PUPPIES
We have no puppies at this time and are not planning any litters.
** Note ** We highly discourage buying a puppy as a Birthday or Christmas present. Buying a puppy should be something the whole family participates in! Puppies bought as a "surprise" are rarely given the love and attention they deserve.
Please buy from a reputable breeder. Mismarks are not rare colors and should not be more expensive than other "regular" colors. Read your chosen breeds' standard in regard to color!
Below are a list of frequently asked questions about buying a puppy - please take a moment and review the questions AND answers. Contact us for clarification or if you have additional questions that are not covered here.
How much does a puppy cost?
You should expect to pay between $1500-$2000 for a quality puppy from a reputable, responsible breeder.
Why are your puppies so expensive when I can buy a puppy out of the paper for $500?
The simple answer is "you get what you pay for". Reputable breeders are intent on maintaining their breed to the AKC standard and ensuring that the puppies produced are healthy in body and mind.
What is a "reputable breeder" and why should I buy a puppy from one?
Being a reputable breeder means that the primary goal is to better the breed. Here is a list of some of ways this is done:
AKC STANDARD: Reputable breeders strive to produce puppies that meet the AKC standard. The form, size and structure of a properly bred dog is a beautiful thing but it is also functional and that way for a reason. A breeder who breeds for one particular trait alone (such as size in Great Danes), will often find that other qualities are neglected. The goal in breeding should be the 'whole picture' including temperment and correct color. View the AKC standards of all AKC recognized breeds at the AKC website (http://www.akc.org under the subtitle "breeds").
HEALTH: Reputable breeders will try to breed the healthiest puppies they can. While they cannot protect their dogs from every physical ailment, they can certainly stack the cards in their favor -- in other words, health testing of all breeding dogs. You should expect any reputable breeder to at least have tested BOTH parents for common diseases in their breed. For Great Danes, Dobermans, Saint Bernards, and Samoyeds this should always be hip displasia and cataracts. They may also be tested for elbow displasia, von Willibrand's disease (a bleeding disorder), hypothyroidism, and/or cardiomyopathy (a deadly, inheritable heart disease). Furthermore, you should expect to receive copies of all the parents' health tests for your records. BEWARE: Anyone can say their dog has been health tested - ask for PROOF, a reputable breeder will admire you asking and gladly provide copies. Finally, a reputable breeder will stand behind their puppies with a 7 day health guarantee and warranty against genetically inherited diseases/illnesses for at least 3 years and offer a replacement puppy if necessary.
CROPPING: A reputable breeder will sell their puppies already cropped by a veterinarian who has experience cropping your breed. They will be with the puppies during the whole procedure and ensure that you are properly trained in ear taping and will help you through the whole process. You should not be required to crop your puppy but if you choose to have him/her cropped, it will be done before you collect them.
GENETIC HISTORY: You should be provided with a 4 or 5-generation pedigree identifying all ancestors, their accomplishments, and colors. You should be able to meet relatives of your puppy (aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.) and your breeder should be able to tell you about their personalities, lifespans and causes of death.
VET CARE: Any puppy you buy should have all age-appropriate shots at the time it is placed with his/her new family and been vet checked (with documentation provided to the new owners).
SOCIALIZATION: The 'window of socialization' is from approximately 5 weeks to 16 weeks. It is during this period where the puppy will most easily adapt to new situations and learn how to react the stimulus in his/her environment. Responsible breeders will ensure that the puppy is exposed to a variety of situations and people in a positive manner so they may more easily adapt to your home and lifestyle.
AKC REGISTRATION: You will be given the puppy's registration papers when you pick him/her up to take home. NEVER believe a breeder who says they will send you the papers later or that they have lost them. The AKC recommends that the AKC papers be given with the puppy (nor should they be sold for an additional fee).
INTERVIEWS: A responsible breeder will ask YOU lots of questions, ask for references and may even do a home visit to make sure you are a good home for one of their puppies. In return, they will admire you for asking them lots of questions -- there should be nothing to hide and will gladly answer any questions you may have about breeding goals, the puppy's ancestors, socialization, etc. The primary goal in placing puppies is to ensure that there is a good match between family and puppy that will last a lifetime. Although I am not a member of the Canadian Kennel Club, here are some very good tips regarding finding a reputable breeder : http://www.ckc.ca/en/Default.aspx?tabid=113
MORE: There are many things that make a breeder 'reputable' and 'responsible'; and much information on the internet.
I just want a pet and I don't have any intention of 'showing' my dog, so why do I care if the parents are CHAMPIONS?
A dog that is a 'Champion' or has other titles is no more or less a pet than any other dog however, it does illustrate several things about the owners:
1) They believe that their dog is a good example of the breed and they are willing to prove it by paying hundreds or thousands of dollars showing the dogs before experts of the breed.
