Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the price of a puppy and what does it include?
A: Our puppies are priced at $3,000 and come with the following included: pre-paid AKC registration, a pre-paid AKC Reunite microchip, docked tails, and cropped ears. They are up to date on all vaccinations and deworming treatments and have been started on their initial preventative care. Each puppy receives early socialization and is introduced to a variety of common household environments to ensure a well-rounded start.
Q: Are your puppies house and crate trained?
A: At 8 weeks old, when puppies commonly join your family, it’s important to understand that they are still very young and not developmentally ready to be fully crate or house trained. Their bodies are small, and they don’t yet have full control over their bladder and bowels—much like a human baby. While we do begin introducing a crate and laying the foundation for good habits, it takes time, patience, and consistency for them to learn. Most puppies aren’t physically able to “hold it” for extended periods until they’re around 12–16 weeks old. At this stage, early training is more about exposure and creating positive associations than perfect behavior. With your continued guidance and routine, they’ll progress beautifully.
Q: What health tests are done on your sires and dams?
A: Each of our parent dogs undergoes comprehensive health screening in accordance with OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) breed-specific standards. This includes advanced cardiac evaluations, hip assessments, eye examinations, thyroid testing, and full DNA testing to ensure the health and genetic integrity of our breeding program.
Q: What does your health guarantee include?A: We offer a three (3) year health guarantee against genetic defects. Should a genetic condition be diagnosed within this period, we will provide a replacement puppy as detailed in our health guarantee agreement here: Health Guarantee
Q: Why do you require us to wait until 18-24 months to spay or neuter our puppy?A: For larger breed dogs, it's highly recommended to wait until they are at least 2 years old before spaying or neutering. This allows their bodies to fully develop, particularly their bones, joints, and growth plates, which are significantly influenced by natural hormones. Early spay or neuter can interfere with this growth process and has been linked to an increased risk of orthopedic issues like hip dysplasia or torn ligaments, as well as certain cancers. Waiting until physical and hormonal maturity helps support long-term health, proper development, and overall well-being for your dog.
Q: What do I feed my puppy? How often do I feed my puppy?
A: Feeding your puppy the right amount is essential for healthy growth, and it can vary based on their age, breed, activity level, and the type of food you're using. A great starting point is the feeding guidelines on your puppy food bag, which are typically based on your puppy’s current weight. Keep in mind these are general recommendations—you’ll need to adjust based on your puppy’s body condition. You should be able to feel their ribs easily without seeing them prominently.It’s also important to understand that how much and how often we feed puppies here in a litter setting may differ from what you'll do at home with a single puppy. In a group, puppies often eat with more excitement and competition, which affects portion sizes and feeding frequency. Once your puppy is in a one-on-one home environment, they may eat a bit differently—slower, more relaxed, or with changes in appetite—so you might need to adjust meal sizes or timing accordingly. Monitoring their weight and overall condition is key, and your veterinarian can always help guide you if you're unsure.
As for what to feed your puppy, every puppy is unique, and just like people, their nutritional needs can vary. Because of this, we don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to choosing a kibble. Instead, we carefully select a high-quality food for each litter based on the puppies' individual needs, the dam’s condition, and how the litter is developing as a whole. Factors like growth rate, digestion, and energy levels all play a role in our decision. Our goal is to give each puppy the best possible nutritional foundation, and we’re happy to guide you in continuing that care once your puppy joins your family.
Q: How do I take care of my puppy's ear crop?
A: We actually have a page just for this! Check it out here: Ear Posting
Q: Do you recommend we have our dog's stomach tacked to prevent bloat?
A: Bloat, also known as Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that can affect deep-chested breeds. It occurs when the stomach fills with gas and twists on itself, cutting off blood flow and trapping the contents inside. This can escalate very quickly and often requires emergency surgery to save the dog’s life.While bloat can’t always be prevented, there are ways to reduce the risk—and one of the most effective options is a procedure called gastropexy, or stomach tacking. This is a surgical procedure that secures the stomach to the abdominal wall, preventing it from twisting. Many veterinarians recommend performing this at the same time as your dog’s spay or neuter, as it doesn’t significantly add to the recovery time and avoids the need for a separate surgery later on.It’s something we strongly encourage larger breed puppy owners to discuss with their veterinarian, especially since it can offer peace of mind and potentially save your dog’s life in the future.