FAQ’s

CARING FOR YOUR NEW PUPPY

• Why should I put my puppy in a crate? Isn’t it mean?

  Crate training is recommended for housebreaking your puppy, and it is not mean to your puppy to have them in a crate. Crates are a safe space for your puppy that keep them from getting into dangerous situations when you aren’t around to supervise, like at bedtime and while you’re at work or school. Dogs are den animals who like to curl up in cozy, closed-in spaces; their crate is like their bedroom – a place they can go to feel safe and be alone.

  Housebreaking a puppy is much easier with a crate for both you and your puppy. You don’t like cleaning up accidents around the house, and your puppy can get stressed out by letting you down. Dogs like to keep their “den” clean, and will try to avoid accidents inside. This usually means they will be ready to go potty when you let them out, so make sure to take them where you want them to relieve themselves. Just remember, very young puppies can’t be left in the crate for more than a few hours at a time.

• How do I prevent fleas and ticks?

  Flea and tick medications are available from your vet as well as various retailers. Drops, collars, pills, shampoos, and other supplies can be used, as well as some non-medicated alternatives.

• What food do the puppies eat? Do I have to use your brand?

  To get the latest brand contact us for the latest information. If you decide to use a different brand, make sure you’re comfortable with their ingredients. If you want to switch to something other than our store foods, you should do so slowly to reduce the chance of digestive upset by gradually increasing the amount of the new food mixed into the old.

   

FINDING THE RIGHT PUPPIES

• Which breeds are good for people with allergies?

  There are many breeds acceptable for people with allergies, but it will depend on how bad the allergies are. Some allergies are caused by dander, but dog allergies are more often caused by the oils in the skin and saliva. For slight allergy sufferers, a low-shedding breed is recommended, but you should avoid breeds that slobber or drool. For severe allergies, a hypoallergenic breed is best. There are a variety of hypoallergenic breeds of various sizes, including mixed-breeds like the Goldendoodle.

  Some allergy sufferers may even react to certain hypoallergenic breeds. If you are still interested in purchasing a puppy you may be allergic to, your doctor may recommend treatment options. You should always consult a doctor with any allergy concerns.

• What are the different sizes of dogs?

  There are a variety of different sizes of dogs; even dogs of the same breed can be classified as different sizes.

  • Giant Breeds typically are breeds that have a standard adult weight over 80 pounds.
  • Large Breeds typically are breeds that have a standard adult weight from 50 to 80 pounds.
  • Medium Breeds typically are breeds that have a standard adult weight from 20 to 50 pounds.
  • Small Breeds typically are breeds that have a standard adult weight under 20 pounds. It is common to see littermates in each of the small-breed classifications.
    • Miniature Breeds are a classification of small breeds that have a standard adult weight from 10 to 20 pounds. Some dogs may be called a “miniature” version of a larger breed and may not fit the 10-20-pound range; instead, they will fall into a weight range that is lower than the standard breed.
    • Toy Breeds are a classification of small breeds that have a standard adult weight from 5 to 15 pounds.
    • Teacup is a classification of small breeds that have an adult weight below the breed standard.

MEETING OUR PUPPIES

• Which of your puppies are available?

  All our available puppies are listed on our website, which receives regular updates. Puppies that have just become available will appear on the page, and puppies who are no longer available will be removed. All puppy pricing, availability and descriptions are believed to be accurate, but we do not warrant or guarantee such accuracy. To confirm pricing, availability and descriptions of our puppies, please call, email or text message the store.

OTHER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• Are your puppies registered?

  Some, but not all, of our puppies are registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC), the largest and most prominent registry. Not all of our dogs are registered because it is up to the breeder’s discretion to register them. Registered puppies come with a certificate of pedigree, meaning that their purebred lineage and family history has been marked into the registry company’s studbook. This does not determine the quality or health of the puppy, but only certifies that the puppy is the offspring of a named, registered purebred pairing.

• Are there any finance plans for buying a puppy?

  Please visit our financing page to view our third party financing plans.

• What does it mean to have a registered puppy?

  Breeder registration and puppy registration are handled separately. A registered breeder is recognized by that registry as compliant with their standards.

  When a puppy is registered, it means that registry recognizes its pedigree and bloodline as being accurate. A puppy registered as a purebred is recognized by that registry as having a pure bloodline.

  Some registries will also accept mixed-breeds and purebreds without established bloodlines. These registrations will be labeled differently than standard registration and are accompanied by different perks.

• What are the differences between the various pet registries?

  Some registries only offer closed registration to dogs with established pedigrees through their own registries. In some cases, registration is limited for dogs without breeding rights. Sometimes a registry will offer open registration for any dog, or only for dogs who meet certain requirements like a pedigree from another registry.

  In most cases, there is no real difference in the quality of a dog from different registries. While many people recognize AKC as the “best” registry, they do not allow dual registry except in rare cases. While this ensures that AKC registered dogs’ purebred status, new dogs can’t be introduced into the gene pool. For this reason, many breeders will use registries that allow registration of dogs with pedigrees established outside of their registry.

  An unregistered dog may still be purebred.

