1. THOSE WHO CUT CORNERS - Some breeders may not know better (often referred to as "backyard breeders") while others are simply attempting to increase their profit margins by spending less on their dogs and their breeding programs. These breeders can be identified by their refusal to do anything for their dogs or puppies that might cost money. Breeders in this category will often do some or all of the following: 
   • Not have DNA panels on their breeding parents. 
   • Not have annual hip, eye, heart and patella exams on their breeding parents. 
   • Not have comprehensive vet checks on the puppies. 
   • Have breeding dogs that are not registered with the AKC. 
   • Feed their dogs (and their puppies) low quality food. 
   • Don't thoroughly interview prospective families and never decline a sale. 
   • Sell their entire litters to brokers or puppy stores to avoid detection. 
   • Have more dogs than they can properly house. 
   • Offer health guarantees with little to no actual guarantee because they've learned that once a family loves a puppy they won't return it for another one. 
2. THOSE WHO OVERBREED - These breeders could fall in to Category #1 and also overbreed their dogs (i.e. puppy mills) or these breeders may present as reputable breeders but they simply overbreed their female dogs over and over to increase profits. They have identified what they need to do in order to attract higher quality homes and higher prices, but in order to make money they ignore breeding protocols. While there is a great debate in the veterinary and breeding community about back to back litters, there is no debating the fact that authorities agree that having more than 4 litters in a lifetime can be detrimental to the health of the female, and may even shorten her life.
3. THOSE WHO BREED FOR QUALITY, NOT PROFIT - These are the breeders that most consumers are seeking. The ones who don't need to breed their dogs for income, but choose to do so because they truly love the breed(s) and love sharing them with well chosen families. Here are some ways to identify these breeders: 
   1. Their dogs are all registered, they have adequate health certifications and DNA testing and the breeder is happy to produce it.
   2. They do not breed dogs with hereditary illness. As soon as they identify and health issue with a dog in their program, they stop breeding that dog despite what it may mean to their bottom line. 
   3. They will never sell to a broker or puppy store because they can't confirm their puppies are safe and well loved.
   4. They have other sources of income and don't rely on breeding to feed their family. Reputable breeding is truly not that profitable!
   5. They breed for purpose, not just to sell puppies. 
   6. Their dogs are generally healthy (there is always the occasional issue that is outside of anyone's control) with vet and vaccination records, a vet reference and plenty of customer references too. 
   7. They have a limited number of dogs in their home and know their dogs personally. If their program is larger, they may use Guardian Homes or other means to properly house and take care of their animals.
   8. They feed quality food and make sure you are educated on proper puppy nutrition as well. 
   9. Their animals show no signs of neglect and they are happy to prove it by allowing you to see the parents, their pedigrees and their records. 
   10. Their breeding pairs and their puppies are properly socialized and show no early signs of behavioral, anxiety and fear related issues.
   11. They do not allow their dogs to be re-homed without their permission or placed in shelters - ever. 

We hope this post, in combination with our other resources, will help you determine and locate the type of breeder you want to work with. When you demand a less expensive puppy, use a broker or "rescue a puppy" from the puppy store, set a budget below what a responsible breeder can produce or want a puppy without being on a waitlist or filling out an application,  you are making a choice about your breeder whether you realize it or not.  

This blog post will cover why it's so important to purchase a puppy from a breeder who does DNA tests on their breeding stock and what to look for when provided a copy. We will cover in a future post why you might consider DNA testing your own dog, especially if you rescued, purchased from a puppy store or bought a puppy without researching the breeder.  
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The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is prone to numerous health conditions, many of them both financially and personally devastating for their owners. Years ago, we didn't have DNA testing available to help us identify dogs that were at risk for passing on serious genetic defects. Today, that's not the case and therefore any reputable breeder will be able to discuss with you the role that DNA plays in their breeding program and provide you with testing results. Before discussing specific genetic conditions that impact this breed we want to cover the basics of understanding whether a dog is at genetically clear (healthy), a carrier (healthy but can pass on the disease to puppies) or affected (unhealthy and will pass on the disease).
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CLEAR - This is the gold standard. This is a dog who is clear of any genetic defects. This means they are not personally at risk and do not carry any genes for genetic defect that can be passed on to their puppies. 
CARRIER - A carrier is a dog who carries one (1) gene for a genetic defect. Because they only carry one gene for this defect it will not affect them (they will never develop the defect) but they can pass it on to their puppies. Some consumers mistakenly believe that carriers should not be bred but this is not case. Carriers can safely be bred but only to a dog who is clear for that defect. If we removed all carriers from our breeding pool we would encounter other problems with inbreeding. Two carriers should not be bred. 
AFFECTED - A dog who is at risk (or affected) is a dog who carries 2 copies of the gene for a trait and therefore is at risk for the disease. Although not ideal, this dog can still be bred to a dog who is clear as they will produce a litter of carriers. That being said, you do not want to purchase a dog who is affected for a genetic condition as that dog will likely become symptomatic of that condition. If your breeder doesn't test genetically then you will have no way of knowing what you are getting. 
This digram helps illustrate the breeding of clear, carriers and affected dogs.