2) A 'show' dog will almost always have a steady, outgoing temperment (afterall, they go everywhere and get touched by everybody).
3) A 'show' dog owner tends to be active in the their breed. They stay informed about the issues facing the breed, are members of local and/or national breed clubs, and are better able to evaluate their own dogs by having seen others.
4) 'Show' dog people will tend to look all over the US/Canada and sometimes the world to find the most suitable stud dog to produce great puppies. A close stud dog is not always the best one out there and a good breeder will be able to to tell you WHY they selected the stud dog that they did!
5) Having titles on your dog is a sign of dedication to that dog, whether they be conformation, obedience, tracking, agility, therapy or whatever. These titles serve as proof that a dog has the ability and willingness to perform/assist their people. Traits like these should be exactly what ANYONE is looking for in a puppy regardless of whether he or she will enter the 'ring' or not!
There are 4 primary organisations which issue "Champion" titles: the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC), the International All-Breed Canine Association (IABCA) and the United Kennel Club (UKC). A copy of the dam and/or sire's CH certificate should be available for you to copy and keep. Below is a brief description of each and how they are different.
AKC: This is considered the most stringent and difficult Championship to achieve. It requires at least 3 different licensed AKC judges to award Winner's Bitch/Dog (over a substantial amount of competition). Most dogs will take at least 1-2 years (sometimes more) to earn this prestigious title.
CKC: This organization is simliar to the AKC but covers all of Canada. Many owners will make a point of earning both an AKC and CKC CH as proof that their dog looks good ANYWHERE :)
IABCA: International All-Breed Canine Association's focus is judging the dog against its standard to determine if it is CH quality. Again, 3 different judges (from at least 2 different countries) must agree that the dog is an EXCELLENT representative of its breed in order to earn the Intl CH title.
UKC: The UKC is an older rival of the AKC and also awards points and a CH title in competition against other dogs. The organization is not as well known as the AKC but does offer a less formal place to exhibit your dog.
When can I have a puppy? (Also known as: How long will I have to wait for a puppy?)
It is always a good idea to pick a good breeder first -- regardless of the wait for a puppy. A responsible breeder plans their litters months (and sometimes years) in advance! There may even be a waiting list for puppies and many will be 'sold' before they are even born. You may wait months (or longer) for a great puppy but you will also be able to follow that puppy from its birth and all through its life. You will get to see the puppies at a variety of ages and if you are one of the first to 'claim' a puppy, you will often get to pick (with the help of the breeder) from several.(although that decision is always the hardest!). You should never buy a puppy on a whim -- good planning and preparation will help to ensure that you and your family are prepared for the committment and love of a boucing baby puppy!
Are all 'Champion' titles the same -- why are there so many?
What is a puppy mill and why should I avoid them?
A puppy mill is anyplace that breeds puppies for the purpose of making a profit. These places will typically NOT health test their breeding stock, will not guarantee the health of their puppies or warranty them against genetic defects, they will over-breed a bitch (a bitch should be bred at most only once every year and between the ages of 2-6), they do not care who they sell a puppy to as long as they get their money, they will often have puppies for several different breeds and they ALWAYS HAVE PUPPIES AVAILABLE. A puppy born in this environment rarely gets the socialization or attention they need and deserve and the dam is often used as a breeding/money making machine rather than loved as the family member they should be. Regardless of where you choose to find your next puppy, we ask you NOT to buy from a puppy mill as this will only encourage these people to continue this irresponsible, money oriented behavior. Look for someone who breeds because they LOVE the breed :)
Why do I need a CONTRACT to buy a puppy?
Reputable breeders will ask all new 'parents' to sign a contract. This document will outline their responsibilities to you as the puppy's breeder including guarantee/warranty agreements and spay/neuter requirements for 'pet' puppies. This document will also make clear your responsibilities as the owner of one of their puppies including returning the puppy if you can't keep him/her for any reason. Contracts should be used as a positive and forthright foundation of a relationship with the new owners.
What is a "limited registration" and why are some puppies sold that way?
A limited registration means that you will receive the AKC papers for your puppy but you will not be able to breed your dog. You will be able to compete and participate in all AKC activities (except conformation) and the breeder may lift the limited registration if they feel the circumstances are appropriate. The main goal is to prevent reckless breeding of dogs that have not demonstrated themselves to be good representatives of the breed through showing and competition. In other words, if you aren't willing to take the time and effort to show your dog - you should not be breeding your dog.
If you have other questions that are not covered on this page, or if you would like to discuss any of these with us please don't hesitate to call or email us. We are always willing to TALK DOGS !!
VOYAGER DOGZ
In Sequim, Washington USA
Kathryn Kudron & Wilhelm Beckmann
est 1995
(Copyright (C) 2018 Voyager Dogz, Kathryn Kudron, Wilhelm Beckmann). All Rights Reserved.)