  There are many different pet registries in the USA, and even more throughout the world. These registries include:

  • American Kennel Club (AKC)
    • Est. 1884
    • Closed registration for dogs with both AKC registered parents.
    • Open registration is offered for a limited time to newly recognized breeds who have established pedigrees in other registries accepted by the AKC.
    • Limited registration is for dogs who have an AKC established pedigree but no breeding rights. Dogs are eligible for all events except for conformation.
  • AKC Canine Partners
    • AKC offers open registration for mixed-breeds and purebreds which are ineligible for AKC registration
    • Registered dogs are eligible for non-conformation events such as obedience and agility.
  • American Canine Association Inc. (ACA)
    • Est. 1984
    • “America’s Largest Veterinary Health Tracking Canine Registry”
  • International Canine Association (ICA)
    • ACA offers open registration for mixed-breeds and purebreds which are ineligible for ACA registration
  • American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC)
    • Est. 1969
    • For mixed-breeds only
  • American Canine Registry (ACR)
    • Specialty breed registry, started in 2000 as a Rat Terrier registry and has since expanded to include all established breeds.
    • Only registry that recognizes the Harlequin Pinscher; only US registry that recognizes the Biewer Yorkie
    • ACR helps breeders develop their own breeds through their sister registry, “American Pedigree Registry”
  • America’s Pet Registry, Inc. (APRI)
    • Est. 1992
    • Closed registration for dogs with both parents registered to APRI
    • Dual registration available for dogs from other registries
  • American Purebred Registry (APR)
    • Est. 1979
    • Provides open registration for purebred dogs and cats
  • Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC)
    • Est. 1949
  • Canadian Kennel Club (CKC)
    • Est. 1888
    • Not to be confused with Continental Kennel Club (also CKC)
  • Continental Kennel Club (CKC)
    • Est. 1991
    • Not to be confused with Canadian Kennel Club (also CKC)
  • Designer Breed Registry (DBR)
    • Specific to designer breeds, but also registers purebred dogs under a different category
    • Helps breeders establish breed standards for new breeds.
  • Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA)
    • Formerly the “US Kennel Club”
    • All-breed registry; registers all purebred dogs, rare and exotic breeds, designer dogs, hybrids and unrecognized breeds.
  • Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI)
    • Est. 1911 “to promote and protect cynology and purebred dogs by any means it considers necessary.”
    • Disappeared during WWI, re-created with new articles of incorporation in 1921
    • Legal personality by decree in 1968
    • aka “World Canine Organization”
    • Worldwide dog registry
  • International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR)
    • Parent company est. 1995
    • “The IDCR offers breeders and owners of designer breeds the opportunity to document and record ownership, parentage and ancestry of their designer canines and in so doing record their name and their dog’s place in breed history.”
    • Only registers Designer Dogs with known breed percentages.
  • Kennel Club of Great Britain (KCGB)
    • Est. 1891
    • Voluntary registrar for purebred and crossbred dogs.
    • The UK’s largest database for both pedigree and crossbreed dogs (through partner registries)
    • Runs the world’s largest dog event, the world’s largest dog agility event, and licenses more than 4,500 other dog events.
  • National Kennel Club (NKC)
    • Est. 1964
    • NKC is an “all-breed” registry that recognizes all established and “rare” purebreds.
    • Active in wildlife preservation efforts
  • National Hybrid Registry (NHR)
    • Only registers “Hybrid” dogs with both parents purebred and eligible for registration in the NKC
  • New Zealand Kennel Club (NZKC)
    • Est. 1886
    • NZKC is an “all-breed” purebred registry.
  • North American Purebred Registry, Inc. (NAPR)
    • Est. 1995 as North American Beagle Registry
    • Expanded to include all purebreds in 1998 (NAPDR)
    • Incorporated in 2009 (NAPR)
    • NAPR Registers all purebred dogs and cats
    • Primary focus is fast and friendly customer service (24-hour registration turnaround)
    • Mixed breeds registered separately
  • United Kennel Club (UKC)
    • Est. 1898
    • International registry
    • Does not register dogs with known breed faults
    • Provides “Purple Ribbon” Registry status to dogs with 14 generations registered through UKC

• What are your guarantees?

  Please see our values page for all of our guarantees.

• Is there a “trial” period?

  There is no “trial period” to take a puppy home. If you have concerns about how the puppy will get along with the rest of the family, you can bring them to our store to see how they interact. Subject to our guarantees, there are no exchanges, returns, credits or refunds. All sales are final.

• Should I get a puppy as a gift?

  Getting a puppy for someone else is a great idea! Getting a puppy as a surprise gift should be done with caution.

  If you get a puppy for your children, you should be prepared to handle 100% of the puppy’s care. Children are often less responsible and may lose interest when the “newness” wears off, or may be unable or unwilling to help with things like training and cleaning up messes.

  If you get a puppy for an adult or someone else’s child, you should be sure ahead of time that the new owner is ready for the long term commitment. The safest bet is to bring them with you when you plan on purchasing.

TAKING A PUPPY HOME

• What do I need to bring with me to purchase a puppy?

  If you’re planning on taking a puppy home, you need to bring a photo ID and a form of payment. We accept cash, debit and credit cards, as well as providing financing options which may or may not require a down payment.

• What is included when I purchase a puppy?

  Please visit our the Value of Forever Love Puppies which details everything received with the purchase of a new puppy.