Now that you have an understanding of clear, carrier and affected you need to know what genetic tests are important for this breed. At a minimum, a reputable breeder should be testing for the following: 

CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIEL - 

• Dry Eye Curly Coat Syndrome
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Episodic Falling Syndrome
• Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)

To see a sample Embark DNA report, please check out this post where we provide a report from one of our dogs.

A few final words for those looking for a hybrid puppy (Cavachon or Cavapoo). First, be very wary of the hybrid breeder who claims they don't need to DNA test their dogs because crossing two breeds will eliminate the genetic disorders. This is false. This breeder is either being deceptive or has just shown their ignorance. For example Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) which is a devastating neurological disorder that doesn't appear until a dog is older (and his/her puppies have already been sold). This disease is similar to ALS or Lou Gehrig's in humans. This disease also appears in both poodles and Cavaliers; therefore, a hybrid breeder who is not testing both parents for the common disease(s) is setting up puppy owners for heartbreak. 

Secondly, this is where the difference between a F1 puppy and an F2 puppy is really important. With F1 puppies many of the diseases can be eliminated if they are not a common disease; however, with F2 puppies you bring the disease possibility back. This often confuses people so here is an example: 

F1 Cavapoos - A purebred Cavalier Spaniel is crossed with a purebred Poodle. The Cavalier Spaniel is affected for DM. The Bichon is clear for DM. As you can see from the chart above, 100% of their offspring will be a carrier for DM. They will not have the disease but they will pass it on to their hybrid offspring. 

F2 - An uneducated breeder has two F1 Cavapoos. Both were from a situation similar to the above and carry for DM but don't show signs of the disease. The breeder doesn't DNA test because they are breeding hybrids and were told it isn't necessary or is trying to increase profits by not testing. They breed these dogs together and again referring to the chart above more than 50% of their puppies will inherit and be affected by this disease. The new owner is clueless and feels confident in this breeder because they received a one-year health guarantee for a condition that will not appear for 7+ more years. 

DNA testing alone does not make a reputable breeder. There are other breed specific heart, hip, eye and related tests that should be performed and provided. For more information on those tests, please see our posts on the OFA as a part of your puppy search. 

If you would like to learn more about DNA testing your dog before breeding or to uncover any potential health risks, we highly recommend Embark as they handle all of our DNA testing and are a paid advertiser of our educational content. Please review this post that provides Embark discounts and a copy of an Embark report. 

We talk a lot about DNA and want to share a quick post on our preferred DNA provider, Embark Veterinary, Inc. We recommend Embark to the following people: 

• New breeders who want a comprehensive and easily understandable DNA test to determine if their dogs should be bred. 
• New owners who purchase from a rescue, puppy store, puppy mill or a breeder who did not do DNA testing. This is specifically important for those who relied on a health guarantee and want to detect any issues before it expires. 
• Dog enthusiasts who simply want to know more about their dog's traits, health and ancestry. It's particularly fun with rescue dogs when the family has been playing "I wonder if he has any ___ in him." 

While there are several DNA companies on the market, we specifically use and sought out Embark as a paid advertiser of our content because of the following:

• Their reports are easy to understand and can be easily downloaded to share with your vet. 
• They are constantly researching and identifying new information related to our breeds. They recently identified a new genetic trait and alerted us immediately that one of our dogs might be at risk. This was invaluable for our breeding program and our vet.
• They provide a wealth of knowledge for both owners and breeders. As a breeder, I love their new "matchmaking tool" which helps me identify potential DNA matches in other dogs for breeding (think of Match.com but DNA based . . . and for dogs). 
• We love that they provide us the ability to share our breeding dogs DNA reports by link to reduce fraud, forgery and false DNA often given by scammers and puppy mills. 

