Frequently Asked Questions

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We don't require a deposit.  We expect full payment before taking the puppy at pickup.   We discuss the process and if we both agree we proceed.  

They spend a mix of inside and outside.   We have had such a warm fall they spend most days outside enjoying the beautiful weather.  We live on 40 acres.  We have built our own Dog Park that the dogs love to run and play on with toys and climb on cubes and obstacles and enjoy. This area is their happy spot that can do their zommies or just play chase.    These dogs are our family and our priority.

Yes we own all our parents of our puppies.  

We got our first Portugueses almost 5 years ago.  We started breeding when they are 2 years old.  But have been breeding Labs for close to 35 years before transitioning to PWD's.

We only breed Portuguese Water Dogs.  In the past we raised, trained and bred Labrador  Retrievers for over 35 years.   We transitioned to PWD's because of the size. lack of shedding and I fell in love with the breed. 

 Of course. The health and safety of our adults is a priority over all else. Our pregnant moms receive both pre and postnatal care.  All of our adults are genetically tested for testable conditions known in PWD's prior to allowing them into our breeding program. With the advent of DNA testing kits, all of our parents have had DNA testing through EMBARK. 

Yes.   Up until the puppy turns 1 year old we offer unconditional guarantee which demonstrates our belief in the quality of the dogs we raise.  If you are unhappy with the purchased of a particular pup for any reason(with a few exceptions, ie. injury) you can get a replacement pup in an upcoming litter at no charge.  The cost of delivering is the buyers responsibility to return the first puppy and pick up the new puppy . An example would be doesn't get along with siblings both human and dogs.  More information available in our contract.  This gives the new owner plenty of time to do any testing including PennHip and DNA testing,  

The  breed Standards are 30 to 50 pounds for female and male is 40 to 60.   

We always talk to puppy parents on the phone and discuss fees and the process.  We also email the information following the call to make sure we are on the same page.  I do not require a deposit or retainer fee but a commitment from you verbally paid in full at pickup cash.   

The puppies go home to their new families at 8 weeks.  Puppies will come with AKC registration applications, microchipped, Microchip, registration form, medical information for your Vet, and Contract and a blanket.  

NEVER

Puppy families are expected to come to Colorado to pick up their puppy.  I do deliver or meet depending on how far.  I might ask for my costs to be covered if very far.   I also have family in Eastern Kansas that I enjoy visiting if I meet near Kansas City.  I do deliver to DIA airport or Colorado Springs Airport if a new family wants to fly in to pickup their puppy.  Please check with airlines on traveling with a puppy size, age, crate size. 

Due to Covid-19 we are restricting in person visitors. Biosecurity for both humans and animals are important to us.  We can meet near in Sterling.  I can bring the puppy if you want to come after the puppies are 4 weeks old.   If you would like to meet the puppy a virtual visit through facetime, we would love to accommodate that.  

We have my buddy Splash our male and his 3 girls.  

All the puppies are on their mom until 6 weeks old.  Once we begin to wean we transition them to a mush (water over kibble) making it more and more crunchy as they grow.   We are feeding Diamond Naturals Large Breed puppy food at this time.  

Their mothers do most of the care at first with our support.  But once they are older they like to be under my feet or take turns on my lap.    They have their own private area of 8 x 8 with a welping box until they are older ...mom can come and go as needed.   We provide the puppies with early neurolgical stimulation.  Coming from the ranching world we always did early stimulation in baby foals as well but we called it imprinting.  This helps early brain development and growth.  In additional we start playing the radio or lullabies as they get older to accustom them to sounds and relaxing music for sleep.  

No.  But they are getting a understanding of going outside with mother. They follow her out and know that where they want to go and learn from her.    We do allow them outside to play exposing them to new environment and germs so that it is not a total shock to their system when they go to their new home.  They love their little walks in the openness of their new world.