What does making a deposit mean? Is that the same thing as a reservation fee? How do you decide who gets which puppy?

A deposit and a reservation fee is basically the same thing, it is non-refundable. Your order in the puppy allocation will be based on when your reservation fee is received. This reservation fee doesn’t lock in which exact puppy you get- only the opportunity to have one of these puppies.

I might hold back 1 or 2 puppies in each litter as possible breeders so I always get first pick. I make my decision on which puppy I will keep after they have their “aptitude” tested at 7 weeks old and have their structure evaluation completed at 8 weeks old. I know waiting until the puppies are 8 weeks to know which puppy you will get makes it a little tough for people that really want a certain color or gender. From my experience, I prefer to place puppies based on personalities that will fit best with each family rather than just by color or gender. Having a good fit personality wise will mean much more in the long run than the puppy color. But I still let you decide which puppy you want along with my recommendation.

In summary, the breeder always gets first pick. The rest of the puppies are picked in the order of deposit received. I will give my suggestion on which puppies would be best based on each puppy’s personality, but the final decision is always up to you.

Is the reservation fee refundable?

Reservation fees are NON-REFUNDABLE.

How much is the non-refundable reservation fee?

The non-refundable reservation fee is 500 EURO. This amount is subtracted from the total cost of the puppy.

How can I pay a reservation fee?

Before making paying a reservation fee, you must submit a puppy application and then be approved for a puppy.

Why am I asking for non-refundable deposits?

Being a responsible dog breeder requires careful planning, a huge time commitment, and major financial investments. Non-refundable deposits support breeders with all of these things.

Non-refundable deposits assure breeders that they have buyers for their beloved pups, protect these investments in time and money, and in some cases, may help cover these upfront costs for breeders.

Why are deposits important?

Non-refundable deposits also serve as a screening tool for breeders to use when evaluating potential puppy buyers. Payment of a non-refundable deposit indicates to a breeder that a potential buyer is serious and not just “window-shopping,” putting their names down on a waitlist or multiple waitlists without any intention of actually getting a puppy. Buyers who are willing to pay non-refundable deposits are typically buyers who believe they have found the right breeder for them and are committed to following through with purchasing a puppy. This means that non-refundable deposits protect breeders from a situation where a buyer backs out after a litter is born and a breeder must then dedicate unexpected time and energy finding new homes, while also caring for the remaining pups.

Finally, it can be scary and stressful for a breeder to believe all the pups in her litter are committed to great homes, only to find out at the last minute that one of her puppy buyers has backed out. Suddenly, the breeder is faced with unexpected and time-sensitive demands. Many puppy buyers have a strong preference for younger puppies and so, depending on the timing, the breeder likely needs to find a suitable replacement home quickly. In addition, the remaining puppy requires timely socialization, development, vaccinations and other care that the breeder hadn’t planned for. This unexpected addition of a puppy to the breeder’s family may not be something the breeder is in a position to handle easily – either from a cost, time or logistical perspective. Non-refundable deposits reduce the risk of this happening to a breeder and, if it does, help offset the unexpected expenses.