Attached is a sample page from our Embark DNA report on KoKo that shows she's DNA clear for all conditions. This is the gold standard for breeding.

​If you are searching for a puppy, please read our post on DNA TESTING and the role it plays in responsible breeding. If you are considering one of our puppies, please email us and we will gladly share our full Embark DNA reports with you for your review. If you are a new dog owner and want to test your puppy for any health conditions, please use the link below for current promotions being offered by Embark. ​

If you Google "MegaChon" you won't find much, in fact it will auto correct to MegaCon (comic book and sci-fi conventions) but we promise this is a real thing. For proof, we've asked a few owners to share photos of their beloved MegaChons. 

So what exactly is a MegaChon? It's simply a Cavachon who is significantly larger than expected and larger than both parents. They aren't fat, they're just big. Some are long. Some are tall, Some are both. When I had my first MegaChon (Oattie, who is currently 12 years old and 25 pounds), I thought he was rare! How did a dog bred from an 11 pound Bichon and a 14 pound Cavalier hit 25 pounds in 18 months? Over the years, thanks to the many Cavachon and related dog forums, Oattie and I have learned we are not alone and in fact there are many MegaChons roaming the earth and even those who were originally hoping for a smaller dog end up loving this overgrown couch potatoes (although many of us wear of explaining that they aren't a small labradoodle). 

When Oattie was born, he was not the largest puppy in the litter. The others ended up around 14-15 pounds. At that time, we didn't have doggy genetics but today we do and so this phenomenon can actually be explained. Before getting in to the genetics, there is one obvious (and somewhat dubious) explanation for some MegaChons.  If you did not see the parents, it's simply possible that the breeder is breeding a Bichon and Cavalier that don't meet their breed standards (i.e. they are larger than what's considered normal per the AKC). Breeders may specifically do this in hopes of larger litters as larger females are often able to successfully carry more pups. If you truly want a smaller dog (perhaps for travel purposes), make sure you ask to see both parents and get their adult weight and size as well of photos with them compared to objects in the home (it's sometimes hard to determine size without seeing it relative to another object). 

Now, assuming you know your dog's parents were standard (or even small) for their size then you can rest easy knowing that your MegaChon is simply a gentic phenomenon much like the 6'2" son I have (I'm 5'3"). Dog size is a complex trait and despite the best guess of even the most experienced breeder, variations do occur. Approximately 85% of dog size is genetic but the remainder is environmental (nutrition, etc.) or unexplained according to Embark DNA panels. In the case of the MegaChon, I've provided a couple of screenshots to demonstrate how this can occur. 

​Screenshot #1 - Layla. Layla is one of our female Bichons weighing in at just under 10 pounds (exactly what Embark predicted her adult weight would be). This puts her well within breed standards BUT you can see from the screenshot below that she carries some alleles for larger size traits.        

Screenshot #2 - Bentley. Bentley is one of our male Cavaliers who weighs just over 15 pounds despite an Embark prediction that he will weigh 21 pounds. Standard weight for Cavaliers is 13-18 pounds so he's within range but smaller for a male. We chose Bentley for this comparison b/c his genetics differ from Layla although both are average or small.

As a breeder, logic might have us assume that a Bichon weighing in at 10 pounds being bred to a Cavalier weighing in at 15 pounds will produce puppies somewhere between 10-15 pounds. The breeder might also make educated guesses within the litter about future size based on birth weight, sex and whether they carry more Cavalier or Bichon genes in appearance. Prior litters are also helpful in these educated guesses. Many times, the breeder will be right. However, looking at these screenshots we can now understand that our lovable MegaChons are nothing more than a combination of genetics where a puppy ends up with all the "larger" or "intermediate" genes from both parents and suddenly outgrows them both. In our hypothetical one puppy could carry for Larger, Larger, Intermediate, Intermediate and Larger from two relatively small parents. Combine this with environmental factors and you can have an unexpected Magachon. 

Those of us with MegaChons would not change them for the world; however, if you specifically want to avoid a MegaChon (perhaps for purposes of in-cabin air travel) or you specifically want to find a MegaChon (they are a great alternative to larger Doodle breeds), Embark's DNA panel can help eliminate or increase your chances by having your prospective puppy screened before purchase. While their size predictor isn't 100% accurate, it's truly the best guess at how much your adult dog will weigh!

