*** OUR TERMS & FAQ ***
First of all, with only five puppies to place, we are not desperate for homes. We could probably place all these puppies right where we live locally. What we are looking for, though, is the perfect (best possible) homes for these dogs.
Q. Who would be best suited for one of these puppies? Do I qualify?
Experienced dog handlers, people who will be able to provide firm, gentle, patient training and discipline. Individuals who are willing to guarantee longterm and lifetime homes. Individuals who can provide adequate space, exercise and entertainment for their dog. Individuals that can provide proper nutrition, health and medical care. Individuals who will include their dog in every aspect of their life. These are not the kind of animals that will thrive being tied out, kenneled or stored in the garage while you have family events – like small children, they need to have a positive, affirming place in your life and family that they can count on.
Q. Will I be required to sign a puppy contract?
Yes, each puppy owner will be required to sign a puppy contract. This legally binding contract will cover each of our responsibilities toward the dog and each other for the life of the dog, insuring that there will be no misunderstandings of our terms. Because these puppies are hybrids, the product of two different purebred animals, certain conditions are specified by the original breeder of my Aussie and must be honored by the new owners.
Q. What is the cost and how is this cost determined for an unregistered hybrid?
First off, hybrids can be registered in various registries. We chose not to register because we have a restricted breeding agreement with our Aussie breeder, and do not have future plans of breeding Reba again. Therefore, for this one time only, we decided to offer a higher quality unregistered dog for a more affordable price than what professional breeders would normally ask. Our price per puppy is $45o and that is an extra-ordinary deal for the quality of dog you will get with the care we have put into the rearing. We came about this price based on a percentage of the breeding value of the sire ($600) and the dam ($2400), and our own investment into the pups. We paid high breeding fees to our Aussie breeder, food and vet care for their mother in the gestation phase, food and vet care during the nursing phase, for tail docking and dew claw removal, food and vet care through the weaning phase until eight weeks of age. Although these puppies are not registered, we have committed ourselves to their health, handling and socialization as if they were. It is not the registration that matters, it is the breeding that matters when you are looking for a quality dog to add to your family. These are hybrids with proven and traceable purebred geneologies on both sides, not mutts, mongrels or offspring of a dubious nature. We have been asked not to use the high profile kennel names of our breeders to market or sell these puppies, but geneological information (contact info to obtain) will be available to you after your committment to purchase.
Q. Do we offer a discount for spaying / neutering?
Spaying / neutering is a strict, iron clad term of our contract. We will require *proof* of spaying / neutering before or at 10 months of age. If you spay at 6-7 months of age, and provide *proof* of spaying /neutering, we will refund you $75. Because these puppies are hybrids and their breeding lines are protected, the spay/neuter requirement is non-negotiable. If you do not, or refuse to spay / neuter within the time frame (10 months), you will risk losing your dog without reimbursement. If your dog strays and impregnates or is at risk of becoming pregnant, you will terminate by spaying/neutering immediately or risk losing your dog without reimbursement. This extreme wording is to protect the dog from IRRESPONSIBLE OWNERSHIP and to protect the original breeders from a reputation of IRRESPONSIBLE BREEDING, and will only be enforced in extreme cases where negligence is proven on your part.
Q. What other terms of this contract should I be aware of as I consider purchasing one of these puppies?
The main terms of the contract concern deposit, payment, your pledge to be a good owner and home, our pledge to deliver a healthy puppy, assist and provide advice to new owner and to rescue the dog if it is ever abandoned due to death, poor health or bad circumstances reported to us by law enforcement, owner or owners survivors. Your pledge to spay or neuter. Your pledge to give vitamin supplements for at least the first year of development. Your pledge to proper nutrition, physical activity, mental enrichment and love. Your dog in turn will pledge to love and serve you deeply for his/her whole lifetime.
Q. What are your basic terms in a nutshell?
(1) You must “pre-qualify” as a Springer-Aussie owner by filling out our Pre-Owner Questionaire. This enables us to get to know you a little better and determine if a Springer-Aussie is the right kind of dog for you, whether you will agree to our terms and if we have a personality match for you.
(2) $100 Non-refundable deposit required to reserve your pup.
(3) Pups are $450 each. Crate and shipping extra.
(4) Spaying is REQUIRED by 10 months, no exceptions. As incentive we offer a $75 refund if you spay at 6 or 7 months.
(5) You must enroll in our Puppy Supplement program for one year offered through our Aussie breeder.
(6) We strongly recommend the SARF diet, and will provide instructions. This is optional, but these puppies have been naturally reared, so we would appreciate if you give the SARF diet one full year to enjoy the developmental health benefits. More info on blog.
(7) To insure that you are a “forever home” we have certain terms written into our puppy contract which you will have to pay close attention to, basically outlined in the FAQ section above.
(8) We also want to stay in touch with our puppies! So, we will appreciate it if you were the kind of person who would keep a relationship with us, send stories and photos whenever you feel like, but on a regular basis, so we can watch our “grand-pups” grow!
These terms, while being more strict than many puppy contracts, are comparable to the terms set forth from Rescue Kennels or adoptions through the Humane Society and are legally binding. We believe that in this day and age when there are over 10,000 dogs and puppies in America put to death every day in “humane” societies, and twice as many abandoned every day, breeders and private owners alike need to be more particular about who we sell or give puppies to. The dollar is not the bottomline — the bottom line is the longterm responsibility, care and consideration of the animal for their entire lifetime. So, really, we are looking for like-minded people, who understand the importance of such stipulations and terms, who will provide forever homes.
If you have any further questions or concerns on any of these subjects, please do not hesitate to email us at springer.aussies@gmail.com or call us at 360-450-6988 (voice mail). Many blessings! Simone
