To make certain that the mother or puppies are not stressed during the first few weeks, we do not allow visitors until the puppies are five weeks old.  If you do not live close enough to visit more than once before you pick up your puppy, we recommending waiting until they are at least six weeks old so that any obvious personality differences in the puppies might be noted during your visit.  To accommodate our busy schedule, visits are by appointment, only.

How Do I Choose My Puppy?

There are a few criteria that are considered to determine "pick" order in a litter.  If we have bred the litter to retain a puppy for ourselves, which is most often the case, then we reserve the right for first pick puppy.  We usually know what gender we want to keep from the litter, so that narrows down our selection.

Gender is a very important criterion for most people.  Personally, I prefer male dogs as my working partners.  I always have felt this way.  So, when someone tells me that they want a specific  gender I completely accept that choice.  Regardless of what gender a puppy buyer has defined as his or her requirement, I think it is very important that the requirement is met.   There after, we do not place much value on other criteria, such as color or markings as defining conditions for placement.

My first requirement of any puppy buyer is to  fill out a Puppy Application.  The answers provided on this document help me to assess whether I believe the buyer is capable of providing an adequate home for one of our puppies.  Once  a pregnancy is confirmed, approved buyers are then invited to submit a deposit with a Receipt Of Deposit document.  At a minimum, the gender of the puppy is noted on this form along with coat color and type, if the buyer has those requirements.  The form also contains the sire's and dam's pertinent information.  This document states that you have paid a deposit for a puppy from that specific litter for a specific gender.  I create an updated version for the final contract that we use on the day of pick-up.  That final contract includes the puppy's wormings and vaccinations received, his Registration Number(s), and micro-chip number (if the puppy has received a permanent microchip ID).

The order in which I receive deposits is typically the order for puppy selection.  I do reserve the right to present my personal opinion regarding the personality of the puppy versus the buyer's disposition or lifestyle.  But, except in rare circumstances, the receipt of the deposit sets the pick order. 

I ask that puppies choices are made after the litter has turned six weeks old. 

For folks who live too far away to make their decision in person, I post photos of the puppies on my website each week.   I also discuss via email or telephone any specific personality traits that I feel are unique to specific puppies.