TThe OFA - or Orthopedic Foundation for Animals is a fantastic organization that can really help you in your puppy search. Whether you are searching for a healthy Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or a related hybrid, don't neglect to check the OFA for information on your puppies parents. Here's what you need to know:

OFA VERSUS AKC - WHO DOES WHAT? - There is a huge difference between the AKC and the OFA. The AKC is the American Kennel Club. This organization is responsible for keeping the registry of purebred dogs in the United States. The fact that a dog is registered with the AKC means nothing more than the fact that it was born of two purebred dogs who are also registered. While purebred parents is important (even in hybrids as the point is an intentional cross of two purebred dogs), it is not an indicator of health, solid DNA or anything else. In fact, there are many AKC registered dogs that are the result of overbreeding, are unhealthy and who don't meet the breed standard as recognized by the organization. 

​On the other hand, the OFA is now the repository for both DNA and medical testing of dogs. Although initially this only applied to orthopedic type testing (hips, patellas), they have expanded their mission “to improve the health and well-being of companion animals through a reduction in the incidence of genetic disease.”

HOW CAN I USE THE OFA IN MY PUPPY SEARCH? - In order to use the OFA to search your potential puppies genetic and medical history, you first need the full name or registry number for both parents. Anyone selling purebred Cavaliers will have this readily available. Those breeding F1 Cavachons and Cavapoos may also be able to provide you with this information. Registry numbers can also be pulled from AKC pedigrees, as can full names. If your Cavalier breeder refuses to provide you this information, this is a potential red flag. If a hybrid breeder doesn't have the information, it's worth a conversation to make sure they are DNA testing their breeding stock as well as having them screened for health issues such as hearts, hips, eyes and patellas.

Once you have the information, proceed to www.ofa.org and follow the instructions below: 

• In addition to DNA tests, the OFA is also a registry for other medical testing including the most common which are hearts, hips, patellas and eyes. All Cavaliers should have regular heart testing. This is non-negotiable. These results will also appear under "tests" and will state what type of test was performed. In this category you are looking to make sure the dog has a good or normal result for the most recent tests. In our example, KoKo is too young for advanced heart testing (age 1 is first test) so it does not appear. It should appear in any dog being bred. 
• The other great thing about the OFA registry is that it links related dogs so once you have found the parent of your puppy, you can also determine if their parents are registered and look at their health history as well. This is important as some breeders might explain they don't need to DNA test the parents because they both come from DNA clear lines. The OFA registry helps you determine if this is in fact true. You can also look at siblings, half-siblings, grandparents and others to get a good indication of the bloodlines you are buying. 

We hope this post was helpful in explaining how the OFA can be a great resource for anyone looking to invest in a properly bred puppy. In future posts, we will break down both DNA and OFA testing results by Cavalier, Cavachon and Cavapoo as well. Please feel free to email us if you have any questions on the search for your perfect pet.  

While the internet is an amazing tool, it's actually made the process of finding the perfect puppy incredibly challenging. A decade ago, most of us would open the local classifieds and search in the animal section for a puppy that interested us. Today, and virtually overnight, anyone can put up a website and look like a reputable breeder. The introduction of DNA tests, shipping with flight nannies and designer dogs makes picking a puppy often feel overwhelming. There are simply too many options. So, how do you make the right choice? Here are our suggestions: 

1. START EARLY - Most bad puppy decisions are made because the buyer has a sudden desire for a puppy and grabs what they can find. If you're even thinking about a puppy, start your research early. Much like adding another child to the family, this is a serious decision and one that requires preparation. Many reputable breeders have long wait lists so know that starting a search in November for a Christmas puppy is often going to leave you with last pick or a breeder with questionable puppies. 
2. PICK YOUR BREED - Narrow in on the right breed. Don't rely on what one or two people on a forum have to say - read up on the breed from reputable websites. And remember, just like kids, a dog is part nature and part nurture. The person who says their Cavachon is out of control is probably the same person who didn't spend the time to train the dog! As for breeds, it's fine to have a first and second choice in breeds but shopping for multiple breeds is too much work. If you are debating between a Cavachon or Cavapoo, start here. 
3. KNOW HOW TO AVOID SCAMS - Please read our several posts updated often on how to identify and avoid puppy scams! Click PUPPY SCAMS for more information!
   
