Here you will find a list of Frequently Asked Questions and our answers to these questions.
If you have a question and the answer isn’t here, please email us at BuckeyeCountryKennel@gmail.com and we will reply within 24 hours.
Do I get to pick out my puppy or do you pick my puppy for me?
On your application you might have indicated some preference to gender, color, or desire to compete (in the conformation ring or field trials). While each breeding is carefully planned, genetics is what it is and there are always surprises. After the puppies are born, at about 4-5 weeks of age when they start to come into their own, we try to match everyone on the approved wait list with their preferences. At that time we will indicate what puppy (or puppies) we feel will match your preferences and personality. If your preferences is a “cuddler” we don’t want to give you a “wild and crazy” personality. If the litter doesn’t produce what you are looking for you are welcome to wait for the next litter.
Do you have any puppies available, so I can get one today?
The responsible breeding of puppies is a well-planned and time consuming process that incorporates both the health of the mom and dad, timing, and making sure that all puppies are spoken for well-before they are born so that we know that every single puppy in that litter will have a loving family waiting for its arrival. This is why we have an application process and a waiting period. And why we never have puppies available “same day”.
But I need a puppy today!
Alas, a puppy is not like a pair of jeans. A puppy is a 12+ year commitment. If you don’t like a pair of jeans, you don’t wear them. You can’t just get bored with a puppy! You have made a commitment to love, protect, provide for, and nurture that puppy for the next 12+ years. Too often, people who impulse buy puppies come to regret those decisions. We understand that you might know all of this and perhaps your other puppy plans “fell through”, then you understand that the process takes time and we only breed litters once we have enough approved families on our waiting list.
If I don’t want my puppy registered, is it cheaper?
When it comes to the science of breeding, there is a difference between “pure bred” and “well bred”. Here at Buckeye Country Kennel, we lead with the dedication to making sure all our puppies are happy, healthy, and “well bred”. Yes, they are also all AKC registered. But just because a dog is “pure bred” doesn’t mean it’s a good example of the breed or that it is happy and healthy. We require all of our puppies to be registered and we assist you through this process (it is pretty easy). The quality of our puppies isn’t the paperwork, its the puppy.
Are your prices negotiable?
We know that everyone has a memory of a dog that only cost $50, or someone down the road who has a dog for $250. And it is easy, when looking at the prices of our puppies to think they are expensive. They aren’t. It costs a lot of money to plan, test, care for, and raise (for those initial 10 weeks), happy and healthy puppies. The only variations in pricing that we have are for gender, color, and registration (limited vs. full). All of these prices are presented on our litter page on Good Dog and are non-negotiable.
I paid a deposit, can I come play with the puppies?
Under “normal” circumstances, we would allow this with some precautions. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, we are not allowing visitors into our home. If the weather is nice, we may set-up an outdoor play-date (depending on the age of the puppies, weather in Northeast Ohio, and availability), but this is never a guarantee.
We will gladly send you videos, pictures, and even arrange FaceTime or Zoom Chats so that you can see your puppy interacting with all the other puppies in the litter.
Do you ever have older/retired dogs looking for homes?
Rarely. Our dogs are our pets so they typically live out their golden years snuggling in our beds with us. In the event that we have a retired dog that we are looking to place, we will list them on our Available Dogs page. The same application process will apply and there will still be a cost associated with the dog.
Can you keep my puppy until it is house trained?
Sigh. While it is tempting to offer such a service for, let’s say $1,000/month, the reality of the situation is that being a puppy parent is about building a relationship with that puppy that includes “potty time”. You have to learn to train your dog. It is your dog. The only true way to have a happy dog, is to raise a happy dog.
Wow, that contract seems so long and detailed!
We know. This isn’t like buying a car. We want to make sure that you know everything that is expected of you and expected of us when it comes to this puppy. Our puppies will always be part of our family. Which means you are part of our family. We reach out to all of our adoptive families a couple times a year to find out how things are going. We want to hear the good things (titles or achievements) and the not-so-good things (health issues or negative behaviors). Feedback from our adoptive families is essential. The contract, in addition to being a formal explanation, is a clear guide of what needs to be done under regular circumstances and in extreme cases under dire ones. Please read through the contract, if you aren’t sure what section means, or why we put it in there, please feel free to reach out to us.
Can I get a copy of the contract?
Absolutely. Please reach out to us via email and we would be happy to send you the proper contract for your situation.