Buying a Puppy
A-Z
Are you new to the puppy buying scene? First time Puppy Buyers are often overwhelmed and unsure where to start when buying a well-bred puppy. Here's everything you need to know, from A to Z!
Research the Breed
The first thing you should do is to research the breed you are looking to buy. Make sure the temperament and energy levels will fit into your lifestyle. Remember, every puppy will present challenges, but if you have a low energy lifestyle and are looking to add, say, a Border Collie...maybe think again. Reach out to the parent club of the breed and see if you can meet an example of the breed near you, or at least talk to the owner to find out all the quirks and highlights of that particular breed.
Interview Breeders
You may want to reach out to several breeders before making a decision on who you'd like to buy from. Make sure you trust the breeder and can have an open conversation with them. This person can be a wonderful source of knowledge for you and your future puppy. Just a tip on how to reach out to a breeder; give them as much information about yourself as possible. Tell them about your lifestyle and family, as well as any desires you have for the future puppy. Many breeders will not respond to emails that simply say "Price?" because it comes off as being rude or uneducated.
Fill out an Application
Most breeders, us included, will screen their potential puppy buyers very vigorously before agreeing to sell them one of their puppies. You will most likely have to fill out an application, if you haven't already, which both helps the breeder hold your information all in one place, and make sure you will be a good fit for one of their puppies. Be honest and straightforward, and don't feel too bad if the breeder says you're not a good fit. They are trying to save you from a lot of heart-ache!
Place a Deposit
Once you've found the breeder you want to get your puppy from, you may now be able to place a deposit on a puppy. Most breeders will have different policies about their deposit process. For example, we do not accept deposits until the pregnancy is confirmed but some breeders may not accept deposits until the puppies are born. Make sure you understand your breeder's individual deposit policy, but most breeder's deposit price will be applied to the total price of the puppy.
Pick Your Puppy
Once your puppy is born, your breeder will then go through the process of assigning puppies to their new families. Most breeders do not let the buyer "pick" their puppy, but rather gives them some options of the litter that would fit their lifestyle. Some breeders, like us, wait until the puppy is several weeks old before letting the new family "pick" them, as this helps assure that the family gets the right puppy for their family. There may not be the right fit for you in the litter, in which case, we would either refund your deposit or let you roll your deposit over to a future litter.
Prepare Your Home
In the weeks that your puppy takes to grow, you should prepare your home for the new arrival. Crates, baby gates, treats, toys, and more will be needed to assure your puppy has an enjoyable transition to your home. Your breeder should provide you with a go-home bag full of helpful items in adjusting your puppy at pick up, such as a blanket with familiar scent, a sample bag of their current food, vet records, registration information, and more!
Pick Up Your Puppy
Meet your breeder at their preferred location to pick up your new family member! This is the most exciting day, but don't forget about your final payment. Some breeders will require electronic payments or checks to be completed a few days before pickup to be sure the payment goes through before the puppy is handed over. Cash may be accepted the day of pickup but check with your breeder beforehand for confirmation. On the day of pickup, you will sign the contract, which you can ask for in advance, so you have time to read over it and understand its contents. Every breeder's contract is different. Here's Ours!
Enjoy Your Puppy
Now that your puppy is home, the real work begins! Take advantage of your puppy's sponge-like brain at this stage which will soak up every bit of training you can give it. Reach out to your breeder for any concerns or questions. They are there to support you in any way they can, and will be happy to provide resources for training advice. Remember that raising a puppy is seldom easy, but always rewarding!