4. GENERATE A LIST & BUDGET - Start with a list of 4-5 breeders. You can generate this list from local ads, online searches, Facebook or Instagram pages, and recommendations from friends or neighbors. Do not take one recommendation and stop. A single recommendation is not enough as many breeders will be narrowed out by the process or may not have a litter in your time frame. Also remember that many of the best breeders don't sell online, use Facebook forums or have to advertise - ask around, attend dog shows, check AKC pages or stop people on the street with your ideal dog. While generating your breeder list, decide up front what you are willing to pay, whether or not you are willing to have your puppy flown to you or what distance you are willing to drive. 
5. SEND EMAILS TO POTENTIAL BREEDERS (ROUND ONE OF QUESTIONS)- Not all breeders will respond to emails as many of them get tons of inquiries from window shoppers who waste their time. That being said, an introductory email asking a few basic questions can help you quickly weed out potential puppy mills, "backyard breeders" and others to avoid. If you have your heart set on a breeder and they don't respond, schedule a phone call and have this list handy! Your initial contact should ask the following: 
   1. THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION (long before how curly the coat is or the expected size of the dog) . . . Do you have the DNA tests for the parents (or grandparents) and if so are you willing to provide a copy of those DNA results to potential owners? 
      1. If the answer is no, you should immediately mark this breeder off your list. There is no excuse for failure to DNA test dogs and it indicates someone who is cutting corners and is not concerned about genetic issues that impact their breeding stock. Breeding without DNA and health testing is like breeding with blinders on. Ignorance is bliss except for the new puppy owner to whom the buck is passed. Meanwhile, a reputable breeder won't mind being asked and will be proud to share their testing and knowledge about their dogs. 
      2. If the answer is yes, follow through and get the test. They are not difficult to read or understand. Just asking if they do it is not enough as many bad breeders are hoping you lack follow through and have been known to lie! A dog marked "at risk" for a genetic condition should not be bred. A dog who is a "carrier" for a genetic condition can often be safely bred so long as he/she is being bred to another dog who is not a carrier. If you are unsure how to read the results, ask a friend, a vet or email the result to us. 
   2. Do the parents have their OFA testing and certifications? If so, are you willing to provide them? 
      1. OFA is an incredible resource and well known to any reputable breeder. Their testing is primarily for heart, hips, and eyes but they also serve as a DNA registry. If the parents are not OFA tested, you should inquire as to why? If they are tested, you can actually search for them on the OFA website and learn a wealth of information about the parents of your (potential) future pup. Learn more about using the OFA for your puppy search here.  
   3. Are your dogs registered with the AKC? If so, can you provide their pedigrees?
      1. If shopping for a purebred such as a Cavalier, you should only purchase from breeders who register their dogs as this is the only way to confirm they are purebred and from the parents as claimed. 
      2. If shopping for a hybrid or designer dog, this is still really important. This is one area where many buyers get scammed or duped and pay way too much for a dog. A breeder advertising true Cavachons and Cavapoos (F1) should be breeding two purebred dogs. If they are not then it's still possible to get a great puppy, but you should be paying much less for the dog and you should inspect all DNA testing and OFA certifications even more closely.  
      3. Always be suspicious of someone who claims their dogs have pedigrees, DNA testing or OFA Certifications but refuses to share them!
   4. How do you socialize your puppies? 
      1. Again, no correct answer and not every breeder needs to follow the latest trend of how to socialize a puppy but it is important that they've been around plenty of people, other dogs, household noises and even other animals. Lack of socialization often leads to anxious, shy or aggressive dogs. If you are purchasing from a distance and won't view the pups surroundings in person, then you might also ask for a photo and videos of the puppies in their surroundings with the mother. Look for cleanliness, toys, where they are located, where they sleep, etc. 
   5. If for any reason I can no longer take care of the puppy, may I return it to you? 
      1. The correct answer to this question is yes. No exceptions. A responsible breeder will never want their puppy turned over to a rescue or shelter. They will always offer to re-home any puppy they have sold. 
   6. When can I take the puppy home?
      1. The correct answer here is NEVER before 8 weeks. Most breeders who understand the proper socialization of mom and pup will actually recommend you wait closer to 9 or 10 weeks but isn't likely to argue with a family wanting their baby as soon as possible.  
   7. Do you offer any health guarantees? 
