally hurting a younger pup. Also the website said the dog would be socialized more and more advance in potty training which I felt was a plus. Anyway I contacted Duane we spoke for quite sometime addressing my concerns and questions. I chose a 7 month old pup online and made my deposit to reserve him . A week later Duane delivered the puppy to my home.
Delivery day arrives and the first thing I noticed was the dog was filthy and smelled. It wasn't the color we discussed or the same color as the pictures online. The dog looked like it could be mixed with something else not a full Havanese. It's hair was really curly not wavy. I asked if he was a full breed he said yes unless someone else snuck in an mated without his knowledge.
Another thing I observed was the dog never lifted his tail. He said it was due to the new surroundings and just give it time. Ok so no big deal he was brown not black he was cute and I already had told my little girl the new puppy was coming. I had paid a deposit and the dog was at my house. I felt obligated. FAST FORWARD an entire month. The dog gets along with my dog for the most part however this dog will not come when he is called. Never lifts his tail unless peeing. He is so skiddish and afraid of every little movement or sound. He takes off running sometimes runs into the wall if frightened by normal everyday sounds. If anyone walks into the room he immediately takes off running and retreats to my other dogs crate. He will hide there and peek his head around the corner but not come out. Potty training has been a nightmare but I am determined and consistent with him. Like clockwork we go out at the same time in the morning to potty then have breakfast then out to potty again. My other dog is potty trained learned in 3 days this guy not as lucky. Even after a month of showing him where to go giving him praise for the correct behavior he still doesnt get it. It is nearly impossible to get him to come into the house after each potty session.He won't allow anyone to pick him up or pet him. I try to get down on his level to not be as tall and threatening I pet my other dog while sitting at ground level and he is still scared. He runs away pissing on himself in fear. He barks incessantly at my husband. My other dog has been socialized she loves being pet and loved on so I try to show him we are not a threat by loving on her. I've tried coaxing him with treats he won't even eat a treat from my hand still after a month of being here. My other dog is a sweetie she will lay in the crate with him because he will whine if she isn't with him. She usually likes to play run around the house and follow me around as I perform my daily routine now she just stays in the crate with him because he is too frightened to come out. I believe the dog was never socialized probably lived in a crate it's entire life and has some irreversible trauma. I hate to give up on an animal, a new puppy is suppose to make people happy and be enjoyable. It makes me upset to see him so traumatized we have been trying. My husband has been calling and texting Duane but no response has been made.

There is another complaint about Noah's Little Ark Havanese and I also thought it best to share my experience as well so people can make an informed decision regarding purchasing a puppy from Duane. The puppies are beautiful I give them that, but they do not breed quality dogs. Both my mother and I have had non stop health problems with our dogs and has cost us thousands of dollars because these dogs are part of our family. We love them to pieces. My mother's dog has epilepsy (although not as bad as my dog) and recently had surgery on his leg because of weakness in the knee and hip area. It cost my mother over $1000.00 to have this surgery to repair his leg. My dog has a severe case of epilepsy. He is on phenobarbital 2 x a day now and I have to take him every 6 -12 year for blood work to ensure that his liver isn't failing as a result of his medications. When he has seizures they are so bad he doesn't come out of them on his own I literally have to take him to an emergency vet and it costs me about $300.00. It's about $150.00 at my regular vet. If I don't take him I run the risk of causing permanent brain damage as he will not come out of these seizures on his own. He also has knee's issues his knee has a subluxation so I have to be very careful not to let him jump off the couch. I'm not even able to get coverage for pet insurance because they don't cover congenital defects. I believe this gentleman is a high class puppy mill. He has several females breeding and when they get too old to breed he sells them. Does that sound like a person who is really committed to his dogs if he sells them when they are no good to him any longer. Why not let them retire where they've always known, Duane? The health guarantee doesn't protect you because many of the issues don't show up until the dog ages. They are not trained or socialized like he said. He delivers the pups but he pretty much starves them and gives them just a little water. My dog showed up with hypoglycemia- I should have gave him back then but I was smitten with him. Also, we didn't receive any paperwork from Duane. My Havanese from Duane was nothing like the Havanaese (in temperment or size) that I purchased from a reputable breeder in Florida. All dogs need a good home and maybe you will get lucky buying from Duane, but I wanted to share so you could be prepared for what lies ahead should you purchase a puppy with health problems.