FAQ’s

CARING FOR OUR PUPPIES

• How do you ensure your puppies’ health?

  Our puppies are inspected by their breeder’s veterinarian on a pass-fail basis before arrival at our facility. We do not accept or receive puppies from breeders who are sick or have been diagnosed with congenital defects out of commitment to only sell healthy puppies to the public. After the initial breeder veterinarian’s evaluation, our vet partner arrives within 24 – 48 hours of the puppy’s intake for another examination, checking their physical state, fecal matter, and behavior.

• How are your puppies cared for?

  Our puppies are tended by a staff of experienced kennel techs before and after the store’s opening hours. Each morning, they are weighed, fed, inspected, groomed, and prepared for the day in our back puppy room. Our morning sanitary inspection includes brushing their teeth, cleaning their eyes out, washing their legs and genital area, flushing out their ears, giving them a sanitary trim, and brushing them. They receive nutritional supplements each day and get additional exercise playtime in our large puppy room pen, plus the attention our customers and staff give them!

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.

• Why do I have to get my puppy spayed or neutered?

  When breeders cross a male and female, they do so after careful consideration of each parent’s bloodline and any potential results of the cross, including health problems, and strive to improve the bloodlines with the highest quality puppy fitting closely to the breed standard. When a litter is born, the breeders select which puppies are breeding quality and which puppies are pet quality. Breeding quality dogs are typically priced much higher than pet quality, and pet quality dogs should not be used for breeding due to the potential health problems that can be passed on. Due to this, breeders will often require a spay/neuter agreement for these puppies. All pet-store puppies are pet quality and should not be bred.

  Additionally, spaying or neutering your dog can result in a longer, healthier life. With males, neutering can reduce territorial behavior and aggression. With females, spaying negates any risk of pregnancy or reproductive health issues, as well as not having to deal with menstruation.

• How do I prevent fleas and ticks?

  Fleas and ticks can be detrimental to a dog’s health if they aren’t controlled. They can carry a myriad of diseases which can be transmitted to both you and your pets.

  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?

  Our puppies eat only the best premium dry dog food. It is a premium-quality, vet-recommended brand.

  We recommend its premium ingredients and ethically-conscious manufacturer. If you decide to use a different brand, make sure you’re comfortable with their ingredients. Some brands are full of byproducts and fillers, and do very little for the health of your puppy. Don’t be fooled by pretty pictures and advertising – make sure to read the ingredient label!

  Your puppy will be happy with any brand you decide to feed him. 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.

  If you think your puppy is too picky and doesn’t like his food, just leave it for a while and he’ll eat when he’s hungry. If your puppy is small and doesn’t want to eat, you can try to entice him with wet food mixed into the dry. Provide supplements to puppies who aren’t getting enough nutrition, and never let a small puppy go all day without eating. You can force-feed if necessary by putting wet food in a syringe. Please be advised that small toy breeds are susceptable to hypoglycemia and related consequences if they are not fed evenly four times a day throughout the mornings, afternoons and evenings.

  To get the latest brand contact Forever Love Puppies for the latest information.

FINDING THE RIGHT PUPPIES

• Where do your puppies come from?

  It is important to be concerned where your puppies are coming from! This is something every responsible pet owner should be aware of. Thoroughly researching your pets background supports ethical breeders and helps you to predict your pets health and behavior.

  Our puppies are hand-selected by our store’s owners and come only from reputable hobby breeders with a few litters each year, or from licensed commercial breeders with clean records of inspection from the last three years by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). These breeders must also abide by the Animal Welfare Act (AWA).

• Can I order a puppy you don’t have?

  Yes! Searching for a reputable breeder who has your perfect puppy in mind can be a long and exhausting process. At Forever Love Puppies, we can do the hard work for you as a middleman and find a breeder who will work with us to provide you with a puppy of the breed and sex you’ve been looking for. Just contact us with the details, and we can get your dream puppy in store. We will not work with breeders unless they pass our high standards and we have thoroughly vetted them, and the new breeders we get your special order puppy from must be reputable enough to be able to join our set of core breeders.

• 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.

• Can you help choose the best breed for my lifestyle?

  At Forever Love Puppies, we want to be sure that the puppy you walk out with is the puppy that will spend the rest of their life with you. That’s why our staff is well-versed in the dog breeds we offer, and they’re prepared and eager to help match you with a breed that works for you – however long that might take. We won’t push you to purchase a puppy that isn’t right for you and your lifestyle, because we want to send our puppies to their forever loves. You can also find more information and resources surrounding the breeds we offer on our website, so you can come into our store with some preliminary research done.

• 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 live updates. Puppies that have just become available will appear on the site instantly, and puppies who are no longer available will be removed. Each of our available puppies is ready to go home today!

• Can I bring my dog with me?

  Of course! We welcome all furry family members, but suggest setting an appointment to make sure a larger space will be available. This can be a great way to test an interaction prior to purchase, but since a puppy store can be a stressful new environment, your dog may be more agitated than usual and it may not be an accurate representation of behavior at home.

OTHER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• What does it mean for a puppy to be “pet quality”?

  We are transparent about our puppies being “pet quality” as opposed to “show quality.” This means that our puppies generally do not meet American Kennel Club (AKC) or other kennel club breed standards in terms of physical appearance and conformation, because they are primarily bred to be companions instead of show dogs. This is not a reason for concern – all it means is that their markings, height, or eye color may disqualify them from being “show quality” because it does not fall within the official breed standards that make them eligible to compete. Your puppy is still as healthy and happy as his show dog counterparts; you just won’t find him at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show ring anytime soon.

• What makes you different from other pet stores?

  Forever Love Puppies is a small family owned and operated pet store. This allows us to hand-select our puppies and spend time vetting and communicating with breeders ourselves, instead of giving the responsibility to a larger and distant corporate team. Each puppy you find in our store comes from a breeder we’ve established a relationship with and has been specifically picked by the store’s owners and inspected at least twice by two separate veterinarians. Our kennel techs and representatives have been trained to help match you with your perfect puppy, and they are passionate about making sure our puppies are going to a great home – not just making a sale.

• 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 few of them come from the same breeders and it is up to their discretion to register them, since we hand-select our puppies and work with breeders well-versed in only one or a few breeds. Registered puppies come with a certificate of pedigree, meaning that their purebred lineage and family history has been marked into the AKC’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. All our puppies, regardless of AKC status, are of equal pet-quality and in good health.

• 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. Each registry has different standards, so it is important to make sure that your breeder is inspected by the USDA.

  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, which can create higher instances of inbreeding in small populations and with less cautious breeders. For this reason, many breeders will use registries that allow registration of dogs with pedigrees established outside of their registry. By drawing from a larger gene pool, breeders are better able to prevent genetic disorders and improve overall breed health.

  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 here (including other dogs) to see how they interact. We want to make sure everyone is ready for the commitment of a new puppy before they go home, and we’re here to answer any questions you have. 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 10-15-year commitment. They should be physically and financially capable of caring for a puppy, and above all, you should never get a puppy for someone who doesn’t want one. The safest bet is to bring them with you when you plan on purchasing.

TAKING A PUPPY HOME

• How soon can I take a puppy home?

  You can take a puppy home the same day you meet them!

• 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.