      1. A word on health guarantees here. Most of them are not worth the paper they're written on (sorry, that's the lawyer in me speaking) but it's good to know the breeders policy in advance. A breeder who doesn't DNA test their dogs often offers a really great health guarantee to make you feel more comfortable; however, when you review that guarantee carefully (always ask for a copy long before you have met the dog) you will notice they offer to replace the dog. They do this because they count on the fact that no dog lover will give up or "trade" their sick dog for a new one. In the end, a puppy replacement just isn't what most people are wanting! 
   8. Do you have an application process? 
      1. No correct answer. Some breeders like formal applications and others prefer to get to know you by phone. What you should be concerned about here is the breeder that has no interest in you, your family, kids, other animals in the home, etc. and is perfectly willing to just send a puppy off to a stranger. If you're feeling interrogated by the breeder, this is actually a good sign as it indicates a breeder who is doing their best to make sure the puppy is being placed in a loving home with a family who is both prepared and can afford to take proper care of it. 
   9. How often do you breed your females? 
      1. Similar to the human population, breeding frequently really has no negative impacts on the males. In fact, as long as they’re in good health, male dogs can produce high-quality sperm their entire life and even in older age.
      2. Overbreeding of females is a sign of a puppy mill or a breeder who cares more about the bottom line than the health of their dogs. While there are debates about how often a healthy female should be bred, be very wary of a breeder who a) refuses to answer, b) whose answer does not match their own webpage or online postings of puppies or 3) can't answer b/c they don't know. No reputable breeder will breed a female to exhaustion, not track a dogs litters or breed a female of advanced age.  
   10. Do you have any puppies currently available? If not, do you have a waitlist and what are your waitlist policies? 
       1. Reminder: Many of the best breeders have waiting lists. There is no correct answer here, but be suspicious of someone who always has lots of puppies on hand. 
   11. Can you provide me with 3 references of families that have your dogs? 
6. BREEDER FOLLOW UP - The process above will actually narrow your list to only a handful of breeders (sometimes you will be down to one or maybe even starting over). Some will get marked off as the red flags will become evident, others simply won't have puppies in the near future and don't have the type of puppy you are looking for. Either way, now that the homework is done you get to ask the fun questions. These are often the questions that people ask first but you should only ask these of breeders on your short list!
   1. How much are your puppies? 
      1. We will explain in a separate post why a good puppy costs so much but it's important to know what you are paying for which is why this question is not included in the first round. You may learn that you are in fact willing to go over your budget for a puppy with great genetics, great DNA tests and champion parents. 
   2. Will the puppies have been dewormed and received their first vaccinations? 
   3. Am I allowed to visit the puppy in your home? 
      1. ALWAYS ask this even if you know you can't visit in person. Most reputable breeders will allow a visit once you've put down a deposit. Remember that breeders have to balance tons of people just wanting to play with puppies against those that are serious buyers.  Serious buyers should be welcome. Strangers are good for the socialization of puppies so not wanting them exposed to others is not a good excuse. If they won't allow this you should inquire as to why and feel comfortable with that explanation or consider it a major red flag. 
   4. Have you ever had a puppy returned to you? If so, why? 
   5. Do you require a deposit? If so, is it refundable? 
      1. It's okay to place a non-refundable deposit but you need to understand under what conditions, if any, it becomes refundable. What if the breeder doesn't have a puppy that meets your needs in a reasonable time? What if you learn the breeder mislead you on an important topic? 
7. PUPPY SPECIFIC - Congrats, you've found a breeder you can trust and identified a puppy or future litter by wait list. Here are the fun questions: 
   1. What are the sizes of the puppies parents?  
   2. Can you tell me about the temperament of the parents? 
   3. Have any of the puppies in this litter been sick? 
   4. What kind of food will my puppy be eating? 
   5. How do you decide which puppy goes to which family? 
   6. Will I get photos or videos of my puppy before they come home? 
   7. What if I change my mind? 
   8. Will my puppy be started on potty training? 
   9. What type of area will my puppy be living in? It's great to replicate something similar in your home to help the puppy acclimate. 

Puppies, just like people, can come down with health conditions and temperament problems despite the best of breeding but doing your homework upfront not only helps reduce this chance but improves the breeding community as a whole. While this list may seem long and perhaps overwhelming, following this guide will dramatically improve your chances of getting the puppy of your dreams and will certainly help make sure you are getting what you pay for? Once you've found that puppy, make sure to see our NEW PUPPY WISH LIST for items to have on hand and share photos on our Facebook page!